Hi, there fellow Hive Travelers! This is Maria, and I go by @purplefreelancer.I hope everybody is safe and well. It is already summertime now, here in the Philippines and I cannot help but think back during this awesome trip to Taiwan that I went to just last March. I specifically had the chance to visit the quiet and beautiful Chiayi County, where I mainly explored the National Chung Cheng University, which is popularly known as the "Meteor Garden University" in the famous Chinese Drama, "Meteor Garden".
Visiting the beautiful country of Taiwan as a First Time Solo Traveler
To be honest, this trip was still my second international travel. And, to make matters more challenging, I was going to explore the pavements, and streets of Taiwan ALL ON MY OWN. You know why? Because my younger sister could not go with my mom and I during this travel, since tax season in the Philippines was in full swing, and their office had a lot of catching up to do, before the season ends. Now, you may wonder why I am alone on this trip, when my mom and I are traveling together? Well, I am just actually there in Taiwan, to accompany her and make sure she makes it to her connecting flight to Texas, without us losing our nerves, and overthinking about the flight, since we are not sure whether she was able to locate her gate or not. So, to avoid this stressful scenario from happening, I had to accompany her to Taiwan, and make sure she gets to her gate for her connecting flight, once we land there. Now, for extra precaution on our part, we also made sure she had airport assistance, so that she would be accompanied by airport staff once she switch gates. And, I am really really thankful to the airport staff, for making sure my mother arrives at her gate early, because that was what actually happened! Once we landed, there were airport staff waiting for her, and the other passengers who also needed additional assistance during the lay-over. Once I made sure my mom was already well taken-cared of, we said our goodbyes, and I proceeded to the biggest challenge I had to face during that time, EXPLORE TAIWAN ON MY OWN (LITERALLY AND FIGURATIVELY).
One of the biggest challenge that I had to face once we landed was, how I was going to communicate with the locals, since they speak Mandarin. However, this was something I need not worry about, since most of the locals that I have encountered are VERY FRIENDLY and can communicate/ understand English. Of course, that was not always the case, but there were nonverbal cues I had to use, in order for me to be understood by the locals in Chiayi, that I had the chance to interact and visit.
GETTING TO CHIAYI COUNTY VIA TOUR
Now, weeks before my trip, I made sure to do my research, such as visiting tourist sites on my own (A.K.A. DIY), or going on the many tours available in Taiwan. After weighing my options, I realized that going on a tour would be the most cost efficient.
The second challenge that I had to overcome was RIDING THE METRO. So, why was this a problem? Because, I am super bad at directions. Now, my hotel was a bit far from Ximen station, that is why I had to walk for about 5 minutes, for me to locate it. When I got lost, (this is actually a required activity when you travel solo as a beginner,hah!) it took me about eight minutes to reach Ximen station.
So, before even going to Taiwan, I already made sure that I've researched EVERYTHING---- from taking the metro from Ximen Station to Taipei Main Station, and what gates to exit from, since Taipei Main Station is actually a VERY BIG STATION to make matters more interesting, the tour that I booked was scheduled on a Sunday, so there were a lot of people waiting there, and it was just pure madness. Madness in a sense that everyone was crazy busy meeting up with their tourmates, since it appeared like EVERYBODY wanted to leave the city center and relax to the countryside.
MEETING UP AT TAIPEI MAIN STATION: ONE OF TAIWAN'S BIGGEST METRO STATIONS
As I mentioned earlier, the place that I was staying at is just a five minute walk to Ximen Station, once I reached the place, I took the MRT, using the Blue Line, which was reaching Taipei Main Station via the Nangang Exhibition Center. The trip was arount NTD 30, and took me only two minutes before I reached Taipei Main Station.
Now the reason why I went to Taipei Main Station, is because my trip to Chiayi County is through a tour. Specifically, it was the METEOR GARDEN TOUR, and the meeting place was at South Gate 1 (Exit). From there, we took a private car, which took us to Zhongshen Flower Market, Lihpao Outlet Mall, and then finally, National Chung Cheng University.
First Stop: Zhongshe Flower Market----Sidetrip in Taichung
It was a bit gloomy when we got there, and the cold was also ANOTHER LEVEL for me, coming from a country that only rains and have sunshine all year round. But! That did not stop me from going around the place, and enjoying the wide array of flowers right in front of me. My phone's camera did not do justice to just how beautiful and breathtakingly amazing the place was!
There were also a lot of locals there, since before entering the place, there was a huge barbecue restaurant, where families can dine and cook meat, have some soup, and just basically enjoy their lunch, once they're done visiting the garden.
So, after a gazillion poses, we finally made our way to the Lihpao Outlet Mall, and had our lunch there. We were already a bit hungry at this point, what with all the walking we had to do during our Flower Market trip.
NATIONAL CHUNG CHENG UNIVERSITY
Finally, we were able to reach the famous National Chung Cheng University, which was called "Ying De University", in the series. The school actually served as the main setting of the series, Meteor Garden. Now, this series is super close to my heart, because this was the first series that got me hooked to Asian Dramas. And now, my childhood self was just all googly-eyed once we entered the gates of this gigantic university!
We wasted not one second, once we got there. We made sure that we got to visit all the iconic sites, featured in the series. It was also quite a feat for the eyes, while we walked through the pavements of the University, it was so peaceful, calming, and just seeing the sceneries around the university, gave me this sense of calmness.
It seemed like you can just go around and find your favorite spot to relax, and be one with your thoughts, since the place was so big, and relaxing!
But, my favorite one would be their library. I was just in love with everything that I saw in their library! I was just in awe!
Now, their library is an iconic one because, most of the scenes in the original series were found here. Some of which are the famous locker of San Cai, which was locker 150. And what made it even more LOVELIER AND AMAZING, is the fact that below their library, is where you can find the University's canteen.
It was there where the famous F4 members would chat, and talk about certain stuff throughout the series. But for me? I was just there to take it all in, and let the realization that the people I was watching, back when I was in Grade school, was once in those halls, sitting on the chairs we were on, and walking on the steps, and pavement, just like what we were doing. And it was just NOSTALGIC. I think my Sixth Grade self would be so proud of how far we had come, and after many many years, we were finally able to see with our eyes, where the magic of Meteor Garden happened.
Another interesting thing about their library was that it was also home to their Arts Center. Unfortunately, it was closed when we went there, so I just browsed through the exhibits that they were having for Summer and Spring.
Overall, it was a trip that was LITERALLY, one for the books! I know, my thirteen year old self would have been over the moon, once she saw that we were able to visit this iconic university. Now, if you ask me if I were to visit Chiayi again? It would be a resounding YES! I know I would never go tired of admiring the wonderful sceneries before me. This trip was like a soothing gel smoothly placed on my soul. I felt recharged, despite the fact that I was dead tired after a whole day walk to these spots, but it was definitely worth it!
So, I hope you enjoyed this blog, as much as I enjoyed writing this down. See you in the next, Hivers! Stay safe and happy travels!
Lots of love,
purplefreelancer
Note: All photos used are mine, and are edited through CANVA