Showing posts with label Travel Information. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Travel Information. Show all posts
11/11/2012
Some Places to Stay Around Taiwan - Ongoing List
I've been bookmarking a few places around Taiwan that I would like to stay at. These are places that people I know have enjoyed, or that I have read about. We don't actually do much traveling these days, but I can still dream and at least share with those who do. If you have any other suggestions, feel free to contact me. They must be family-friendly. Pet-friendly wins double-pints.
1. One House Three Looks, Hsinchu County
"One house three looks" was recommended by a friend. Run by a mixed-culture family living in Hsinchu, it is a reasonably-priced place for a family holiday. They have horses you can ride, and by the photos, a nice little orchard. Click on the link to read the bilingual introduction. Rooms are listed at 2500/double, plus 500 per extra bed.
Address: 新竹縣峨嵋鄉石井村6鄰沙坑農路63號
Tel: 0918-300068
1. One House Three Looks, Hsinchu County
"One house three looks" was recommended by a friend. Run by a mixed-culture family living in Hsinchu, it is a reasonably-priced place for a family holiday. They have horses you can ride, and by the photos, a nice little orchard. Click on the link to read the bilingual introduction. Rooms are listed at 2500/double, plus 500 per extra bed.
Address: 新竹縣峨嵋鄉石井村6鄰沙坑農路63號
Tel: 0918-300068
9/24/2012
Not About Taipei: Good Value Family Accommodation in Tokyo
A friend from my University days, Tokyo-based New Zealand Greg Lane has a site focusing on budget options in Tokyo. Aptly-named "Tokyo Cheapo", it's turning into quite a resource for the budget-conscious.
Today's post caught my eye. Greg has found a great little hotel for families staying in Tokyo. Read the beginning of his post:
You can tell by his site that he is in the web design business... and that I'm, well, not. Maybe one day I'll make it to Tokyo, spend a few days trying out his recommendations, and hit him up for a web design tips. Until then, I guess readers will have to be content with the content.
Today's post caught my eye. Greg has found a great little hotel for families staying in Tokyo. Read the beginning of his post:
OK, so if you’ve come all the way to Tokyo with your family you’re probably looking for something close to Disneyland. However, if you’ve decided to subject your loved ones to the experience of central Tokyo, then you’ll probably, no, definitely have problems finding somewhere that isn’t either enormously expensive or incredibly cramped. That is where the somewhat unique (not just for the strange vaguely French sounding name) Avanshell Akasaka comes in.For photos and more details, continue to read here.
You can tell by his site that he is in the web design business... and that I'm, well, not. Maybe one day I'll make it to Tokyo, spend a few days trying out his recommendations, and hit him up for a web design tips. Until then, I guess readers will have to be content with the content.
9/09/2012
Working Holiday Contest - For 18 to 30 Year Olds Who Want to Visit Taiwan
This is aimed at a group a bit out of my audience range, but I think it's worth sharing, just the same. Here's a chance to win a working holiday in Taiwan. It's the usual "make a video, get people to vote" method.
http://youthtravel.tw/youthtrekker/
Contest Outline：
1. Contestant Qualifications Must be a youth from the 7 listed countries that have signed an agreement to provide a Working Holiday / Youth Mobility visa with Taiwan(United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Japan and Korea.), and the youth must be qualified for the application requirement.
2. How to apply Please fill out the application form on our official website (http://youthtravel.tw/youthtrekker) and attach a video link (video can be uploaded on Youtube or other internet platforms, the length of the video should be in 1-2 minutes)
3. Registration period: today until October 8th, 2012, 12:00p.m. (Taiwan Standard Time)
4. Voting period: October 9th, 2012 until October 23rd, 2012, 12:00p.m. (Taiwan Standard Time)
5. Voting An internet poll will be uploaded for voting. One contestant from each of the seven eligible countries will be chosen based on their number of votes. The contestant with the highest number of votes will be the selected winners.
6. The uploaded video should be titled "Working Holiday in Taiwan", and the content of the video should include a self-introduction and the contestant's expectations of a trip to Taiwan. Using creativity to perform the theme "Working Holiday in Taiwan", not limited to any type of video.
7. The winners are responsible for their Working Holiday / Youth Mobility visa application. For Working Holiday / Youth Mobility visa application and regulation, please visit the official website of Bureau of Consular Affairs: http://www.boca.gov.tw/lp.asp?ctNode=783&CtUnit=80&BaseDSD=7&mp=2
http://youthtravel.tw/youthtrekker/
9/07/2012
The Rising Sun Surf Inn, Wai Ao
Some time ago, I posted about the fabulous Lan Yang Museum in Wai Ao (a coastal town about one hour from Taipei). Wai Ao is a very popular surf beach. Breakers on the shore, undertow, and riptides, make it a bit like the beach I grew up with. It can be a lot of fun, but you have to try to make your kids aware of the power of the ocean and help them understand the concept of water safety.
We are now lucky to enough to have a lifeguard from the US with a fabulous surf shop, away from the real crowds of Wai Ao's "main" beach. My son got a lesson from Garrett a couple of weeks ago, and we have been back since to rent boards from him. The surf shop/hostel itself is very clean and well-organised, and I would be very happy to stay there with my children if the room was available.
Garrett has this great deal going - Family Day Thursdays.
Come out and bring the family on Thursdays and Kids 3-16 years old get 50% off on a bed.
