Travel
Vintage charm with retro furniture, and classic delights at a Parisian-style brunch
In the afternoon, step into an alleyway, and from outside the door, you can sense a tranquil and leisurely comfort in the diners at merci cafe. Once inside, the slightly weathered walls made of old red bricks, paired with vintage furnishings, exude a strong retro vibe. The serene and mysterious ambiance remains bright, offering a relaxed leisureliness with a touch of classical romance.
A forest fire has broken out in Xueshan (Snow Mountain) area; 369 Mountain Hut temporarily closed for 3 days due to damage
A forest fire occurred around 11:30 AM on the 20th near the rear of 369 Mountain Hut on the trail to Snow Mountain’s main peak within Shei-Pa National Park. According to the latest update on the official website, personnel on-site reported that in addition to the burning of arrow bamboo and alpine pampas grass at the rear, parts of the 369 Mountain Hut building have also been affected, and rescue operations are currently underway.
Sweet Revenge: Scorpion Candy, the Ultimate Prank Food Hiding a Nasty Surprise
“Take your shadow, salt it, pickle it, air-dry it, and when you’re old, have it with wine.” This line from Xia Yu’s “Sweet Revenge” actually exists in real life—just look at these scorpions encased entirely in sugar. It’s seriously creepy. But this isn’t some fake “gotcha!” gag—it’s the real deal: genuine scorpions with their stingers removed, then soaked in syrup. The scorpion inside tastes like a waterlogged biscuit and has an oddly chewy, moist texture.
World’s youngest flight attendants: Elementary school students serve meals in modified cheongsams on board
The youngest flight attendants ever—elementary school students serving meals on flights too. A national airline teamed up with local elementary schools, Zhuiwei and Xihai, in Dayuan Township to share aviation knowledge. To give the children from both schools a unique winter vacation memory, a special “Children’s Flight Attendant Experience Camp” was held on January 20 and 21. Through half-day sessions, the kids got a glimpse into the work of flight attendants.
Quebec Winter Carnival: The Biggest Snowball Fight Is About to Begin
The annual and world-renowned "Quebec Winter Carnival" celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. To mark the grand occasion, in addition to scaling up existing traditional activities such as the snow park, skiing, snow tubing, ice sculptures, sledding, outdoor shows, and more, a spectacular fireworks display will be held on the opening day, January 31. The colorful fireworks will light up the snowy landscape, creating a dazzling spectacle both in the sky and on the ground.
The aroma of classic garlic meat sauce fills the air—Taichung’s Yongxing Street’s popular old-style noodle shop gets busier the later it gets
I think the happiest moment of the day is being able to enjoy a steaming bowl of noodles after work, watching the steam rise from the bowl, then slurping down the big bowl of noodles and following it with a bowl of hot soup. It’s a simple sense of satisfaction, but if it can also be affordable, then the end of such a day becomes even better.
Don’t just look at the panda cub — three koala joeys have left their mothers’ pouches and are now making their public debut.
While the adorable giant panda “Yuan Zai” continues to draw large crowds daily, Taipei Zoo has recently welcomed three koala joeys that have emerged from their mothers’ pouches and started appearing for visitors. The Koala House No. 1 now houses a total of six koalas, both big and small, making it a veritable “koala family park.”
Working as a “Playmate” at a Resort After Going to Australia — A Taiwanese Guy: I’m Working in Paradise
Working and traveling in Australia is a popular choice for many young people nowadays. They want to step out of Taiwan, see the world, or save money more quickly while they’re young. But some choose a completely different path from working holiday programs — becoming a “playmate” at a well-known resort in Malaysia. However, 23-year-old Taiwanese guy Hu Rongying (Oliver) says, “I feel like I’m working in paradise!”
Michelin-grade ingredients: Ao Yu Pu’s signature egg tarts have a crispy crust and are sweet but not greasy
With thoughtful ingredients, customers will definitely come. The Portuguese egg tarts at “Ao Yu Pu” restaurant use French President brand butter. Thanks to the rich milky aroma of the egg tart filling—sweet but not greasy—and the thin, flaky crust, even though each tart is priced at NT$60, equivalent to the cost of a lunchbox, they often sell out within an hour of coming out of the oven.
“Kaohsiung Bike Map” APP Launched: Cycle Along 8 Major Routes to Explore Kaohsiung
Since its official naming in December 2013, Kaohsiung’s public bicycle system “CityBike” has developed a total of 600 kilometers of bike lanes. In addition to continuously improving facilities along the cycling network, the Kaohsiung City Government’s Public Works Bureau has now launched the “Kaohsiung Bike Map” APP. Not only can users check the availability of bikes at each rental station, but the app also offers eight recommended routes, allowing cyclists to easily enjoy a one-day trip around Kaohsiung by bike.
