Comments on: Why I’ll Never Forget This Small Town on Taiwan’s East Coast

By: Kevin

Kevin — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 23:00:51 +0000

When I went by Yilan, it felt like there was a lot of industry around. I was also amused by the number of museums and other tourist stops on the way to Hualien. Will have to spend some time here. It sounds like a lovely place :)

By: Charlie on Travel

Charlie on Travel — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 14:02:04 +0000

In reply to Aadarsh Dash. Thanks, Aadarsh! There are a lot of great small places all over the world I've found :) Taiwan is incredible for hiking, would 100% recommend it :)

By: Aadarsh Dash

Aadarsh Dash — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 06:38:58 +0000

Charlie, I love how you talk of places that not many people have heard of! It is so inspiring that you up and run to beautiful locations such as Taiwan. I’m so envious that you got to hike among gorgeous mountains and luscious trails. Such a fantastic read!

By: Charlie on Travel

Charlie on Travel — Sat, 21 Mar 2015 19:15:21 +0000

In reply to Shing.

That’s a sweet way to look at it! Yes, that little place really means a lot to me and Luke, and oh my gosh we know how lucky we were! Glad to hear that China worked out well for you too. Wuhu sounds really cute! Did you brother decide to do it partially based on your good experience in China? It’s really difficult to compare how experiences will be, especially when location is randomly allocated. I definitely agree on it being about where you’re located and the people you meet, yes. I think that personality is a big factor too – a lot of people don’t quite realise what they’re getting themselves into!

By: Shing

Shing — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 04:37:34 +0000

I love how a small, unheard place called LuoDong has a big place in your heart because it was the first place you and Luke called home. You were lucky that you were placed somewhere so charming and picturesque. I had the similar luck in China. Like you, I was assigned somewhere that nobody has ever heard of, a small city called Wuhu, it’s full of charm and local life and will always have a special place in my heart. However, a year later my brother decided to teach English in China too but he was placed in another even smaller city, apparently with no redeemable features and he ended up coming home before his one year contract was over.

I’d say a large part in whether you end up enjoying your teaching position is based on where you’re positioned and the people you meet, wouldn’t you?

By: Charlie on Travel

Charlie on Travel — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 18:07:10 +0000

In reply to Katie Featherstone. Yes, we were really lucky! We love the outdoors so that worked out really well for us. You're totally right about that; many of our friends were randomly assigned to very polluted cities, living in tall apartment blocks next to main roads and train stations etc. Thanks Katie, you're always so lovely :)

By: Katie Featherstone

Katie Featherstone — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 14:17:35 +0000

It sounds like you were really lucky finding such a great (and green!) place to teach. I know a lot of people teaching in Asia who are actually just living in very polluted cities. I remember first reading your blog because I was interested in your time teaching- amazing how much you’ve achieved since then. I look forward to seeing where you might end up next.

By: Charlie on Travel

Charlie on Travel — Fri, 13 Mar 2015 19:18:46 +0000

In reply to jameela deen.

Haha I know right – happened every time! We plan quite a lot, but in some instances you just can’t plan we’ve found. Often things in life are the ones that start out hard and you have to work at usually turn out really quite well in the end! I likewise feel that my time in Taiwan was a precious experience. :)

By: jameela deen

jameela deen — Fri, 13 Mar 2015 14:16:22 +0000

Lol on the old Taiwanese overtaking you… I’m the type to plan and organise way ahead of time but I do like taking chances like you guys. That’s the only way to discover the world properly. True typical life happens away from the famous places and tourists spots. I took chances in the past too when I agreed to my husband’s suggestion to move to Libya and I don’t regret it no matter how hard things turn out to be. I feel I now have some really precious experience and I learnt so much. Things that you can’t find on Google (try googling Libya and there’s nothing past pictures of the war). Can’t wait to read more about Taiwan sounds so exotic!