On my fourth day in Taiwan, we were off to pick grapes at Zheng Hsiung Organic Grape Farm in Miaoli County.
Started around 1950′s, viticulture is relatively new in Taiwan. Vineyards are scattered around Taiwan but about one-third of the grape production comes from Miaoli County.
Picking grapes is easy peasy. Just open the bag to check if the grapes are ready for harvest. Once they are, just snip the bunch off the vine.
The grape variety grown in Zheng Hsiung Organic Grape Farm is known as Kyoho. It was first cultivated in Japan and was later on brought in Taiwan during the 1960′s.
Kyoho, literally meaning giant mountain grapes, was named after Mount Fuji because of its size.
These enormous grapes are known to have great health benefits.
They are rich in iron, vitamin C, thiamine, potassium, dietary fiber, resveratrol and many more. Consuming this fruit is good for the kidneys, heart, brain and overall digestion. They can be eaten as is or blended into a delicious, refreshing smoothie – no need to add sugar because grapes are already sweet!
Pear trees can produce fruit for up to 100 years. Did you know that pears have been cultivated for over 4000 years and they are actually related to apples, strawberries, apricots and peaches? Amazing, isn’t it?
For our D.I.Y. activity in this Taiwanese pear farm, we harvested grafted pears.
In Dong Rong Farm, pear fruits are carefully wrapped in waxed paper bags which acts as a natural barrier to protect them pests and diseases – a labor-intensive yet cost-effective solution that keeps the fruits free from chemicals.
To harvest these grafted pears, bags are simply untied to reveal the fruits inside. You know these pears are of the highest quality because they are smooth, vibrant in color, have no sunburn injury and are in perfect condition.
A perfect day starter, it is said that “a pear a day keeps the pounds away”.
Pears are a good source of dietary fiber and contain vital vitamins and minerals.
These fresh organic pears are the most luscious pears I’ve had in my life! These sweet, crunchy and juicy pears are best eaten when chilled. As the Greek poet Homer called it, indeed, pears are “a gift from the gods”.
Forest 18 is home to over 800 eucalyptus trees in 4000 hectares of land – making it the largest eucalyptus forest park in Taiwan.
Situated 400 meters above sea level, it lies somewhere in the mountains of Nantou County and has a stunning view of the Baguashan Drought Irrigation Reservoir which locals fondly call “Mingjian Shangri-La” or “Little Sun Moon Lake”.
Nature lovers will surely enjoy here just by walking around and basking in the greenery of the forest. The subtle sound and refreshing scent of the cool air will leave you feeling relaxed and invigorated.
And in case you’re wondering what’s behind the name of Forest 18, the Chinese word for “eighteen” is 十八 (shí bā) which sounds like spa. So Forest 18 just means Forest Spa which, if you ask me, is a very fitting name.
Koalas typically live in eucalyptus woodlands so it should be no surprise to find the place decorated with these cuddly, tree-hugging marsupials.
Forest 18 has a restaurant that serves delicious Muslim-friendly dishes using the freshest organic ingredients cooked with no oil and little to no salt.
Hot Pot
Steamed Fish
Fruit Salad
Sweet Potato Casserole
Forest 18 also offers fun D.I.Y. activities for all ages. When we were there, we made mosquito repellent!
Each of us was handed with an empty pump bottle, a Popsicle stick, 4 bottles of essential oils, stickers and
measuring cups filled with water and emulsifier.
Here’s their very own recipe for mosquito repellent:
6 drops of eucalyptus essential oil 6 drops of mint essential oil 6 drops of lemon grass essential oil 2 drops of tea tree oil 10 ml of sweet almond oil as emulsifier 80ml of water
First, add 30ml of water to the emulsifier. Stir while gradually adding another 30ml and then 20ml of water. Just keep stirring until its color turns opaque white and its texture becomes
thick and smooth like that of a lotion. Once the desired consistency is achieved, add all the essential oils and stir once again until everything is well-combined. Transfer the mosquito repellent lotion to the empty pump bottle and place the stickers.
This all-natural, non-toxic mosquito repellent moisturizes your skin while keeping you protected from those nasty bites which can lead to life-threatening diseases such as dengue. Reapply as needed.
Xing Ke Dragon Fruit Farm is probably the smallest one in size among the organic farms that I’ve visited in Taiwan. With only about half a hectare to work with, it’s incredible how they managed to fully utilized every square foot of this land to produce different dragon fruit varieties.
