Family travel

Posted on by Greta

It’s been a while since I last published a post because, well, I guess I’ve been busy.

We welcomed our daughter in September 2023 and have been enjoying the whirlwind of having two kids ever since.

Life is hectic but fun and it is so special watching our kids play together, smile and interact. But I can understand how different life can be depending on the order of your birth.

The first born may be used to their parents undivided attention. They have to learn to share this when a sibling comes along, which is a huge step. But they soon understand that there is someone new to play with and they now have a buddy of a similar age to enjoy life with.

And who doesn’t enjoy life when on holiday? After a few holidays as a family of four, we are getting used to preparing and managing to fit everything we need into a few bags. We do this by limiting the amount of clothing we bring and coming to terms with the thought of doing more than one load of washing while we’re away, a we did on a recent trip to Noosa, Australia.

Some of our must pack travel items include:

  • Baby carrier

This came in really handy at the airport. Transporting our then 8 month old while checking in and getting through security and to the gate was much easier because I had her in a carrier. While on holiday, if we wanted to get out of the door with minimal fuss or for a quick family walk, I would put on the carrier and away we would go. My daughter is old enough to be facing outwards now, and I guess it kind of feels like she’s flying, and she loves this.

  • Food

We always made sure we packed plenty of snacks! These included cut up fruit, fruit bars, wholemeal rolls with vegemite or avocado and our sons favourite: crackers of any kind. After we had checked in and had a chance to go to the supermarket I steamed a bunch of vegetables and brought these on day trips for our daughter to nibble on. Kids meals at restaurants are not always the most nutritious so we tried to give the kids something for dinner before we went out. Some easy to prepare holiday meals for kids include vegetable and mince pasta and vegetable and egg fried rice.

  • Yoga mat

If you have a baby who isn’t walking yet, a yoga mat is a great option for floor play while away. Our daughter spent much of her spare time in the apartment on the yoga mat, strengthening her muscles by holding herself up, sitting and playing with toys as she did so. If your baby is prone to toppling over like ours, it is a good idea to put some cushions behind their head in case of a fall.

  • Plenty of underwear and nappies

Toileting does not always go to plan on holidays. Our toddler is toilet trained (mostly) and our baby is still in nappies but we find that when kids are away from their usual surroundings, or if they are feeling a bit off, they are more likely to have accidents. Luckily we had a washing machine in our apartment, and air drying clothes didn’t take too long. When it comes to nappies I like to pack half in the kids carry on bag and half in their checked in bag and only buy extra while away if needed.

So if you have an upcoming trip with a baby and toddler, pack these items to ensure your holiday is off to a good start but remember, anything can happen!

We are going on an overseas trip towards the end of the year so will see how this goes! I am mentally preparing myself for the craziness already and I will be sure to share any tips I have afterwards or any useful knowledge in the meantime.

Responding with a smile

Posted on by Greta

A few months ago, our son turned one and entered the next stage of his life, toddlerhood.

The changes have been coming fast. Whether it’s physical or emotional or intellectual, there are so many different things going on each day it can be hard to keep up!

I love watching him explore and discover how things work or fit together. Whether it’s something in the kitchen cupboard, a different way to use one of his toys or a musical instrument, he is always figuring out something new, and it can be fascinating to watch.

I started back at work around the same time as his first birthday, working a small number of hours per week. It’s been good to reconnect, although I can’t ever imagine being full time again. There is nothing better than spending time with our son; reading, playing, singing, eating or having fun outside. By the time he has had one or two naps and some days an activity, the day is full and he is ready for bed again. There is not a lot of time for work!

The art of distraction

And just as I was getting used to my sons demand for food, he turned into a somewhat fussy eater with less of an appetite. Apparently, this is what happens as their growing starts to slow. My ways around this are smaller portions, always having a ripe avocado and some cheese on hand or distracting him with water or milk if I have to.

Nappy change time and even just getting dressed can also be a challenge. I make sure I have a box of sensory objects nearby so that he can keep himself busy playing with a bottle full of rice or a potato masher. I try to sing to him and explain what I’m doing but depending on his mood this doesn’t always go down so well.

