Category：Roam
Yakushima to Ibusuki Ferry: Mizuc's Three Most Unforgettable Ocean Voyages
9/30/2026From a circular rainbow wrapping entirely around a ferry in New Zealand's Cook Strait, to intense seasickness on Kuroshio currents off Wushi Port, and a guesthouse host waiting in the chilling rain at Ibusuki Port—three unforgettable maritime memories.
Cheap or Expensive Accommodation for Independent Travel? The Author's Two Unbreakable Rules After Sleeping in Over a Hundred Hotels
9/27/2026Going on an independent trip, should you save money and stay in a few-hundred-dollar cheap hostel, or grit your teeth and spend tens of thousands on a star-rated hotel? The author has slept in all kinds of accommodations at home and abroad, considers himself extremely undemanding about hardware, yet over years of wandering has summed up two absolutely non-negotiable deal-breakers: the yellow talisman behind the door that tries to cover things up, and the anti-human 'bed against the bathroom door' bizarre layout!
The Stroller Barricade on the MRT: Blocking the Aisle While Passionately Debating Where to Send Toddlers to 'Learn Manners'
9/27/2026Inside a Taipei MRT carriage, three young mothers parked three massive strollers squarely across the center aisle, forcing commuters to squeeze past sideways, while passionately debating which expensive institutions to send their one-year-olds to 'learn discipline.' The Wanderer observes this absurd urban theater, reflecting on parental role modeling, public space etiquette, and the satirical irony of modern parenting anxiety.
I Did Not Choose to Be Single: I'm Just Waiting for a Girl Standing in an Autumn Alley
9/27/2026Confronted by persistent inquiries from friends questioning why I remain single and how impossible my romantic standards must be, Mizu Traveler offers a cinematic confession reminiscent of a Hayao Miyazaki storyboard. From white cotton dresses and pastel-yellow straw hats to cobblestone alleys drenched in coffee aromas and towering ancient trees.
Claw Machines and Urban Decay: From Tamsui Old Street to the Machine-Flood Warning Signs of the "Heavenly Kingdom" Shopping Districts
9/27/2026The Tamsui District Office moved to the new town, the old-street bank quietly went dark, and in their place came unmanned claw machine shops flickering with neon. The Wanderer traces the commercial turnover of Tamsui's old town all the way to the claw machine craze flooding Taipei's streets. A deep dive into the "venue owner and machine owner" sublease economics, pointing straight at the serious warnings of rigid rents, shrinking consumption, and the hollowing-out of the physical city hidden behind the unmanned machine sea.
An Otaku Wanders to the End of the World: My Retirement Dream by Lake Tekapo
9/27/2026From the breathtaking turquoise waters of New Zealand's Lake Tekapo to a hermit's life in the mountains of southern France. An otaku wanderer's retirement dream requires only coffee beans, flour, eggs, and an uninterrupted high-speed internet connection.
Flight Delays Are Infuriating, But Please Cool Down: No Captain Delays You on Purpose
9/26/2026A major flight delay abroad is genuinely maddening, but why is yelling and pounding the counter often just a civilized adult-baby losing control? The Wanderer recalls his own 12-hour international layover ordeal, and through a friend's shocking story of a snowstorm grounding in the Tibetan plateau, deeply analyzes the traveler's psychological mechanism under the panic of the unknown. A reminder: a safe landing is the only way home.
Taipei Veterans General Hospital Food Tour (Satirical): A Caregiver's Survival Stroll in Shipai
9/26/2026When my father was hospitalized in a private ward at Taipei Veterans General Hospital for orthopedic surgery, adult siblings took turns staying overnight. While dad ate bland clinical broths, the caregiver switched into survival mode for a culinary safari.
Racing Across East, Central, West, and North in Two Days: A Mountain-Crossing Road Trip Covering Eight Counties
9/26/2026Chronicling a wild 973.9-kilometer, two-day road trip across eight counties in deep autumn 2005 with lifelong friend Chin-lung Lee in my beloved car 'Mizu-Ho'. From a hangover delay and Taipingshan's sudden closure, to gripping single-lane landslides along Central Cross-Island Highway branches and sleeping under starry skies at Fushoushan Farm.
