By Wei Ruyu, reporting
With the American Institute in Taiwan announcing that Taiwan has been nominated as a candidate for the visa waiver program, both governments and their people are optimistic that an official announcement opening up visa-free travel may be made soon. This also makes it a great time to start planning a trip to the United States. But how can you explore such a vast continent beyond the packaged tours arranged by travel agencies? Gregory Harris, head of the Commercial Section at the American Institute in Taiwan’s Kaohsiung branch—who frequently travels between Taiwan, the United States, and major Asian cities—shared some fun places in his home country, including Michigan where
Tumon Bay in Guam is one of the places Mr. Harris really enjoys. (Photo provided by the Taiwan Office of the Guam Visitors Bureau)
Mr. Harris said that most people’s impression of Michigan is often limited to Detroit’s automobile industry, but in fact, there are many beautiful natural landscapes worth visiting for a vacation. He recommends a town in western Michigan called “Holland.” The town got its name because many Dutch immigrants settled there in the early days. The annual “Tulip Time Festival” in May attracts many visitors, and the nearby beautiful lakes are perfect for water activities like boating. Summer is the best time to visit, as it’s not too hot and quite cool—making it a very comfortable travel destination.
Additionally, the eastern and western parts of Washington State offer different landscapes and characteristics. On the east side, you can visit wineries, stroll through vineyards, and enjoy wine tasting, or head to a traditional German village called Leavenworth to experience the unique lifestyle of German immigrants in the U.S. As for western Washington, Seattle is an international city full of artistic and cultural vibes, and the University of Washington is also located here. Those who have seen “Sleepless in Seattle” will likely find scenes from the movie quite familiar. There are also nearby rainforests in the suburbs that are great for hiking and other outdoor activities. Mr. Harris said that Washington is a city that highly values environmental protection, and biking around the area is a great way to explore and get into the rhythm of local life. Within just one state—Washington—you can enjoy diverse travel landscapes and atmospheres. It’s a fantastic place!
Mr. Harris took his family to visit Leavenworth, a town where many German immigrants reside. (Photo provided by Gregory Harris)
As for Guam, it gave Mr. Harris the dual feeling of returning to the U.S. and vacationing on a Pacific island. His favorite spot is “Tumon Bay,” which is also an ecological reserve where you can enjoy diving and observe a rich variety of marine life. He said that Guam is perfect for renting a car to drive around the island and freely arranging visits to night markets, shopping centers, beaches, parks, and other attractions based on your mood. He also recommended trying the local abundant Mexican cuisine, and noted that Guam’s KFC even sells a type of indigenous red rice, which is worth a try!
Recently, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton formally submitted a request to the Department of Homeland Security to grant Taiwan visa-free status. President Obama also called for simplifying the visa application process to boost tourism. It is expected that once Taiwan becomes a visa-exempt country, visitors will be able to enter the U.S. without a visa for up to 90 days for business and tourism activities. People might as well start preparing their U.S. travel plans and go as soon as the visa exemption takes effect!
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