Lifestyle Travel Log

It was my first solo backpack trip that I made just after graduating from college in December 2012. They say you never ever forget your "firsts".

Being the amateur traveler that I was, I planned a round island Taiwan trip and one of the stopovers was in Kenting, south of Taiwan. I knew little about the place, except that it was a beach destination. I reached this gem of a place after a few hours of bus ride and I stopped at a tourist information booth to call my Bed & Breakfast, otherwise known as "minsu" owner for directions. A lady picked up the phone and she asked roughly," Are you alone? Can you carry a luggage?"

I took the simple sounding questions at face value and answered "Yes" to both, unknowingly agreeing to the ride of my life. She told me she was coming in a "motor car", loosely translated in mandarin and that was that. A while later, a lady pulled up by the curb side and asked for my name. She was in a motorbike. Oh No. It then began the longest 25 minutes of my life. With my right hand holding on to my 15kg luggage and my left hand clutching tightly on to the lady minsu owner, I experienced the first and craziest pillion ride of my life. The sounds, the sights, the feel of the atmosphere can still be remembered to this day. I still remember that it was slightly drizzling as the rain struck and pierced my face like needles. We were riding by a cliff side while I was groping for my life, but I still vaguely remember the shimmering reflection on the oceans and the crashing of the waves again the rocks. It was horrifying yet beautiful, hair raising yet heart touching. A memory I would never forget.

After 25 minutes, I finally arrived at a simple looking house painted in white, facing the ocean. I was welcomed with a rough handshake by a broad looking man and he ushered me into the room. It then began the most touching 3 days journey on the island of Kenting. I was fed duck neck & goose wings, brought to a off-beaten neighborhood night market, encouraged for an underwater dive, participated in a round-island cycling & was treated to the most beautiful sights and scenery that I still remember as if it were yesterday. Rough as they might be, the minsu owners were down-to-earth, sincere & heart warming.

I was in a home away from home and my heart was touched deeply. They were reasons why I embarked on this journey and has not looked back since. Indeed, they were my memories that I will treasure from my travel, my Travel Treasure.