Eastern Travel Agency’s Year-End Party “Traveling Around the World” Reaps a Bumper Year-End Bonus of Two Months
Eastern Travel Agency held its year-end party on the 21st, where over 100 employees, themed around “Traveling Around the World,” dressed elaborately as various ethnic groups and nationalities to attend and perform on stage, creating a lively atmosphere. General Manager Kuo Ju-hui of Eastern Travel stated that in 2013, building on its existing foundation, the agency expanded its offerings with new long-haul and Japan travel products, while also growing its online and inbound tourism departments, with hopes of reaching new heights in 2014.
Xiamen and Kinmen to jointly launch fireworks on Lunar New Year's Day
To create a festive atmosphere for the Lunar New Year, Kinmen County Government on the 21st coordinated with the Xiamen Taiwanese Business Association and the Xiamen Taiwan Affairs Office to organize the "Xiamen-Kinmen Lunar New Year Fireworks Display" on Lunar New Year’s Day (January 31) from 8:00 to 8:30 p.m. A total of 1,500 high-altitude fireworks will be launched simultaneously at the mouth of the Shanglin General Temple in Little Kinmen and across the sea in Huangcuo, Xiamen.
Dr. King Memorial Day: African American Museum in Philadelphia Hosts Special Exhibition
January 20th is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Day in the United States, with commemorative events held in many places. The “African American Museum” in Philadelphia is hosting a special exhibition on Dr. King, while in Atlanta, hundreds of people gathered at Ebenezer Baptist Church—the very place where Dr. King once preached—to honor his legacy.
Thousands of red lanterns adorn Hualien Lantern Festival; 15-meter-tall "Red Duck" joins the fun
As Lunar New Year approaches, bringing a festive atmosphere, extravagant lantern festivals will kick off in various parts of Taiwan from the eve of the Spring Festival. This year (2014), Hualien's "Pacific Lantern Festival" will commence on the 24th, with thousands of large red lanterns hung high to light up the main roads across 13 townships in Hualien. The event will also feature the "Red-faced Duck," a laser light show, and more, promising an exceptionally lively celebration.
Star Alliance benefits show results: EVA Air to increase transpacific capacity by 22%
EVA Air announced that starting from June this year, it will gradually increase flights on its American routes, including Vancouver, Toronto, San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles. From July 3 this year, the number of North American routes will increase from the current 45 weekly flights to 55, representing a significant 22% rise in capacity. This makes EVA Air the airline with the densest flight schedule and the highest number of seats between Taiwan and the United States.
Taiwan’s first “Jimmy Liao Train Station” takes off into the skies of fantasy—stroll through a picture-book fairy tale world
The world’s first square themed around Jimmy Liao sparked a wave of enthusiasm after opening last June, attracting over 140,000 visitors in total. Today (21st), Taiwan’s first “Jimmy Liao Train Station” has officially opened. Installation artworks inspired by Jimmy Liao’s picture books have also been added to both the Yilan Railway Station and Diudiu Forest Square. The organizers held a lighting ceremony earlier today.
TransAsia Airways Partners with VISA for 10% Off Flight Tickets
TransAsia Airways announced a collaboration with international card organization VISA. From now until December 31, 2014, VISA business cardholders who purchase round-trip business class tickets for TransAsia Airways’ international/two-sided (cross-strait) routes departing from Taiwan (excluding code-share flights) via card payment will enjoy a 10% discount on the ticket price.
"Discover New Taipei" – Take you on a journey to hidden gems known only to locals
Traveling in New Taipei City is outdated if you only visit famous spots like Jiufen Old Street and Tamsui Fisherman’s Wharf. The New Taipei City Tourism Bureau has launched a travel book that highlights hidden gems known only to locals, allowing visitors to discover a different side of New Taipei. In addition, the bureau invited renowned record designer and “longtime resident” Xiao Qingyang to serve as a guide, sharing lesser-known features of Zhonghe and Yonghe.
Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand Ally to Jointly Operate the Singapore–Auckland Route
Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand have agreed to form an alliance to jointly operate the route between Singapore and Auckland. Singapore Airlines will operate the New Zealand route for the first time using the Airbus A380, gradually replacing the currently used smaller Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. Meanwhile, since 2006, Air New Zealand will resume flights on the Auckland–Singapore route, using newly retrofitted Boeing 777-200ER aircraft, providing daily round-trip services between Auckland and Singapore.
Scallion Pancakes, Garlic Pork Soup, and Spring Roll Ice Cream — Three Must-Try Dishes in Yilan
Coming back from Yilan, I’m not sure if it was because I rested too well, but I actually felt less inclined to type on the keyboard XD Although it was only a three-day trip and I took a five-day leave, I still found myself immersed in that slow, tranquil pace. Even eating felt incredibly relaxing.