How I spent New Year in Taiwan

Do you wanna know how I spent New Year? Keep reading because it was definitely one of the best in my life. Amy with her family took me to I-lan region to have some fun :-)

I-lan region, local lake
This is our vehicle for the day. We had to work really hard to get from point A to point B, you know.

There is a story right after this photo. You know, there are not many tourists in Taiwan. Sometimes, I felt like a little bit of celebrity. This was one of those moments. Actually, one of the best moments in Taiwan. After I was smiling to the camera, few (like 15 maybe) boys around age of 15 maybe came to me (just one of them) and ask me: "Could you take a picture of us?" in Chinese. These guys were so happy that I was the one who took that picture. They probably never seen a girl from Europe before. And I was so happy that they are happy. Amy´s mum then said that I have to be on that picture too. You could see it in their faces that they are truly happy. This moment touched my heart. Unfortunately, I don´t have the photo with them. If you read this article and you know one of those guys, please send me the picture. You might think it´s a little bit stupid but for me this is one of the best memories.

All of us. Only Amy´s brother in law is missing (taking picture).

Hana & Yuan & Misa & Amy. Btw, in case you guys forgot. Hana and Yuan were my roommates in the U.S. and Amy was my co-worker.

You can see the temple.

We are ready to take a picture- Asian style. Love it.

Amy´s nephew

With Amy´s mum

Typical little kind of shop where you can buy something to eat.

Now we are leaving the lake and going somewhere else to eat.

Lunch time. Typical food from this area. This one is with vegetable.

This was so good. (don´t ask me about the name please, no idea)

National Center for Traditional Arts. Definitely go there, it is worth it. There are shops with traditional drinks, food, clothes, toys everything you can possibly imagine.

traditional

Hot springs are very popular in Taiwan. You know that I love hot, right? But even for me, hot springs are just too hot. Anyway, nice experience. Highly recommend you to try it, if you ever go to Taiwan.

Massage in Taiwan. My opinion? High quality, low prices. I love it.

Delicious dinner. Finally, I´ve learnt how to use chop-sticks!! So proud of myself.

You know what they say: "As on New Year's Day so will be the whole year" If that´s true, I think that I´ll be just fine.

Have a great year
Michalka

Pingshi as a place where you make a wish

This article is going to be about my last trip in Taiwan (day before my departure). Amy and her family took me to Pingshi which  (as I discovered) is very famous and popular place for Taiwanese. Why? Keep reading.

2 things you need to know about Pingshi:
- according to tradition you write here a New Year wish on the lantern
- place became famous thanks to some movie so now everybody wants to visit this place

Let´s see how Pingshi looks like. For some reason I love this view.

Can you see Chinese lanterns in the air?

This place is really popular which means also crowded. My friends had to watch me all the time so I wouldn´t get lost.

I´m writing my wishes for 2016. My biggest wish is every year the same. It is to be healthy (me as well as my family and friends).

Our Chinese lantern is ready. All of us finished writing their wishes.

Here you can watch a video how our Chinese lantern is flying.

With Hana, Yuan, Amy and her family.

Typical Asian  look in the picture.

The train is approaching the station.

Beautiful local bridge.

Me & Yuan & Hana & Ching Ching

I really enjoyed my time in Pingshi. Now I´m just curious if my wishes for 2016 will come true. I will do my best. I promise.

Regards
Michalka

Moncoeur as a place where you can get married

This article is going to be full of love. I know, that Valentine´s day already passed,ok? But still, I want to share with you guys, my experience with place called Moncoeur in Taiwan. If you plan to get married in Taiwan, this article might give you some ideas about wedding venue.

Here are few things about Moncoeur:

- situated in Taichung

- popular place for weddings

- romantic place for couples, sunday walk

- nice church

- gift shops

Our tour can start.

We are entering Moncoeur.

I have no idea what they say, but definitely it is full of love :-)

Look at this house.

Kissing couples. This would be perfect picture with my boyfriend :-)

Book of love.

Snowmen & me & Yi Chi

Beatiful white church.

Wedding decoration.

How to say "I love you" in different languages.

Coffee time.

Me & Jasmine & Jasmine´s sister

If my boyfiend was there with me, I would definitely take him to this place. I´m not very romantic person, but come on. In my opinion it is a nice place where to spend sunday. 

All you need is LOVE.

Regards
Michalka

Sun Moon Lake as the best lake in Taiwan

I had a chance to spend few days in Jasmine´s hometown- Taichung. From there we made a trip to Sun Moon Lake. Why? Because I wanted to. She let me choose. And since my flatmate Honza who spent 6 months in Taiwan made me a presentation about this country, I fall in love with pictures of Sun Moon Lake. So at the end of the day the choice was clear. We are going to Sun Moon Lake.

We are ready for our boat. I´m so excited.

Local Christmas tree. Do you have any wish? You can put it on the tree.

The view of Sun Moon Lake. Just beautiful.

Me and Jasmine. Have you noticed Jasmine´s bag by Coach? Yes, I´ve got the same at thome. We both bought it in the U.S.

So happy that I´m in Taiwan. Still can´t believe it.

Everybody wants to take a picture with this stone. Do you see this long queue?

We are waiting for our boat which is going to take us to another part of Sun Moon Lake.

Cable car story. Jasmine was the only brave enough who agreed with Cable car.

One moment is raining, few minutes later the sun is shining. We are listening both favourite song: "Can´t fight the Moonlight". It is old but I really loved the movie when I was a kid.

Me with Jasmine´s little sister.

So, what do you think? If you ever go to Taiwan, Sun Moon Lake is one of the places you shouldn´t miss.

Regards
Michalka