Taiwan - tour, drama, e-rom books

Went to Taiwan in late June - my last overseas trip during these 6 months - but what a beautiful and memorable trip.

It was my first visit to Taiwan.  My misperceptions of the Taiwanese were debunked.  They are such helpful, gracious and friendly people.  Of course it helps when you are fluent in the Chinese language.

We spent 8 very fruitful days in Northern and Eastern Taiwan, using Taipei as our base.  We went to:

1. Eastern Taiwan (Hualien) - for 3 days to do 3 things: the East Ocean National Scenic Area cum Qixingtan, East Rift Valley National Scenic Area and Taroko Gorge.  Hualien is really beautiful - fresh air, blue blue skies and the limitless stretch of the Pacific Ocean.  Honestly I thought about relocating to this place to start a minsu biz. I met this very very affable Chinese tea shop owner who also happens to be a bird lover (member of the Taiwanese Bird Watching or Nature Society).  Had a great time talking to him and spending a leisurely hour sipping tea and talking about birds in his shop, opposite our hotel (Classic City Resort) in Hualien.
2. Northern Taiwan (North - Yehliu, Northeast -Jiufen, Jinguashi)
3. Taipei (Taipei 101, Guandu Nature Park, Maokong, Shilin Market, Ximending, Dansui/Fisherman Wharf, National Palace Museum)

It was a very healthy mix of nature walks, museums (outdoors/indoors), night markets, eating and shopping.  Pleasantly surprised to be able to visit wetlands and engaged in birdwatching as well as Chinese tea drinking.  Even had the chance of seeing bats and swallows fleeting above and before our eyes; not forgetting spotting snakes and being educated on edible and poisonous plants during our Taroko Gorge jaunt.  One of the most unforgettable sights was the Fanshuliao (the permanently formed rift as a result of a past earthquake that we saw during our East Ocean National Scenic Area tour).

As part of the preparations for this trip, I spent much time reading e-books (downloaded conveniently to my iPhone and iPad) and watching Taiwanese idol dramas.  It was a fantastic way of gaining insights and familiarity with the Taiwanese culture, lingo and way of life.  It made visiting the country, experience relating to the people so much more enjoyable and real.  I found that I could understand the idiosyncratic jargon/phrases used that differ significantly or subtlely from Singapore or PRC Chinese.  Of course, I must confess that my knowledge and understanding are confined to the pop culture aspect of Taiwan.  After all, my diet of idol dramas with all the eye-candy actors and actresses as well as e-Taiwanese Rom books may have given me a skewed picture and notion of the Taiwanese.  Maybe a little idyllic but good enough for someone who is there on vacation.

I am inspired to visit the country a few more times to explore other regions - the Alishan National Park, Kaoshiung, Penghu, Kenting ie the Central/Western/Southern parts of Taiwan.  Maybe, the next posting on Taiwan can be done in Chinese (yes, my proficiency has increased tremendously in the last 6 months).