星期四家庭日 3-16歲 50%折扣
加州海邊救生教練Garrett海洋安全常識免費小課程
Our surfing coach Garrett was a professional beach lifeguard in California for 6 years and will be here to give some beach safety tips on how to stay safe in the ocean.
我們教練Garrett (阿球)曾在加州海邊擔任6年救生員,
現在將提供免費的海洋安全小課程.
PLEASE HELP US TO SPREAD THE WORD TO FAMILIES!!
We remember being kids and enjoying the beach.
We would like to SHARE that experience with all the kids and teach them more about being safe on the beach and ocean.
I have been in Taiwan for two years and I notice people doing dangerous things around the ocean because they don't have the proper knowledge about the ocean many Americans learn as a child. Let's make the beach a fun and SAFE place with learning, instead of being forbidden!!
-請幫我們轉寄給有小朋友的家長.
我們都記得當我們小時後在海邊的歡樂.
所以很樂意跟所有小朋友和青少年分享經驗和海洋常識.
我在台灣住了兩年多, 注意到很多人因缺乏海洋常識而導致危險或遺憾事件.
很多美國人從小就開始海洋常識, 希望我的經驗分享能讓大家在海邊安全的玩樂. 讓我們從禁止轉換成學習安全保護小孩吧!- 教練阿球
**Tell them you read about this on my site, Kidzone, and get... the joy of knowing you've given me an ego boost.**
Be warned, boogie boarding is addictive! You may well end up like us, going out to the beach more often than you'd imagined possible in Taiwan.
I stole this from their FB page. I hope they can a website up soon!
衝浪背包客棧 We're a new hostel with a surf school/bar/restaurant right on the beach in Wai-ao, Yilan county. No. 236, Section 2, Bīnhǎi Rd, Toucheng TownshipMissionCoach Garrett was born and raised in Ventura County, California. He came to Taiwan and fell in love with it's beautiful beaches and culture. Surfing in Taiwan is a quickly growing sport and our mission is to bring the California beach spirit to Taiwan.
Rising Sun Surf Inn is located right on the beach in beautiful Wai-ao township. Our hostel is run by surfers who have spent their life enjoying the ocean and the beach. We are providing an amazing hostel experience for travelers and locals alike in a safe, fun and relaxing environment.Description***Surfing***
2-hour lesson with full day board rental --1500NT per person
2-day lesson (board rental and a total of 4 hours of lessons)-- 2500NT per person
Group lessons of 5 or more get a 10% discount
10% discount on lessons when booking a bed at the hostel
棧長是來自加州的國際衝浪手, 也是2012國際衝浪比賽大會裁判.
衝浪經驗超過20年安全專業教學.
1天課程/2小時衝浪教學及整天租板/ NT.$1500
2天課程/ 4小時教學及兩天租板/ NT$ 2500
揪團課程/ 5-6位一班省 10%費用
住客一律享有10% 折扣 快來學衝浪練英文吧!
***Restaurant/Bar***
Coaches Garrett and Justin come from California and know GOOOOD Mexican food. Have a blended ice cocktail on the patio or chill out and be lazy in the AC lounge.
餐廳提供-
來自加州帥哥教練團親自下廚烹調美味美墨料理和調製雞尾酒.
你可以在擁有無敵室內外的海景休閒區慢~慢放空發呆...
***Hostel***
Female Dorm-- 6 beds, private bathroom and shower with sea view. Ocean side deck connected to the room. Air conditioned. NT$ 800/bed
Co-ed Dorm-- 6 beds, Air conditioned. NT$ 700/bed
Whole house booking available at a discounted rate.
***住宿***
女生房共6床/ 無敵海景陽台及衛浴/ 冷暖氣/NT$ 800元
混合房共6床/ 窗戶/ 冷暖氣/NT$700元
包棟客製化請洽我們
PREBOOKING AVAILABLE!!
For english: Garrett-- 0938330735
中文: 0932-769-769
General Information宜蘭縣頭城鎮濱海路2段236號
No. 236, Section 2, Bīnhǎi Rd, Toucheng Township
宜蘭外澳車站斜對面, 走路1分鐘即可到達. 由台美經驗豐富的背包客所經營的混血客棧. Rising Sun面對無敵美麗海景, 隨時可跟龜山島對望. 週邊環境有免費停車場, 外澳城堡咖啡, 飛行傘, 蘭陽博物館, 賞鯨旅遊, 礁溪溫泉, 羅東夜市, 交通方便.
We are conveniently located on the coastal highway across the road from the Wai-ao Train Station. Our beach front patio and ocean view rooms overlook beautiful Wai-ao Beach. Train service is available directly from Taipei and surrounding areas. There is free parking available 50 meters from the hostel.
There are many activities Rising Sun offers. Surfboard rentals and lessons are provided by our international staff with over 20 years of experience. Our shuttle van is available for booking to cold springs in Jiaoxi (20 min. drive), paragliding off the foothills of Wai-ao and landing on the beach (10 min. drive) and tours to the Kamalan Castle and breathtaking views in the coastal mountains of Wai-ao.
6/22/2012
2012/07/07-2012/08/19: Dong Shan River International Children's Festival
Bring on the summer! If you find summers in Taiwan hard to get through, you DEFINITELY need to get to Ilan's Dong Shan River and go wet and wild, in a family-friendly way. There are lots of international acts, water to play in and delicious food to eat.
