After 11 hours of sleeping like an absolute rock, I was ready for China Day 2! First up on the list was to head downstairs and check out the hotel’s morning buffet. The selection turned out to be extremely diverse with everything from Western eggs and sausages to Chinese steamed buns, dumplings, porridge, and potstickers, […]
It has been quite a while since this blog was last updated (Japan and Taiwan seem so long ago!), but I am excited to finally share my China adventures! I had planned to write about each day as I traveled throughout the country but soon realized that it was impossible to access Google, email, photos,
After over 8 weeks of traveling, I couldn’t believe that today was the last (full) day. As excited as I was to be returning home to those I had been missing, I was ready to take advantage of my last hours in Taiwan and check off a few more destinations on my list. Grand Hotel
Taiwan Day Trip: Shifen Waterfall, Shifen Old Town, and Juifen Read More »
I woke up at 9:00 am and couldn’t believe that it was already time to start the day. I was so groggy and tired from the past day’s adventures that the idea of more sleep was extremely appealing. Nevertheless, with only 2 more full days left in Taiwan, it was time to rally and explore
Today was planned around a guided tour of Taroko National Park, home of, and named after the famous Taroko Gorge. We started off the morning with a hearty Taiwanese breakfast of hot noodles with beef and pan fried turnip cakes covered in hoisin sauce. The noodles were good, but I wished the turnip cakes had
Today began our travels to Hualien, a city located on the eastern side of Taiwan. After a fancy hotel breakfast complete with an omelet, smoked salmon, and tropical fruits, we packed up for an overnight trip and left for the bus station. After much research on transportation methods between Taipei and Hualien, the best route
With the Japan program completed, it was finally time for Taiwan travels with mom! Since we were both already half way across the world, I figured it was a good way to make the most of my travels and get one more country under my belt. Taiwan was selected and the Sunday after the program
As my days in Tokyo draw to a close, I have become more adamant about making my last moments (and meals) count. I spent all of last night researching different eateries in Shinjuku and around Tokyo before deciding that I was craving a good meal of gyoza. My searches brought me to the Champagne &
Yesterday I got a special evening glimpse of Mt. Fuji during my onsen bath. Motivated by the incredible sight, I decided to try my luck at a sunrise viewing. I woke up at 4 am, packed my camera and sleepily left my room. I made my way back down to the lake area where I
