Taiwan Travel Booklet — Kaohsiung Edition

I traveled to Taiwan, a country with a warm feeling toward Japan. Since Peach had just begun service there, I decided to visit Kaohsiung for the first time. Before the trip I tried looking for a guidebook at bookstores, but there were hardly any dedicated to Kaohsiung, which made planning a bit difficult. In the end, I gathered information from the internet and created my own guidebook, which (probably) covered most of the main sightseeing spots.

Even so, I knew there would be many things I wouldn’t understand until actually being there, so I added plenty of memo pages printed on yellow paper. After visiting, what struck me most was how fun eating is in Taiwan — especially the desserts, which range from sweet and rich to refined and subtle, offering an amazing variety. I also felt that the best way to enjoy the city efficiently is by bicycle. I’ll definitely reflect that in the next booklet I make.

For places I wanted to visit that weren’t listed in guidebooks, I printed pages from websites like all-out and from blogs written by people living locally, and tucked them into the booklet. It goes without saying, but you absolutely have to check the address and business hours in advance — it’s surprisingly common to finally track down a place, only to find it closed. But then again, maybe even those little inconveniences are part of what makes traveling interesting.

Since there wasn’t much information about Kaohsiung available on the web this time, I bought a map-and-guide booklet at a local convenience store after arriving. I got lost so often that it turned out to be incredibly useful. I also found out that I could borrow a bicycle from the hotel — for free — which made getting around the city even more convenient.

What matters most in a handmade travel booklet isn’t only the information inside, but the freedom to customize it completely in your own way. Since I always hope to talk with local people during my travels, I like to include extra blank pages. In Taiwan, where Chinese characters can be used, those blank pages often turn into a fun and meaningful way to communicate.