A Birthday to Remember: Exploring Taiwan!

As I sat by the airplane window, I remember that it had been over ten years since I last traveled internationally, and now, I am finally on my way to Taiwan with my son. A mix of excitement and gratefulness filled my heart. 

It is a privilege to embark on this journey after Taiwan announced visa-free entry for Filipinos. This opportunity made our trip even more special, as we could now experience the country without the hassle of visa applications. More than that, this trip is a gift to myself—my long-awaited adventure on my birthday. This is also my son's first international trip.

As soon as we landed at Taoyuan International Airport, I was captivated by the blend of modern convenience and cultural richness. The efficiency of the airport and its overall vibe impressed me. I scanned the crowd, looking for my sister. She had been living in Taiwan for work for almost 12 years. Stepping outside, we were greeted by the cold air—it was November 2024.

Our first stop was the bustling streets of Ximending where our hotel was located. Neon lights flashed in every direction, and we wandered through the streets took some photos and look for a cafe where we can eat.

The next day, we explored Pingxi district. We visited Shifen Old Street, known for its railway tracks running through the town and its famous sky lanterns. Walking through the lantern-lit streets, I felt like we had stepped into a scene from a movie. We picked a red lantern, and wrote our wishes before releasing it. After that, we visited Shifen Waterfalls, often called the 'Niagara Falls of Taiwan.' For me, it was one of the best waterfalls I have ever seen.

Of course, no trip to Taipei would be complete without experiencing its food. At Ximending night market, we tasted dishes we had never tried before— juicy xiaolongbao, the infamous stinky tofu, sweet potato balls, and bubble tea. We sat in one of benches and enjoyed everything we brought.

 

On our second day, we visited Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and walked around Taipei to see Taipei 101 before having lunch at Ichiran for ramen.

 

 

 

We went on food trips on our last day in Hsinchu City.

As our trip came to an end, I reflected on our journey. Taiwan had welcomed us with open arms, offering us unforgettable sights, incredible food, and warm-hearted people. We had navigated the metro, and embraced every new experience with an open heart. It was great that my sister was with us during our trip. Even though she was not used to commuting in the city, she can speak broken Mandarin whenever we need directions.

As we boarded our flight home, I smiled to myself. This was only the beginning. I had rekindled my love for international travel, and I knew I wouldn’t wait another ten years before my next adventure with my son, or family.

What They Didn't Tell You About Roty Peaks Ridge Camp

The main challenge is getting to the camp. If you don’t have a car service, the only available transportation is a habal-habal (motorcycle). You will also need a habal-habal guide to accompany you on the way up. It is important to contact the dispatcher in advance to book your ride, tour, or stay. They will not allow you to enter the camp unless your habal-habal driver is affiliated with Roty Peaks.

For contact information, it’s best to visit: https://www.rotypeaks.com/getting-here/

For someone like me, who is from neighborhood CDO, I initially assumed that the journey would be easy. Yes, I'm used to the mountainside, as most of my childhood was spent in Bukidnon, near Impasug-ong. However, I never expected the bumpy ride that lasted almost an hour. The road was steep, muddy in some parts, and covered with big rocks. Then there was the unfinished bridge—left incomplete due to political issues in the province, according to the guide. You could easily fall if you don’t hold on tightly.

 

 

I was glad I only had my sling bag and didn’t have to worry about carrying anything else. Thank goodness I decided not to bring my son or my mom on that trip. That was the part vloggers didn’t share online.

Let’s talk about Insta-worthy photos. There’s no doubt that Roty Peaks is one of the most beautiful places I’ve been to. The breathtaking view was a welcome relief after a strenuous ride.

 

 

 

 

I spotted the giant swing and sat there for a few minutes to fully immerse myself in the scenery. It was a great spot overlooking Mt. Kulago. I wandered around, checking out the accommodation huts they offer. Since there’s no restaurant in the camp, you’ll need to bring everything you need if you plan to stay overnight.

 

 

 

Four hours later, I decided to head home, as the rider warned me that it usually starts raining early in the afternoon.

It was a short trip, but I was completely exhausted. I wouldn’t go back until the road conditions improve.

Inked by Tradition: My First Tattoo Experience in Kalinga

My solo trip to Kalinga in November 2023 was one of my most unforgettable travels to date. It wasn’t just about meeting Whang-Od, a celebrated Filipino tattoo artist. She is renowned for her mastery of traditional Kalinga tattooing, known as batok, a technique that uses hand-tapped methods instead of modern tattoo machines. At over 100 years old, she's a cultural icon. Getting inked by her is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It was also a chance to discover another beautiful province in the Cordillera region.

It was a day after my birthday when I traveled to Kalinga. Of course, it was my first time, and my only guide was some YouTube vlogs of people who had been there. The journey started with an 8- to 9-hour bus ride from Manila to Bontoc, Mountain Province. As far as I know, there’s no direct bus from Manila to Kalinga. From Bontoc, it was another 2- to 3-hour jeepney ride to Tinglayan.

The road to the jump-off point is considered one of the most dangerous roads in the Philippines. It twisted through sharp mountain curves, with sheer drops on one side and unstable cliffs on the other. From there, it was another 30-minute motorcycle ride (locally called habal-habal) to Buscalan. Finally, we reached the end of the road, and it was time to trek. You will need to register and hire a local guide before the trek. The hike took about 30 minutes to an hour, depending on your pace, to reach the Butbut tribe village where Apo Whang-Od lives.

 

The scorching heat of noontime greeted me when I arrived but it didn't stop me from my anticipation of seeing Whang Od. 

After I settled and had my lunch, the tattooing session began as I chose another traditional design. This time, it was done by one of the tattoo artists in the village. I was fortunate that Whang-Od was also tattooing that day, so I lined up to get the three dots, her signature tattoo.

 

The tattooing process was both painful and mesmerizing. She tapped the ink into my skin using the same thorn and bamboo stick from the previous session. Each tap seemed to echo with the rhythm of the mountains. The pain was sharp and bloody, but I didn’t mind at all, understanding that her vision had already deteriorated at her age. Afterward, I felt deeply connected to the ancient art and the culture it represents.

 

The trek back to the jump-off point the next morning felt longer than before. However, it was still enjoyable as the morning mist blanketed the beautiful mountains. While on the habal-habal, as the driver was slowing down, we were suddenly surprised by dogs that ran toward us. I tried to lift my legs, but I didn’t notice another dog on the left, and it bit me. I told the driver immediately, and he said he would contact a local healer since there was no clinic or hospital in the area to have my leg checked or administer an anti-rabies shot.

The healer used a small tube to suck the blood above the bite to prevent the rabies from spreading, if any. I knew I needed to go to a hospital quickly, but the problem was that we had to wait for the mini-bus passing through from another town. It took at least three hours before the bus arrived, and it was already full of passengers. I had no option but to sit on the stairs. According to the locals, that was the only trip for the day.

I considered going to Baguio from Bontoc to hopefully get a vaccine there, but by the time I arrived, it was already 7 PM because the bus had many stops in Benguet. I couldn’t find a hospital or clinic in Baguio, so I had dinner and then took a bus back to Manila.

Twenty-three hours later, I received at least ten shots of anti-rabies and anti-tetanus combined. I felt paralyzed afterward but finally relieved.

For me,the journey to Buscalan was more than just about getting a tattoo; it was an experience of immersing myself in breathtaking landscapes, overcoming obstacles, and forging a profound connection with the rich cultural heritage of the Philippines.