Page 3 – Magazine about life hacks

Eleanor FisherAugust 11, 2019August 11, 2019No comment

Maria and Katerina, It’s all trip to me – Lonely Planet’s travel blog

Maria and Katerina exploring their home city of Athens © It’s all trip to me

While the life of a full-time traveller may seem like an idyllic existence, it’s not for everyone. Ties to home – from family responsibilities to a budding career – might keep us from committing to a nomadic way of living, but it certainly doesn’t mean travel is off the table.

We caught up with Pathfinders Maria and Katerina from It’s all trip to me to talk upcoming adventures, all things travel blogging and how to fit your trips around a nine-to-five.

Give us the low down on your blog…

Myself and photographer Katerina both love to travel and have always been very fond of consulting travel blogs to plan our trips. To us, a travel blog always seemed like a brilliant way to record our travel memories and help others create their own at the same time. So we combined our passions for writing and photography and here we are now, hoping to inspire people with full-time jobs like ourselves to travel more and see the world one trip at a time.

Describe your travel style in three words…

Immersive, budget-splurge-balanced, short-term.

Top three places you’ve visited?

That’s a really hard one but we’ll give it a shot. Tuscany in Italy, the Nile Valley in Egypt and London in the UK.

What destinations are on your 2019 bucket list?

We’ve already planned two separate trips to Poland (Warsaw and Krakow) as well as a trip to Istanbul, Turkey. We’ve just started planning our big 2019 trip: two weeks exploring the regions of Puglia and Basilicata in Southern Italy. A couple of short trips to London and Romania are also on the table as well as at least two Greek Islands in the summer. And towards the end of 2019 we are planning our first ever trip to Southeast Asia, specifically Thailand. It’s going to be an amazing year of travel magic!

A lot of travel bloggers quit their jobs to hit the road; you do things a bit differently. How do you fit your travels around your nine-to-five?

Who wouldn’t want to travel the world full-time? However, we can’t afford to do so – at least not at the moment. But we wouldn’t let our day jobs hinder neither our passion for travel nor our desire to blog about it. We make sure we spend all our vacation time (25 days per year), public holidays and as many weekends as possible travelling. We plan a two-week trip to someplace new once a year and a 10-day island vacation every August to recharge our batteries. Those aside, we also go on shorter trips either abroad or in Greece (where we’re based) throughout the year.

Andros in Greece is one of Maria and Katerina's top choices for an island escape

What advice would you give someone who thinks they don’t have enough time to travel?

There is always time to travel! It all comes down to setting priorities and planning ahead. First of all, it’s important to save vacation time for travel. We know that sometimes life gets in the way and we may be tempted to use our vacation time to tend to unfinished business or simply stay at home and rest. We feel that vacation time is hard-earned and should be reserved for travel.

Secondly, when travelling on a tight schedule it’s very important to have pre-planned itineraries so as not to waste any valuable time during the trip itself. Lonely Planet guidebooks and travel blogs packed with tips and info are the best sources of inspiration and valuable tools for people with limited travel time.

And last but not least, travel requires adjusting to a new mentality and seeing things from a different perspective. It doesn’t have to take loads of money or time to travel. Start by playing tourist in your own hometown and discover all its hidden gems, the way we do in Athens. Then go on and plan weekend breaks or three-day getaways. Soon you will realise that you actually have time to plan that longer trip you always dreamt of.

Why do you love travel blogging?

Through travel blogging we’ve learnt more about ourselves and discovered skills we never knew we had, which are constantly developing. Our favourite part of travel blogging though, is that it offers us many opportunities to meet like-minded people from all over the world. No gift is greater than having friends across the globe!

If you’re a member of our Pathfinders community and would like to share your story, drop us an email at pathfinders@lonelyplanet.com and tell us what exciting things you’re up to on your blog.

