Atta Marie: travel diaries

from Taiwan, with love (part one)

by Nikka Manimbao - 9:06 PM

They say that to travel is to experience many things. Whether it’s diving into a different culture, trying interesting dishes, seeing unique sights, and having a lot of "first-time" moments, it's definitely something you can't stop replaying in your mind.

My older cousin, Shane, and I went to Taiwan on the first week of March. And boy, do I have a lot of stories (and photos) to share. (Hence the title.)

This was my first "big girl" trip - and also my first time flying solo (at least on the way back to MNL).

I was excited but at the same time, quite scared that I might get on the wrong plane, get lost looking for the boarding gate, or worst, get left behind and not be able to fly back home. (Yup, I worry a lot. lol.)

Our flight to Taipei was around 6 A.M.. We arrived at around 8:30 A.M. and rode the airport train. When we got to one of the stations (I believe it was Beimen), I couldn't help but awe at how safe and pretty the stations looked.

We got into our hotel by 10 A.M and since we couldn't check-in early, we left our luggage before heading out to have lunch in a themed restaurant called "Modern Toilet". I guess you'd have an idea of what the place looks like by now.

I had Spicy Korean Chicken and yes, it was served in a urinal looking bowl. Ate Shane had Ham and Cheese then we ordered a chocolate ice cream for sharing.

After lunch, we strolled a bit around Ximending, which is about a five-minute walk from the Green World Hotel we stayed at, before heading back by 2:30 P.M.

If ever someone's interested to check it out: click here! :)

I really liked the hotel we stayed at. It's about a five-minute walk to Ximending and there is also an elevator on the left side of the hotel going to Ximen Metro Mall, which is an underground shopping center connected to the MRT/Taipei Main Station.

It was drizzling on our first day, so we've decided to not follow the itinerary. We were supposed to go to Maokong and then the Taipei Zoo... but we weren't sure if the Gondola would be operating so we went to Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall first.

We ate at Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao after, which was quite near the Memorial Hall. We had Xiao Long Bao (of course!) and dumplings. Then we dropped by Taipei 101, which is one of the famous buildings in TW.

After taking a few minutes to take photos and admire the building, we went to Raohe Night Market for dinner time. :p

What we got in Raohe Night Market!

I had a list of things to try but I was still full from the XLB we ate earlier so I didn't get to try the Pork Bun.

***

On our second day in TW, we had a scheduled tour to Shifen, Jiufen and Yehliu. We availed this from Klook! We met up with our tourguide, Eva at around 7 A.M. The tour started around 7:30, we grabbed onigiris for breakfast since it’s going to be a big day.

life update muna sa family GC :p

📍 Shifen Old Street + Shifen Waterfall

This was on March 3rd, just in time for the lantern festival in Pingxi! But as early as 9 a.m, there were people already lining up (or "camping") so they could get better view at night.

If you're thinking to go to the festival next time, please do plan ahead, especially with the transpo going back. I think booking a cab would be much pricier since it could get slightly congested.

It was raining so most of the time we took photos, we were already wet. 😆 Glad I brought this jacket on this trip! (Always check the weather!!!)

For the lantern experience, I believe this was around 200NTD. Ate Shane let me choose for the colors and we both wrote on each side. (If this is your first time, I suggest you think of the things you'd want to write beforehand. lol)

What I bought in Shifen:

Lanterns! These are sooooo cute and you've got a lot of "wishes" to choose from. Perfect for pasalubong for your family and best friends! :)

I got one that also lights up when shaken!

Aiyu Lemon Juice - 60NTD

This is... lemon juice with glass jelly!

Peanut Ice Cream!!!! (I’m thinking about it right now… 🤤)

Also, we dropped by the Shifen Waterfall! I mean, LOOK AT THAAAAAT.

📍 Jiufen Old Street

We arrived Jiufen around lunch time and we had an hour to ourselves to grab food, take photos and explore the place. Jiufen is widely known for the famous A-mei teahouse, which inspired the bathhouse in the Ghibli Film, Spirited Away. But this was such an experience, especially if you're looking for the snacks to get. (Though for pasalubongs, they recommend going to the ones in Yehliu.)

Ate Shane and I had our lunch at Jin Shi (Xuan) Tomorrow. (If I’m saying it wrong… pls don’t come at me.) We ordered braised pork and fried tofu, which I really really really liked!!! (I hope there's a restaurant here in the PH that offers the similar fried tofu!!!)

What I got in Jiufen:

Boba mochis! They're literally everywhere though. :p

Nougat crackers! They're good but I recommend going for the pricier ones... We found nougat crackers in coffee, chocolate, strawberry and matcha flavors!! I'm trying to recall which store though.

Souvenir tokens! (These are mostly 100NTD each. Cute to collect!)

📍 Yehliu

Last stop of the Klook Tour... Yehliu Geopark.

It was quite gloomy when we got here, and all of us were wearing raincoats. (And I quote, "Wow. You're so colorful.")

The park is divided into three sections. If you're wondering, the Queen’s Head, Dragon’s Head Rock, and Gorilla Rock are located in Zone 2 (the middle section). There's always a line if you want a close encounter and a chance to take photos with the Queen's Head, so... plan ahead. (Lol.)

