Set sail on the Grand Line with "One Piece" and spend a night under the starry sky!

Text and photos byKui Xiaosun

Haha, 'Good Luck Stay' is probably the first family-friendly homestay I've stayed at XD I have to say, I fell in love with the 'One Piece Room' at first sight—it’s totally for that childlike dream in my heart. This 'Good Luck Stay' is the second branch of 'Hai’an Zhuju'—a brand-new homestay that was just completed this month. It’s located right on Anping Road, next to the Tainan Canal. This time, I also specially brought my dear friend from across generations, even though she’s technically in her first year of junior high school already. I originally thought the slide in the room wouldn’t really appeal to her... but unexpectedly, she asked me if she could buy the whole place?! Even when she got up to brush her teeth in the morning, she insisted on sliding down the slide... She was completely enchanted by the world of the slide.

This is our fourth trip to Tainan this year, and each time we like it more and more... We love the roads that are busy but not fast, we love how rarely you hear car horns even during traffic jams, and we love how any random homestay can make you feel the warmth of the people of Tainan. The location is right on Anping Road, next to the Tainan Canal... When we arrived at around four in the afternoon, it was still bright out. By the time we got there, quite a few guests had already parked their cars... One great thing here is that you can park your car right at the entrance of the townhouse. They call it a townhouse, but honestly, it’s really spacious... There’s even an elevator inside. No need to worry about carrying kids up the stairs. As soon as we walked in, there was a double room on the first floor... very elegant. It’s probably the only double room in the whole place. While the other guests hadn’t arrived yet, I secretly took a few photos... There’s also a big bathtub where you can soak ^~^

This room is on the first floor and has a small private garden... Seeing that rocking chair and the view outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, if we get the chance, the two of us will definitely come back to stay here. It’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy some leisure time~

After confirming the check-in details, the three of us dragged our luggage upstairs. The moment we opened the door to the room, all three of us went 'Wow!' You know how my two kids basically forget what the room looks like even if they’ve seen pictures of it... So I’m used to telling them where we’re going only on the day itself. XD Although I’d already seen photos, actually stepping into the room still got me super excited... The key point is that the murals on the walls aren’t crude at all—in fact, they enhance a sense of ‘imagination’. Yes, imagination—for the ocean, for dreams. I believe many people are One Piece fans like me... believing in that friendship, believing in those dreams, believing that you can head out on the Grand Line. So no matter how old you are... seeing these iconic things that touch your heart still makes you feel like a child, completely enchanted.

The design of this family room includes one double bed, one single bed, and a silver cushioned area by the bed platform that can also be used as a single bed. So it can easily accommodate three or four people. For us three, the beds were enough. But before bedtime, the silver cushioned area by the bed platform was completely taken over by the two girls—reading, taking photos, watching TV, listening to music... They were having so much fun. XD

But I have to give a round of applause to my friend from across generations. She’s had a really strong ability since she was little... no matter how noisy it is around her, she can focus on studying. Plus, she seems to have self-motivation—when we go out, she’ll study on her own... She plans out when she needs to study herself. So that movable wooden desk... became her study spot for the night. (Seriously... she’s more proactive about studying than I was as a kid XD)

With the three of us in this room, I remember between four in the afternoon and seven when dinner was served... I was lying on the bed looking at photos, the little one was lying down, sitting, doing all sorts of poses on the pirate ship, and the other one was in the cushioned area. I really love doing our own thing while being right next to each other... not disturbing each other, but always there together. The room isn’t small, and with everyone doing their own thing in their own space, it felt really comfortable and relaxing—not crowded at all.

She’s already 13 years old, but she’s still completely enchanted by the slide... going up and down non-stop. Of course, girls her age love taking selfies too... though they often end up being silly photos XD Not a serious one in sight... Just like Luffy, charging forward toward our dreams with unyielding courage and determination... No matter how tired or frustrated you get, home will always be your harbor.

After entering the room, we opened the check-in gift—a pair of flip-flops representing Tainan... Bright, colorful, and as passionate as this land. I really love every little detail here.

Leaning by the window, we often admired the Tainan Canal in front of us... In the evening or when waking up, the canal that seemed still and quiet made our hearts especially peaceful. The little one grew up in the mountains, so sights like the sea and rivers... are especially fascinating to her. That’s why I always think kids should travel more when they’re young, to see that the world has so many possibilities... and to broaden their horizons, to believe that they have endless potential too.

Stepping into the fresh and comfortable bathroom, there’s an owl-shaped stool, a children’s bathtub, and most importantly, the toilet is super thoughtful... it has a dual-layer toilet seat cover for adults and kids. Lift the yellow part for the kids, and open both layers for the adults. So nice~

And the toiletries are even provided by Sebamed baby products. There are also lots of little toys that are essential for kids taking a bath—yellow duckies, elephants, and rabbits. So cute I almost wanted to take them home XD

Just watching the scenery... Girls her age often daydream, cry, or laugh out loud. I worry, care, and carefully chat with her, talking about her thoughts. Before I knew it, someone even said she must be my past-life lover. No one knows how to be a parent naturally, but all I know is... I’ll never do to my child the things I didn’t like when I was little. I don’t want the next generation to suffer the same pain—I just want them to face life in a healthier, more positive way. That’s the heart of all parents, but when it comes to actually raising your child... can you still remember the things you once hated? Taking care of a child isn’t just about discipline... you have to ask yourself if you can truly live up to it.

After playing in the room for a while, the two of us went downstairs. Because we were already attracted by the toys on the first floor when we checked in. Unexpectedly, there’s a basketball machine and movable ride-on stuffed animals here. (Is that what you call them? XD) And as long as you check in, you get play coins—you can let the kids have a blast here.

There’s also a whole wall of whiteboard for free drawing. The little one immediately showed off her ‘hilariously good’ drawing skills. Basically, she’s pretty good at studying, but not so much at PE or art XD But so what... when it comes to drawing, it’s all about having fun. Ha!

The first-floor space is full of Christmas vibes. And when it got dark, we were getting ready to go out for dinner. Looking out the window at the Tainan Canal, I really felt so happy staying here. Watching the cars passing by the window, the sparkling lights on the canal... the changing colors of the sky. That’s what traveling is all about—small details that can move your heart.

After turning off the lights in our room, the ceiling was covered in a starry sky... Before going to sleep at night, we’d just stare at the ceiling, as if we were looking at the real sky. Even though every room in the building was fully booked that day, we barely heard any noise from the other kids. Maybe the soundproofing is good, or maybe the guests are well-behaved. All I know is that staring at the stars made me forget there were other people here... as if we had the whole place to ourselves. So quiet, so enjoyable, as if we were at the edge of the world.

If you come here too, don’t forget to check out the message board. The opening ‘sofa seat’—I drew it. On the day our family spent here, enjoying the happiness and relaxation in the room... I felt really, really good. Never think your kids are too young to be introduced to the world... because the earlier you let them see it, the closer they’ll feel to it. Our first family homestay, the One Piece room I really loved.

★ Good Luck Stay (Hai’an Zhuju & Good Luck Stay): No. 226, Anping Road, Anping District, Tainan City ＼ 0970 071 970 ＼ facebook

［Enjoy life, never boring. By Kui Xiaosun］