Did you know that dragon fruit is actually a fruit of a climbing cactus plant that is native to Central America? Dragon fruit plants have fleshy stems which can grow up to 20 feet long. Since its discovery it has made its way to Asia and other parts of the world.
Harvesting them is very easy. Once they’re ripe and ready for harvest, they can be removed from the plant by cutting them off with the use of garden shears or by just simply twisting them off.
This beautiful exotic fruit got its name after its outer skin which resembles dragon scales.
They offer a rejuvenating escape in a bucolic setting and is an ideal getaway spot for families, health conscious travelers and for all those who just want to experience a rural lifestyle.
is run and managed by the warm and hospitable owners, Wu Li Chu and her daughter Shandy. This mother-daughter pair grow rice, mulberry, roselle, various seasonal fruits and vegetables in their 5-hectare farm located
near Meihua Lake Scenic Area and is only a 10-minute drive from Luodung Night Market.
They have 6 charming wooden cabins surrounded by trees that help you connect with nature and enjoy the fresh air at the shared courtyard.
Photo courtesy of Jude Bacalso
Accommodating up to 4 people, each cabin is fully air-conditioned, has WiFi access and comes with a 32-inch LCD TV, bath tub and small fridge.
The place is clean and cozy.
I am particularly in love with the loft bed! #iwokeuplikethis LOL
Photos courtesy of Jude Bacalso
They have fun D.I.Y. activities such as scallion pancake making, fish feeding and rice harvesting. But in order to appreciate and experience the beauty of harvest, we tried the traditional method of harvesting rice. Each of us was handed a conical hat for sun protection and a small scythe to cut the ripe rice.
I was immediately reminded of a traditional Filipino song entitled “Magtanim ay Di Biro" that describes the
difficulties of the life of a farmer. In case you want to listen to the English version, watch this video:
And just before we left Fairy Story Village Organic Farm each of us came home with a box of organic rice!
Although it is impossible for me to sample everything that Taiwan has to offer in a span of 5 days, these are my favorites out of everything that I tried when I was there.
Hot Pot
A notable Japanese influence on the Taiwanese cuisine, hot pot dishes are sometimes called shabu-shabu in Taiwan and they are very popular throughout the country. Literally a hot pot filled with water, ingredients are cooked by placing them into the pot piece by piece as the water boils.
Because Taiwan has an abundant array of the freshest, organic ingredients, this dish requires no condiments as it already possesses natural flavors that would make it delicious as it is.
Taiwanese Tempura Photo credit: Jude Bacalso
Another Japanese-influenced grub is the Taiwanese tempura. Although it is more of an oden than it is tempura, these ready-to-eat steamed fish cakes are available in most Taiwanese 7/11 branches. They come in different variants and are served with sweet sauce or hot sauce. Lobster roll and fish tofu are not to be missed.
Bubble Milk Tea
Taiwan is the birth place of bubble milk tea so it only makes sense to have it when you are there. Although I have not tried it at some artsy cafe, I did grab a bottle of bubble milk tea from a convenience store and it was really good.
Oolong Tea
A soothing cup of oolong tea is must when visiting Taiwan. Very similar to green tea, it has a rich fragrance with smooth and refreshing finish. There are several varieties of oolong tea and depending on how it was crafted, it can taste light, robust, fruity, floral, earthy, and/or smokey.
Another reason to drink oolong tea apart from its taste is its health benefits. Oolong tea is not only rich in anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals; it is said to reduce obesity and stress, boost the immune system, control diabetes, improve mental health performance, reduce high blood pressure,
lower the risk of getting cancer and promote healthy bone, skin and dental health.
Marigold Infused Water
I’ve always thought that marigolds are merely ornamental plants that repel mosquitoes and other garden pests. Turns out it’s more than that. Marigold has been highly valued for its therapeutic uses. It has antibacterial, antibiotic, antidepressant, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and antiseptic properties which make it a very useful plant. It is also rich in antioxidants that help fight and prevent cancer. At Forest 18 Farm, they infuse their water with marigold leaves and it tastes so refreshing!
Taiwan Beer
Taiwan Beer is an award-winning pale lager that has its distinctive flavor coming from the best locally grown Formosa rice. Its mild and smooth taste makes it
pretty wonderful on its own or a good accompaniment to any kind of food.
