Wanderin’ My Way in Taipei

When DawnO and I were hatching our loose plans for Sri Lanka, I had it in the back of my mind that I would stay a bit longer. What that would look like and where that would be, I wasn’t exactly sure. About a month before we set off, i found and booked something that intrigues me, that I haven’t done before and that isn’t necessarily in my skill set . . . . but you’ll have to wait to hear about that because it doesn’t start until Easter!

So, between my Rock-Awn time and my “mystery event” time, I was now toying with 7-10 days before I actually had to be anywhere. What to do? I had a few things popping up, but it always seemed to go back to Taiwan even though I kept trying to talk myself out of it – the weather forecast doesn’t look great, it has me backtracking slightly with the ‘mystery event’ and is 7 days really enough to truly get a feel for a country?

For quite a few years now, I have really wanted to go to Taiwan for two main reasons that when I say them out loud actually sound quite silly.

First, a couple times on my way to different places in Asia, the airport in Taipei was my connection point. The first time I was in this airport, I found it so fun with the various themes, the cute rooms and its lighthearted feel. I wanted to visit the country that made those things happen 😄

Second, a few years ago (I don’t remember how), I found out about a cafe in Taipei that was totally my jam. I KNEW I had to get there at some point!

So after saying goodbye to DawnO and with Taiwan in my sights I eventually landed in Taipei. But when I got here, instead of excitement, I felt overwhelmed and, to be honest, quite fatigued. I started to spin with thoughts such as . . . How was I going to see it all? With little to no research, what should I even be seeing and doing? Should I be going to at least two cities and doing day trips if I really want to experience Taiwan? How was I going to maximize my time?

It actually took me a couple days to realize . . . . I was trying to travel in a way I thought I “should” be travelling. But right now, I needed to travel in my own way and in this instance that meant s l o w i n g. down and staying in one spot, resting more and only doing or being in the places that interested or excited me.

And with that AND by visiting the cafe I had wanted to visit for a few years with NOTHING else planned . . . . the sparks returned. ✨✨✨

早初 Entry Time Postcard Café

(and/or Xiao Chu is flying! . . . I was a bit confused about the name)

This is a cafe whose theme is POSTCARDS!!!! 💌😃 They use postcards to order, you get to keep your order postcards, you can write future postcards to yourself and/or others, they have numerous postcards for sale and endless supplies to spruce up your cards . . . . . of course I was in heaven!!!!!! There were also a couple cats wandering around if that’s your thing!

I FRIGGIN LOVED IT!!!!

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In the end, I also fell in love with Taipei. There were a few things I did that were recommended to me and some I found along the way that were absolute highlights and were so special and ✨ magical ✨ Mostly, I spent HOURS just wandering the roads and backstreets checking out neighbourhoods I had learned about and ones I discovered along the way. THAT is MY way. THAT is how I get a feel for a place. Wanderin’ – more often without a destination or timeline – is the way the world tends to work best and work out for me, so that is what I allowed myself to get back to in Taipei.

Some highlights from my wanders:

• Knife Therapy: Did you know there’s a therapy called knife massage? I didn’t! But I discovered it in Taiwan, learned that its origins are in China. and knew I had to try it! From what I understand it’s about working with chi (the vital life force flowing through us) through various energy lines with tapping and vibrations. My session included education, information, and discussion on energy, exercises to help get things moving, and concluded with a fun gab fest (I’m not sure if that’s for everyone or just for me 😝). My therapist had the most calming energy, the session didn’t hurt at all (in fact, it released my extra tight muscles in a whole new way) and I sat around chatting and connecting with a few of the therapists before I left. I LOVED it! If you’re ever in Taipei, be sure to check out 世界刀療教育中心Ancient Art of Knife Therapy Education Center

• Liberty Square & Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall: Nature and the natural environment is what often takes my breath away. However, occasionally man made structures do this too. This was my experience at Liberty Square & Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. I walked there one morning with the intention to watch the changing of the guards ceremony. The moment I got there I was awe struck. I wasn’t expecting how spacious the place is, the scope and beauty of the architecture and the various activities to do there (did I mention I often go in blind to new places 😝) I thought I’d be there for maybe an hour. I was there for a good chunk of the day simply wandering in awe, watching the changing of the guard ceremony a few times (it happens every hour), walking through an art exhibit that truly inspired me and resulted in some cool connections, relearning about some sad and brutal parts of Taiwan’s history through the permanent exhibitions and having bubble tea in the gardens. So many “I love this” moments!

*** inside the hall was a statue of Chiang Kai-shek, but given the controversial views of him by people in Taiwan and the terror and abuse that resulted for many years under his leadership, I’m highlighting the intricate details of the roof instead which features a symbol of Taiwan. There have been campaigns in the past to change the name of the memorial hall to “National Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall” and in July 2024, the changing of the guard ceremonies moved from happening in the hall under the Chiang Kai-shek statue to in front of the memorial on Democracy Boulevard.

I was inspired by this particular art installation, and the volunteers not only helped me to take a jump shot in front of my fav quote of the exhibit, but helped me bring it to life! 🙏🏽❤️

• Elephant Mountain: A friend had recommended I hike Elephant mountain. It is a steep climb that gets you out of the urban environment, into nature and provides many good views of Taipei 101 (at one time the world’s highest building). It involves a lot of stairs and can be quite busy. Once at the top, as I was on a roll, I continued on to Jiuwu Peak. It was less busy, had interesting sites and temples along the way and included A LOT MORE stairs. It was a nice nature day, but I did surprisingly reach a point where I declared out loud “this is too many stairs” and eventually began my descent back.

• Food: Oh my . . . . the food! Delicious, varied and plentiful! I tried some things on my own and went on a food tour at one point to get more exposure. I really wanted to try stinky tofu, but then I passed by a stand and the name is fitting! I didn’t think I could get past one taste and didn’t want to waste a whole dish on just one taste. So, B-Rod get ready to try stinky tofu with me when we come back! 😝 I DID try some century egg (which has the reputation as one of the world’s most disliked foods) and pig’s blood rice cake and didn’t actually mind either of these!

I attempted the night market one night, but it got VERY busy VERY quickly, and I only lasted a couple passes before I had to get out!

My own food finds

Japan ruled Taiwan for 50 years until 1945, so there’s a lot of Japanese influence to be found. I didn’t have conveyor belt sushi when I was in Japan, so I got the chance to have it here. FYI, the “mango snow ice” dessert blew my mind and changed my life!!!!!! 🤯

I was going to look for soup dumplings at a local mom & pop shop, but on my last night, I decided to go to the world renowned Din Tai Fung despite hearing I may have to wait for hours. I didn’t have to wait at all, I got a free dish because they had to move me to a different table at one point, the dumplings were AMAZING and for dessert I had something that my friend B had introduced me to in Singapore and I have been craving ever since (salted egg custard buns) 😋😋😋

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And, I simply wandered sometimes in sun, sometimes in torrential downpours and most often in cloud covered days and admired the beauty of this city while feeling out different areas and neighbourhoods and seeing what I found along the way.

*** scenes while wanderin’ in no particular order . . . I had troubles choosing just a few pics 😂

Eventually the time came to move on. But, I got a spark in Taipei, and REALLY want to come back to Taiwan sooner rather than later!