Taiwan 2013
I've been meaning to write about Taiwan since my trip in September, but somehow didn't get to till now. Funny enough, I'm penning this note amid a work seminar which my department is organising and I'm among the helpers. The current speaker at the rostrum makes a good healer of insomnia hence I gather I'd put my time to better use.
Taiwan is a country I completely adore since my virgin visit last year. I credit this to the wonderful chinese community that makes me feel so at home, and the sheer landscape of the country, spoiling tourists with choices aplenty in deciding what to see, go, and do. Of course, the nicer climate helped.
biosynthesis and I had originally intended to spend 2 nights in Taipei, 2 in Alishan, followed by another 2 in Taipei. Running right smack into the typhoon (天兔台风 as the taiwanese termed it) was something none of us expected, but which made for quite an unforgettable experience nonetheless. We followed tv updates on the path of the typhoon, but couldn't make plans till we were more sure that our destination would not be among the areas hit. Alishan was no longer an option as travellers were advised to avoid mountainous and coastal areas due to strong winds and torrential rain. Taipei fortunately, was ok despite the occasional rainfall.
The typhoon swept across the southern, western areas of the country, rendering cities such as hualien, kaoshiung, yilan unsuitable to head for. In the end, we opted for Taichung. Both of us had already been there in fact, but we didn't really mind going again esp given our limited options. Taichung is essentially a sleepy city. There are a few tourist spots within the city but really, it's more of one where travellers transit in-between destinations. But we enjoyed Fengjia night bazaar anyway.
So while the trip wasn't one where we had a lot of first-time experiences, it was fun (for me at least). Incidentally I'll be there again 2 months later, and I look forward to it. I envision spending a bit more time by myself then, but it'd be ok anyway. That would probably also allow me more time to explore and venture by my good old self. Maybe I'd go do all the very gay and unspeakable stuff.
Taiwan is a country I completely adore since my virgin visit last year. I credit this to the wonderful chinese community that makes me feel so at home, and the sheer landscape of the country, spoiling tourists with choices aplenty in deciding what to see, go, and do. Of course, the nicer climate helped.
biosynthesis and I had originally intended to spend 2 nights in Taipei, 2 in Alishan, followed by another 2 in Taipei. Running right smack into the typhoon (天兔台风 as the taiwanese termed it) was something none of us expected, but which made for quite an unforgettable experience nonetheless. We followed tv updates on the path of the typhoon, but couldn't make plans till we were more sure that our destination would not be among the areas hit. Alishan was no longer an option as travellers were advised to avoid mountainous and coastal areas due to strong winds and torrential rain. Taipei fortunately, was ok despite the occasional rainfall.
The typhoon swept across the southern, western areas of the country, rendering cities such as hualien, kaoshiung, yilan unsuitable to head for. In the end, we opted for Taichung. Both of us had already been there in fact, but we didn't really mind going again esp given our limited options. Taichung is essentially a sleepy city. There are a few tourist spots within the city but really, it's more of one where travellers transit in-between destinations. But we enjoyed Fengjia night bazaar anyway.
So while the trip wasn't one where we had a lot of first-time experiences, it was fun (for me at least). Incidentally I'll be there again 2 months later, and I look forward to it. I envision spending a bit more time by myself then, but it'd be ok anyway. That would probably also allow me more time to explore and venture by my good old self. Maybe I'd go do all the very gay and unspeakable stuff.