Here are some pictures from our trip last year. We stayed for the day. I was very tempted to stay overnight. There are many great little guesthouses in Ilan.
Some English information: http://sinotour.com/news/2012yilan-intlchildrenfolklore-folkgame-festival.html
Hours: 8am-8pm daily
Here are some pictures from our trip last year. We stayed for the day. I was very tempted to stay overnight. There are many great little guesthouses in Ilan.
Some English information: http://sinotour.com/news/2012yilan-intlchildrenfolklore-folkgame-festival.html
Hours: 8am-8pm daily
2/24/2012
National Museum of Taiwan History
I am delighted to offer a review of the National Museum of Taiwan History (Tainan).
This piece is written by guest blogger Taiwanxifu, an Australian mom now living in Taiwan and blogging about local food and culture.
During a recent visit to Tainan, friends strongly suggested that we visit the newly opened National Museum of History. I was not so keen at first: would this be an overly nationalistic interpretation of Taiwan’s modern day history, I wondered? And would our toddler get bored?
I need not have worried. The visit to the Museum ended up being one of the highlights of our visit. Taiwanxifu Toddler had a ball enjoying all the interactive exhibits, Mr Taiwanxifu reminisced about things he remembered from growing up in Taiwan, I learnt some new things about Taiwan, and yes, we will definitely visit again.
The first thing you notice when you arrive at the newly constructed site in the industrial suburb of Annan is the huge solar powered panels surrounded by a lush water park. The museum is not only committed to preserving Taiwan’s history, but also to sustainability as well. More energetic visitors can climb up behind the panels to observe the view, but we were content to wander around the water-lined pathways to the entrance. When we next visit I will take a picnic lunch so that we can explore the park surrounding the pond behind the Museum.
Our favourite exhibit was the mock railway trip. Crowded with school children on excursion, we were lucky to get enough spare tickets. The old-fashioned train rocked and swayed as if in motion, passing a cartoon depiction of Taiwan’s recent history – from modern Taipei featuring Taipei 101, to colonial Japanese days with women wearing kimonos, the arrival of Koxinga’s ships attacking the Dutch, and finally through lush fields with indigenous people chasing deer. The children on the train had a wonderful time during the 15 minute slideshow, squealing each time the train lurched during mock bomb raids and spear throws. After the show, the train departed via a ‘tunnel’ that opened through a waterfall into an open-air park featuring oversized sculptures of Taiwan’s indigenous culture and aquatic biodiversity.
The second floor is dedicated to a permanent exhibition about people’s lives in Taiwan – Our Land, Our People: the Story of Taiwan. Wax figures are used to depict various scenes from social history. I loved the statues of a family assembling Christmas lights together. At one time it was common for companies to subcontract out simple production to families. My husband remembers how his family used to make crochet bags together in the early 1980s; to this day his brother can still crochet just as well as any competent grandma. Also on the second floor was an old-fashioned classroom, complete with wooden desks that you could sit on and a sign reminding students not to speak dialects (students were once fined if they spoke Taiwanese at school). And father and son posed in front of a picture of a rickshaw driver: my husband’s grandfather used to pull rickshaws during the Japanese colonial period, beaten more than once for his efforts by humorless soldiers.
The top floor features traveling exhibitions. The current one is about the history of Tainan city. Unfortunately, this exhibit did not include English signage although the permanent exhibitions are well marked. Still, I enjoyed looking at the old maps and antique items from Tainan’s early city. And once I discovered how to play it, took part in the touch-screen virtual temple ‘bai bai’ ritual, where you were allowed to ask for a particular fortune if you chose the right deity to ask.
The Museum opened in October 2011. To celebrate its grand opening entry is free during its first year of opening. Its new building is architecturally interesting, but for visiting families the modern facilities provide conveniences such as adequate lifts, and bathrooms that include breastfeeding spaces, nappy changing areas and even toilets designed for little people.
It is around twenty to thirty minutes from central Tainan (less from the High Speed Rail station), but is unfortunately not well serviced by public transportation. There is a bus service, but it only comes infrequently. But there are adequate car parking spaces so driving is probably the best option unless you go by taxi – the one way fare to Tainan is around NT$300. Museum staff will recommend taxi companies but will not book a taxi pickup service, which may be difficult without functional Chinese.
Website: http://www.nmth.gov.tw/enmain/
Address: No.250, Sec 1, Changhe Rd., Annan District, Tainan City 70946, Taiwan Telephone: +886-6 -3568889
This piece is written by guest blogger Taiwanxifu, an Australian mom now living in Taiwan and blogging about local food and culture.
During a recent visit to Tainan, friends strongly suggested that we visit the newly opened National Museum of History. I was not so keen at first: would this be an overly nationalistic interpretation of Taiwan’s modern day history, I wondered? And would our toddler get bored?
I need not have worried. The visit to the Museum ended up being one of the highlights of our visit. Taiwanxifu Toddler had a ball enjoying all the interactive exhibits, Mr Taiwanxifu reminisced about things he remembered from growing up in Taiwan, I learnt some new things about Taiwan, and yes, we will definitely visit again.
The first thing you notice when you arrive at the newly constructed site in the industrial suburb of Annan is the huge solar powered panels surrounded by a lush water park. The museum is not only committed to preserving Taiwan’s history, but also to sustainability as well. More energetic visitors can climb up behind the panels to observe the view, but we were content to wander around the water-lined pathways to the entrance. When we next visit I will take a picnic lunch so that we can explore the park surrounding the pond behind the Museum.