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Travel

Eleanor FisherAugust 1, 2019August 1, 2019No comment

Cancun Airport Transportation: How To Get From Cancun to Playa del Carmen

The beach town of Playa del Carmen is one of the most popular places to visit in Mexico. Located in the region known as the Riviera Maya and right on the Caribbean, it’s home to plenty of white sandy beaches and turquoise waters. Thankfully it’s very easy to get from Cancun to Playa del Carmen, making this beachfront destination very accessible.

The Cancun International Airport is a major hub, with tons of options for direct flights. You can fly directly here from all over North and South America and some places in Europe. It’s a super convenient place to travel to and also very close to Playa del Carmen, which is just 68 km (42 miles) down the road.

Best of all, Cancun airport transportation runs like a well-oiled machine. It’s very easy to get from the Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen — and all of the resorts in between.

I’ve made the trip from Cancun to Playa del Carmen a few times now and can speak from experience that it’s a breeze. Before you know it, you’ll be kicking back and relaxing with a margarita in your hand. As a matter of fact, you can even grab one of those as soon as you get out of the airport. Viva Mexico!

In this detailed guide to Cancun airport transportation, I’ll go over all the best options to help you get down to Playa del Carmen so you can enjoy all that the town has to offer. From exploring nearby Mayan ruins, to chilling out at beach clubs, to snorkeling in cenotes, there are plenty of awesome things to do in Playa del Carmen once you get there.

Cancun Airport Transportation Info

You’ve just landed in Cancun and you’re headed to Playa del Carmen. What are the transport options? As it turns out, you’ve got quite a few choices for how to get from Cancun to Playa del Carmen.

First of all, I should mention that the Cancun International Airport is actually south of Cancun proper. It’s located in between Cancun and Playa del Carmen, so you don’t even have to go to Cancun if it’s not on your itinerary. You can just head straight from the airport to Playa del Carmen, which usually takes around an hour.

Before we get into the details of each option, let me tell you what NOT to do.

Under no circumstances should you accept a ride from a random person in the arrivals hall. They are not legit taxi drivers and they will at the very least rip you off.

To be honest, I wouldn’t even bother with taxis at all. Sure, you can definitely get a taxi from Cancun to Playa del Carmen. It’s just really expensive and will most certainly involve some haggling. In my humble opinion, it’s best to just forget about taxis altogether for this trip.

Now that you know to avoid taxis, let’s get on with the Cancun airport transportation guide.

Here are your best options on getting from Cancun to Playa del Carmen, including info on prices and times.

Cancun to Playa del Carmen By Private Transfer

The first option on our list is a private transfer. This is the best for those who want to get from Cancun to Playa del Carmen as quickly, safely and comfortably as possible.

The price of a private transfer depends on the type of vehicle and the number of people in your group.

The cheapest option is a Toyota Hiace van or a similar vehicle. For 1-3 people, the cost is $60 one way or $110 round trip. The price for 4-6 people is $70 one way, or $120 round trip, and for 7-9 people it costs $85 one way or $135 round trip.

As you can see, this is actually a great deal, especially if you have a big group. Buying a round trip private transfer with a group of 7 ends up costing even less than the local ADO bus! If you’re flying solo, it’ll be more expensive for you, but if you want to get to the beach ASAP, it’s still a good option.

You also have the option of booking a luxury vehicle (Suburban or similar) for your private transfer. These fit 1-6 people and cost $99 one way or $175 round trip. For the same price, you could also get a 16-seat Sprinter van if you have a really big group.

If you really want to splash out on your trip from Cancun to Playa del Carmen, it’s even possible to book a limo. The Chrysler is $299 one way or $525 round trip and fits up to 11 people. The upgraded Suburban holds 14 and costs $375/$599. If you’re here for a special occasion, this may be the way to go!

SEE PRICES & DEALS FOR PRIVATE TRANSFER

I should note that these prices are only available when you book online in advance. To book your trip, click here to check out the various options I described above.

When you factor in the cost of getting from the bus station in Playa del Carmen to your accommodation, a private transfer really is a great deal, especially for a group. Even if it costs a little more, it’s worth a few bucks to not have to deal with those con artist cab drivers that hang around the bus station.

