Many would know that Taiwan is my second home. I was there again on my fifth trip in almost as many years last week and also my third solo adventure so far. Nonetheless, this is my first time alone in Taiwan, so it was a whole different experience from previous trips there. Travelling by myself has long been therapeutic and developmental and this trip was no different. In such familiarity, I still managed to find myself a little wiser and learnt that life isn’t always served on a silver platter.

As an introvert, social interactions drain my energy levels and having my own space and time gets me recharged. Getting away from the city and people is what I needed and this vacation brought me closer to nature among the green mountains of Taiwan and the blue of the Pacific Ocean. Alas, the days were marred by intermittent showers but whoever said life’s gonna be a smooth-sailing journey. The rain came and gone, and so did the highlight of this trip which was supposed to be a beautiful hike across some of Taiwan’s most gorgeous, majestic mountain ranges in Hualien.

But every storm eventually passes to welcome the return of blue skies and occasionally a rainbow – a hidden gem in Yilan which boasts an impressive, boisterous night market rivalling Taipei’s finest and a hot springs heaven. What makes the county so attractive is it being only an hour’s train ride from Taiwan’s capital but without the latter’s touristy vibes. Uncovering a less explored side of a country I love so much certainly made up for the initial disappointment with the weather.

Most would probably have guessed by now that I’ll be heading back again sometime in the near future, to finish what I haven’t been able to accomplish this trip as well as to traverse the yet explored parts of this lovely island. But till then, I’m going to relish the memories before I start planning for my next adventure. And I think I’m beginning to like this idea of travelling solo that some cannot fathom the allure of.