Our favourite exhibit was the mock railway trip. Crowded with school children on excursion, we were lucky to get enough spare tickets. The old-fashioned train rocked and swayed as if in motion, passing a cartoon depiction of Taiwan’s recent history – from modern Taipei featuring Taipei 101, to colonial Japanese days with women wearing kimonos, the arrival of Koxinga’s ships attacking the Dutch, and finally through lush fields with indigenous people chasing deer. The children on the train had a wonderful time during the 15 minute slideshow, squealing each time the train lurched during mock bomb raids and spear throws. After the show, the train departed via a ‘tunnel’ that opened through a waterfall into an open-air park featuring oversized sculptures of Taiwan’s indigenous culture and aquatic biodiversity.
The second floor is dedicated to a permanent exhibition about people’s lives in Taiwan – Our Land, Our People: the Story of Taiwan. Wax figures are used to depict various scenes from social history. I loved the statues of a family assembling Christmas lights together. At one time it was common for companies to subcontract out simple production to families. My husband remembers how his family used to make crochet bags together in the early 1980s; to this day his brother can still crochet just as well as any competent grandma. Also on the second floor was an old-fashioned classroom, complete with wooden desks that you could sit on and a sign reminding students not to speak dialects (students were once fined if they spoke Taiwanese at school). And father and son posed in front of a picture of a rickshaw driver: my husband’s grandfather used to pull rickshaws during the Japanese colonial period, beaten more than once for his efforts by humorless soldiers.
The top floor features traveling exhibitions. The current one is about the history of Tainan city. Unfortunately, this exhibit did not include English signage although the permanent exhibitions are well marked. Still, I enjoyed looking at the old maps and antique items from Tainan’s early city. And once I discovered how to play it, took part in the touch-screen virtual temple ‘bai bai’ ritual, where you were allowed to ask for a particular fortune if you chose the right deity to ask.
The Museum opened in October 2011. To celebrate its grand opening entry is free during its first year of opening. Its new building is architecturally interesting, but for visiting families the modern facilities provide conveniences such as adequate lifts, and bathrooms that include breastfeeding spaces, nappy changing areas and even toilets designed for little people.
It is around twenty to thirty minutes from central Tainan (less from the High Speed Rail station), but is unfortunately not well serviced by public transportation. There is a bus service, but it only comes infrequently. But there are adequate car parking spaces so driving is probably the best option unless you go by taxi – the one way fare to Tainan is around NT$300. Museum staff will recommend taxi companies but will not book a taxi pickup service, which may be difficult without functional Chinese.
Website: http://www.nmth.gov.tw/enmain/
Address: No.250, Sec 1, Changhe Rd., Annan District, Tainan City 70946, Taiwan Telephone: +886-6 -3568889
1/10/2012
Our Family Trip to Kenting
In an attempt to get out of the never-ending rain, we recently took three weekdays to travel to the Southern beach town of Kenting. This was a pretty quick trip, as two half-days were used traveling, but we still managed to spend a whole day swimming at the beach. I want to give a summary of our trip to help you plan your very own trip down South!
How to get there:
We drove down from Taipei. We should have traveled Highway 3 the whole way, really. You can also take Highway 1 to Jiayi and then switch. It had been many years since my husband had been down South, so he didn't realise Highway 3 now extends to Pingdong. It would have taken us about 4 1/2 hours had we driven the right way. We also had our dog with us, so we stopped at a few rest areas along the way, taking more time.
Some things along the way:
When we got there:
It was already dark when we arrived. We had our rather large dog with us, so our accomodation options were limited by that, but we still had quite a few options. It is low season right now, and midweek you can get some fantastic deals on rooms. We got a room with three double-beds and a balcony for the dog for $1,600 overlooking the ocean.
The second day:
We found a place at Banana Bay that was just wonderful, for under $3,000. That included four full cooked breakfasts, and a beautiful suite with two double beds. Then, we went for a day at the beach.
How to get there:
We drove down from Taipei. We should have traveled Highway 3 the whole way, really. You can also take Highway 1 to Jiayi and then switch. It had been many years since my husband had been down South, so he didn't realise Highway 3 now extends to Pingdong. It would have taken us about 4 1/2 hours had we driven the right way. We also had our dog with us, so we stopped at a few rest areas along the way, taking more time.
Some things along the way:
 |
| Rest areas have come a long way since I last visited. They are like shopping malls now! |
 |
| View from rest area |
 |
| Not much traffic on Highway 3. |
It was already dark when we arrived. We had our rather large dog with us, so our accomodation options were limited by that, but we still had quite a few options. It is low season right now, and midweek you can get some fantastic deals on rooms. We got a room with three double-beds and a balcony for the dog for $1,600 overlooking the ocean.
The second day:
We found a place at Banana Bay that was just wonderful, for under $3,000. That included four full cooked breakfasts, and a beautiful suite with two double beds. Then, we went for a day at the beach.
 |
| "Sea View B&B" at Banana Bay (海景民宿) (08)885-15600/0928-957-600 Ruby; facebook/海景民宿 |
Day Three:
On our third morning, we merely enjoyed our breakfast, and then headed back North around noon. We took Highway 3 back most of the way. There is less traffic and it is a more scenic drive.