Cancun To Playa del Carmen By Bus

The main company running this route is ADO, and they also travel to several other destinations in Mexico.

There are now four terminals in the Cancun airport. They only use Terminal 1 for charter flights, and most international travelers arrive at either Terminal 3 or the shiny new Terminal 4. You can catch the ADO bus headed to Playa del Carmen at all of them except for T1.

The ADO bus runs from Cancun to Playa del Carmen every 20-30 minutes from 8AM until around midnight. There are also two different buses in the middle of the night if you have a late arrival. You can check their website to find exact times here.

You can buy tickets for the ADO bus inside the airport right after you go through immigration and customs. They have a stand near where all the rental car companies and tour operators are set up. Alternatively, you can just get yourself out to the bus stop and grab a ticket from the stand there.

A one-way ticket from Cancun to Playa del Carmen on the ADO bus costs 208 pesos (about $11) as of June 2019. You can pay in cash with either USD or pesos, but you won’t get a great exchange rate if paying in dollars. Most of the stands also accept cards unless their machine is down.

The ADO buses are usually very punctual, but sometimes traffic causes delays. Unless you arrive in Cancun at 4AM, you should never have to wait too long for a bus. Both international terminals have a little bar near the bus station where you can sit down and grab a snack and a drink while you wait.

One thing to consider if you choose to take the bus is that you might also need transportation to your hotel from the bus station in Playa. The taxi drivers that wait outside the bus station there charge some ridiculous rates to tourists, so just be prepared. It’s honestly worth it to walk a few blocks and just hail a cab on the road unless you have a ton of luggage.

There are plenty of excellent Playa del Carmen hotels that are located within a few blocks of the ADO station. Be sure to check the location of yours before choosing how you’ll get from Cancun to Playa del Carmen.

Cancun to Playa del Carmen By Rental Car

If you like having your own wheels, there are plenty of rental car companies at the Cancun airport. Rental cars in Mexico are very affordable and allow you to be in control of your trip.

Renting a car is a great option for those who plan to take a lot of day trips from Playa del Carmen. Within a few hours of the city, you can visit ruins, cenotes, adventure parks, colonial towns, and so much more. Sitting around waiting on buses or haggling with cab drivers can take up a lot of time and effort. It’s so much easier to just jump in the car and go.

First of all, you’re probably wondering if it’s safe to drive in this part of Mexico. While it’s definitely true that there are some parts of Mexico you probably don’t want to be driving in, the Riviera Maya isn’t one of them. This area is very heavily policed and is generally a safe place to travel around.

As long as you stick to main roads and drive mostly during the day, you should be just fine driving here. Just make sure you always roll up the windows, lock the doors, and don’t leave valuables in plain sight when the car is parked.

The drive from Cancun to Playa del Carmen is a straight shot down Highway 307 and is quite easy. Your accommodation in Playa del Carmen may include free parking, but if it doesn’t there are plenty of places to park in town.

Of course, you always have to worry about insurance, and in Goats On The Road’s experience, they had to pay a mandatory fee/insurance when they rented a car for a month in Manzanillo — which really added to the rental cost.

Some rentals include liability insurance but many of them don’t. You’ll need to be sure to read the fine print of the agreement to see what is and isn’t covered. If you decline the insurance, you’ll have to put a large hold on a credit card.

Whatever you decide to do with insurance, be sure you check the car carefully for any dents and scratches. Take pictures if you spot anything and be sure the company marks them down. The last thing you want is to be charged for something you didn’t even do.

Almost all rental cars in Mexico are automatic. They drive on the right side of the road here, so it’ll be familiar for those from the US and Canada. One thing that may shock you here is the driving style, as some seem to think they’re racecar drivers on the highway from Cancun to Playa del Carmen.

One thing to be aware of when driving in this part of Mexico is the gas scam. You don’t fill up your own tank here, but rather have workers at the gas station do it. Unfortunately, many of them try to take advantage of tourists by not starting the meter from zero or by swapping out larger bills for smaller ones. Just be very alert when filling up the tank so you don’t get conned.