The Long-Unseen Mountain: Reflections on Rhythm and Rapport When Hiking with a First-Time Companion
9/26/2026A few days ago, I walked a long-familiar mountain trail with a friend I'd known for years but had never hiked with. Mizuc talks about why he's always stubborn about his wilderness philosophy of 'never easily hiking with someone I haven't hiked with before,' and analyzes, from the three practical dimensions of starting off, rhythm, and order, how to dissolve the sense of mismatched paces when entering the mountains together, and rediscover the pure rapport between people and the mountains.
Life Notes: Those Days I Lost Myself in the Library
9/26/2026Recalling the astonishment and obsession of encountering a genuine modern library at sixteen. From wolfing down bento boxes in study halls and playing hide-and-seek amid towering labyrinthine bookshelves, to cataloging read lists. Mizu Traveler explores that youth steeped in paper and light, and how it forged a lifelong philosophy of data management and spatial navigation.
Solo Travel Is Never Lonely: Ten Profound Benefits of Wandering Alone
9/11/2026Mizu Traveler shares personal insights from years of roaming the globe solo, shattering the stereotype that traveling alone is lonely, and analyzing ten ultimate benefits that solo travel brings to the soul and life.
A Hilariously Embarrassing Trip Through Snowy Hokkaido: The 'Window Incident' at a Sounkyo Onsen Hotel
3/30/2026At a Sounkyo Onsen hotel in sub-zero Hokkaido, Mizuc opened the room window out of a moment's curiosity—and ended up with a freezing, hilarious disaster when it wouldn't close again.
The Mountain Walker's Stride: Practical Techniques for Hiking Steadily Without Slipping
3/29/2026Hiking is not just a test of stamina but a balancing art of constantly wrestling with gravity. This article covers how to adjust your center of gravity, your stride length, and the 'facing the slope' descent method for steep terrain, so your mountain paths feel steadier and more reassuring.
Japan Travel Food Notes: A Gentle, Cloud-Like Surprise—The Wonderful Pairing of Hotpot and Grated Yam
3/29/2026When enjoying hotpot at a traditional Japanese inn or a high-end restaurant, a plate of cloud-white grated yam often appears on the table. How exactly should this grated yam be eaten? Mixed into rice or added to the soup? This article reveals the authentic way to enjoy this gentle dish.
Turkey Airport Transit Nightmare: Crowds, Line-Cutting, and Bureaucratic Absurdity
3/29/2026Transiting through Turkey should have been a routine European layover, but rapidly escalated into a soul-crushing travel disaster. Documenting passport control chaos, shameless bribery, stampede gate sprints, and bureaucratic torments following a missed flight.
Essential Vietnam Travel Guide: Avoiding Taxi Scams and Road Safety Protocol
3/29/2026Many visitors to Vietnam endure unpleasant rip-offs when hailing taxis on the street. To ensure a smooth, worry-free trip, we've compiled a comprehensive guide to dodging price gouging, recommending Grab ride-hailing and verified reputable fleets like Vinasun and Mai Linh.
I Blocked a Reckless Scooter on a Tamsui Street with My Belly
3/28/2026Returning to Taiwan after traveling abroad always triggers feelings both familiar and uneasy about local road culture. An unexpected evening encounter in Tamsui sparked deep reflections on what went wrong with Taiwan's unspoken consensus born of chaos.
Shishijima, Japan: Cohabiting with Island Cats and Fish Bones on an Isolated Isle
1/29/2026Fleeing peak holiday hotel rates led me to an enigmatic, secluded haven in Kagawa Prefecture, Shikoku: Shishijima. With no stores or restaurants, under thirty residents, a 1,200-year-old camphor tree, and touching encounters with local warmth.
From Meat Buns to Monster Buns: How Food and Software Change Over Time
11/25/2025Back when I was studying in Hsinchu, I used to ride my scooter to buy Black Cat buns. On my round-island trips, I'd pick up Gongzheng buns in Hualien and Donghe meat buns in Taitung. Years later, they no longer amazed me. From the changes in meat buns to the making of software monsters, an observation of how time turns beautiful things bloated.
