Written / Reported and compiled by Chen Guanxin of MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel & Living Network
TLC Travel & Living Channel has been broadcasting in Taiwan for 10 years, and this year it is hosting its first Asian urban green space picnic event — the “TLC Taipei Picnic Day.” Everyone is invited to gather at Beitou MRT Riverside Park on July 20 (Saturday), from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, to enjoy the outdoors. The event encourages people to bring their own picnics, and there will also be a variety of experience booths offering music, lifestyle, art, and food — bringing the channel's vision of a beautiful life to life. TLC’s senior host Janet said, “I’ll also be at the various booths playing with everyone that day, and our most beloved host Bob Blumer is specially flying in from overseas to have fun with all of us!”
On July 20, TLC Taipei Picnic Day: Janet invites everyone to share the joy of picnicking together. (Photo provided / TLC Travel & Living Channel)
When TLC is mentioned, the most iconic host Janet comes to mind. She says being a TLC host is a source of pride. “Crazy for Taiwan” was a turning point in her life — it gave her the most comfortable stage, and over the years she and TLC have grown together like family, taking viewers across Taiwan through the lens. Janet has extensive experience hiking mountains and exploring seas, and has even had a picnic at the Yunfeng Villa at the top of Yushan. But a picnic in Taipei? That’s a first. Being able to step outdoors and embrace a healthy lifestyle with everyone holds special meaning for her.
Janet says that in foreign countries, picnicking is a part of everyday life, and the spirit of picnicking is sharing. She specifically mentioned, “Do you know what BYO means? It stands for ‘Bring Your Own.’ I used to often exchange homemade dishes with my family and friends. We encourage everyone to BYO on that day too — that’s how you truly experience the joy of picnicking.” Not much of a cook herself, she has a refreshing picnic secret dish — vodka watermelon. Cut open a watermelon, pour in vodka, freeze it, and the flesh becomes infused with a strong alcoholic aroma. It’s always a hit at picnics. Janet says summer is the best time for picnics because light meals are refreshing and easy to carry, and everyone can bring their favorite foods. She also jokes, “If you love cooking, a picnic is the perfect opportunity to use your friends as guinea pigs — if it doesn’t taste good, you can always eat theirs!”
Picnicking can be relaxing, carefree, and simple — just get your picnic basket ready！ (Photo provided / TLC Travel & Living Channel)
Besides Janet, several other well-known TLC hosts will also be joining in the fun at the “TLC Taipei Picnic Day.” These include Maggie from “Maggie’s Magic Cuisine,” Armando from “Cooking with the Handsome Guy,” and even Bob Blumer, the host of “World’s Weirdest Restaurants” — beloved by Taiwanese audiences — who is coming from afar to take part. These popular hosts will accompany everyone throughout the day, interacting closely with the public. Speaking of which, Janet pulled out a secret item from her picnic basket and said, “Abroad, people usually bring tea or cocoa for picnics, but July in Taiwan is really hot, so I’ve specially prepared my favorite winter melon tea to introduce to Bob Blumer.” She said, “This is the ultimate cooling secret I discovered after exploring Taiwan！ Guaranteed to be refreshingly cool！” She added that the best thing about picnics is the freedom and variety of ingredients, so she also prepared Chinese fried dough sticks, Chinese flatbread, and rice balls for Bob, giving him a taste of a uniquely Taiwanese picnic.
Hong Yunqi, Vice President of Channel Branding for Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific North Asia, said, “Over the past ten years, we’ve shared with our viewers many different aspects of lifestyle attitudes. Now, TLC Travel & Living Channel wants to bring Taiwanese audiences a local experience of healthy living. That’s why we’re introducing the first urban green space picnic event, inviting everyone to step outdoors and fully enjoy the picnic lifestyle on the grass. We also call on everyone to join us in protecting the environment and loving the Earth — we encourage people to ride bicycles here, and there will even be secret cycling routes shared, so we can all enjoy the leisurely summer vibe of the riverside park together！”
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