The transition to one daytime nap is an interesting one. Especially when your toddler shows signs of tiredness in the early afternoon after only a small sleep in the morning but refuses to go down for a decent chunk of time. I don’t think he’s ready to skip his morning nap altogether, so I have been persisting with it for now. I have found that a snack before his morning sleep often makes a difference which would suggest a full belly means he finds it easier to link one sleep cycle to the next but it doesn’t always work like this. Every day brings something different and even at 15 months, we are not quite at the one nap stage yet.

New places

Luckily, our son seems to adjust pretty well to most situations.

It makes me wonder how he will go on a trip overseas. After a couple of years of holidays limited to Australia, we are almost ready to travel abroad again. We’re not planning on venturing too far away just yet, perhaps New Zealand, but the thought of doing it as a family is exciting. Our son loves being exposed to new things and different people, and I can’t wait for him to experience another country. Travel is said to significantly impact a child’s development with them experiencing new things – from people to places to food – at a rapid rate.

I love watching our son react and learn. He generally chooses to take his time with things, appreciating his surroundings then responding (most of the time) with a smile.

In a world that is constantly changing, the way we absorb information and choose to react can have a huge impact on our daily lives, whether it is by watching and learning as toddlers do, or through some form of educated action. So next time you find yourself in a new place or situation try to take a moment to appreciate where you are and think of the possibilities that lie ahead.

If you’d like to share a story or can relate to anything in this post, I’d love to hear about it so please leave a comment!

A brighter future

Posted on by Greta

This month has just been one of those months, you know? Where you feel like you have no time for anything and are constantly exhausted, no matter how many hours of sleep you get each night. Despite my apparent lack of time, there were a few things that caught my attention.

Cruising in the wrong direction

I recently read about the crazy amount of damage the cruise industry has on our planet. Seems obvious that these vessels carrying thousands of people with seemingly endless options for food and entertainment contribute overwhelmingly to carbon emissions but it still came as a bit of a shock to read about.

I can’t find the exact article now, but I even read that going out to the deck of one of these ships has the same affect as being on a busy, polluted city street! Which makes it all the more confusing that people actually go on these kinds of trips for a relaxing break to ‘get away from it all’.

This got me thinking about what future holidaying might look like.

I am hoping far less cruises will be available, and realistically as the world recovers from a pandemic, I doubt the industry will be coming back to popularity the way it was before.

There tend to be 2 types of people when it comes to cruises; the cruise devotees and the people who would not be caught dead on a cruise ship. But it isn’t often you hear of the environmentally conscious…

And with a leader like ours, I guess this makes sense.

Leadership woes

At the recent Biden Climate Summit, while many committed to a new global emissions target of a reduction in 50-52% by 2030, PM Scott Morrison explained that Australia is aiming for a mere 26-28% reduction in this time.

Why can’t we commit to matching the targets of other countries? Is it fear of failure? Surely an attempt at doing the right thing is better than having a comparatively low target? Give us something to strive towards!

Holidaying local

As many Australians are encouraged to holiday here this year, a campaign brought on by the late 2019 early 2020 bushfires, we can only imagine the reduction in global emissions encouraged, with frivolous Australian travellers being restricted.

Don’t get me wrong, I certainly am excited to travel again both within Australia (we have some trips planned already!) and one day internationally again but I also have something a bit bigger coming my way that might make travelling… interesting.

Next month our family of three (me, my husband and our dog) will become four! We are super excited!

Saying that, I like to think that I’ll be able to maintain the once a month posting frequency I have upheld over the past year for my blog but in all truth, I am yet to know exactly what’s coming for me. Maybe I will find time but maybe this is unlikely for the first 3 months or so.

So if you don’t hear from me until the second half of the year, don’t fret! Just understand that I am most likely experiencing sleep withdrawals and enjoying time with my new bub, perhaps while sipping coffee and pondering about the world…

I’ll be in touch 🙂

An appetite for action

Posted on by Greta

This year has certainly been unlike any other year like I have never experienced before, for a number of reasons that affected so many people. Starting late 2019, was the heat and the bushfires that much of Australia experienced. I remember packing up and leaving the beach house in a hurry just before New Year’s, once the power shut off and our dog struggled in the heat. On the drive back to Melbourne we listened to the news on the radio, with warnings for Melbournians to evacuate if they were in close proximity to a fire, and to take care and watch with caution if they were in a surrounding area.