This trip, my husband drove down. I had been hestitant because of the distance and highway traffic, but actually it is now really easy! And don't worry about accomodation during the low season. There are so many places to choose from!
If you can read some Chinese, you will find this site helpful in selecting accomodation before you go.
11/08/2011
Cycling in Taiwan With Children - Taiwanxifu
One way I like to take a break from my work online with my business www.littlewonders.com.tw is to browse some of the forums based in Taiwan. Recently, people have been discussing the article published by the Lonely Planet online, ranking Taiwan as the 9th-best country visit in 2012, because of cycling.
I remember my first proper cycling experience in Taiwan. My teammates and I were preparing for a triathalon, and we cycled from Taipei to Wulai, had a barbecue and a swim, and cycled back to the city. At that time, there were really no cycling paths that let you travel a decent distance on the bike, so you just had to grit your teeth and take on the traffic. I would not have recommended family cycling trips at that time! There has been much work put into developing Taiwan's cycling trails over the past few years, and there are now plenty of places to go cycling by yourself or with your family.
As a follow-up to the Lonely Planet article, another Taiwan-based blogger, Taiwanxifu, has taken time to introduce 10 spots ideal for cycling with your family.
You don't need to buy a bike to enjoy the trails. You can rent bicycles from the starting points of most trails. However, Taiwan is "famous" for it's bicycle manufacturing industry, and you pick up some nice bikes at reasonable prices around the island. One thing that is a little harder to find is a decent child-seat for the bike, and if you are moving to Taiwan and have one already, I would suggest packing that up and bringing it over. Other expats are sure to want to buy it off you when you finish with it. (You can sell it at the Forumosa, or Taiwaneasia forums' Sale sections.)
I remember my first proper cycling experience in Taiwan. My teammates and I were preparing for a triathalon, and we cycled from Taipei to Wulai, had a barbecue and a swim, and cycled back to the city. At that time, there were really no cycling paths that let you travel a decent distance on the bike, so you just had to grit your teeth and take on the traffic. I would not have recommended family cycling trips at that time! There has been much work put into developing Taiwan's cycling trails over the past few years, and there are now plenty of places to go cycling by yourself or with your family.
As a follow-up to the Lonely Planet article, another Taiwan-based blogger, Taiwanxifu, has taken time to introduce 10 spots ideal for cycling with your family.
You don't need to buy a bike to enjoy the trails. You can rent bicycles from the starting points of most trails. However, Taiwan is "famous" for it's bicycle manufacturing industry, and you pick up some nice bikes at reasonable prices around the island. One thing that is a little harder to find is a decent child-seat for the bike, and if you are moving to Taiwan and have one already, I would suggest packing that up and bringing it over. Other expats are sure to want to buy it off you when you finish with it. (You can sell it at the Forumosa, or Taiwaneasia forums' Sale sections.)
10/08/2011
Website for Council of Cultural Affairs; All the Culture You Need!
With a bit of time on my hands today, I have been delving into the internet a bit. I came across this gem of a site. The site has a wonderfully extensive list of cultural places to visit in Taiwan, extending well beyond the usual advertised sites. I know not all of these places are for children, but as a parent I try to give my children as broad an experience as I can. I think this site is a fantastic resource.
Look at the things you can choose from! The Swine Museum, the Firefly Museum, the Penghu Lifestyle Museum, the Dough Figurene Museum... Taiwan is full of wonderfully unusual museums and places to visit while you are here. Enjoy!
Look at the things you can choose from! The Swine Museum, the Firefly Museum, the Penghu Lifestyle Museum, the Dough Figurene Museum... Taiwan is full of wonderfully unusual museums and places to visit while you are here. Enjoy!
8/03/2011
Free Wi-Fi Around Taipei - English "How To" Guide
With Taipei developing more and more hotspots around the city, residents and visitors to Taiwan will be able to get online easily and for free! This link is a really good English guide to how it works.
5/21/2011
Camping: Tou Cheng (頭城) Campsite
A few weekends ago, friends and I went camping at the "Hai Shui Yu Chang" Campsite in Tou Cheng, just south of the big tunnel on the way to Ilan. It was a wonderful weekend. I had never imagined camping in Taiwan would be so easy.
Tou Cheng (頭城) is a seaside town, along the railway line running down the East Coast of Taiwan. It's about one hour away from Taipei if there is no traffic.
We stayed at this campsite: 頭城海水浴場 . It is right by the ocean with some sandy area, but not suitable for swimming. The campsite has a shower block (hot water 6-9pm), tennis court, tent sites with power points, and a bar that opens over the summer. It is very clean and well-kept, with gates that are locked overnight. Cost was $400 per campsite, plus a $30 cleaning fee per person.
If you want to venture out, there is LanYang Museum and Wai-Ou Beach to check out.
Office hours: 08:00-17:30(Camping by appt)
Address; 宜蘭縣頭城鎮協天路400號 Google Map
Tel: 03-9776063
If you need camping gear, there are a few options:
Rental - Try here - the owners speak English
Purchase - COSTCO is a good place to get everything, or the camping stores behind Taipei Main Station
Tou Cheng (頭城) is a seaside town, along the railway line running down the East Coast of Taiwan. It's about one hour away from Taipei if there is no traffic.
