Author: Elijah
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Exploring Lantau Island: Cable Cars, a Monastery, and one Giant Buddha
I am so excited to begin covering Hong Kong for you all this week! After my gargantuan journey across the Pacific Ocean (and with a lucky 6 hours of sleep thanks to China Airline’s Premium Economy seat), I landed around 10 am and thus had the whole day ahead of me. Not one to waste…
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Three Planes, Two Airlines, and One VERY Long Layover: My Epic Journey to Hong Kong
Have you ever taken a long-haul flight? This time my trip back to Asia involved three planes, two airlines, and one very long layover! But first, now that Chinese New Year has ended, I am happy to announce my long-awaited return to weekly posts. Starting this week and continuing into the near future, I will…
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Of Cats and Teahouses: New Year Adventures in Jiufen & Houtong
Dear readers, I hope you haven’t missed me too dearly! I wish everyone a lovely 2025 and hope you enjoyed your holiday season as much as I did. The Year of the Snake begins on Wednesday for those who follow the Chinese lunar calendar, marking a significant and joyous event, especially across Greater China. This…
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Falling in Love with Taiwanese Opera in Taichung
First, I hope everyone has been enjoying the holidays and feels prepared for the coming new year! It is definitely sneaking up on us here in Taiwan, as everyone is still working/studying full speed ahead until mid-January when Chinese New Year arrives. In that spirit, this week I want to share with you all about…
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Beyond the Torii Gate: Japanese Imperialism and the Taoyuan Martyrs’ Shrine
I hope everyone is having a good start to their week! It’s finally getting cold here in Taiwan, and as it is a country that seemingly doesn’t believe in heaters, I can’t say I’m finding the temperature the most enjoyable. So while I’m currently shivering as I write this, I’m still excited to share an…
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Taipei Zoo Review: A Must-Visit in Taiwan
This week, I have a very special and cuddly blog post for y’all! As part of my Wednesday Mandarin class, we had the option to pick one of two field trips, and with my love of animals, how could I resist the Taipei Zoo? Nestled in the lush hills of Muzha, it offers a wild…
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Mazu’s Bridge: A Festival of Faith and Cross-Strait Connection in the Matsu Islands
This is the final post about my trip to the wonderful Matsu Islands, so it’s time to say a tearful goodbye to the place that has enabled me to write so much content over the past month. This week, however, instead of talking about the scars of war or its cute furry inhabitants, I’d like…
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Beigan: Cats, Deer, and Cold War Relics
Hello everyone! I apologize for missing last week, but I was affected by a cold for the first time since arriving in Taiwan. Now I can proudly say that catching a cold is just as bad in Taiwan as in the United States. I want to share with you about Nangan’s northern neighbor Beigan this…
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Nangan: Where the Past Casts a Long Shadow on the Present
The Matsu Islands, a group of 36 islands and islets, are perched in the East China Sea, just a stone’s throw from mainland China. These islands have seen a lot of action over the centuries – fishermen, pirates, and soldiers have all called Matsu home at some point. Today I want to talk about my…
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Taiwan Travel: Overnight Ferry to the Matsu Islands (Full Guide!)
Forget airplanes – I found a more adventurous (and cheaper!) way to reach the Matsu Islands: a 10-hour overnight ferry! From quirky encounters with fellow passengers to stunning nighttime views of the coast, this journey was full of surprises. In this post, I’ll take you along for the ride on the New Taima from Keelung…
