Taichung, Taiwan: Lavender Cottage (薰衣草森林)

Keep an eye out for the teddy bears at the Lavender Cottage!

One of my favorite colors, one my favorite scents, and one of my favorite flowers all coincidentally share the same word: lavender. Growing up, I have always loved the color purple, in all shades and tints. Specifically, something about the light, more blue-toned lavender hue makes me feel serene, perhaps because I associate it with the scent of lavender flowers. Floral and sweet in fragrance, lavenders invoke images of cleanliness, of tranquility, and of subtle sensuality. It comes as no surprise then, that one of my favorite places to visit in Taiwan just so happens to be the Lavender Cottage in XinShe, Taichung.

XinShe Castle (新社古堡) in Taichung, Taiwan

"She paused in the middle of the cobblestone bridge, a contemplative expression brewing in her eyes. Overhead, heavy gray clouds hung in the sky and gathered into murky masses between the peaks of lush, green mountain hills. The fog seemed to encircle the castle grounds, looming eerily in the distance like ghosts waiting for purpose. As the rain gradually lightened up, no longer pelting angrily against the cold stone paths, she found the clarity to appreciate her surroundings. If she closed her eyes and let her mind drift, she could imagine herself in a different time and a different place, years and years past, miles and miles away."

Taichung, Taiwan: Elephant Steak House

Location: 大象牛排 (Elephant Steak)

The Elephant Steak House is a relatively new establishment in Taichung. With large, floor-to-ceiling windows supplemented by modern, red-accented decor, the space feels very open and accommodating. Plus, one isn't obligated to order a main dish at the restaurant – one can simply make a beeline straight for the buffet in the back. At the buffet, there are different stations ranging from fresh sushi to delicious squares of chiffon cake.

I decided to try one of the a la carte dishes on the menu, as well as select food from the buffet.

Taichung, Taiwan: Feng Jia in the Day

It's been a while since I've posted, but here I am, continuing my Taiwan summer escapades with a short post on Feng Jia in the daytime. Despite the daylight, the market was already bustling with a good crowd of hungry people.

Instead of wandering without a plan, I knew exactly what I wanted to eat. Prior to leaving for Taiwan this past summer, I had done some research on current night market foods in Feng Jia. One of the items that popped up was 大腸包小腸, which is similar to a hot dog, except that the bread bun is replaced with a sticky rice bun and the hot dog is replaced with a sweet, garlicky Chinese sausage. Frankly, I am not completely sure what other toppings are thrown in there (I believe there's pickled cabbage), but all I know is I'd much rather have this than an American hot dog.

Polaroid Photo Project: Taichung, Taiwan Edition

The first day after I landed in Taiwan over the summer, I took a few Polaroids to commemorate my first time being there in three years. My personal favorite is definitely the LINE plush dolls at the very top; I was tempted to buy all of them and lug them home!

A Must-Experience Biking Route: Sun Moon Lake (日月潭, Ri Yue Tan)

At number 5 on CNN’s list of 10 best “Cycling routes that’ll take your breath away” (http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/play/10-best-cycling-routes-world-902676) is Taiwan’s Sun Moon Lake (日月潭), a scenic route encompassing the perimeter of a peaceful expanse of turquoise water. My family and I visited the site late in the summer when the air was heavy and humid from monsoon season, smothering the tiny island in a layer of sweltering stickiness. Dressed aptly for the weather—but rather ineptly for the sport of the day—I mounted my chrome-colored rental bike on a sunny afternoon, wobbling slightly from lack of practice. Using scenic appreciation as an excuse for my slow speed, I lagged behind my relatives for a good quarter of a mile. However, the more I biked, the more relaxed I became as I cruised along the lakeside paths.