As with any journey, who you travel with can be more important than your destination. – Unknown
TAIWAN
July 31 – August 10, 2013
It’s been over a year since I traveled to Taiwan and with that much time between, my retelling is not as acute as I would like. One thing is for sure; traveling with truly smart, interesting and adventurous people will leave an ever-lasting etch in one’s memory.
If you followed my previous post, you already know that prior to meeting up with two of our great friends, we spent about a week in Vietnam. We had an amazing time but the best was yet to come. Unfortunately, Jonathan and I became quite ill on our way from one country to the next. In a matter of 24 hours we went from energetic, giddy travelers to ones on a hunt for a true medicine man to cure our ailments. We had no real luck and were both probably the sickest we have ever been but that didn’t stop us from making the most of our adventure.
Two Couples
We are quite lucky to have such amazing friends. It would take a whole other blog to explain how we have met some of the finest people around but to make it simple, the four of us met over a decade ago while living in Washington, DC. One thing for sure is that distance never breaks up a true friendship. Jonathan and I now reside in New York City while Dave and Alex are living in another great city, Singapore. That hasn’t stopped us from getting together. We’ve made a point to make the globe our playground….and who do you want to go out and see at the playground??? Your friends!
Miranda & Jonathan; living in New York City
Alexandra & David; living in Singapore
The Adventurers
One Car
If you really want to explore and don’t mind getting lost (come on, that’s how you find the best places), you should rent a car while traveling. Terrible at working that GPS? Try figuring it out in Mandarin! Bonus – you will actually get to know your travel companions even better. Who knew Alex had the uncanny ability to tell you the release year of just about any song she hears? It’s a rare gift, especially when she has never heard the song before…crazy talent I would have never discovered had the four of us not been squeezed into a little vehicle packed with over flowing suitcases, 7eleven snacks, and a never-ending supply of tissue boxes.
The Island of Taiwan
Our Itinerary:
- Taipei:
- Kenting
- Taitung
- Haulien
- Yuanshan
- Taipei
Taipei (The Beginning)
Lodging: Muzik Hotel
Food: James Kitchen, Old Wang’s Beef Noodle Soup, Din Tai Fung
Drink: Wistaria Tea House, Revolver
Explore: Keelung Temple Night Market, Shilin Night Market, Longshan Temple
James Kitchen, Da’an District
Din Tai Fung, Da’an District
Wistaria Tea House, Da’an District
Keelung Temple Night Market, Keelung
Old Wang’s Beef Noodle Soup, Jhong Jheng District
Shilin Night Market, Shilin District
Kenting
Lodging: Uni Resort
Food & Drink: Kenting Street Night Market
Explore: Hiking in Kenting National Park, Eluanbi Lighthouse
Kenting National Park
Eluanbi Lighthouse
Kenting Street Night Market
Taitung
Explore: Hiking in Jhihben National Forest
Jhihben National Forest Recreation Area
Hualien
Lodging: Silks Place, Tienhsiang Youth Activity Center
Food & Drink: Mei Yuan, The Wellesley
Explore: Baiyang Waterfall Trail, Swallow Grotto Trail, Lianhua Pond Trail
Baiyang Waterfall Trail
Swallow Grotto Trail
Lianhua Pond Trail
Yuanshan
Explore: Kavalan Distillery
Kavalan Whiskey Distillery
Taipei (The Ending)
Food: Shao Shao Ke
Drinks & Entertainment: Sublime, Brown Sugar, inHouse, KTV @ Party World
Shao Shao Ke, Zhōngzhèng District
The Grand Finale
Verdict ~ Make your own road trip in Taiwan. You will not be disappointed. Vibrant, bustling cities full of culture, some of the most interesting and delicious street food in the world, breathtaking mountains, and gorgeous beaches…how could you go wrong?
Traveling on an Empty Stomach 