Another thing to take into consideration is the extra cost you’ll incur from tolls and parking. If you plan to travel to places like Tulum and Chichen Itza, you’ll definitely end up spending some extra money on both of these. Be sure to keep cash (Mexican pesos, not USD) on you for these expenses.

Transportation From Playa del Carmen to Cancun Airport

Sadly, all vacations come to an end at some point. When you have to get back to the Cancun airport, you can use the same options I listed above.

Playa del Carmen to Cancun by Private Transfer

If you’re going to go this route, you might as well buy a round trip ticket in advance. As I mentioned earlier, you get a pretty good discount when buying round trip tickets from Cancun to Playa del Carmen. Or, if you didn’t purchase a private transfer on your way to PdC, but you want one on the way out, you can just purchase a one-way ticket.

The only reason I would say not to buy a round trip ticket is if you have an open-ended trip and you’re not exactly sure of your departure date.

Or perhaps you’re planning on moving around and not coming and going from the same place. Many people like to visit other towns like Tulum or Valladolid when traveling in this part of Mexico, which I highly recommend if you have the time!

Playa del Carmen to Cancun by Bus

Just as it is when traveling from the airport to town, the ADO bus has a few options in the middle of the night. It starts running regularly at 7AM with buses leaving every 20-30 minutes.

On the way out of town, you can catch the bus at either the main tourist terminal near 5th Avenue or the other one on 20th. Buses leave from the first one and make a quick stop at the other. Just choose whichever one is closest to your hotel.

There’s no discount for buying round trip tickets on the ADO bus, so you might as well just buy a one way in both directions. You don’t even need to buy the ticket in advance as buses run so frequently. Just show up at the station and get on the next bus.

Be sure to leave nice and early, though, as you never know what traffic is going to be like on the way to the airport. The ADO bus stops at Terminal 4 first and then goes to T3 and T2, so take that into consideration.

Renting a Car

If you rented a car for your trip, you’ll want to be sure to head back to the airport nice and early. You’ll have to return the car and make sure there are no surprises with your bill before flying out.

Personally, I’ve never rented a car in Mexico (but, Goats On The Road, Nick and Dariece have). I just don’t find it necessary since public transportation is so good here.

That being said, I’ve had several friends rent a car from the Cancun airport to explore the Riviera Maya, and none of them have had any problems with false charges or anything like that. Just make sure you go over the car with the company to ensure there are no damages that you’re responsible for.

Conclusion

How you choose to travel between Cancun and Playa del Carmen all depends on your group and preferences. Do you want to get to your accommodation as soon as possible? Do you want a more comfortable ride? Are you travelling on a strict budget? The type of transport you choose will depend on your personal circumstances.

A private transfer is the best option if you’re on a shorter vacation and want to maximize your time in Mexico. It’s also a great option for those who aren’t on a tight budget, want door-to-door service or are in a group. The bigger your group, the better deal you’ll get.

It might even work out to be about the same price as the bus depending on how many people you have. It’s also nice having the peace of mind that someone will be waiting for you as opposed to the other way around.

Plus, if you’re staying at a resort that’s actually a 15-20 minute drive from the bus station in Playa del Carmen, you’ll end up spending about the same as you would on a private transfer after you factor in cabs to and from the bus station.

For those traveling in a group, a private transfer is definitely a solid choice.

If you’re a solo traveller on a budget, or if you don’t mind waiting around and sorting out transfers from the bus to your accommodation, then taking the ADO bus is a good option for you.

If you really want to rent a car, you can wait until you get to town and sort it out there. You’ll most likely find a better deal on rental cars on the ground than you would if you booked online. Plus, renting from the airport is always more costly.

I hope this guide helped you figure out your Cancun airport transportation. However you decide to get from Cancun to Playa del Carmen, I hope you have an awesome trip there. Chill out on the beach, stroll along 5th Avenue, feast on street tacos, dance the night away in the clubs, and enjoy your holiday!

