Taiwan Road Trip: Taipei to Kaohsiung — Taichung

Back in January, we were traveling through Taiwan. I started writing about our trip and managed to get two posts out—one about Taipei, the capital, and another about Wulai (烏來), a mountain town about an hour south of Taipei.

And then… life happened, and I never got around to finishing the story!

So, picking up where I left off, we continued our road trip south toward Kaohsiung. From Wulai, it was about a 2½-hour drive to Taichung, on the western side of central Taiwan.

Our foodie cousins were traveling with us, and they knew exactly where we needed to stop for lunch: Chun Shui Tang (春水堂), the famous restaurant credited with being the birthplace of bubble tea. I love milk tea, but I’m certainly no bubble tea connoisseur. In fact, before writing this post, I was confused about the difference between bubble tea and boba tea. Turns out, they’re essentially the same thing! Both refer to tea, usually with milk and sweetener, served with chewy tapioca pearls—or “boba.” These days, boba tea is all the rage—you can find it in just about every city!

There was a bit of a wait, but we didn’t mind. The outdoor seating had such a lovely, relaxed atmosphere that waiting actually felt like part of the experience. 

Famous bubble tea —mmm, mmm good! 🧋 Definitely lives up to the hype!

Noodle dishes

So glad we had locals to decipher the myriad choices on the menu

After lunch, we took a stroll around the National Taichung Theater, also known as Taichung’s Arts NOVA. The striking architecture and open spaces made it a lovely place to explore and take in the surroundings.

Chinese New Year, year of the Horse (Feb 17)

Admiring the skyline of Taichung from the inside

Our fun personal tour guides

Next up was a beloved gift shop for some New Year shopping. From the outside, the building looks a little weathered and unassuming—but step inside and WOW! The interior is filled with antique furniture, charming displays, and an incredible assortment of unique goodies and gifts, all perfect for sharing with family and friends during the New Year.

I didn’t know it at the time, but I later learned this was Miyahara (宮原眼科), a historic Taichung landmark dating back to 1927, when it first opened as an ophthalmology clinic during the Japanese colonial period. The original brick walls have been beautifully preserved, adding to its timeless vintage charm.

I loved the beautiful gift-wrapping papers featuring horses to celebrate the Year of the Horse. What a lovely blend of tradition, artistry, and local charm!

Pretty packages celebrating the Year of the Horse. 🐎

Too bad we had just had a big lunch, so we didn’t get to try any desserts. After reading more about Miyahara, I discovered that their ice cream is apparently not to be missed. Now I understand the long line for ice cream. Oh well—another reason to come back next time! 

Stay tuned for the next chapter of our road trip. I promise it won’t take me nearly as long to get to it this time! 😉

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Taiwan Road Trip: Taipei to Kaohsiung — Wulai

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Happy Chinese New Year

Taiwan Road Trip: Taipei to Kaohsiung — Wulai

After six blissful days savoring the food and soaking in the vibrant energy of Taipei, we began our journey south toward Kaohsiung. But instead of speeding down the highway, we took the scenic route — thanks to our cousins (Ta Ming, Wai Ming, and crew!) who rented a minivan for us and even joined us for the first leg of the adventure. What followed was a road trip filled with fresh mountain air, cultural discoveries, and delightful surprises.

Our first stop was Wulai, a charming hot springs town just an hour from the city—yet it felt a world away. The winding mountain roads, surrounded by lush greenery, made the drive itself a refreshing escape from urban life.

We made a stop at Neidong National Forest Recreation Area for a short and easy hike to see the waterfalls. Tucked within the forest, the paved trails led us to cascading falls surrounded by vibrant greenery. It was an unexpected highlight of the trip—a peaceful retreat and a welcome respite from the buzz of Taipei.

Neidong upper falls

After the hike, we stopped in Wulai’s old town, where a dramatic waterfall provided a scenic backdrop for lunch. The area has a strong presence of the Atayal people (泰雅族), one of Taiwan's indigenous communities, and we enjoyed local dishes at a nearby restaurant.

The highlight was the bamboo rice—we had to bang the thick bamboo tube hard enough to crack it open ourselves, revealing perfectly steamed, fragrant rice inside. Many of the vegetables were new to us, making the meal both delicious and eye-opening.

see those bamboo sticks of rice?

Wulai Waterfall

Wulai Old Street

Exotic mountain vegetable and fruits

After lunch, we hopped on a small train down the mountain, where our driver was waiting to whisk us away to Full Moon Spa Hotel for the night.

train ride down the mountain

Full Moon Spa (top left building with the red sign)

The hotel is a charming little spot right in town. There’s an elevator up to the lobby, but reaching the rooms requires walking down a set of steps—something to keep in mind for the elderly or anyone with limited mobility. The highlight, of course, was the enormous spa-like tub in our room, complete with a lovely view of the river. Filled with piping hot spring water, a long soak was the perfect antidote after a full day of exploring.

view of the mountain from the restaurant

A delicious hot pot seafood dinner was part of our room package

Unbeknownst to us, there was no heat in the room—and the temperature had dipped to a chilly 56°F  or 13.3°C. It was cold! Around the same time, much of the southern U.S.—especially Nashville, TN — was battling a major ice storm and widespread power outages. All things considered, we’d much rather brave the cold in Wulai than the ice in Nashville.

Our next stop was in Taichung, but it'll have to be another post. Stay tuned.

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Happy Chinese New Year from icy Chattanooga!

Favorite Destination: Nashville, Tennessee

Falling for the South: Charleston, S. Carolina

Our love affair with Charleston began over twenty-four years ago, and the city still charms us every time we return. From the simple joy of the waterfront swings to the cobblestone streets lined with pastel homes, Charleston’s timeless beauty never fades.

Our fascination started back in the ’80s after watching the classic miniseries North and South. Visiting Boone Hall Plantation—where parts of it were filmed—was a dream come true. The historic grounds and the breathtaking Avenue of Oaks are every bit as stunning in person as they are on screen.

Avenue of Oaks, Boone Plantation

This fall, we came back once again, arriving on Halloween just before lunchtime. Before exploring the city’s historic heart, we set out in search of a great local meal—because in Charleston, good food is always the perfect way to begin any adventure.

Our first choice for lunch was the much-acclaimed Husk, but unfortunately, it wasn’t open for lunch.  Our next option was SNOB (Slightly North of Broad). After all, any restaurant that’s been thriving for over thirty years must be doing something right! 

From the moment we stepped inside, the warm welcome and impeccable service set the stage for an outstanding meal. We couldn’t help reminiscing about the incredible crab cake we’d enjoyed here years ago (sadly missing from the current menu). But any disappointment quickly faded with the first bite of their shrimp and grits. Creamy, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned—it was absolutely to die for.

Shrimp and Grits

Steamed local clams in wine garlic cream sauce

Crème brûlée

After lunch, we walked off our meal with a leisurely stroll along the Charleston waterfront, continuing all the way to the Battery. The weather was perfect for an autumn afternoon—crisp air, gentle breeze, and that unmistakable Charleston charm everywhere you look. 

Pineapple Fountain, a symbol of Southern hospitality and welcome

USS Yorktown CV-10, WWII-era aircraft carrier, in the distance 

Many of the stately homes along the way were decked out with elaborate Halloween decorations, adding a festive touch to the historic streets. It was the perfect blend of Southern elegance and spooky fun.

From its rich history to its irresistible Southern flavors, Charleston always offers something new to discover. Have you been? We’d love to hear your favorite spots or must-try restaurants in the comments below!

 
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