Strangers in Taiwan have moved: both home and blog. After 1 glorious year in Taiwan, we packed our life into a suitcase each and headed off for a month in Vietnam and a few days in Hong Kong. In December, we flew home just in time for Christmas in England with our families. Just because … Continue reading
Author Archives: Charlie Marchant
Taiwan We Love You, but it’s ‘Time to Go Home’
After 1 year, it’s time for us to leave beautiful Taiwan behind in search of new and different adventures. Thank you to all of our supportive work colleagues, our exciting and enthusiastic students, all of our friends, our two language exchangees, and, of course, all of the friendly Taiwanese locals that helped us along the … Continue reading
Where to Begin: How to Make Friends in Taiwan
After a year in Taiwan, we’ve made some friends for life, but we did it the hard way and really only got into a social circle after 9 months here. Now we’re leaving, we know exactly what we should’ve done when we first arrived! 1. Befriend people at your workplace It’s obvious, I know, but … Continue reading
5 Things that make me grumble in Taiwan
I love Taiwan a lot and there are certainly more things that I like than that I grumble about. That said, there are 5 things that really get me about life in Taiwan. These mostly come from being born and bred as a sensible, picky-eater and weather-conscious Brit. Scooters Driving on the Pavement This really … Continue reading
125 Years of Adventure & Discovery: National Geographic Exhibition
Founded in 1888, National Geographic has spent 125 years leading scientific research projects, telling stories from across the world, and photographing incredible nature and people. To celebrate its achievements, Taipei’s Huashan 1914 Creative Park is hosting an exhibition of Nat Geo’s most moving and inspiring photographs. Inside, the exhibition is split into separate galleries which … Continue reading
A Beautiful Witch’s Cauldron: Beitou Hot Springs
Beitou hot spring valley was named paktaaw (witch) by its aboriginal inhabitants because the constant rising steam and strong sulphuric smell gives it the appearance of a witch’s cauldron. Aquamarine water, misty warmth and surrounding lush greenery – it’s the most beautiful witch’s cauldron I’ve ever heard about. Wandering up the hill, you eventually reach … Continue reading
12 Reasons why Taiwan is a good place to call Home
Taiwan really is overlooked both as a tourist destination and as a place to call home. This little known island in the Pacific Ocean is rarely recognised as independent from China but it is an entirely different place and environment. So here’s our run-down of 10 excellent reasons why moving to Taiwan could improve your … Continue reading
Hot SPOT: Taipei Film House
If you knew me at university, you’d know my life revolved around early morning Taiwan cinema film screenings which are characterised by their incredibly slow style. I’m yet to meet a Taiwanese person who likes Taiwan cinema, but equally I’ve probably not been talking to the right crowd. And if the right crowd is anywhere, … Continue reading
Why Kaohsiung was an Unexpectedly Awesome City
Going all the way from LuoDong on the East coast to Taipei in the North to then take the HSR down the West coast to Zuoying (on the outskirts of Kaohsiung) to Kenting at the very South of Taiwan is a long journey. Rather than ruin a whole day with long-winded travel, we decided to … Continue reading
On Top of Taiwan: Taipei 101
The Shard, the Eiffel Tower, the Oriental Pearl Tower, the Empire State Building… Across the world there are tall towers which offer tourists panoramic views of cities, and Taipei is no exception. Taipei 101 is 509 metres tall and – in case it wasn’t obvious – 101 floors high. It’s the pride and joy of … Continue reading