Gao Jha Photo credit: Jude Bacalso
Unique to Yilan County, gao jha is a specialty street food sold at Luo Dong Night Market. This seemingly plain, unpretentious snack is anything but simple. It is made up of minced chicken, pork, and shrimp meat which is simmered in chicken stock for several hours until it forms into a paste. Once cooled, it is cut into squares, dipped in cornstarch and then deep fried until golden and crispy.
Gao jha has a crunchy crust with a soft and gooey inside that is bursting with exquisite, complex flavor. Be careful though as you bite into these tasty treats because they are served scalding hot!
Mulberry Pasta
A signature dish of Fairy Story Village Organic Farm in Yilan County, this savory pasta is made with organic mulberry sauce then topped with crunchy pork floss and chopped spring onions. Definitely one-of-a-kind!
Xiao Long Bao
Xiao long baoare steamed buns that have a delicate handmade dough with a savory meaty soup filling. It is a culinary wonder how these magical buns are engineered in a way that it is able to hold the soup and meat with its thin, pillowy soft dough. Eating
these dumplings do require patience, restraint and maybe a wee bit of practice because you don’t want to get your tongue scalded with the piping hot soup.
I got lucky to have had them at Din Tai Fung, a Michelin star awarded restaurant famous for their xiao long bao. This deserves its own post (link to follow).
Taiwan is a small island nation that lies off the southeastern coast of Mainland China. Its capital, Taipei, serves as the economic and technological center of the country. Although this vibrant urbanscape is the face of Taiwan, there is more to see outside of the bustling metropolis.
Once baptized by Portuguese sailors “Ilha Formosa”, meaning beautiful island, Taiwan is worth visiting for its natural scenery.
Taiwan is blessed with several scenic mountain ranges and spectacular landscapes. Many of the visit-worthy rural destinations there are leisure farms. These hidden wonders
await for those who seek an authentic country lifestyle. They
serve the freshest food and offer fun recreational activities that will give you a deeper appreciation for nature and agricultural life.
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS FOR TAIWAN TOUR
If you want to explore and experience Taiwan, you will need the following:
Valid Philippine Passport
Your passport must have at least 6 months remaining validity.
For Philippine passport holders with validUS, UK, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and/or Schengen visas, you can enter Taiwan visa free. All you have to do is to fill up the form on this website and print it out. You will be granted multiple entry within 90 days and the duration of stay is 30 days which will start the next day upon arrival in Taiwan.
For Philippine passport holders that do not have any of the visas mentioned above, you will be granted single entry within 9 days and the duration of stay is 14 days which will start next day upon arrival in Taiwan should your visa be approved.
NSO Certified Birth Certificate
The birth certificate must be issued within a year ago.
NSO Certified Marriage Contract This is for married applicants only.
Supporting Documents Round trip airline tickets, Itinerary, Bank certificates, Income Tax Return Form, Certificate of Employment, Photocopy of Company ID and/or Certificate of Business Registration
2 Recent Passport Photos
Your photo should be taken with a white background. The photo dimensions must be 1.5 x 2 inches.
Completed Travel Visa Application Form
Fill up the form on the official website, print it out and sign it. Attach one of the passport photos on the form and submit it along with your passport and other supporting documents within 15 days to Taipei Economic and Cultural Office.
A receipt will be given which you or a representative need to present in order to claim your passport. For fees and processing time, please refer to Visa Application Fees.
Once your visa application is approved, you will receive your passport
with your visa stamped inside.
For hassle-free visa application, I suggest you file your application through an accredited travel agency.
Do note that you will have to shell out a little more money for the convenience.
I recommend Ma’am Jane Syjuco
of
Everbright Travel Agency. She is amazing! She made sure everything is organized and that all my needs are taken care of.
CURRENCY, EXCHANGE RATE, FEES AND TAXES
Currency
The currency of Taiwan is Taiwan New Dollar. The currency code is TWD and the currency symbol is NT$.
Upon departure from the Philippines, all Philippine nationals are expected to pay 1620 PHP for the travel tax.
TIMEZONE, WEATHER, AND CLIMATE
Did you know that Taiwan has four seasons?
Spring (March – May) << rainy
Summer (June – August) << hot and humid
Fall (September – November) << believed to be the perfect time to visit
Winter (December – February) << snows in the mountains!
The weather and climate vary from one part of the country to another. This is due to its topography and the fact that it belongs to both tropical and subtropical climate zones. It is best to check the forecast before visiting the country so you can dress appropriately.
