Dan bing (egg pancake) – It’s a mixture of crepe and egg, then chopped up and mixed with red chili peppers, green onions and soy sauce. Toss it in a baggie and dig in with chopsticks, Breakfast on the go. Made fresh while you wait on a steaming hot skillet. The best breakfast you will ever have.
The people – For the most part, people in Taiwan (or the Republic of China as it it also called) are totally chilled out and friendly. I think the tropical climate contributes to the laid-back atmosphere.
Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Center – You can stay overnight, have some vegetarian food, and observe the monks in nuns in their daily routines of study and worship. Must make a reservation to stay.
Ghost month – Kinda like Halloween but it lasts a whole month. People burn miniature paper versions of things on the sidewalk that they want to send to their dearly departed.
Beef noodle soup – The best versions of this soup are spoken of in hushed tones just like you might seek out the perfect bowl of ramen. Get it at your favorite corner noodle stand.
Papaya milkshakes – Almost like liquid heaven when it is 100% humid and a million degrees outside. Milk, ice, sugar and fresh papayas in a blender. Done.
Liouhe Night Market (Kaohsiung) – So full of life, electricity, great food and something called “ren nao” in Chinese which roughly translates into the exciting bustle of human activity. Some tasty food items of note are the grilled teriyaki corn on the cob and the giant grilled squid, splayed out flat and coated with a kind of soy sauce.
National Palace Museum – Rivals any museum in China for the amount and quality of items.
Bubble tea – Bubble tea was invented in Taiwan and sold at little roadside carts. Typical version is black tea, milk and sugar. Bubbles are made from tapioca.
Oyster omelettes – Sounds weird, but totally delicious. The magic is in the sauce.
Tai chi – See it in the parks in the morning, as well as other forms of exercise and even karaoke. A big thank you to Mr. Chen who took the time to teach me the Yang Short form during my year teaching English in Kaohsiung!
Kenting National Park – A protected, tropical, park that covers the entire southern tip of Taiwan. Untouched green areas and beaches.
The mountains – Yes, there are mountains that go all the way down the central spine of Taiwan and you can drive through them. They are as beautiful as the alps and unless you live there, you probably have no idea these mountains exist. More than 240 above 3,000 feet. Fun places to camp.
jedbonniwell 