Tamsui Winter Notes: An Old Dog's Incontinence and the Puzzle-Mat Battle
10/1/2025Tamsui's temperature has always been Taiwan's leading indicator of cold. Facing the old family dog's sleep-incontinence problem since early summer, the Wanderer went through a chestnut-roaster burlap sack, a black plastic bag waterproofing fiasco, and finally a winter purchase of plastic puzzle mats. A humorous essay on caring for an aging furry child and a bit of life philosophy.
Dream of Dongsha: A Summons of Passing, Parting, and the Rebirth of a Soul
5/27/2025A deeply moving chronicle of a dream about my late best friend Little Hsiang. Amidst the lead-gray sea and profound serenity of Dongsha Atoll, exploring the existential meaning behind his parting words: 'I'm heading off to class.' Reflecting on the solitary geography of Dongsha Island, a traveler's lingering devotion, and piecing fragmented memories into an eternal vigil through the written word.
Rethinking Trump's Chinese Name: The Real-Estate Tycoon's "Chuang-Pu" Option
5/3/2025A playful exploration of the Chinese transliteration of former U.S. President Donald J. Trump. Beyond the cross-strait spoof name "Trump the Nation-Builder," this proposes "Chuang-Pu"—a refined transliteration blending his real-estate background with the luxury feel of construction projects. A linguistic inspiration drawn from new development ads in the old hometown of Tamsui.
My Jinxed Mouth Life: A Life of Cultivation Where Words Come True
5/1/2025A self-deprecating record of a supernatural path of 'prophecy.' From casually predicting lightning striking a tree to sensing a plane crash from afar, how did this 'jinxed mouth' force a passionate traveler to learn that 'silence is golden'? This is a humorous confession about premonitions, coincidences, and the will to survive within a circle of friends.
The Worst Pineapple Recipe: A Family BBQ Where All the Protein Died
4/24/2025Adding pineapple to dishes is a culinary trick, but using it to marinate meat is a disaster. Sharing a family BBQ where black pork and large chicken legs were marinated with pineapple and spices, only for the meat to be broken down by enzymes overnight into a 'shapeless thing,' plus an analysis of the science behind pineapple enzymes and how to use them correctly.
The Ultimate Wandering Gear: Fjällräven's War Correspondent Vest
4/13/2025An intimate breakdown of an eight-year love affair with the Swedish Fjällräven Reporter Lite Vest. Detailing how this multi-pocketed wonder evolved from a cheap counterfeit into an unshakeable obsession with the authentic item. From pens, knives, and firesteels to camera lenses tucked into pockets, discover the mobile basecamp of a wanderer.
One Heart-Stopping Second: How I Nearly Gouged Out My Own Right Eye
4/12/2025A humorous confession of an accidental self-inflicted eye injury while captivated by a midnight livestream. Detailing the bizarre moment a thumb struck my own eyeball while listening to a taxi driver recount extraordinary life tales, followed by nail-care reflections and adolescent Vatican fantasies.
Otsuka Museum of Art in Naruto, Shikoku: A Candid Review of Tech and Derivative Masterpieces
4/1/2025Located in Naruto, Tokushima, the Otsuka Museum of Art is renowned as the world's foremost ceramic board art repository. A critical review covering transit from Tokushima City, high admission fees, and an honest perspective comparing ceramic replicas to original fine art.
Where Lies the Value of Taiwan Tourism? Searching the Earth Without Awakening
10/23/2024Following seismic shifts in incoming visitor demographics, Taiwan's tourism industry confronts a structural chasm. When domestic travel becomes an ironic meme where a week in Japan costs less than two days on the island, soaring room rates and copy-paste attractions drive locals overseas. Mizu Traveler analyzes the lost soul of Taiwan tourism.
Improvised Backpacker Wisdom: Showering and Laundering Clothes Without a Towel
7/1/2024A pragmatic guide to survival hygiene on minimalist travels. When budget hostels weaponize 'eco-friendly' policies to withhold towels and toiletries, learn the art of dual-purpose showering: stomping laundry clean and repurposing clothes to dry off.
Graduating from Three Kingdoms Tactics: A Farewell to Game Studios, Whales, and Broken Fairness
3/15/2023A deep dive into the evolution and decay of the mobile hit 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms: Tactics'. From the starry-eyed passion of Season 1 and strategic peaks of Season 2 to the suffocating rise of commercial studios, pay-to-win whales, and rigged alliance politics.
