๐️ First Day in Taiwan – Foggy Trails, Carton Meals & Chocolate Kindness
Since I can’t travel these days (thanks, pandemic ๐), I’ve been revisiting my past adventures and turning them into stories. Taiwan has always been one of my favorite countries, so here’s a little throwback to my very first day there—cold, foggy, funny, and sweet in every sense of the word.
After our foggy adventure at Cingjing Farm, we hopped on a bus and asked the driver to drop us off at the Small Swiss Garden in Mist Plaza. By the time we arrived, it was already late and dark, so we missed seeing the garden’s flowers and attractions in daylight. But that didn’t make our visit any less magical—we were greeted by twinkling LED light displays that lit up the misty night, creating a whimsical and dreamlike atmosphere.
After arriving at Mist Plaza, we were starving since we hadn’t had a proper meal since the airplane ride. We headed straight to Bee Pollen | Carton King Restaurant, right next to the Small Swiss Garden. Before ordering, we couldn’t help but wander around and admire the quirky carton displays inside the restaurant—everything from tables, chairs, lamps, and even decorations made entirely out of cardboard! It felt like stepping into a paper wonderland.
The beautiful Northern European atmosphere at the Small Swiss Garden has given it the name of “Taiwan’s Little Switzerland” and “Paradise in the Mist.” Surrounded by conveniences like Carton King, 7-Eleven, Mos Burger, and Starbucks, it’s a popular stop for travelers heading to Cingjing Farm or Hehuanshan.
Known as a “Foggy Eden” far away from the bustling city, Cingjing Farm in Nantou is a mountain paradise where visitors can enjoy fresh air, rolling green pastures, friendly farm animals, cherry blossoms in spring, and breathtaking starry skies at night.
When we traveled to Taiwan, our first stop was Cingjing, a scenic highland area in Nantou County. It’s quite a distance from Taipei, but I’ll say this upfront: Cingjing was the best spot we visited during that entire trip.
✨ Puerto Galera & Calapan: A Family Travel Story
I’ve been to Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro twice before our family trip, and I’d say I love it there. Not just because it’s nearer compared to Boracay, but because it reminds me of my own province, Marinduque. I first heard about Puerto Galera on a radio station I listened to in high school, and ever since, I’ve always wanted to visit.
๐ Location: In
front of Rosewood Pointe, just beside Sungee Fruit Store
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Open: Thursday to Friday, 3:00pm to 10:00pm until December 2025
Last Friday, on my way to Grace Residences, I noticed something new — Mercato Centrale had just opened right in front of Rosewood Pointe, Acacia Estates! I was so excited that I told my husband right away, but since it was raining, he didn’t want to go. We also didn’t want our baby boy walking in the rain.
But when the rain stopped and he started feeling hungry, I suggested we check it out — after all, it’s just a 5-minute walk from our place. The moment we got there, the smoky smell of freshly grilled barbecue filled the air and instantly made us hungry. ๐
My husband grabbed a big serving of nachos for ₱100, while I went for a refreshing melon fruit juice, also ₱100. Simple but satisfying — and honestly, it felt nice to just enjoy a casual night out so close to home.
This pop-up night market will be here until December 2025, so I’m definitely going back to try more stalls. There’s a mix of everything — barbecue, Mongolian bowls, biryani, shawarma, fresh juices, and more — perfect for a quick dinner or a fun food trip with family.
Our next and final stop for the day was Calapan Nature Park, formerly known as the Recreational and Zoological Park. At first, we didn’t expect much—just a simple stroll to end the trip. But as soon as we walked in and saw the life-sized animal statues, our inner child took over. I even climbed onto a statue of a tamaraw with the Mangyan figures and laughed like a kid again. Sometimes, it’s the little surprises that make a place memorable.
When I was asked to provide a half-body 2x2 photo, it honestly stressed me out. Not only because I couldn’t find anyone willing to take a “half-body photo that fits in 2x2”—but also because I got teased: “How can a half-body shot fit into such a tiny square?”
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