LANGUAGE
Although the official language of Taiwan is Standard Chinese Mandarin, most natives speak Hokkien Chinese or Hakka Chinese. English is not widely spoken unless you’re in the capital. So it’s important to have translator or, better yet, just learn a few key Chinese phrases when visiting the country. Here are a few examples:
Ni hao – Hello Xiexie or To sia – Thank you Ho Jia – Delicious Duo Shao? – How Much?
You can check the flight schedules on Skyscanner here.
Please note that the rates and schedules are subject to change without prior notice.
WHERE TO STAY
There are many easy-to-use and secure websites that can help you choose your accommodation based on your personal preferences and budget.
Agoda
I’ve booked hotels through Agoda a couple of times and I love it. They have a great network of hotels to choose from at competitive prices.
AirBNB
I’ve also booked through AirBNB and this is a personal favorite. AirBNB offers the most unique travel experiences that can perfectly suit your budget and needs.
Booking, Trivago & Hostelworld
I personally haven’t used Booking, Trivago, and Hostelworld before but they also have good deals and a wide selection of hotels to choose from.
But here are my personal favorite places to stay when in Taiwan:
Westgate Center is a lifestyle district in Alabang where a number of casual restaurants and cafes are located – one of them is Cafe Breton.
Serving breakfast as early as 7 in the morning, Cafe Breton is a place where expats and locals come together for their gourmet crepes, exquisite coffee, and all-day breakfast.
The contrasting wall colors, wooden furniture, and unique accent pieces add a country rustic charm that makes the cafe look timeless and inviting.
The focal point of this cafe is the kitchen where you can watch them prepare your food right in front of your very eyes.
True to their claim, they do have excellent coffee! Their cappuccino is rich in flavor with a smooth, velvety foam on top. I think it’s the ultimate morning pick-me-up.
Cafe Breton’s menu has an extensive breakfast selection that includes crepes, galettes, sandwiches, desserts, coffee and many more. Price ranges between 150 to 300 PHP per dish.
La Primavera Veggie Scramble A creamy omelet with a medley of tomatoes, mushrooms, spinach, and gruyere cheese served with buttered toast.
Adam and Eve A delicate crepe stuffed with soft, stewed apples topped with a dollop of vanilla ice cream and a dash of cinnamon.
I may not be an early bird but I do love me some great brunch!
The combination of good customer service and pleasant dining experience made love Cafe Breton instantly. We’ll definitely come back here if we can.
Many moons ago, my boyfriend and I had to go to Manila to attend a friend’s wedding held at Palazzo Verde (formerly Fernbrook Gardens). While I was looking for the perfect compromise between convenience, comfort, and affordability, I stumbled upon a Studio City condominium unit on Airbnb. Only a 5-minute walk away from a 7-Eleven store, a laundry shop and several shopping centers, I knew I found a winner!
For only 845 PHP a night, this fully furnished condominium unit for two comes with air-conditioning, WiFi and cable TV.
It also has a cozy kitchen space where you can make your own coffee, cook food and stash some goodies in the fridge.
Although they don’t have a heater (a minor turnoff), the shower and toilet room are squeaky clean and that’s all that really matters.
While I was prepping to get settled in, someone already felt right at home.
Oh, did I mention Studio City has an outdoor pool? Awesome, innit? For the health buffs, they have a gym and basketball court too.
But what made me love Studio City was the panoramic view of the cityscape come night time. And when it gets dark, there’s nothing to fear here since the place is well-guarded and well-lit.
If you’re looking for a place to retreat in Filinvest City that’s conveniently located, safe, comfortable, clean and affordable, look no more. Book this Studio City condo unit on Airbnb now.
The moment we swung the door open, baristas chorused “Welcome aboard!“ with great enthusiasm as we walked right inside.
Adorned with travel memorabilia, tour brochures, directional signage, and world clocks, this travel-themed coffee shop will surely inspire your wanderlust.
Bean Voyage Coffee Roasters is a place for travel enthusiasts, curious souls and people from different walks of life who want to sip on their faces… literally. They are the first (and the only one as of this posting) to offer the selfie coffee experience outside the area of Luzon.
Of course, we had to give it a go and take a selfie.
Staring at 140 PHP, you get to have your selfies printed on top of your favorite coffee blends.
If you want to grab your first selfie coffee at Bean Voyage Coffee Roasters, here’s how it’s done:
