Repost of the Day: Among the Lanes of Lukang

August 16th, 2020 We’re starting our time in Taiwan with a walk through a town called Lukang, near Taichung on Taiwan’s west coast. We spent a week in Taiwan in December, 2013. Overall, Taiwan was full of subtlety and quiet discoveries. The cityscapes felt dated (think 1970s) but in a sentimental way that reminded me of a simpler time. The

Now Boarding

August 15th, 2020 Today we’re back on the magic carpet heading northwest to … Taiwan! Often overshadowed by its biggest neighbor, Taiwan has a life of its own packed full of history, beauty, nature and food! I’ve never been anywhere where the night markets are such a centerpiece of the culinary and social scenes (in pre-pandemic times, of course). The

The Old Trees of Alishan, Taiwan

It’s two days before Christmas and we miss the last bus to Alishan. With no backup plan, we resort to hiring a taxi to drive us up the mountain. It’s an expensive endeavor, but so are the holidays. The road turns and twists for more than an hour and at times we wonder if we’ve gone too far off the

Weekly Photo Challenge: Letters

Walking through Tainan, I encountered a wishing tree. I’d never seen a wishing tree before, let alone a wishing tree of this size. Little wooden plaques hung all around its trunk. I can’t read Chinese so the individual and assembled letters were cryptic to me, but each plaque was scribbled with a wish to someone or something, somewhere — like

Among the Lanes of Lukang

Hidden away along the west coast of Taiwan is a town called Lukang. Much of Lukang has the everyday hustle and bustle of motorbikes and street stalls, but among this is a sleepy little neighborhood that’s altogether different. Lukang’s Historic Preservation Area reaches back in time with narrow brick lanes and beautiful little doorways that feel untouched since well into

Taiwan’s Tasty Night Markets

I think many travelers would agree that the best way to really get to the heart of a new place you’re visiting is to just sit down for a good meal. Local food always paints a picture of the geography, economy, lifestyle and tradition of the area you’re exploring. There’s no better place to eat and explore than a local