Jiufen Taiwan

Jiufen’s Colorful Old Street

From the coastal area of Yehliu, Peter drove us upland towards Jiufen, located in a mountainous area of the Ruifang District, New Taipei City. Jiufen is a historic gold-mining town. The gold was said to have been discovered when a railway was being built in the vicinity. Prior to the gold rush, the village was …

Yehliu Geopark

Yehliu and its Rock Images

There were mushrooms, candles, animals, profiles of a princess and a queen, a shoe, and so much more. These are the rock formations found in Yehliu Geopark, Taiwan. After our trip to Xiaoyoukeng and Qingtiangang of the Yangmingshan National Park, it was sort of a long drive going to Yehliu. I have dozed off to …

Dine Philippines 2015

Dine Bacolod, Dine Philippines

Dine Philippines 2015 recently graced the City of Smiles with known names in the food industry. This food business and tourism caravan, held at the Santuario de la Salle at the University of La Salle Campus in Bacolod City, presented business and learning opportunities and profitable gastronomic ventures. Rustan’s Supermarket SansRival Magalogue editor-in-chief and Food …

Qingtiangang Taiwan

The Qingtiangang Grassland

The Qingtiangang Grassland is still part of the Yangmingshan National Park and seemed to be a few distance from Xiaoyoukeng. The fog has become heavier as we got to the parking lot. Peter pointed us to a flight of steps and promised to wait for us in the car. While we were still on our …

Xiaoyoukeng Taiwan

The smoky pits of Xiaoyoukeng, Taiwan

We were riding uphill and as we ascended towards the mountains, the weather has shifted. From the sunny and bright skies when we left Taipei, we arrived at our destination covered in a cloudy and misty air, providing us with almost zero visibility. There was a slight drizzle but the overcast was also due to the …

Sapori D'Italia Bacolod

First-time in Sapori D’Italia

Sapori D’Italia literally means flavors of Italy. It is one of the newest restaurants that recently opened in O Residences along Lacson St. in Mandalagan, Bacolod City. [UPDATE 2023: The restaurant has closed and is no longer in operation in this location.] Its opening is a testament that Bacolod City, often called the City of …

The Taipei Expo Park

The EcoArk at the Taipei Expo Park

We had to include the Taipei Expo Park in our itinerary because one of our companions have watched on TV about this building built out of plastic water bottles. I searched online and came upon the EcoArk, which is part of the Taipei Expo Park. From the Martyr’s Shrine bus station we checked out which …

10th Negros Island Organic Farmers Festival

10th Negros Island Organic Farmers Festival

Whenever the Negros Island Organic Farmers Festival is being held each year, it is fun to go to the Provincial Capitol Grounds in Bacolod City and check out the many fresh and organic products of farmers in Negros Island and neighboring islands in the Philippines. It was in 2014 when I was first exposed to the …

The Red House

First-time in Taipei’s The Red House

We got to the Red House unexpectedly. We came into the Ximending area not knowing it was so close to our hotel. As we were looking for the Ximen MRT station, a red-brick octagonal building that looked interesting came into view. We decided to take a closer look and crossed the street. Only then did …

Martyr's Shrine

First-time in Taiwan’s Martyr’s Shrine

It was late in the afternoon when we got to the Martyr’s Shrine. It was easy to locate it. From the MRT Dazhi Station, we crossed the intersection towards the bus station to get the buses heading to our left. The bus station posted a list of bus numbers and their route. We chose I13 …

National Palace Museum

Taiwan’s National Palace Museum

The National Palace Museum in Taipei is located near the hilly portion of the metropolis. It was an easy commute taking the MRT Wenhu Line. We got off at the Dazhi station, walked a few steps towards the tofu store and caught the B13 (Brown 13)bus. It was about a ten to fifteen-minute ride before …

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

First-time in Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

Taiwan’s rich history can be traced from its founder and former President, Chiang Kai-shek. The Republic of China (ROC) has made Taiwan, formerly called Formosa or beautiful island to the Europeans, its seat of government when Chiang Kai-shek and his Kuomintang (Chinese Nationalists) moved to this territory after the Chinese Civil War. ROC now governs …

Ximending

Shopping at Ximending Taipei

Let us say that we got to Ximending Commercial Area by accident. Or something to that effect. I knew that Ximending is near our area, but I never imagined it to be right in our backyard, or behind our hotel. And I didn’t expect it to be so alive, just like Seoul’s Myeondong area. It …

Go Sleep Hotel

Go Sleep at Hankou, Taipei

Why should you stay at Go Sleep Hotel-Hankou when in Taipei? Unlimited drinks, which is composed mainly of different kinds of coffee, tea, apple cider, orange juice, grapefruit, and water, are accessible in its lobby cum dining area. An English speaking staff in their tourist assistance corner is friendly and willing to lend a hand. …

Taiwan

First-time in Taiwan: Exploring Taipei and New Taipei

Taiwan was like our next-door neighbor, often bypassed as a travel destination. If not for a friend who visited the country and convinced us to check it out, our mini-expedition would not have happened. In hindsight, I recall earlier days when friends contemplated going to Taiwan, especially during the height of Meteor Garden and F4 …