Turning Your Favorite Sport into a Social Language on Independent Travel
2/1/2023An in-depth answer to a Q&A about favorite sports. Starting from basketball memories of Slam Dunk, shifting to a passion for soccer, the 'king of sports.' A detailed account of an obsession with tennis during student days, the journey of competing against college cup experts, and how to turn tennis into an excellent social tool when traveling in Anglophone countries.
Where Architecture Meets the Soul: My Blueprint for the Perfect Reading and Writing Sanctuary
12/29/2022Envisioning a 25-square-meter standalone cubic pavilion crafted from exposed fair-faced concrete, dedicated to reading and creative writing. Featuring hidden motorized bookshelves, dynamic sky lighting, and floor-to-ceiling glass framing the golden shore.
The Old Hotel by the Station That Refused to Let Me Stay: Heartwarming or Awkward?
12/10/2022Sharing a peculiar experience of finding accommodation in an unfamiliar city. When I walked into an old, era-flavored inn beside the station, the front desk clerk politely declined me with a reason full of 'subtext.' A deep dive into the ambiguous connection between station hotels and local culture, and how a traveler, upon being refused, can gracefully turn and walk away with a mysterious smile.
Late at Night Without Hiking, This Midnight Snack Detonated a Calorie Bomb
2/7/2022A dark humor tragedy about diet discipline versus high-calorie rations. Recounting the late-night hunger mistake of treating professional mountaineering emergency biscuits as a light diet snack, only to suffer an existential breakdown upon discovering nearly 600 kcal on the nutrition label. A self-deprecating reflection on alpine caloric density and weight loss.
Taiwan Round-Island: From Tainan to Tamsui
1/31/2022The final chapter of the round-island trip, recording a warm date and a car-washing mishap in Tainan city. Departing from Tainan, passing through the central coastal highway and getting lost in Miaoli city, finally carrying shrimp crackers as souvenirs over winding mountain roads and the freeway, safely returning to Tamsui—a complete record of this free-spirited summer round-island wandering.
Taiwan Round-Island: From Hualien to Jinlun, Taitung
1/29/2022Day two of the round-island trip, greeting the sunrise at Qixingtan in Hualien. A record of visiting Dahan Institute of Technology, hiking around the scenic Liyu Lake and its trails, then driving south to taste Chishang bento and Donghe meat buns, finally lodging at a Jinlun hot spring hotel in Taitung late at night.
Taiwan Round-Island: From Tamsui to Hualien
1/29/2022One person, one car—setting off on a free summer round-island trip. A record of departing from Tamsui along the North Coast, passing Shimen, Yehliu, and getting lost in Keelung city, finally racing along the Suhua Highway in the dark to arrive at Qixingtan in Hualien for the night—a bedraggled yet profound first day.
Taiwan Round-Island: From Jinlun, Taitung to Gangshan, Kaohsiung
1/29/2022The third day of the round-island trip, setting off from Jinlun Hot Spring and racing along the beautiful Pingtung coastline. A record of running short of cash in Checheng, visiting Eluanbi Lighthouse Park, exploring the mysterious Jiupeng Desert and the hidden gem of Xuhai Prairie, and finally the eventful journey of settling in at a motel in Gangshan, Kaohsiung.
Drama Kings and Gentlemen of the Dog World: Chihuahuas and Golden Retrievers on the Tamsui Riverbank
12/24/2021On the eve of Constitution Day of the Republic of China, a record of animal observation along the Tamsui riverbank. A detailed account of how a barking Chihuahua retreated and froze under my 'Siberian-style indifference,' and the stark contrast brought by four gentle Golden Retrievers. A humorous essay on historical sentiment, everyday passersby, and the 'Freeze!' moment.
The Blond Big Boy Photographing Birds in a South Island Forest, New Zealand
11/16/2021On a secret forest trail in Franz Josef on New Zealand's South Island, a chance encounter with an American boy named Jeff devoted to wildlife photography. Through this quiet woodland meeting, it depicts the shy, pure exchange between an "eco-geek" and a "hiking-geek," and opens the curtain on a later, hilarious adventure.