I will never forget heading to work in the CBD in early January to a city I had never experienced, with a haze of smoke and dusty skies. It was a constant reminder of what was happening all around us, as Australia truly begun to understand the impacts of climate change.

But part of me wonders, do we actually know? Do we really understand the causes, the problems, and the lasting effects? Spending time at my Dad’s property in February definitely got me thinking about our relationship with nature, and how important every aspect of our ecosystem is in cultivating growth and change around us.

The COVID situation

After a quick trip to Tasmania in February to enjoy all the region has to offer (quite literally) and attend a friend’s wedding, we were back in Melbourne with a trip to New Zealand planned for early March. As we heard the news of ‘coronavirus’ breaking out in countries far away, we were unaware of the significant threat it posed, or that we would soon be experiencing one of the harshest lockdowns in history.

We made it to New Zealand without a hiccup and stayed informed of the news as we travelled around the North island for ten days. We had a wonderful holiday; packed with rainforest walks/runs, waterfalls, sailing the Bay of Islands and indulging in some incredible food and wine. We visited the town of Taupo, where we were amazed at the size of the lake; we had never seen one so big, only on American TV shows. We experienced the stench of Rotorua and marvelled at the sulphuric springs as they boiled away, letting off steam.

We heard coronavirus warnings on the radio as we drove from town to town and were impressed with the speed at which the country was informing the public. We doubted that Australia would have such precautions in place this early on. We had just finished a tour of the Waitomo glow worm caves, one of the most incredible things I had ever seen, when things really started spiralling out of control around the world. It was our second last night in New Zealand, and while we were having an amazing time away, we were looking forward to getting back to a familiar place, as chaos unfolded around us.

We made it back within a few days of the mandatory quarantine being enforced for people who had been out of the country. Not that we went anywhere or did anything when we returned anyway; we found ourselves working from home and not leaving for many other reasons at all, other than to shop for food and to exercise.

The state of being

I have shared my thoughts and feelings throughout the year, and some of my posts may have been slightly repetitive, which only emphasises the state of being for 2020.

While I write of cities, of the bush, of time spent travelling earlier this year, I reflect on these major events and wonder what the next year, even the next 10-20 years will bring. It seems that this way of living has already become ‘business as usual’.

Here in Victoria, Australia, we have been doing so well at keeping cases down, but as we begin to let international travellers back in, I can only wonder what will happen after the last debacle, and with what’s going on in New South Wales at the moment, who knows. Of course, I am hoping for the best, for a level of control, for strong leadership and guidelines that will mean that we don’t find ourselves to a similar situation that we were in earlier this year in 2021, for both the pandemic and the environment, although things are not looking great.

But there are signs of respite, such as this beautiful story of a thought to be extinct pygmy possum being recently found on Kangaroo Island after bushfires destroyed much of the island last summer.

As America comes to terms with the idea of a new president in Biden, someone that has climate change well and truly on his agenda, we can only hope too that Australia has a plan, because if things keep going the way they are, it doesn’t seem that we will be able to enjoy our country for much longer. Every summer will be the same; fires, loss of and significant damage to wildlife and an enormous volunteer effort to manage the situation. As David Attenborough would say, this is just not a sustainable way of living; we need to drastically change our approach before it is too late.

This year has shown that when given strong leadership, we as a community can do it, we can get out of almost anything, or at least turn things around. So, let’s make 2021 a year of learning, reflection and action on anything that is within our control.

Have a safe and happy Christmas break everyone and see you next year!

Embracing our communities

Posted on by Greta

It seems like the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has given the most liveable cities list a miss this year.

In saying that, however, last month a headline of sorts got my attention. While it seems as though this year we may be going without a final list of most liveable cities, but instead Time Out have released a list of best neighbourhoods, including some very well-known areas of a particular city have been ranked to compensate.

Upon further research I learned that it wasn’t the first year this list had been published, just the first year I was alerted to it.

