Taiwan Trip: Finding Solitude in Taiwan

I've never really shared much about the Taiwan trip. I mentioned sharing more about that in January, but I didn't have the energy to write as planned. Taiwan felt too personal in my self-growth journey, and other than repeating the story of the nature hikes that I loved so much, I felt like perhaps every exploration would feel like a repetition in one way or another. I did the over-thinking for awhile, so I didn't write anything.

Public bicycles to rent

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This morning, I woke up to one of Craig Mod's newsletters. If you are not familiar with that name, well, Craig is a writer, photographer, and an avid walker. He did so many walking expeditions across Japan and those newsletters kept me hoping high throughout the Covid phase when everyone was stuck in the house. I craved nature walks ever since. His writing was the catalyst of my own walking journey post-covid. 

So when I woke up this morning, I noticed that he is still writing to these people who subscribed to his newsletters even after all these years, not knowing whether we still read them, right? Then, I decided to sit and continue this draft anyway, to you, my invisible readers. It's early in the morning, there's a soft morning breeze through the window next to me, and I'm off from work. I'm going through my Papershoot camera folder while reimagining what happened in Taiwan that worth mention to you. 

I wish I could have coffee. 

At the peak of one of the first hikes in Taiwan

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The hikes

The nature walks and hikes were incredible. Honestly, it wasn’t as wet, muddy, or wild as you might imagine. Most of the trails I found were surprisingly well-maintained, lined with beautiful wooden, stone, or even metal railings guiding the way. It’s easy enough—if you don’t mind a solid relationship with stairs and hilly climbs. 

Honestly, calling it “hiking” almost felt like cheating. It was more like leisurely inclined walks... but hey, I still earned those peak selfies and stair-climbing bragging rights. No shortcuts, no regrets. 

We’d usually head out early in the morning, scrolling through Google Maps to find the nearest mountain near wherever we were staying. We’d walk there, conquer the trails, then head back to the hotel—ready to kick off the real day. I explored mountains in Taoyuan, Beitou, and Taipei. Each one had its own flavor, but all of them left a mark. I like to keep things spontaneous, so I’d intentionally limit how much research I did ahead of time. It felt more like an impromptu adventure than a boxed-in, overly structured itinerary. My daily goal was simple: explore. 

Hiking in Taiwan’s soft winter? Absolutely magical. Words fail me. 

I fell in love.

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The Art Scenes 

 

I did not expect it to be this good. Throughout the trip, I stumbled upon a treasure trove of pop-up markets, independent creative events, and quirky art hubs tucked away in every city. Art sculptures casually lounged in parks and public spaces, and even everyday things—from signage to coffee cup designs—oozed creativity. It’s like the entire island has a low-key obsession with art, and honestly? I was here for it. 

 

Some personal highlights: 

 

One of my own illustrations—yep, something I drew and uploaded to Freepik—was right there across Taipei’s Metro stations! The pregnant lady illustration? That’s mine. A little reminder for passengers to give up their seat for expecting moms. And as if that wasn’t enough of a “mic drop” moment, on my last day, I spotted a pregnant lady wearing a pin with my design on it. Wild, right? What a surreal and humbling surprise. 

And the exhibitions? I feasted on them. Taipei served up plenty, but the standout for me was the “Art Nouveau: Light and Shadow” Exhibition—think Gaudí, Mucha, Klimt, but with a modern twist of light and shadow installations. As someone who has dreamed of seeing Mucha’s work since forever, this was a full-circle moment. 

 

I probably spent a solid hour wandering around, soaking up the colors, the curves, the intricate beauty of every piece. It was like stepping into a living painting—vivid, whimsical, and completely hypnotizing.

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You know, I’d love to head back to Japan. Really, I would. But lately, it feels like everyone has the same idea. Have you seen that viral video of tourists swarming the streets of Kyoto? Just watching it gave me secondhand anxiety—and I’m usually chill behind a screen.

But hey, to be fair, I kinda got a taste of that in Taiwan too. We visited Jiufen Street in Taipei early in the morning, right as the shops were just rubbing the sleep out of their eyes. The crowd was mellow, totally manageable. But by the time we were ready to head back during peak hour? Boom. Human tsunami. Waves of people squeezed into a narrow, crammed, twisty alley. Picture sardines in a can—but sweating and taking selfies. Claustrophobic doesn’t even begin to describe it.

Moral of the story: tourist hotspots? Timing is everything. Get there early, beat the crowds, and enjoy the calm before the selfie sticks rise.

Honestly, I’m not built for big crowds. 

Give me quiet mountains, open trails, and chirping birds over-packed streets and elbow-dueling any day. Nature wins.

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Maybe that’s why this trip felt different.

I steered clear of the crowds, found myself wrapped in nature more than I had originally planned, and I wasn’t glued to my brother 24/7. We made space—deciding when to explore together and when to wander solo. It gave the trip this personal rhythm, one where I felt free but grounded. Less anxious, more me.

Traveling alone is a strange cocktail—equal parts nerve-wracking and liberating. I’m not exactly a thrill-seeker; honestly, I’m a homebody through and through. Give me a cozy corner and some tea, and I’m golden. But here’s the paradox: I crave nature walks and the thrill of discovering someplace new. It’s this weird push and pull, and finding that balance? That’s the journey in itself.

And you know what?

I want more of this.

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Love, 

AE ✨