Road Trip from Taipei to Kaohsiung: Qingjing Farm

Little did we know what our cousins had planned for the next leg of our road trip. It was one sweet surprise after another.

Taiwan may be relatively small, but its landscapes are incredibly diverse. Within minutes of leaving Taichung, the city gives way to winding mountain roads, forested hills, and spectacular scenery.

Perched nearly 5,740 feet (1,750 meters) above sea level in Nantou County, Qingjing Farm feels like another world. With its European-inspired architecture, cool mountain air, and sweeping views, the area has an almost alpine feel. Green hills stretch into the distance as clouds drift across the mountain peaks. It was a nippy 55.4°F (13°C) when we checked into Qingjing Farm Guest House.

The next morning, we got up bright and early and made our way down the hill to find a good spot for the famous sheep-shearing show. Afterward, the sheep were let loose to roam among the spectators, who could purchase food to feed them. It was a fun and memorable way to start the day!

Aren't they adorable?

We walked through the rolling Green Grasslands to a mesmerizing equestrian show. 

Walking the Qingjing Sky Walk, we were rewarded with sweeping views of the Central Mountain Range. Along the way, we passed food vendors, horses, and, of course, even more sheep—adding to the charm of the mountain scenery.

Our tour guides leading the way

When we were done exploring, we headed to nearby Puli for lunch at Su Mama’s Tangyuan (蘇媽媽湯圓), a popular local spot serving traditional Taiwanese favorites such as tofu, noodles, and tangyuan (sweet rice balls). She's even been featured on YouTube (see below)! The line was long, but it moved quickly, and before long, we were seated and enjoying a delicious taste of local flavors.

tangyuan or sweet rice balls served in a sugary syrup

Wonton noodle with meat sauce

a tofu dish

With its scenic mountain views, famous green pastures, and sheep and horses grazing peacefully along the hillsides, Qingjing made for a wonderful detour. Add in some delicious Taiwanese favorites, and this unexpected stop turned out to be another gem of our road trip. A big shout-out to our cousins for adding this special stop to our itinerary!

This post is shared on Skywatch Friday, Dare to Share Saturday, Altered Book Lover, and **Art*Journal*Journey*.

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Visiting Saint-Rémy-de-Provence: Following Van Gogh's Footsteps

As I mentioned in my previous post, our planned tour to Gordes and Roussillon was unexpectedly canceled. We quickly shifted gears and booked tickets on the high-speed train to Arles instead. On the morning of our excursion, however, we discovered our train would be delayed by more than two hours. Not wanting to waste a beautiful morning in Provence, we changed plans once again and hopped on a bus to Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.

One of the reasons we chose our hotel in Avignon was its convenient location between the train station and the central bus station. That decision paid off, allowing us to adjust our itinerary on the fly with minimal hassle. Since Arles, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, and several other Provençal towns were already on our list of places to explore, the last-minute change felt less like a setback and more like an unexpected opportunity.

Many of the Provençal towns host weekly markets on designated days, transforming their streets and town squares into lively open-air marketplaces. As luck would have it, we arrived in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence on a Wednesday—the very day the town hosts its weekly market. It was the first thing that greeted us as we stepped off the bus, with stalls stretching through the town center and a vibrant atmosphere that immediately captivated us.

Sausage, anyone?

Love the lavender!

Olive plants and garlic

And of course, cheese :-)

After picking up some local herbs and lavender products, we followed the 1-kilometer Van Gogh Trail from the tourist office to Saint-Paul-de-Mausole, the former monastery-turned-asylum where Vincent van Gogh spent a year. During his stay, he created around 150 paintings inspired by the surrounding Provençal landscapes. Along the trail, reproductions of his artworks stand at the very spots where he painted, allowing visitors to see Saint-Rémy-de-Provence through the artist's eyes.

The beginning of the Van Gogh trail

Wheat Field with Cypress

Almond blossom

Olive trees

Approaching the monastery/asylum

Where he painted irises

Ticket booth

Pondering whether to buy a ticket for the asylum tour

Statue of Van Gogh

I was hesitant about touring the asylum. When I finally decided to go in, I found myself almost completely alone. Most visitors had already gone outside, leaving only another couple wandering the quiet hallways. The stillness gave the place an eerie atmosphere. When I reached Van Gogh's room, I only peeked inside—I couldn't bring myself to step in. Silly, I know, but the empty room and quiet corridors made me feel a little uneasy.

Hallway leading to Van Gogh's room

Outside Van Gogh's room

Van Goh's bedroom

His second room held his artwork

Reproduction of his paintings lined the walls

Looking at the asylum from the outside

the scenery from Van Gogh's room

We lucked out with a beautiful sunny spring day to visit Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. It was more than just a stop on our Provence itinerary—it was a chance to step into Van Gogh’s world. From the peaceful landscapes to the halls of Saint-Paul-de-Mausole, the town offered a glimpse into the place that inspired some of his most memorable works and left us with a deeper appreciation for the artist and the beauty that surrounded him.

This post is shared on Skywatch Friday, Through My Lens and **Art*Journal*Journey.

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