✧ Series Note – Taiwanderlust 2019 ✧
A year has passed since my first trip to Taiwan. I’ve grown, but my heart still belongs here. This series is a continuation of a story I wasn’t done telling—a return to the places, flavors, and feelings that made me fall in love with this island in the first place.
Travel Dates: Feb. 14–17, 2019
My third day was pure magic: a day to let loose with childlike wonder, gentle wild animals, and stomach-dropping rides. I’d pre-booked a Klook tour to Leofoo Village Theme Park in Hsinchu County—my first theme park abroad, and what a way to cap the trip!
After a quick breakfast of scallion pancakes from a street vendor, I hustled to Taipei Main Station’s M4 Exit (right by the highway). A cozy minibus whisked our small group away for a breezy 1.5-hour ride. Pulling up to those colorful, fantasy gates felt like stepping into a storybook—think swirling turrets and desert-palace vibes straight out of Aladdin.
🎠 Magic and Mayhem at Leofoo Village
Leofoo Village blends theme-park thrills with a mini safari, and on a weekday in February, it was blissfully uncrowded—no epic lines, just easy joy. Buildings shimmered like Arabian mosques, adding whimsy to the coasters, water slides, and lazy animal enclosures.
The mini zoo stole my heart: white tigers lounging like sun-kissed royalty and monkeys chattering secrets, all looped by a charming mini-train tour (included in the ticket).
- Highlight Reel: Those majestic white tigers—serene yet powerful, their blue eyes piercing through the glass. I could’ve watched for hours.
- Adrenaline Fix: The gravity-defying coasters gave mini rushes without overwhelming crowds.
- Pro Tip: The Klook bundle (~NT$1,500/~$50 USD) covers entry, transport, and the train—book early for pickups from Taipei.
Between belly laughs, splashy rides, and quiet animal gazes, Leofoo wrapped my whirlwind Taiwan tale in the best way. [Insert photo: Me grinning by the tiger enclosure]
✈️ Bittersweet Goodbye from Taoyuan
Dawn came too soon. I hopped the efficient Airport MRT from Taipei Main Station to Taoyuan International (NT$160, 35 mins—English signs everywhere). My 10 AM flight to Manila loomed, but my mind replayed night markets, lantern festivals, misty waterfalls, and those coaster whooshes.
As the plane climbed, Taiwan shrank to a glittering patchwork below—a skyline promising “until next time.”
💭 Why Taiwan Calls Me Back
This island owns a piece of me: vibrant cities pulsing with street food aromas, historical alleys whispering secrets, and theme parks blending the wild and whimsical. You don’t just visit Taiwan—you fall, deeply, repeatedly.
These moments? They’ve enriched my soul, filled my journals, and fueled these stories. I’ll return—for more white tigers, hidden eats, and that familiar pull. Taiwan doesn’t give memories; it gives reasons to come home.
What’s your favorite Taiwan send-off spot? Share below—I read every comment!