The tour ended and we were back at Taipei Main Station around 5:30 P.M. We went back to the hotel to rest for a few minutes before heading out for dinner.

Since we saw it on TikTok, we decided to go to Mo Zhu Ting (墨竹亭) and try the crab roe noodles!

It was really good, but I personally would have preferred if it were spicier. Nevertheless, we had a nice meal!

Aaaaand that sums up the first 48 hours of our Taiwan trip. See you on the Part two!

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thoughts and petals

by Nikka Manimbao - 7:51 AM

Last November, I thought that I should come up with a list of things that are "nice to have", “nice to experience" or the moments that I would love. And to give you a hint, one of them was to experience the four seasons of life. Because we live in a tropical country, the only seasons we’re quite familiar with are all-around summertime and typhoon season. I wrote about my fall experience back in 2024 and since the seasons were transitioning, we also had a glimpse of winter, and I loved it so much.

This March, I went to Taiwan with my older cousin, Shane. (I’m still writing about the entire trip as of this moment.) This was my first time visiting the country, and this was also my first time experiencing spring.

I looked forward to it, especially to seeing cherry blossoms in real life.

Aside from the picture-worthy scenery, there's a superstition that says if you can catch a cherry blossom petal, you can make a wish and it will come true. It reminded me of that cute scene from the Korean drama called Lovely Runner.

Movies and dramas always make it seem so romantic. Most scenes would be something like the main characters confessing their love for one another, a proposal or the perfect meet-cute. A hopeless romantic like me devours those kinds of stories.

But guess what? (What?) I understand better now.

It did make me fall in love more. Not with a specific person though, but with life.

Have you ever sat down and looked back at the great moments you had over the past few days, months or years? Have you ever thought about the countless beginnings and realized how lucky you are to be where you are now? Have you ever been in so much feelings that somehow circle back to “Life is so darn beautiful” kind of thoughts? I don't know how else to explain it but that was how I felt.

Whether it was looking at the cherry blossom trees, or strolling around the colorful flowers in a huge field or just being surrounded by the beauty of it... it all felt unreal. So did ticking off the little boxes on my list.

It was beautiful. No, it is beautiful.

To live a life full of color, full of heartwarming moments that I can't stop replaying in my mind.

To be able to get up whenever we fall and to be able to bloom wherever we go.

To be able to feel it all and to find the magic in everything.

To look forward to things that (will) bring you joy.

To live fully, in a different way.

P.S. I caught a petal. We'll see what the future holds.

P.P.S. I made a little playlist for spring.

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From San Francisco, with love

by Nikka Manimbao - 8:42 AM

I really cannot believe that I got to see and experience San Francisco/California at 25.

Now that's a starter.

But to be very honest, most of the happenings in my life this past year weren't some that I expected to happen.

I got a chance to watch some of the artists I loved ever since I was younger (Jonas Brothers and Taylor Swift), I got a chance to explore different countries in one year, I got a chance to "make up" for the time that I lost focus on myself, I got a chance to grow at work and enhance my skills, and the biggest plot twist: we got a chance to visit the U.S.

With that being said, we stayed at my sister's house for about 3 and a half weeks. And spent three days in the beautiful San Francisco. (October 25-27, 2024)

Golden Gate Bridge

It was a really long car ride from our place to SF, so I slept through it and saved my phone battery while on the road.

We got to our airbnb around 8-9 a.m if I'm not mistaken, then went to Pier 39.

We also rode the cruise to see the Golden Gate Bridge and the Alcatraz up close, then rode the big red bus which passed by the famous tourist destinations.

Chinatown!

On our second time riding the big red bus, I had the seat all to myself for about an hour (we were going to take more photos near the Golden Gate Bridge). I had so much thoughts about life in SFO.

I felt happy. It felt “familiar”. I had a feeling that I’d probably be doing the same in the future - sitting on the bus, riding around the city to admire the whole picture and to collect my thoughts and realizations. I visualized/imagined my life if I/we’d live there.

Long story short, I was/am romanticizing SFO (in a good way) and am manifesting to live there.

I am really grateful for the experience, to be here/there. I’m glad a chapter ended, because another one opened and life brought me and my family to the city by the bay (even if it’s just for a quick trip - for now).

And oh, I got mesmerized by the city’s beauty even more when the sun had started to set (we were still around Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf). The music, the busy people, the streets, the lights, the life… it really had me wishing that we could stay for a long time.

2nd day, we went to Six Flags. I think it was in Vallejo… and I had a great time! It was my first time riding an intense rollercoaster and I can say that I’m waaaay braver now. :)

3rd day, we went to the Palace of Fine Arts (really beautiful place!), Lombard Street (we liked it here and we found the roads of SF pretty cool!) and Ghirardelli Square. (sweet! pun intended 😋)

I’ve read a theory that if a city attracts you, it’s because there is something waiting for you and your story has been already written.

^ This is exactly what I felt and thought of during the bus ride I mentioned earlier.

I’ve been to a few other countries and few other cities, I loved every place I’ve been to (and really enjoyed our stay as well) but I’ve never been in SO much feelings and thoughts about the future…

I only felt that in San Francisco. 🌉🌁