Syuhai Grassland: A Southern Military Enigma and the Lost Era of Jeep Trails
11/11/2021Venturing into Mudan Township in Pingtung to discover southern Taiwan's enigmatic landscapes. From adolescent fantasies of the restricted Jiupeng Military Base to gripping rides across precipitous cliff trails in local 4WD jeeps. Essential guide to Syuhai Grassland Recreation Area.
Dongyin Island Travel Guide: Lodging Experiences and Backpacking Tips on Taiwan's Northernmost Frontier
9/21/2021In-depth breakdown of travel resources and lodging advice for Dongyin Island in the Matsu archipelago. Sharing local spatial distribution shaped by military history, choosing guesthouses paired with authentic local seafood feasts, and visiting the historic Zhongzhu Gratitude Pavilion to trace Chiang Ching-kuo's legacy. Practical tips on island transport and Blue Tears bioluminescence spotting.
Nationality and Nostalgia: Confessions of a Taiwanese Girl Married in Hokkaido Who Refused Naturalization
8/30/2021A heartwarming tale of bumping into a fellow countrywoman at a Hokkaido hot spring ryokan. Records how a Taiwanese girl married with a child in Japan struggled between cultural ties and patriotism, insisting on retaining her Republic of China citizenship. A humorous reflection on the evils of nationality systems, cross-border marriage predicaments, and getting brought back to earth by the reality of Taiwan's "Farmers' Health Insurance."
Nanao's Hidden Sanctuary: Golden Sunflower Fields Along the Suhua Highway in June
6/4/2021Unveiling a seasonal spectacle in Nanao, Yilan. Looking beyond the famous red bean shaved ice to explore a quiet country lane leading to the beach, where rolling golden sunflower fields sway before the magnificent Snow Mountain range.
Why You Should Never Pack Books for Travel: Hard-Won Truths from a Round-Island Suitcase
2/7/2021Before departure, we romanticize travel evenings spent nestled beside books. Mizu Traveler, who finishes a book every few days, packed two heavy volumes for a round-island expedition. By the journey's end, they had been flipped open for barely a dozen pages on toilet seats. A searing reflection on pack weight versus physical reality.
Youthful Renovations: Archiving the 2005 Home Second-Floor Interior Remodel Plan
10/15/2020A nostalgic look at a handwritten interior renovation checklist from 2005. Detailing trash removal, repainting, and spatial partitioning in my Tamsui family home. Fond memories of heavy bag training, shedding kilograms, and picking up Yvonne after work.
Taitung Luye Gaotai Hot Air Balloons: 4 AM Viewing Strategy and Essential Pro-Tips
8/10/2020In-depth breakdown of viewing secrets for the Taiwan International Balloon Festival. Clear scheduling advice comparing morning versus afternoon sessions, departing at 3 AM to secure prime viewing spots by 5 AM, surface thermal currents, traffic management, and pre-purchasing tickets online.
Nokia 8310: The Last Romance of the 2G Era and Pure Backpacking Days
3/13/2020A nostalgic reflection on the classic Nokia 8310 from the 2G mobile era. Exploring its translucent shell, featherlight compact form factor, and deep adventures during long-term backpacking abroad without Google Maps or online translators.
New Zealand South Island Secret Spot: Glow Worm Dell Blue Glow-Worm Cave, Open 24 Hours
7/26/2019Exploring Glow Worm Dell, a private spot in Hokitika on New Zealand's South Island. Unlike reservation-only commercial caves, this is a free, 24-hour natural valley where a five-minute walk into the mysterious woods reveals a dreamlike wall of blue glow-worm light.
Penghu Qimei Island Guesthouse Pitfall Guide: A Sour Memory of Deposits and Typhoons
4/25/2019Exposing substandard hospitality on Taiwan's offshore islands. A candid account of dealing with a notorious B&B on Qimei Island, Penghu, featuring excessive deposit charges, poor communication, and refusal to refund deposits after a typhoon cancellation.