We stayed at this campsite: 頭城海水浴場 . It is right by the ocean with some sandy area, but not suitable for swimming. The campsite has a shower block (hot water 6-9pm), tennis court, tent sites with power points, and a bar that opens over the summer. It is very clean and well-kept, with gates that are locked overnight. Cost was $400 per campsite, plus a $30 cleaning fee per person.
 |
| View from the grounds |
 |
| Early morning breakfast (our tents in background) |
 |
| Climbing up and down this tower kept the kids occupied |
 |
| We camped a bit away from the main site, which meant no power but less people |
If you want to venture out, there is LanYang Museum and Wai-Ou Beach to check out.
Office hours: 08:00-17:30(Camping by appt)
Address; 宜蘭縣頭城鎮協天路400號 Google Map
Tel: 03-9776063
If you need camping gear, there are a few options:
Rental - Try here - the owners speak English
Purchase - COSTCO is a good place to get everything, or the camping stores behind Taipei Main Station
3/02/2011
English-speaking Travel Agent (In Taiwan)
Finding a travel agent in Taiwan that speaks English AND gives the kind of service that I expect (timely replies to emails, help with finding better prices or times, clear information such as whether your ticket times can be changed with or without fees, arranging travel insurance...) AND in the business long-term, is always a challenge for me. Recently, I had the pleasure of booking tickets through Teresa Kuo. Teresa has been in the business for ten years, and hopefully she will be there for a while yet.
Her travel agency deals with both domestic and international travel and tours, so if you are coming to Taiwan you could email her to see if she has tour suggestions for you.
專業旅遊經紀人 郭嘉琪 Travel Consultant (Teresa Kuo)
華通旅行社有限公司 EGO Travel Service Agency, Co., Ltd
電話：2521-2050 2567-6910
傳真：8192-6640
手機：0939-453-529
地址：台北市中山區南京東路二段56號 6樓
6F., No.56, Sec. 2, Nanjing E. Rd., Zhongshan District, Taipei City 104, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
Email: kuoocc@yahoo.com.tw (many companies in Taiwan use Yahoo or Hotmail accounts for business, so don't be put off by the personal email account)
Her travel agency deals with both domestic and international travel and tours, so if you are coming to Taiwan you could email her to see if she has tour suggestions for you.
專業旅遊經紀人 郭嘉琪 Travel Consultant (Teresa Kuo)
華通旅行社有限公司 EGO Travel Service Agency, Co., Ltd
電話：2521-2050 2567-6910
傳真：8192-6640
手機：0939-453-529
地址：台北市中山區南京東路二段56號 6樓
6F., No.56, Sec. 2, Nanjing E. Rd., Zhongshan District, Taipei City 104, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
Email: kuoocc@yahoo.com.tw (many companies in Taiwan use Yahoo or Hotmail accounts for business, so don't be put off by the personal email account)
12/09/2010
Taiwan Coal Mine Museum
This will probably become quite a self-indulgent post, so please excuse me. Just over two weeks ago, here was an explosion in the Pike River Mine on the West Coast of New Zealand, and 29 lives were lost. Coming from Greymouth, this has really affected me. I can't say I was close to any of the men in the mine at the time. But, they were people I knew of, people my friends and family knew, people that were close to friends of mine. And, beyond that, it's something that will impact our community today, tomorrow, next year, forever. Something that my children should know about and appreciate.
And then, I find out we have moved to an ex-mining community right here in Taiwan, and that Taiwan has a rich mining history. And THEN, I hear about the Taiwan Coal Mine Museum; a privately-run museum, set up to educate Taiwanese about their coal mining history. So, I drove around the North East Coast, and took my children to this museum. And, you know, they got a lot out of that experience, and I am now recommending it to other parents. So many towns in Taiwan are ex-mining towns, and this history needs to be passed down to our children.
The Taiwan Coal Mine Museum is actually the site of the closed New Ping-Shi Coal Mine. It is the only coal mine in Taiwan that the government has allowed to be set up like this. Most of the facilities have been well-preserved, so you can see the real mine, ride the real train, walk into the real bath area, and touch the real coal mining tools.
Currently, there is very little English explanation at the site, but don't let that put you off. I am going to share some things I learned yesterday with you, and you can also read this bilingual page on their website. If you plan to go to the museum, I suggest you go before the middle of next year, as the new highway is going to go right over the site and the curator is already sure some of the beauty of the area (including the tea plantation) is going to be lost.
Entrance: 200 per person. This includes a 20-minute ride on the actual train that used to take the coal to the area where it would be shifted out. The "A-ma" who drives the train has been doing this for over 30 years!
Video: There is a 15-minute video introducing the history of the mine and coalmining in Taiwan. It is in a mix of Mandarin and Taiwanese. My children didn't last the video, but they are only six and four years old. My six-year-old did pick up a few things from the 10 minutes he watched. The curator told me they do have a short film in English, made by a foreign film company, that you can ask for. Print out this post and show them if your Chinese is not good enough to explain what you want.
Train ride: The train takes you along the real track that the coal was taken along for so many years. The coal was sent down to Shr-fen station, and then the coal cars were PUSHED manually by six women to the main train station, where the engine waited. You can see the coal township from the platform. The school used to have 1300 students, as the mine school serviced three mines in the area. There are now only about 50 students in the school.
