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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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! 😉

This post is shared on Skywatch Friday and Altered Book Lover.

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Happy Chinese New Year

Backyard Bliss, Even in the Drought

June brought us hardly any rain, yet our Florida backyard continues to thrive. Even during the drought, nature has found a way to flourish. Every day brings the cheerful songs of birds, the graceful flutter of butterflies, and the sweet reward of homegrown treasures.

Zebra Longwing and Monarch butterflies dancing around. 🦋

Zebra Longwing butterflies love this firebush plant

bleeding heart

Bluejay and rabbit

My aunts' four mango trees are absolutely loaded with fruit this year. My own mango tree, on the other hand, had a much smaller harvest, producing just ten mangoes. The tree is the Thai variety Nam Doc Mai, prized for its rich sweetness, smooth texture, and thin pit. Something—most likely squirrels—helped themselves to two of them (sigh!), but we were able to enjoy the remaining eight, and they were incredibly sweet. Moments like these are a reminder that even during a Florida drought, nature still offers delightful surprises.

cherries and strawberries are store bought

The two mangoes on the left are from my tree

Our mango tree has a story of its own. About ten years ago, when we bought our house, my aunt gave us a young mango plant she had started from a pit. It was only about three feet tall at the time, but with a little patience, it has grown into a beautiful tree.

For much of those ten years, we were living aboard our boat, so we rarely had the chance to enjoy its harvest. Now that we've sold the boat and traded our sea legs for gardening gloves, we finally get to savor the fruit of that little seedling.

The mango tree in 2016

Blue skies after the rain—a happy mango tree (2026).

Not many mangoes this year, but every one is a treat.

While we're looking forward to the return of Florida's refreshing summer rains, I'm grateful for the life that continues to fill our backyard. Even in the stifling heat and dry conditions, there's still so much to appreciate—from colorful birds and butterflies to the simple pleasure of picking a perfectly ripe mango straight from the tree.

Just thinking about those sweet, juicy mangoes is making my mouth water!

How's your summer harvest coming along? I'd love to hear what you're growing this season, Stay cool and enjoy the rest of your summer!

This post is shared on Skywatch Friday and Through My Lens.

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