Where Are You Traveling Tomorrow? Skipping Class Is Easy, Ditching the Wife Is Hard: The Golden Age for the Grand Tour
4/8/2019A profound reflection on how travel autonomy shifts across different life stages. From a spontaneous SMS in student days triggering instant round-island drives, to the reality of being stuck to family and corporate responsibilities. Sharing thoughts on Solo Travel, Taiwan's night market delicacies, and urgent advice: see the world before life's rigid tracks lock you down.
Shattering the 'Traveler' Stereotype: An Old-School Senior Teacher and Seasoned Wanderer
1/8/2019Chronicling an unassuming, old-school senior teacher brimming with adventures who shattered my stereotype of what a 'traveler' looks like. She had visited nearly every country on my dream bucket list, yet lived a simple, unpretentious life.
The Vanished Lunar Calendar and the Lowest Temperature: Political Metaphors in North Coast Life
1/1/2019Observing the inadvertent political tug-of-war in daily life. From a plain white calendar that deliberately removed the 'Chinese Lunar Calendar' and the 'Republic of China Calendar,' to the Tamsui anecdote of a news anchor changing to 'North Coast lowest temperature' due to local pressure. Exploring how ideology intervenes in life, and those absurd yet real fragments of society in a traveler's eyes.
Heading to Ayutthaya: Meeting a Chinese-Speaking Girl on a Bangkok Train
12/22/2018Boarding a slow train from Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Railway Station to the ancient capital of Ayutthaya, in a crowded, cramped carriage, witnessing a panicked girl blurting out Chinese for help because she got off at the wrong stop. A chance encounter and a lingering mystery on a railway in a foreign land.
Provincial Highway 7 Vehicle-Passing Saga: Meeting an Absurd VIOS Bully and a High-Decibel Passenger
11/20/2018A firsthand account of a perilous vehicle pass on the Wuling Farm section of Provincial Highway 7. A detailed record of a mountain-road standoff triggered by a work truck and a VIOS driver who refused to play by the rules. How Mizuc reversed along a cliff edge, faced high-decibel verbal bullying from the passenger seat, and ultimately defused a potential mountain-road conflict with persistence and calm.
Transportation Advice from Nanao Station to the Mysterious Beach: Call a Taxi for a Ride | Yilan Travel Notes
11/18/2018There is a mysterious sandy beach by the sea in Nanao, Yilan. For those who like hiking, after arriving at Nanao Station by Taiwan Railways train, remember to first get the contact info of a local taxi. Otherwise, when you have no energy to come back, the blazing summer sun will bake you dry on the beach.
Taking the Train to Nanao, Yilan: Shaved Ice with Red Beans, Condensed Milk, and Raw Egg at Nanxing Ice Shop
11/18/2018A refreshing chronicle after hiking through Nanao's Mysterious Beach in Yilan. Comparing the rivalry between Jianhua Ice Shop and Nanxing Ice Shop across the highway, and the culinary alchemy when a raw egg yolk freezes into rich shaved ice.
From a Road Trip to "That's a Dramatic Change!": An Engineering-Medicine Student's Romance and Youth Toward Architectural Design
9/9/2018During a road trip in Japan's Kanto region, chatting with fellow passengers about favorite Japanese TV shows, we unanimously voted for "That's a Dramatic Change!" This classic show wasn't just a mealtime favorite—it unexpectedly stirred up the Wanderer's precious memories of cross-department electives in architectural design during grad school, when a professor lent me a whole set of DVDs.
The Subtle Art of Being Unhurried: A Leisurely Life Attitude Against Modern Anxiety
6/7/2018Five authentic vignettes celebrating an unhurried, leisurely philosophy of living. From dozing off at a crowded bus stop in college to napping on riverbed boulders in Datun Mountain, and losing track of time before masterpieces in Tokyo.
Bad Neighbor Chronicles: Dangerous Road Obstacles Created by Shoddy Chunghwa Telecom Roadworks
4/25/2018An exasperated record of long-standing community grievances against shoddy municipal construction and selfish neighborly behavior. Chronicling how a neighbor illegally erected a concrete curb on public asphalt to deflect wastewater, creating dangerous puddles and road hazards. Reflecting on three generations of neighborhood disputes and Chunghwa Telecom's lack of oversight.
