The most sustainable way to travel around the island:Taiwan

The years of 2020 to 2021 were exhausting for many of us because of this uncontrollable situation. Perhaps many of us didn’t have to experience such a challenge, so it embedded the unknown deep inside us; imperceptibly, we started to wonder how much longer till the end comes and what might happen next year. People try to control and predict life as if they can manipulate the outcomes. Especially for those who live in the city, they tend to be the director in every situation. And perhaps, traveling is a temporary remedy for the dilemma. 

In 2016, Gina decided to be a vegan when stunned by a horrific child murder that took place in Taiwan. She reevaluated her relationship with the animals and humans. With her 17 years of all-vegan lifestyle, Gina obtained materials from vegetables and traveled to places in Taiwan in a plastic-free manner. She wanted to appreciate this island with different aspects, to voice and to bridge veggies and Taiwanese culture into place. 

Travel Duration: Date 2/26- 3/7 (Total of 10 Days)

Feb 28th

The weather wasn’t cooperative on this day, it was rainy. Regardless of the bad weather, I got even more thrilled about setting up my own stand at No Meat Market. I cherish everyone I meet at the market because people here share the same passion and they’re all veggie enthusiasts. I connected with many friends of mine, I was touched that some of them came to visit specifically for me. The fact that I could talk to these friends is far more rewarding than making a sale. 

P.S. I tasted so many delicious vegetarian foods at No Meat Market: Truffle Donatz, Shugu Organic Strawberry Fungus Drink, Plant-based Fortune Biscuit Berry Tart, and Bolloka Pizza.

March 3rd

On the way to Tainan, passing through Taimali and Zhiben; it felt as if I was in different movie scenes and every picture was illuminated in my head. The breeze changes traveling from the east to the west, my body could already feel the pace slowing down. The pristine east coast railway bentos were a surprise, too. You get 8 different dishes in one bento box for only NT$80! 

Upon my arrival at Shin Kong Mitsukoshi, I had Sanjin Noodles, had a coffee from Barista Ray Coffee that is famous for latte art( won Latte Art Championship), their oat milk iced latte was extraordinary. At dinner, I was happy that there were vegetarian options on the table at a traditional restaurant that offers a set menu. After dinner, I traveled to a second-hand clothes honest shop on Shen-nong Street. You basically just insert the money into a box when you pay, it was interesting.

March 4th

Today, I discovered #KlinTainan by surprise. Klin provides various kinds of vegetarian baozi, Pad Kra Pao flavor bao was amazing(minced pork + holy basil stir fry). We had our favorite Volcano Kimchi Pasta for lunch #VeganHai. We went to Ya-Mu-Liao Coffee in the afternoon, ordered an oat milk latte( so many cheap and delicious lattes in Tainan!) then discovered a vintage store on Qingnian road #XinZhuangLiBuyHopeHon. The clothes in their store are all in good condition and have high quality, just like new. Everytime I visit Tainan, I never forget to get #NaturalFirst, this time I tried the Fresh Grapefruit Light Oolong Tea and loved it. For dinner, we had enzyme stinky tofu from #EnzymeStinkyTofuBouqique & #JoyVeganYaki. It was a foodie trip for sure and everything was so delicious. 

March 5th

Initially we wanted to try #ABCBurger but they didn’t have vegan options, so we went and got Strawberry Mille Crepes from #SOi instead. During the night, we went to #shafarmlove and had Pho and Spring Rolls, they were both tasty.

March 6th

After a lovely Red Bean Bun breakfast at the hostel #RoarFactory, we went to #Nuttea Kaohsiung Shi-quan branch and #RenewLuwei was in the front. The veggie lu-wei( braised) there was so yummy! I highly recommend the spicy Mock Diced Beef with pickled greens. I even had Luye Red Oolong Canelé from #ForestDessert. The owner is very devoted to creating new vegan products. 

I had Strawberry flavored Nuttea! I used my personal tumbler and realized that the store actually provides mugs for dine-in customers. 

Then I went to TALEES Mall and saw a pop-up veggie food truck( I wanted to save some room in my tummy for Gorou, but then I wasn’t strong enough to resist #linjenmama and got #RoyalTEATEA’s “Black Tea''( Brown sugar + Pu'er tea), the taste of fen-jiao( chewy jelly) in my drink was everlasting. For dinner we had #Gorou, and it was super satisfying and healing, I’ll never forget this experience. 

March 7th

Leaving the hostel on the afternoon train, I’m going home. Got #TimeForCoffee to go, this coffee shop offers 5 kinds of plant-based milk. I like Califia with medium roast coffee and Oatly with dark roast coffee. At noon, I went to a bazaar that was at the front of IKEA( and yes, it was a bazaar). I had Indian style tacos and tortilla chips. Best of all, everything they sell is vegan. I noticed that there was one stand that sold  Russian dolls, which was pretty rare in Taiwan. I love special things like that. #МаленькоеСчастье( russiandoll1986) So I purchased one for my home collection, and took the 5pm Tze-Chiang Express home. 

My 10-day tour around southern Taiwan is completed!

Plastic-Free Travel How To

Eating out with your own foodwares

(TO GO)

About Gina