As the wife of a pilot traveling comes with its own rhythm - a balance between brief yet enriching moments in new cities and a constant curiosity for the world. My recent trip to Taipei was no different. With only three days to explore, I immersed myself in the vibrant mix of traditional and modern design that makes Taipei so special. Here's a glimpse into my whirlwind adventure in Taiwan's dynamic capital.
Night view from the swimming pool of our luxury Hotel
Day 1: Nature's sculptures at Yehliu, Shifen waterfall and sky lantarns at Xinyi and Wanli
We started our first day by venturing out of the city to experience Taiwan's stunning natural beauty at Yehliu Geopark, about an hour from Taipei. As we arrived, the wind and waves of the northern coast greeted us, which was comfortable with 32 degrees. The park is famous for it's fascinating rock formations, sculpted by the relentless forces of nature over thousands of years.
Walking among these stone sculptures, particularly the iconic "Queens Head", felt like beeing inside an open-air museum curated by the earth itself. The organic shapes and textures, wheathered yet enduring, were a powerful reminder of the beauty in natural imperfection. As a designer, it made me reflect on how much we can learn from nature's raw artistry - the subtle curves, the rough edges, the way form follows function so perfectly.
Later that day, we headed to the Wanli District to visit one of the many beautiful waterfalls near Taipei. Hidden amidst the lush green mountains, the Shifen waterfall feel like serene escapes from the city's bustle (it's like the the Niagara fall of Taiwan, but we were lucky and there were not so many visitors). I couldn't resist pausing for a while to just soak in the calming sound of the rushing water and the sight of sunlight filtering through the trees. After refreshing at the waterfall, we also had the delightful experience of raising a sky lantarn at Shifen station. It's a beautiful tradition that symbolizes good luck and wishes for the future. IN between the train tracks, where we later took a Pingxi train back to Taipei, we released the lantern (I later found out they also bought environmental friendly lanterns) into the sky, it felt like sending hopes and dreams into the universe. This moment was not only visually stunning but also a reminder of the importance of rituals. Our wish came true, because we wished for a save hometrip.
As we traveled back to the city, the natural serenity I experienced at both the Geopark and the waterfall lingered and raising a red lantern, inspiring thoughts on how to bring that sense of balance and peace into my design work.
Day 2: Fun day with friends I met along our flight
On the second day, I teamed up with the daughter of the purser and the girlfriend of the stewardess for a day filled with laughter., sightseeing, and some uniquely Taipei experiences. We kicked off our adventure by visiting the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall. The vast open space and striking architecture were as impressive as ever, but sharing it with friends gave the visit an extra layer of fun. We spent time exploring the grounds, marveling at the blend of grand traditional design with modern touches.
From there, we found ourselves craving a refreshing drink and while looking on our phones for something nice around, a friendly local Taiwanees man showed us around in Taipei. He wanted us to try some authentic bubble tea. He brought us at a shop where they also have rituals to buy for good luck. We couldn't resist and lost in the ritual and bubble tee we found our luck. It was one of those lovely moments that reminds you how much kindness can enrich your travel experience.
Our day wouldn't be complete without an unforgettable meal, so we headed to the Wanhua District for dinner at the Modern Toilet restaurant, where everything is poop-themed. Yes you read that right! The quirky concept had us giggling the entire time as we ate out of mini toilets bowls and sipped from urinal-shaped cups. It's one of those places that are so bizarre and fun that you just have to experience it to believe it. The food was suprisingly good, too! The playful atmosphere was a great way to wrap up our day of sifghtseeing, bubble tea and laughter.
Day 3: Rainy refelections and robot dumplings
Our third day began with plans for a peaceful ceremonial tea experience in Wenshan District. Unfortunately, the wheather had different plans - it rained relentlessly all morning. Though we were the only ones to enjoy the full tea ceremony. We found ourselves dry and enjoyed the amazing view of the tea plantages in our cable capsule going up and down in the mountains. In the afternoon, we visited Bangka Quingshan Temple, and it took my breath away. The temple's intricate design, vibrant colors, and the feeling of tranquility it exudes made it the most beautiful temple I've ever seen. The details in the carvings and the architecture were a testament to the rich cultural heritage of Taiwan. It was a place where spiritual de3sign meets artistic mastery., leaving me utterly inspired.
By the evening, we were ready for something a bit more futuristic, so we headed to Din Tai Fung for dinner, where we were greeted by robots serving dumplings! It was such a fun, unexpected twist to our evening. The precision and efficiency of the robort servers were impressive, and of course, the dumplings were delicious. It was the perfect way to end our day. - blending tradition with modernity, just like Taipei itself.
Design and travel: Finding inspiration everywhere
Being the partner of a pilot, I've learned to adapt to quick trips and fast-paced adventures. But these short intense bursts of travel often provide the richest sources of inspiration for my work. Taipei, with its seamless blend of old and new, traditional and modern, very kind and generous Taiwanese has left a lasting impression on me.
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