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Technology

Eleanor FisherJuly 22, 2019July 22, 2019No comment

Leading 8 Skills Every Fantastic SEO Professional Have To Prosper

SEO professionals originate from a range of histories

Some are designers, some are entrepreneurs, some typical marketers, some journalists, some even utilized to be rappers.

At my company, our SEO group has been winning a lot of job as well as expanding recently so I’ve been investing a lot of time talking to candidates for open functions.

SEO professionals have diverse abilities, however there are a couple of things I seek in every prospect.

This isn’t really an exhaustive listing, and also I’m sure there’s a lot of individuals available who have succeeded without these abilities– but what enjoyable would certainly a checklist be without some conflict?

Right here are the leading 8 skills I look for when working with an SEO.

1. Important Thinking
This is a tough one to determine, however it’s vital for SEO pros to be able to have an analytical mind that’s capable of separating relationship as well as causation.

I want an SEO who can understand the “3 What’s”:.

Exactly what occurred
Why “what happened” took place
Exactly what we need to do concerning it

There are many methods to determine this, however I stop short of asking them to identify the shortest means to go across a bridge with a common flashlight or the traditional lightbulb trouble.

Rather, I’ll provide hypothetical interview questions to assist me recognize their believed procedure.

Some example meeting concerns include: “Assume you and also the client differ on what we need to do. Walk me with that meeting with them as well as your approach to it?”.

Another one is “Account simply emailed a customer’s new web site. They wish to know if we can help their SEO. Exactly what are the first number of things you check out?”.

And also my favorite is: “I need you to open a workplace in Albania. You’re in fee of getting it done. What’s your initial step?”.

There are no best or wrong response to these inquiries, yet they aid me obtain a suggestion of a candidate’s mind and how they assault troubles.

I intend to see that they recognize the problem from numerous angles and utilize information as well as logic in their choice making.

2. Talking & Writing Ability
An SEO specialist that can do their very own keyword research and author material that includes it is incredibly better.

We typically aren’t simply discussing writing write-ups similar to this one or talking at conferences though.

I want an SEO who could encourage internal teams as well as clients to do the ideal thing which originates from talking at meetings as well as composing decks, case studies, POVs, and so on. Every one of those encompass speaking and also creating abilities.

SEO needs not just self-confidence however the capability to boil down complicated concepts as well as ideas down into principles that non-SEO individuals could recognize and make decisions with.

3. Technical & Programming Skills
I’m certain there’s going to be some discussion about this. I’m just as certain there’s tons of SEO pros doing a kickass task right now without any shows knowledge whatsoever.

The reality is, they could be doing much more of a kickass task with some shows understanding.

As SEO professionals we make suggestions concerning web page rate, making, lazy loading, server side redirects, microdata tagging, and basic HTML tags.

All of these conversations go easier if you can speak with the designer and offer insights as opposed to simply needs.

Understanding where the developer is originating from when they push back is amazingly valuable at fixing up distinctions.

Estimating the degree of initiative vs. the SEO influence is additionally vital. I’m not claiming SEO pros have to be able to write code, yet they need to understand the coding effects of the modifications they request for and what that requires for the designers, what the usual mistakes and arguments are, as well as how you can overcome them.

There are literally hundreds of insane technological points that come to be simpler to discover with some fundamental programming expertise, also. Like lazy packing as an example.

Much of the typical plugins will certainly use a srcset quality however not a src characteristic for images– and also Google won’t be able to see those. I know that, because I examined them all and also implemented them all– points I could not have actually done without some programming expertise.

Technical knowledge additionally supplies the ability to make your life easier– whether it’s writing a quick Python script to automagically include hreflang to your XML sitemap or a PHP-based internet form to automatically produce backlinks for you (do not do this.).

4. Social & Drinking Skills
Over the course of my occupation, I’ve made numerous wonderful partnerships and found out a lot just by hanging out at the meeting bars. To do that, nonetheless, you can not be a creep and also you need to be able to agree others.