Story area: Currently, there is no English in this area. There are many photos. They all tell their stories. You can see how difficult coalmining in Taiwan was. The seam of coal is very thin, and the walls are soft. Miners could not stand up when working on the face. They had to lie down or crouch, for several hours at a time, sometimes in a pool of silt. There is a high level of gas in the mines in Taiwan, making explosions a strong possibility. (In 1984, there were three accidents in mines in Taiwan, resulting in the loss of over 200 lives.) Many miners were Taiwan aborigines, as they had the stamina to do the work, and could not find other work to do. Miners in Taiwan really believed they might not have any "tomorrow" so they worked hard and partied hard. The Taiwan aborigines loved to drink and sing so they were given their own dormitories where they could live the lives they enjoyed (this is a direct quote from the curator, not my own observation). Taiwan's miners also did a lot of praying to their gods, such as "土地公" (local earth gods) and the gods related to Ghost Month. After over 200 years of mining in Taiwan, there are no working mines on the island.
Coffee Shop: There is a coffee shop. I would suggest taking a picnic with you and buying a drink from the shop. The area is a lovely spot for a picnic.
Gift Shop: There are a few bits and pieces to purchase. There is an honesty box where you put your money in for your purchases.
Coal digging pit: Like a sandpit, but I think the kids dig for coal with little coal shovels. Might be fun for little ones, just watch they don't eat it!
This museum is more suited to children of at least elementary school age, and to get the most of out of it you would need to print out some of the English material here, or speak some Chinese. But, my four-year-old daughter loved the area and the train ride. It's a good family outing, even without visiting the other sites very close by (Shi Fen waterfall, taking the Pingshi train, etc).
How to get there:
By car: Take highway 3, heading to Highway 5 (Ilan 宜蘭 direction). Get off at the Shiding 石碇交流道 exit, get onto highway 106, drive to Shi Fen's 69K十分69K area and follow the signs on the local road.
【交通資訊】
自行開車： 行國道３號銜接往國道５號宜蘭系統，於石碇交流道下，續接106號縣道直行，於十分69K處過平交道左彎即可到達。
By train: Take a train to either Badu or Reifang (八堵 or 瑞芳), and take the Pingshi line平溪支線 to Shifen十分. Walk back in the direction you came, about 800 meters, which is about an 8 minute walk to the lower entrance of the site.
搭乘火車： 搭乘火車於八堵或瑞芳站下，再轉搭乘平溪支線火車，於十分車站下車；往回走約800公尺，步行約8分鐘即可到達。火車資訊
By bus: Take the Muzha MRT to Muzha Station. Then take Taipe Bus Company's No. 16 bus (台北客運16路公車) to Shi Fen (於十分寮下車).
搭乘公車： 於木柵線捷運木柵站出口轉搭台北客運16路公車，於十分寮下車。
Link to the Chinese directions and map.
Opening hours: Everyday from 9am to 5pm. Ticket sales stop at 4pm
Cost: $200 per person, including the train ride and a DIY item.
Now, you will reach the lower entrance of the museum. When we drove there, I felt a bit like I had entered some movie. We parked our car, got out to silence, and then this very old Taiwanese woman with a straw hat and apron came over, pointing and talking to me in Taiwanese. If I had been a newcomer to Taiwan, I would probably have got nervous and left. But, we went into the little mining hut and got sorted with tickets (200 per person, children three and under free.) She then pointed to the road we had to drive (go behind the sign and follow the road to the right, all the way up the hill, about a three-minute drive). The museum has a courtesy van, so if you walked and she starts pointing and talking, she is likely telling you to wait for the van.
I don't have any photos right now, as my camera failed me again. But, we will be visiting again soon, to get some pictures.
And then, I find out we have moved to an ex-mining community right here in Taiwan, and that Taiwan has a rich mining history. And THEN, I hear about the Taiwan Coal Mine Museum; a privately-run museum, set up to educate Taiwanese about their coal mining history. So, I drove around the North East Coast, and took my children to this museum. And, you know, they got a lot out of that experience, and I am now recommending it to other parents. So many towns in Taiwan are ex-mining towns, and this history needs to be passed down to our children.
The Taiwan Coal Mine Museum is actually the site of the closed New Ping-Shi Coal Mine. It is the only coal mine in Taiwan that the government has allowed to be set up like this. Most of the facilities have been well-preserved, so you can see the real mine, ride the real train, walk into the real bath area, and touch the real coal mining tools.
Currently, there is very little English explanation at the site, but don't let that put you off. I am going to share some things I learned yesterday with you, and you can also read this bilingual page on their website. If you plan to go to the museum, I suggest you go before the middle of next year, as the new highway is going to go right over the site and the curator is already sure some of the beauty of the area (including the tea plantation) is going to be lost.
Entrance: 200 per person. This includes a 20-minute ride on the actual train that used to take the coal to the area where it would be shifted out. The "A-ma" who drives the train has been doing this for over 30 years!
Video: There is a 15-minute video introducing the history of the mine and coalmining in Taiwan. It is in a mix of Mandarin and Taiwanese. My children didn't last the video, but they are only six and four years old. My six-year-old did pick up a few things from the 10 minutes he watched. The curator told me they do have a short film in English, made by a foreign film company, that you can ask for. Print out this post and show them if your Chinese is not good enough to explain what you want.