I find it difficult to pinpoint many of these neighbourhoods outside of Australia. Much of the time while travelling, I do not give a lot of thought to the area I am in, but remember things like landmarks and street names and get so caught up in where I am that I forget to take notice of the neighbourhood name. I am confident enough to say that out of the top 30, I have visited only 4, when I have been to many of the cities these areas are located in! It is highly likely that I have been to a few more, without realising it, which only goes to show that maybe I should pay more attention while travelling. Though I do have to say, getting caught up in the moment is a great way to discover new places too. Retracing your steps to find on return trips is even better; it’s often quite a challenge, which is all part of the fun of it!

Determining factors

Earlier this month I stumbled across another similar list, this time of ‘The best cities in the world’ with populations of more than one million. This list ranks cities based on 6 metrics including Place, Product, Programming, People, Prosperity and Promotion. There were 5 Australian cities featured in the list, which makes me happy to be living here right now, and generally all the time (except when I am longing for an overseas getaway).

Similar to this blog post from last year, and also earlier this year when I looked at the need to redefine liveability in 2020, I wanted to look at some of the determining factors for these kinds of lists. Ranking factors for the World’s coolest neighbourhoods list include neighbourliness and how communities come together in times of crisis. Both of these have truly been tested in 2020, and while this post isn’t intended to point out the countries who have done really well in that aspect, I think strong, yet empathetic leadership plays a huge part.

People and community

These newly discovered lists are much more modern, which is what I was talking about in my post last year. I suggested that we needed an acknowledgement of the people who make a community what it is, and an appreciation of its differences.

The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us how to better live together, and share common spaces. It has taught us to find new ways to interact by embracing digital technologies that were already at our fingertips. Online meetings, online shopping, online food orders, you name it, you can do it with a device that fits comfortably in the palm of your hand.

I disagree that this has contributed to a fragmented society or a disconnected community. Experiencing something as challenging as we have done this year has not been an easy feat, and as stated in CNN travel magazine, it really is “cool to be kind”, and the community you are in plays a big part in that.

Consuming energy

I must admit that lately I have been thinking a lot about our carbon footprint and the energy consumed around the world during COVID, including the increase in technology consumption largely due to these new ways of connecting and more time spent at home. While pollution may have reduced somewhat, we are still relying on an instantaneous connection across all of our devices, which we use to work, entertain, shop and buy food pretty much all day every day. I am interested in hearing your thoughts on this, and plan on covering the topic on a deeper level in next month’s blog post by looking into how the energy consumption in 2020 compares with the year prior.

Until then, stay healthy, stay kind and stay curious.

Enjoying all the region has to offer: Hobart, Tasmania

Posted on by Greta

At this very moment, times are incredibly difficult for the travel industry and the rest of the world. By publishing this post I’m not encouraging people to travel right now, and expose themselves and others to COVID-19, but reminding people that we live in an incredible world, and there is a lot to look forward to when the end is in sight. Let me tell you a bit about my trip to Hobart earlier this year.

In January 2020, we went on a quick 3-night trip to Hobart, Tasmania. We are so lucky to have this idyllic city not too far away – only a short flight or boat ride over the Bass Strait from Melbourne.

We arrived late at night and had to collect our apartment key from a building on top of a hill in Salamanca, “Lenna”. It was a beautiful old mansion, with ornate features and despite being ready for bed, I stopped to take in its charm.

Lenna
Lenna, Hobart

In the morning we went to Salamanca market, which was bustling. I had never been before but had heard good things, and I was not let down. There were so many stalls selling stunning local produce and handmade items. We purchased some peanut butter, a set of wooden coasters for our table at home, enjoyed some fresh berries, perused some luxurious leather goods and sampled some whiskey from a distillery that we planned to visit the next day.

We had a wedding later in the day, and the ceremony was only a short walk away at Battery Point. However, due to spending a little too long enjoying the harbour at lunchtime, we were running late, so we caught an Uber. The reception was at Frogmore Creek Winery, which was a gorgeous location. Nestled among the vineyards, we enjoyed the remaining light filled hours outside, before heading in to begin the celebrations.

Frogmore Creek
Frogmore Creek Winery view

The next day we hired a car and drove out to Old Kempton, a renowned whiskey distillery north of Hobart. We arrived and walked through another beautiful old building and sat in the courtyard, as a musician strummed his guitar and sang. We ordered some food and wine, sat back and appreciated the company – there was a group that had 2 large white dogs that were on their best behaviour. We love seeing dogs on holidays because it reminds us of our dog at home, which always puts a smile on our faces.

