Taiwan is named Taiwan Republic of China that is to be differentiated from People Republic of China, mainland. Taiwanese have got green passports and China red ones! Once in Taiwan it brings amongst foreigners confusion and questions are raised: does Taiwan Republic of China belongs to China or is the island still independent? Last February, Taiwanese have voted for a new president, first female president Tsai Ing-wen! The current one (Ma Ying-jeou) is pro China whose nickname is “jelly fish head”, he will leave the presidency in May 2016. Taiwanese demonstrate openly against on week-ends. Unknown in Western countries as a tourist destination, but famous amongst South Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Hong Kongese, Taiwan is very often mixed with Thailand. Westerners in Taiwan are mostly exchange students, people who want to learn Mandarin, English teachers or people with a Taiwanese partners; world travellers and bicycles riders around the world. The island has about 1500 km cycling roads. Taiwan has a long history of occupation: Chinese, Japanese, US which has an influence on their behaviour and daily life. They adopt the travelling Chinese style: the maximum visits in a short time! On week-ends, they will drive 200 km to stay not even 24 hours in one place: they will arrive in the evening and will go back home the very next morning! For camping is the same: pitching the tent on Friday evening and leaving at 10am the next morning! Everything is made for a local tourists, most of Taiwanese cannot afford to travel abroad, and they do not have many holidays, few days per year! As far as hotels, railways (high speed train), buses connections, the island is very well structured! Nothing occur by coincidences. Hostels are as comfortable as and Taiwanese will design their interior with quality and taste! Food is a mix between Japanese and Chinese flavours. What is common to be eaten is chicken feet, pig feet, animals ´intestines and even chicken anus! Dumplings, Udon noodles, rice cakes, Mocci, bakery stuffs are very common food and Oolong tea, a Taiwanese tea, a famous drink. What one can strike are the security cameras. Maybe people are afraid of invasions! Taiwan is the Island where “Big brother is watching you”. Cameras are everywhere in public as well as in private areas and even cars recording the drive. How many of them? Million maybe a billion! For anything you can call the police and you can count on it! To promote their island, Taiwanese have the following slogan “Taiwan, the heart of Asia”. It gives another perspective to how we can present things! In Asia, Taiwanese are considered to be relaxed and lay back than in any other East Asian countries. In one way there is no rush but still the school and work system put lots of pressure on kids and employees. Life can be summed up in studying and working except during Chinese New Year where life will completely stopped apart from cooking and eating. Taiwan is a society in movements like most of Asian countries the island lives between traditions and modernity. Old generations still go to local shops and markets whereas new generations to malls and do speak English. For them FB play a huge role in their daily life. They will marked themselves safe before even evacuating a place during an earthquake or a typhoon! What did Taiwanese before Internet?! However, for the old and the new generation religion, going to temples is a ritual. They will pray gods to ask for advices (love, career, studies, pregnancy etc.) and give offerings that they will be taken back after 30 minutes! People usually buy what they like the most :) Dogs are treated like humans, they either carry them or push them in a pram. The dogs should not dirt their paws! They usually wear coats even when temperatures are above 20 degrees! Travelling around Taiwan is an interesting experience when it comes to hospitality. There are two ways either people will do everything they can to welcome you or they will turn their back on you! You can still travel for good quality and reasonable prices. In Taipei it will bring tourists to the roots of the Chinese culture where a bit less than 700 000 objects were transferred from Beijing to Taipei during wars and troubles. What is still surprising is the driving! What we can considerer as illegal in our country is there common practices! What we can call Taiwanese style! Like in any other South East Asian countries, people will not walk but in Taiwan even 5 minutes, they will drive their two wheelers! The last but not the least, every day bin lorries will be driven through cities, towns or villages accompanied with a sweet melody (play the video below)! People will come and will throw their garbage in the lorry! To conclude our experience: we had a bad, sad and … very good one!
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