Train ride: The train takes you along the real track that the coal was taken along for so many years. The coal was sent down to Shr-fen station, and then the coal cars were PUSHED manually by six women to the main train station, where the engine waited. You can see the coal township from the platform. The school used to have 1300 students, as the mine school serviced three mines in the area. There are now only about 50 students in the school.
Story area: Currently, there is no English in this area. There are many photos. They all tell their stories. You can see how difficult coalmining in Taiwan was. The seam of coal is very thin, and the walls are soft. Miners could not stand up when working on the face. They had to lie down or crouch, for several hours at a time, sometimes in a pool of silt. There is a high level of gas in the mines in Taiwan, making explosions a strong possibility. (In 1984, there were three accidents in mines in Taiwan, resulting in the loss of over 200 lives.) Many miners were Taiwan aborigines, as they had the stamina to do the work, and could not find other work to do. Miners in Taiwan really believed they might not have any "tomorrow" so they worked hard and partied hard. The Taiwan aborigines loved to drink and sing so they were given their own dormitories where they could live the lives they enjoyed (this is a direct quote from the curator, not my own observation). Taiwan's miners also did a lot of praying to their gods, such as "土地公" (local earth gods) and the gods related to Ghost Month. After over 200 years of mining in Taiwan, there are no working mines on the island.
Coffee Shop: There is a coffee shop. I would suggest taking a picnic with you and buying a drink from the shop. The area is a lovely spot for a picnic.
Gift Shop: There are a few bits and pieces to purchase. There is an honesty box where you put your money in for your purchases.
Coal digging pit: Like a sandpit, but I think the kids dig for coal with little coal shovels. Might be fun for little ones, just watch they don't eat it!
This museum is more suited to children of at least elementary school age, and to get the most of out of it you would need to print out some of the English material here, or speak some Chinese. But, my four-year-old daughter loved the area and the train ride. It's a good family outing, even without visiting the other sites very close by (Shi Fen waterfall, taking the Pingshi train, etc).
How to get there:
By car: Take highway 3, heading to Highway 5 (Ilan 宜蘭 direction). Get off at the Shiding 石碇交流道 exit, get onto highway 106, drive to Shi Fen's 69K十分69K area and follow the signs on the local road.
【交通資訊】
自行開車： 行國道３號銜接往國道５號宜蘭系統，於石碇交流道下，續接106號縣道直行，於十分69K處過平交道左彎即可到達。
By train: Take a train to either Badu or Reifang (八堵 or 瑞芳), and take the Pingshi line平溪支線 to Shifen十分. Walk back in the direction you came, about 800 meters, which is about an 8 minute walk to the lower entrance of the site.
搭乘火車： 搭乘火車於八堵或瑞芳站下，再轉搭乘平溪支線火車，於十分車站下車；往回走約800公尺，步行約8分鐘即可到達。火車資訊
By bus: Take the Muzha MRT to Muzha Station. Then take Taipe Bus Company's No. 16 bus (台北客運16路公車) to Shi Fen (於十分寮下車).
搭乘公車： 於木柵線捷運木柵站出口轉搭台北客運16路公車，於十分寮下車。
Link to the Chinese directions and map.
Opening hours: Everyday from 9am to 5pm. Ticket sales stop at 4pm
Cost: $200 per person, including the train ride and a DIY item.
Now, you will reach the lower entrance of the museum. When we drove there, I felt a bit like I had entered some movie. We parked our car, got out to silence, and then this very old Taiwanese woman with a straw hat and apron came over, pointing and talking to me in Taiwanese. If I had been a newcomer to Taiwan, I would probably have got nervous and left. But, we went into the little mining hut and got sorted with tickets (200 per person, children three and under free.) She then pointed to the road we had to drive (go behind the sign and follow the road to the right, all the way up the hill, about a three-minute drive). The museum has a courtesy van, so if you walked and she starts pointing and talking, she is likely telling you to wait for the van.
I don't have any photos right now, as my camera failed me again. But, we will be visiting again soon, to get some pictures.
8/07/2010
The Center & "Taipei Living" Handbook
So, after living in Taiwan for 15 years, I finally got myself a copy of Taipei Living (10th edition), published by the Center. No matter how long you have in Taipei, I highly recommend guide. Everytime I pick it up, I learn something new about Taipei and the places I can go.
I contributed to the Family section of the handbook, so if you have been following this blog some descriptions will be familiar to you. But, there is a wealth of information in "Taipei Living" that will make life with kids here easier. From government rules to places to go, I am sure you will learn something new from looking the book.
"Taipei Living" is published by the Community Services Center, known by many simply as "the Center". You can find out about their wide range of services at http://www.community.com.tw/. All proceeds from book sales back into the community.
I contributed to the Family section of the handbook, so if you have been following this blog some descriptions will be familiar to you. But, there is a wealth of information in "Taipei Living" that will make life with kids here easier. From government rules to places to go, I am sure you will learn something new from looking the book.
"Taipei Living" is published by the Community Services Center, known by many simply as "the Center". You can find out about their wide range of services at http://www.community.com.tw/. All proceeds from book sales back into the community.
4/03/2010
Travel In Taiwan Magazine - English information for your reference
Travel In Taiwan is a multi-lingual magazine that boasts in-depth articles on areas of interest in Taiwan. Whilst not specifically written for families, it is a good read, and you might find some real gems within the pages of the magazine.
http://www.tit.com.tw/e_home.htm
http://www.tit.com.tw/e_home.htm
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)