Old Kempton
Old Kempton Distillery

After the distillery, we went to Taroona Beach for a stroll. It was a beautiful day;  slightly overcast with a light breeze but the sun occasionally showed through the clouds. Being so close to Antarctica, it rarely gets too hot in Hobart, a piece of local wisdom I had picked up at the wedding. We made our way along the gravel track of the shoreline while looking out to sea. I was careful with my footing because I had for some silly reason decided to wear heels, but this gave me the chance to stop from time to time to imagine icy embankments in a nearby land across the ocean.

Taroona Beach
Taroona Beach

That evening, we walked along the harbour as we had done so many times over the past two days before enjoying seafood and wine, and admiring the artwork on display at Landscape Restaurant. The restaurant offered a dining experience inspired by the island of Tasmania, an it was a wonderful way to finish our trip.

For a place that takes less than an hour to get to by plane, we Melburnians should really visit more often. We are very lucky to have such diverse cities in Australia, and although it wasn’t my first time in Hobart, I enjoyed it as much as the last. If you haven’t been, I would highly recommend taking a trip when COVID-19 is behind us. If you have been, I have no qualms in encouraging you to back, as I am sure you will discover something new to love like I do every time.

Holiday Here This Year – Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia

Posted on by Greta

While I love travelling overseas, Tourism Australia’s recent campaign for locals to Holiday Here This Year has really resonated with me.

Okay, so I might have a New Zealand trip coming up, but that was booked last year, before our country’s tourism economy dipped significantly, largely due to the bushfire crisis.

Other than New Zealand, my husband and I won’t be going overseas, and have instead planned a few smaller trips in our minds, maybe to Queensland or northern New South Wales. We love the East Coast, so later in the year it might be a nice place to go (we’re thinking Byron Bay or the Sunshine Coast).

A weekend getaway

Last weekend, we took a trip to Phillip Island, Victoria. It’s a beautiful place, with so many drawcards, including the pristine beaches (Smiths Beach, YCW, Forrest Caves to name a few), a newly renovated Winery, which we were told was recently bought by 3 young couples who (obviously) know the market really well, food and wine galore (Isola Di Capri, Cape Kitchen, Rusty Water Brewery are some examples) and a laid back feeling of being with nature. It’s a quiet place with clean air and plenty native Australian gum trees, visible from most aspects.

For locals, it is worth spending at least a few days. For overseas visitors, I would recommend spending at least a week. The town of Cowes is right on the coast and is a beautiful spot to grab a bite to eat and a glass of wine, while looking out to sea. Go for a stroll to the end of the pier with a gelato in hand and watch the local kids jump into the water, or look out across the stretch of blue-green ocean to the mainland.

Cowes
Cowes, Phillip Island

It’s only an hour and a half or so drive from Melbourne, or there are buses you can jump on to get there. I encourage locals to take their dog, who is bound to a have a wonderful time splashing in the waves and running along the beach during doggy friendly beach hours in the summer. During the winter months when only the seasoned wet suit clad surfers tackle the rough waves, dogs are allowed on the beach at any time in most places.

Choosing somewhere to stay

I would even recommend staying outside of Cowes, for that real beachside experience. If serenity is what you are after, I would suggest checking the Moto GP calendar, as the side of the island where the track is can get very noisy on race days, but in my opinion is the best side to stay. There are so many houses for rent, many at affordable prices. It’s a great place for a group of friends wanting to have a good time, or a family looking for an escape from city life.

For locals, it’s a small slice of paradise that isn’t too far away, and for overseas visitors, the relaxed vibe definitely make it worth the visit. I should also mention the penguin parade, the chocolate factory, the go karts and the amusement park if you’re looking for more reasons to go. When planning your holiday research which side of the island will suit your needs best, and how far away you want to be from the main town, and you’ll be set.

Please leave a comment if you have anything else to add, I would love to hear from you!

The grounded feeling of flying

Posted on by Greta

I love flying.

There is nothing quite like being thousands of feet in the air, looking out the window and not being able to see anything within my reach, except for the wings of the plane. I love passing through clouds and watching, amazed as they disappear around me. Even being stuck for 1 or more hours with at least 100 strangers doesn’t faze me. I enjoy listening to how people react to certain situations in a confined area, as they seem to forget that they won’t be up there forever, that the ground will be beneath us in a matter of time.

