Taiwan

3am wake up call for a 5:25am flight to Taipei. Haneda airport was streamlined, fast, and had real food places open 24/7; ate udon, gyoza, and ramen one last time. Somehow we got really good seats on budget airline Taiwan Tiger Air and had whole rows to ourselves (stretched to the fullest).

We landed in Taipei and immediately made our way south to Chiayi City. Chiayi region is known for three major national scenic areas: Alishan National Scenic Area (mountains), Southwest Coast National Scenic Area (ocean), and Siraya National Scenic Area (plains). The city is well-situated to access Alishan so we set base there.

Similar to Japan, Taiwan has bullet trains across the country and we were in Chiayi two hours after landing which included the airport train to the bullet station, bullet train, and then a local bus to city center. Hilariously Google Maps directed us to get on the 7324H bus to reach Chiayi. It roles up as a tiny van with handicapped sticker. We walk up confused, but the driver is like, “Come, get on the bus.” It was 100% a handicapped bus and had ample room for wheel chairs. We rode with a little old lady and her cane 🫣👵🏼🚌

Couldn’t check in until 3 so we walked around and set up a laptop station at a milk tea bar. They had incredible layer cakes; we counted around 23 layers. Took a nap after check in and then visited the Wenhau night market. The vibe was amazing: Taiwanese pop music and EDM playing, vendor stands selling amazing food, and motor bikes weaving in and out between people to deliver food.

After walking around and noticing decorations, we learned we accidentally landed on Taiwanese Holiday Double Digit 10 Day which celebrates the establishment of the Republic of China, which overthrew the Qing Dynasty in 1911; this is the same government that fled to Taiwan as Mao Zedong’s Communists took over in 1949.

On this note, would like to pivot to the China VS Taiwan political climate and get it out of the way for the rest of the trip. It’s something you do not discuss with the Taiwanese, however, preparation and negative feelings towards China are extremely evident on Day 1 of our trip.

1) Because of the holiday, China’s People’s Liberation Army sent 15 planes across the Taiwan Strait and Taiwan promptly scrambled jets, dispatched ships and activated missile systems.

2) Regardless of Chiayi’s location in the middle of the country and far from the coast, we see bombing evacuation shelters every few blocks.

3) Despite colonization from Japan in 1920, there is ALOT of love for Japan and Korea. Look up the top 10 things to do in the city and #1 is visit a traditional Japanese Hinoki Village and #2 is visit a Japanese prison where they held people. Japanese restaurants, anime, and decorations are everywhere and we passed several K-Beauty stores. Mary (with 0 evidence) assumed that Korean and Japenese pop culture is extremely prevalent to distance Taiwan from mainland China as possible…and after Googling, she was right: https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/the-curiously…

To conclude, most Taiwanese distinguish themselves ethnically and culturally from mainland China; there are still pro-unification individuals in the government and society. Holidays like Double Digit 10 Day celebrate Taiwanese independence and diversity while protesting the CCP.

Hotel: Garden Hotel

Food:
Xiaolongbao
Taiwanese Sticky Rice Sausage
Duck Gua Boa (only Kieran)
Candied Fruit
Layer Cake
Milk Tea

Spots:
Chiayi City
Wenhau Night MarketLes mer