Our journey to Taipei for WordCamp Asia 2024 was nothing short of an epic adventure. From the moment we left New Delhi, the excitement was palpable. After a quick layover in Hong Kong, we finally landed in the vibrant city of Taipei, Taiwan. For someone like me, who has a natural talent for getting lost in airports, this trip could have been a disaster if not for my WPMU DEV teammates. Without them, who knows where I might have ended up!
The Great Dress and Suitcase Struggle
Before we even got on the plane, we encountered our first mini-drama—trying to stuff my Indian gown into a suitcase. It was quite a sight. The dress was way too large for any of our bags, and shipping it back to Greece wasn’t an option (the courier fees were outrageous!). So there we were, standing in front of the check-in counters, with Tim wrestling to zip up his suitcase after cramming my dress inside, and Neel sitting on the suitcase to help. It was chaotic but in the most hilarious way possible.
A Stunning Stopover in Hong Kong
As we made our way to Taipei, we had a quick layover in Hong Kong, and let me tell you, the airport was amazing. Even the smoking area was something to behold—a beautiful garden right in the middle of the terminal. It’s not every day you see a tranquil garden where travelers can relax amidst all the hustle and bustle. The rest of the airport was equally impressive, filled with luxury shops, art displays, and modern amenities. It made our layover feel like a mini adventure in itself.
Welcome to Taipei!
When we finally touched down in Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, the city welcomed us with its pristine streets—it’s easily the cleanest place I’ve ever visited.
Thanks to Neel’s foresight, we had pre-ordered SIM cards, making it easy to stay connected throughout our stay. After negotiating a good deal on a minivan (a skill we quickly mastered), we arrived at our hotel just before midday. A quick shower and some unpacking later, we were ready to hit the streets and start exploring.
Savoring Local Flavors and Taipei’s Nightlife
Our first mission after settling in? Finding food! We were starving and stumbled upon a cozy spot offering authentic local cuisine. Most of the names of restaurants etc can’t be found in english so if you’re in Taipei and wanna try this, search for 起家莊雞老闆 養生藥膳桶仔雞. The dishes were absolutely delicious, bursting with flavors that left us wanting more.
That evening, despite our intentions to get some rest, jet lag had other plans. Instead of tossing and turning, we decided to explore Taipei’s nightlife. Luckily for us, there was a charming bar right behind our hotel. Night ‘n Day Bar + Bistro quickly became our go-to spot. The baristas were amazing, always ready with a new cocktail recommendation, and it was the perfect place to unwind and bond with the team.
Productivity and Night Market Extravaganza
The next day, after finally managing to get out of bed, we decided to mix business with pleasure. We had promised ourselves that we’d work for at least four hours during the trip, and we found a perfect coffee spot nearby to get some work done. It was a productive morning, surrounded by the cozy ambiance of a local café. We preferred Dreamers Coffee Roasters and Lay Coffee 蕾芙咖啡.
As the sun began to set, we turned our attention to more exploration. The metro system was another pleasant surprise—fast, efficient, and incredibly easy to navigate, even for first-timers like us. Our evening destination? The buzzing Raohe St Night Market, one of Taipei’s most famous attractions. Located next to the majestic Songshan Ciyou Temple that is dedicated to Matsu the goddess of fishermen and the sea, and patron saint of Taiwan. The market stretches about 500 meters and is filled with life. The vibrant colors, bustling crowds, and energetic atmosphere were contagious.
The food stalls were impossible to resist, offering everything from deep-fried fish cakes and buns filled with pork to tamagoyaki, okonomiyaki, stinky tofu, medicinal herb soup, fried oyster balls, and caramel-coated fruit. With six Michelin-rated stalls, the flavors were out of this world. Even if some dishes didn’t look particularly appealing, the taste more than made up for it.
But Raohe St Night Market wasn’t just about food. We discovered stalls brimming with souvenirs, Taiwanese pinball machines, and rows of gachapon stalls—those addictive capsule toy machines that are impossible to walk past without giving them a spin. The market was alive with games like basketball hoops, bursting balloons with darts, and hoopla, where you can win prizes by tossing rings over toys. It was like a carnival packed into 500 meters, and people couldn’t resist trying their luck at everything.
The Adventure Continues
Our time in Taipei was off to an incredible start, filled with delicious food, late-night adventures, and the perfect mix of work and play. With more team members arriving and WordCamp Asia 2024 just around the corner, the excitement only continued to build. Taipei had already captured our hearts, and we knew there was so much more to discover. Walking back to the hotel to rest.
Stay tuned for more stories from our Taipei adventure—WordCamp Asia 2024 is shaping up to be an unforgettable experience! Coming next Taipei 101 and more…