Usually it’s children that cause stress for many on planes. But we shouldn’t always blame the children! There is an abundance of people who fly regularly, and many of them may come across as rude, but the flight attendants always smile and respond as positively as possible. There are also the drunk people – who may have enjoyed a few too many beverages before getting on board and end up having a loud conversation with their new friend sitting next to them. There may even be an exchange of phone numbers because some sort of relationship has been established – whether it’s business or personal.

I am happy to keep to myself on planes – as I said, I like to watch and listen to the people around me. If a passenger next to me strikes up a conversation of course I engage but I also understand that it is just friendly chit chat because they have nothing else to do, and want to seem interested in whatever the person next to them has been up to, or brag about what they’ve been doing, so that they are at least occupied for part of the flight.

It is a good way to meet people, if that’s what you want. I remember years ago when I was coming back from a solo trip to Europe. It had been a full-on holiday, on a Contiki tour with a bunch of other keen young adults, ready to explore. I had also spent some time with my mum’s cousin in Holland, which was lovely. Despite a great trip, I was looking forward to unwinding with a wine or two on the plane before arriving home to see my boyfriend. Luckily for me, I was sitting next to a lady who was also enjoying a beverage and was keen for a chat. We talked about our time overseas and our lives in Melbourne. At the end of the flight we said our goodbyes and never saw each other again.

A time to reflect

I don’t mind it being just me and my own company either.

I find that my mind is clear when I am in the air, and I know exactly what I want and how to achieve it. It’s a good time to reflect on life, and hear nothing but music in my ears, or the sounds of a plane full of people. I think about family, friends travel, work – you name it, it will most likely cross my mind as I sit up there in the clouds.

I always try to get a window seat, especially if I am going somewhere I have never been. I like watching the horizon, as the plane lowers to the ground, and seeing buildings and/or clumps of greenery and water beneath me. Apparently, this choice of seat means I’m selfish but hey, I know what I like. If the window seat isn’t available, I make do.

When I step off the plane, I am sad that this time of reflection is over, but excited at whatever awaits me. Being on a plane adds an aspect to travel that doesn’t happen anywhere else. It is crazy to think that when I am in the air, I somehow manage to feel so grounded.

The hours, sometimes days that follow hold a refreshing memory of that feeling – the feeling of complete possibility, of never-ending opportunity.

Although I have nothing planned, I am looking forward to my next flight already, wherever that may be to and whatever I may be thinking about at that point in time.

Taiwan and it cultural quirks: Part V

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On our last full day in Taiwan, we went to the National Palace Museum. Having seen the Smithsonian last year, we were ready to be amazed, as it we were aware NPM was known to be one of the largest displays of Chinese imperial artifacts in the world.

From the outside, it was spectacular, with its brilliant grounds and architecture, nestled amongst the picturesque mountains. We made our way through the rabbit warren of rooms, learning about Taiwan’s different dynasty’s as we went. The jewellery that was on display was special, and so vibrant in colour. We learned that jade is Taiwan’s national stone and is meant to bring the wearer good fortune. I was fascinated by the traditional scripture and how the writing is read and written vertically, rather than horizontally, as it is in English. Each character was so delicate I couldn’t imagine how anyone (let alone a young child) would remember each symbol and be able to differentiate them at the speed that we read and write.

MVIMG_20190423_150502

We saw many temples and admired their cultural significance, including the Confuscious Temple, the Longshan Temple and Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall. They were busy places but worth visiting. Tourists attempted to fit the front of the temple and a face or two into the screen of their mobile phones, which reminded me of an article I had read on Mount Everest, and the crowds of people at the summit. It felt like the wrong place (at least to me) to be taking selfies. After seeing these, I must admit, the temples in Taipei were some of the most beautiful that I have ever visited.

IMG_20190420_170330

I recently read that protests similar to those that are happening now in Hong Kong could possibly break out somewhere like Taiwan. The anti-government protests are against extradition laws held between Hong Kong and China, China being a communist nation. Protestors do not want this law to pass, fearing that it will be the end of civil rights for Hong Kong. I can’t imagine the beautiful streets of Taipei full of protest. It seems such a peaceful, organised city, much different to that of Hong Kong, which we visited on our way home back in April. But who’s to say what is likely to happen anywhere. We can only hope that something will be learned or changed as a result.