If you invest your bar time saying concerning national politics you’re mosting likely to miss out. You’ll additionally need to have the ability to hold your alcohol or respectfully decline– as numerous excellent SEO specialists like to drink.

Suggestion: the seminar bar is never the place to search for a brand-new girlfriend/boyfriend but it’s a fantastic area to talk about SEO theory and also tactics.

No one wishes to hear about that a person particular trouble that just applies to your site as well as takes 10 minutes to discuss (unless you’re getting the beverages). However, they will certainly love to find out about brand-new as well as interesting points you’ve seen or done.

5. Analytics Skills
SEO specialists can save a lot of time if they can log into Adobe or Google Analytics and pull their very own data.

A fundamental understanding of service KPIs is additionally required for appropriate SEO technique.

I provide my groups the opportunity to obtain Adobe and Google Analytics licensed because even if they aren’t pulling the data, the understanding aids– but additionally, most of the moment we wind up pulling the data.

If you aren’t able to draw as well as section information, you’re most likely missing out on some insights.

6. Excel Skills
Drawing the data isn’t enough. Often you should manipulate it a little bit to get the insights you need.

I’ve satisfied a great deal of SEO pros that can not do the easiest jobs in Excel.

Vlookups, Concatenates, and also IF statements (amongst actually 473 various other functions– seriously there’s 476 integrated Excel features) must be part of every SEO’s toolset.

Over the course of my occupation, I’ve produced many Excel templates that aid address daily issues.

Whether it’s transforming a Screaming Frog crawl right into an XML sitemap, gauging formula modifications as well as their effect with GA/Adobe data, creating personalized CTR by position curves, or rapidly bucketing search phrases from search console right into brand/non-brand or by product teams, Excel is indispensable.

7. Drive, Motivation & Adaptability
Things I both love as well as dislike about operating in SEO is that it doesn’t simply turn off at 5 p.m.

Marketing isn’t really among those tasks that you leave at the office every night. It remains with you in your brain.

To really be a terrific Las Vegas SEO expert these days you need to have the inner drive that requires you to maintain understanding.

Whether it’s a brand-new programming language, a new structure (WordPress, React, Angular, etc), a brand-new online search engine requirement like Schema or AMP, or understanding machine learning, there’s constantly something to find out.

The candidates that leap to the top of my working with checklist are the ones that have their very own side project sites or that develop their own devices to solve their issues. For example: making use of the web designer devices API to automate information pulling as well as formatting for records. I simply hired that individual.

SEO additionally needs flexibility and thick skin. Our market modifications, and sometimes we have to admit to clients that directory site entries, PageRank sculpting, link disavows, or various other points we when suggested aren’t really the most effective suggestion any longer.

It’s regarding placing the client’s goals initially– occasionally ahead of SEO revenue chances. (I informed you I was mosting likely to start a debate in the tweets leading up to this write-up.).

8. A Sense of Humor
We deal with a lot of ups and downs in the SEO market– as well as often at a fast pace.

It’s vital to often take a step back as well as remember that we aren’t conserving lives, we’re simply doing marketing.

As demanding as the job can be, a lot of it can wait til tomorrow. A sense of humor goes a long way towards making our work a great deal much more delightful and effective.

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Tags: seo companies, seo professionals, seo skills

Travel

Eleanor FisherJune 25, 2019June 25, 2019No comment

Taiwan – Lonely Planet’s travel blog

Louise Bastock, Assistant Editor at Lonely Planet, recently returned from a trip to Taiwan.

Tell us more… When I used to think about Taiwan, the dominant images in my mind would be of its capital city Taipei, specifically the skyscraper-studded skyline against a blue or lilac sunset, or the twinkly Tokyo-esque lights of its streets and lanes. But, beyond this vast metropolis, there is so much more to discover. Blasted up from the ocean by volcanic activity, Taiwan is a fertile ground for breathtaking natural landscapes. With that in mind, I set off for northeastern Taiwan to explore the island’s capital as well as its wild wonders, and expand the image in my mind’s eye of what this tiny island nation has to offer – spoiler alert: a lot!

