theNerdyTraveler

Taipei is currently hailed as the gourmet central in the world. Every year there is a new praise from some major media / organization for recognition of their concerted effort in gourmet food. This year I learned that there are multiple Michelin rated restaurants and food vendors in Taipei! The street food culture is so deeply ingrained that even Michelin had to give them a nod. Luckily I think I covered most of those food vendors this trip. But here is m my must-eat list of Taipei street food (sorry too busy eating and forgot to snap photos): 1. Big fried chicken at Shihlin night market: huge, crispy, hot (fresh out of the fryer almost impossible to handle), great flavor and the only kind of white chicken meat that I’d eat. There are two different locations ... read more

I read online about this cute B&B very close to Taroko National Park, and they will also cater to people who wants to hike or bike inside the park. So we booked for two nights giddy with anticipation. Taroko is gorgeous, but hard to really appreciate the beauty doing a drive-by sightseeing but too far and too big to walk the whole thing. The B&B is minimal but the hosts are warm and wonderful. But the bike ride.... not for the faint of heart! They drop you off at the end of the park, give you a map and a few pointers on what to see and how to find your way back to the B&B, then off you go. The first trail was Wenshan hot springs which was closed but you can sneak in (a ... read more

This is a dilemma that I face quite often. Jet lag causes me to go to bed early but also wakes up early. Japan is not a country full of early birds and their Starbucks don’t open till 7:30. After you’re done with all the convenient stores, what else can you do at 5 AM? I did running around the palace yesterday and need a break day. Two words for anybody with the same dilemma: Don Quixote. This is a hidden gem around Tokyo, multi-floor store full of stuff. Literally, stuff. There are so many stuff and organized in a non-sensical way which adds to part of the fun. I just spent 3 hours at Don Quixote, bought lots of stuff (don’t forget passport for tax-free shopping), and the day has just begun!... read more

In preparation for 2028 Olympics, LAX is really ramping up. I’ve always loved the international terminal and always delighted to be flying on a codeshare flight. Yeah the traffic is horrendous but that’s what Uber is for. The giant screens with high resolution image is a prelude to the adventures ahead. Gorgeous and expensive storefronts that reminds me of Rodeo Drive. Picked up a copy of The Economist (predictably, the headline being Facebook data breach) and a few atypical books to start the journey. 12 hours could go very fast, or very slowly....... read more

Isn't Dublin just like how it was in the movie "Once"? Well, I finally have my own conclusion now. I often thought of Ireland as maybe the smaller not as attractive sister of England. Irish people are among the friendliest people that I've met. Japanese are very polite, Taiwanese are very helpful, German super efficient, Italian passionate and British all have a sense of humor. Irish are just downright friendly. From taxi drivers who would offer all sorts of sightseeing advice, to waitresses who chatted with us about their experiences in California, and even some random stranger on the street who took us into his church and gave us a tour.... people are very outgoing and friendly. Ah, also, Irish take their parties seriously. the commitment on their hen /stag parties is utterly respectful. Temple bar ... read more