This is the last post in my series on Taiwan and I don’t like to leave it on such a serious note, but it is important that people realise that these protests are not so far away, and they involve people just like us fighting for what they believe. How would you feel if you were in a position like this?

Those of you who have read Part I, II, III and IV, I hope you have enjoyed reading what we got up to on our trip. Taiwan is a beautiful place, with so much to do and see and I would love to go back one day soon.

Taiwan and its cultural quirks: Part IV

Posted on by Greta

Yellow taxi

Something we wanted to do on this trip was visit the infamous Taiwanese whiskey distillery, ‘Kavalan’, and we knew it was a bit of a drive from Taipei. If we were there for longer, we would have got the train but given our short trip, our hotel told us that the best way to get there would probably be by taxi (really?). We followed a woman who worked at the hotel to the taxi rank and watched as she spoke to the driver in the local language. He nodded and said something to her, which turned out to be the price – and it was reasonable, so we got in, not expecting to be in a yellow taxi for yet another day trip, but ready to explore.

We had been driving for a while and had gone through a few tunnels that must have been through mountains. It was a beautiful drive – the countryside in Taiwan is just spectacular! We entered another tunnel and I watched the brown walls pass by and waited until I could see light at the end. Soon were outside, at the base of some huge mountains, when the driver, who spoke very little English turned to us, pointed to the top of the mountains and said ‘coffee’. There was no way he knew how much I loved coffee, and I thought it was very nice of him to point this out. We smiled and nodded and thanked him. Not long after, we began making our way up a mountain. The road was narrow, and we had to pull over whenever a car needed to get past. After a winding drive of over 20 minutes, we pulled into a gravel driveway at the top. The driver stopped the car, turned to look at us and said ‘coffee’ and pointed to a building. It wasn’t until then that we realised he thought we wanted to go to this coffee farm! There must have been some confusion between the lady at the hotel and the driver! ‘No, no…whiskey’, was all we said and luckily, he understood. ‘Ahh, whiskey!’ He said and turned the car around. He apologised and pointed down the mountain, which we assumed meant it wasn’t far away.

The grounds of Kavalan

We had driven at least half an hour and were passing through a small town. To be honest, it felt like we were lost. The driver called his friend who was kindly able to provide directions to the distillery, thank goodness! When we got there, he said to take as long as we needed and that he would wait there. We thanked him and got out of the taxi (at last!). The grounds were huge and very well kept. We enjoyed a whiskey tasting, though couldn’t understand the man as he explained what each different whisky was, but it didn’t matter. We were in a foreign country sampling some of the finest whisky and were glad to have finally arrived. We even mixed our own whiskey after sampling three different kinds and deciding how much of each we wanted to add to our test tubes, 6 ml in total. After we had written down our ratios, the instructor mixed us large bottles that we could take home. He sealed the bottles and put them into a box, which we wrote our names on. We were quite surprised by this final touch and very happy. What a good idea!

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After a long and unexpected day being driven around Taiwan in a yellow taxi, we were looking forward to setting out on foot to explore Taipei once more.

Dinh Tai Fung

One thing that we absolutely had to try in Taiwan was Dinh Tai Fung. We had tried this restaurant in Melbourne and had learned that it actually originated in Taipei, so were pretty excited to check it out. We were staying right near the DTF at Taipei 101 and went to have a look the first day we arrived. When we got there, we realised there was an 80 minute wait for a table. We were pretty hungry, so decided to go another day. The original DTF wasn’t far from where we were staying either, so we thought we should check out that one anyway.

We went to DTF the day that we went to Shifen and Jiuffen actually! We had returned from the day trip and were starving and weren’t disappointed. We ordered at least four different kinds of dumplings, including their famous Sha Long Bao, or soup dumplings. We had heard that the dumplings at DTF were some of the best, as the casing was so delicate. It was a delicious meal but we couldn’t help remembering the dumpling restaurant we had been to on our street food tour.

Exploring and eating are two of my favourite things to do while on holiday. I highly recommend going to DTF in Taipei and making a trip out to Kavalan, however you end up getting there!

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