A Different Travel Guide

Travel is easily one of our most favorite topics around here and travel related trappings is a weakness we don't want to overcome.  We like collecting travel books and guides of places we've been to and those that are still on our list. Hence my fascination with this different kind of travel guide. 

A stimulating paper bound project that is not specific to any place but is rather "situated somewhere in the middle," says Stockholm designer Magda Lipka Falck. She describes it as  "a travel guide that will hopefully lead you to places you have never seen before—though you may visit them every day. A place you have forgotten, a place you have never searched for or a place that does not exist."

What I love most in the guide is this set of small cards that you can use whenever, wherever you may be as long as your object is to get to know the place and experience it like a local. 

60 cards that can change your views on places both old and new to you and is such a refreshing take on travel guides. This is definitely something worth trying on our next destination. I just don't know what the impact of travelling with a toddler would be. We shall see.  

Anywhere Travel Guide is available via The Occasional Traveller. 

How To Have Fun In Taiwan With A Wee One

Taiwan is the most underrated tourist destination in Asia. I long had this notion that there is nothing much to see and that if you've seen Hong Kong, Singapore, and Shanghai, there's no point in visiting. I was wrong and was pleasantly surprised to find out that there is so much more to it than meets the eye. 

It's clean and the people are so warm. There are lots of attractions and public transport is so efficient. And the food.. I cannot even begin to put into words how much I enjoyed the food there. You see, I'm not much of a foodie but I love eating street food. Let's just say Taiwan is street food haven. 

We were in Taipei for 4 full days and yet we still had places we wanted to see but didn't have much time. Did I mention, it's very much child-friendly too?

Here's a rough guide I made on how to enjoy Taiwan with a wee one.

1. In travelling, no matter how long or short the commute, always be prepared. Pack snacks, books, and small entertaining toys to keep the toddler buckled up. 

2. Use the public transport. The glee you see on the face of your child each time you hop on the train and the bus is priceless.

3. Get a comfortable hotel. There are a lot of good reasonable hotels in Taipei and around.

4. The street food is a must try. Taiwan is known for 'little eats' and you will find these in night markets that abound all over the city.

5. Must have tea. Go up Jiufen and soak up on a cup or two of tea.

6. Stop and smell the roses. There are art works and installations scattered all over. Take time to appreciate.

7. Go up Taipei 101. This skycraper is quite an experience. If your wee one is below 115cm, he/she gets in for free.

8. Take the train to the zoo. It took us just around 15mins to get to the zoo from where we were staying. Look around and say hi to the giant pandas, the highlight of our trip.

So go have fun in Taiwan and don't forget to bring you wee ones!

Happy Weekend!

I try to be as efficient as I can when packing especially with Le Misch coming along. I hate over packing but sometimes it's inevitable with her around. 

What are your plans this weekend? 

Happy Long Weekend!

Another long weekend for us and this time, Le Misch and I are spending it at my hometown. It's her second Halloween but sadly I don't think we'll be doing some trick or treating. The little girl is under the weather- AGAIN. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she's well enough to walk down the aisle and complete her tasks as a flower girl at a good friend's wedding tonight.

Whenever we travel I prepare a special airplane loot for her. Nothing fancy. Just some toys she hasn't seen in a long time, some books, crayons, puzzles, and snacks. Everything travel size.

 The essentials- twistable crayons, coloring book, a little doll from Ginger Snaps, Teddy Grahams

 And my best find from National Bookstore along with the crayons and the coloring book, is this set of paper coins. It was a hit! She has a strange obsession with coins.

 We haven't even boarded and the loot is slowly depleting. You see, Le Misch is one kid that has to be constantly entertained. There is no idle time with her. She has to be tinkering with something, anything, at any given time. 

She is indeed her mother's daughter.

Enjoy every second of your long weekend lovelies!