Taipei's skyline snapped from the top of Elephant Mountain

Good grub? The stand-out superstar of Taipei’s skyline is Taipei 101; formerly the world’s tallest building, it bursts through the high-rises like a futuristic bamboo shoot and was the perfect setting for dinner on our first night. Despite her humble origins, first operating from a Taipei back alley diner in 1977, the owner of Shin Yeh restaurant now commands the 85th floor of Taipei 101, serving up elegant, contemporary creations inspired by traditional Taiwanese home-style cooking.

Chefs making dumplings at Din Tai Fung, Taipei

Though seemingly a far cry from the glamour of Taipei 101, my second favourite meal was, surprisingly, at a shopping mall, beneath the tower itself. Prepare to battle wayward queues and huge crowds of hungry people if you want to eat at Din Tai Fung. This Michelin-starred restaurant (yes, you heard right, a Michelin-starred restaurant in a shopping mall) is famed for its xiǎolóng bāo (steamed pork dumplings), but, in all honesty, absolutely everything they brought to the table was insanely delicious. With windows looking into the kitchen, you can spend hours digesting your dumplings and watching the chefs meticulously craft these bite-sized beauties.

Northeastern Taiwan is a blanket of green forest

Quintessential experience… With so much nature to see – from marble cliff faces to emerald oceans of forest – hiking is a quintessential experience in northeastern Taiwan. Our first taster was the 500-step slog up Elephant Mountain in Taipei – totally worth it to watch the sunset over the city and get my own snaps of the skyline. We also hit the hiking trails that lace through Taroko National Park (roughly a three-hour drive from Taipei). The scenery is wilder here and even though it can get blustery on the peaks, the strong wind does help disperse some of the eggy smell from the region’s sulphuric vents – a small price to pay for hiking around hot spring territory.

Louise's private hot pool at the Gaia Hotel

Any incredible accommodation? Speaking of hot springs: our last night was spent in the stunning Gaia Hotel, where each room came equipped with its own personal hot pool. After a long day of hiking and thigh-busting stair climbing (stairs are synonymous with hiking in Taiwan), it was a dream to be able to flop from bed to bath (grabbing a glass of wine en route) and recline in style in the comfort and privacy of my own room.

Louise jumping off a rock face into water

If you do one thing… don a wetsuit and helmet and give river tracing a go. Known in other parts of the world as canyoning, this activity earns its more poetic moniker in Taiwan; without wishing to geek out too much, the landscapes here could easily have been plucked from the pages of Tolkein’s The Lord of The Rings (Rivendell, eat your heart out).

We spent a whole afternoon wading through the Sa Po Dang river in Hualien, jumping off huge boulders, squeezing through tight crevices and scaling small waterfalls before stopping for tea, snacks and snorkelling around a secluded turquoise pool. It’s a fantastic way to not just view the landscapes from afar, but to get in amongst them and experience them up-close.

Louise eating at huge portion of chocolate ice cream at the Modern Toilet Cafe

Bizarre encounter… From fine dining in spellbinding landmarks, soaking in my private hot spring and revelling in Mother Nature’s gifts, I leave you with Taipei’s epic toilet cafe! Enlisting every faucet – oops, I mean facet – of bathroom decor, the Modern Toilet Restaurant is a veritable playground for anyone with a sense of humour – and, at times, a strong stomach. After excusing myself from the table to use the actual bathroom, I was crying with laughter on my return to find on my delicately chosen chocolate ice cream piled in huge swirls, sprinkled with all manner of brown biscuits goodies, came served in a yellow porcelain squat toilet. If, like me, you think this might just be the best place in the whole world, bag yourself a souvenir from their shop which sells all manner of poop-themed paraphernalia.

Louise Bastock travelled to Taiwan with support from the Taiwan Tourism Bureau and China Airlines. Lonely Planet contributors do not accept freebies in exchange for positive coverage.

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Travel

Eleanor FisherJune 15, 2019No comment

Turn Fantasy Into A Reality

Written by Goats On The Road

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