McDonald's McDelivery: A Late-Night Delivery Experience of Nearly Starving to Death
3/18/2018A firsthand account of ordering McDonald's McDelivery at two in the morning. From the website's estimated 40 minutes jumping to a desperate 100-minute wait, sharing the mental journey of being unable to cancel the order and watching the status stay frozen. A reflection on the gap between fast-food culture and delivery efficiency, and a cold observation of the business logic behind The Founder.
Observation Diary of a Taiwanese Couple on Bangkok Bus No. 53
2/12/2018February 2018, on Bangkok Bus No. 53, the pair sitting ahead were probably a young couple from Taiwan: the woman propped her feet up on the front platform of the bus, the man wore patterned shorts that looked like boxer briefs, and the woman's traditional outfit had a mysterious big hole in the back—the author's 'public decency patrol' quietly kicked in.
Japan Travel: Solo Yakiniku on the Dark Shores of Yakushima
9/4/2016If the universe had a top-ten list of places single travelers should avoid, Japanese yakiniku restaurants would rank firmly in the top three. After an exhausting full-day alpine trek on Yakushima, stumbling into the only glowing red neon sign on a pitch-black isle.
Slowly Prying Up Coins With Freshly Trimmed Nails at a Convenience Store: The "Zen" After Being Baptized by Japanese Culture
12/28/2015Different cultures shape people of different temperaments. The Wanderer shares a speechless episode at a FamilyMart buying ice cream, when freshly trimmed short nails met a clerk who scattered the change—and how travel teaches us to face life's many faces with a "Zen" attitude.
The Rear-Window Code of Bangkok Taxis: Seven Hilariously 'Overly Wordy' Prohibition Stickers
5/18/2015Riding a yellow taxi in Bangkok, Thailand, the rear window glass was neatly lined with a long row of unusually wordy transparent prohibition stickers. From 'no long guns' and 'no durian,' to the most laugh-out-loud pairing right in the center of 'no R-rated car sex' next to 'no dogs mating.' The author playfully interprets the Thai-style dry humor and rear-seat slice-of-life that Thai drivers display amid traffic jams.
Dorm Story: Bangs and Crashes in the Night—"Freeze! Move and I'll Shoot!"
7/19/2014During grad school I rented a run-down suite in Zhongli for just 1,500 a month. One night past ten, having packed up and about to drive back to my old hometown of Tamsui, a violent crash and a roar suddenly came from behind the house: "Freeze! Move and I'll shoot!" The Wanderer instantly killed the lights, held his breath, and hid in the pitch-black room through a night of police-manhunt terror.
First Group-Date Experience: Only Fools Play Beach Ghost-Catching
7/9/2014A humorous look back at the silly things from a student-era first cross-school co-ed group date. Recording the absurd game after a beach barbecue on the North Coast during the days at Hsinpu Institute of Technology (St. John's University) with girls from Keelung's Chungyu Nursing College. Sharing the laggy, old-computer-like running sensation of playing "ghost" on soft sand, and a heartfelt confession to those innocent years.
Dripping Air Conditioner: The Bad Neighbor on Tamsui Old Street
5/2/2014"All conditioned phenomena are but the convergence of causes and conditions; when conditions arise they arise, when conditions end they return to nothing—nothing more than this." Living on Tamsui's most classic and beautiful Chongjian Street, yet right next door to a bad neighbor who filled up the fire lane and building coverage ratio, with an air conditioner that drips and taps all summer. The author explores the neighborhood plight of the old street, the science of building coverage ratio and floor area ratio, and the EPA's regulations on reporting dripping air conditioners.
IQ and EQ: Random Thoughts on Talent, Effort, and Tests
12/10/2013From a lost experience with a junior high intelligence test to a self-examination after scoring a high IQ of 172 as an adult. Exploring how EQ (emotional intelligence) has been sanctified in modern society, and reflecting on the contradictions between Einstein, genius organizations, and acquired repetitive practice. This is a philosophical reflection on how intellect and character shape destiny.
A New Zealand Bus Stop Encounter: Three Jealous Blonde Girls, Eye Rolls, and Hip Bumps
11/20/2013Recounting a humorous episode at the Franz Josef bus stop in New Zealand. Detailing how three young blonde women abruptly wedged between my conversation with nature-loving Jeff, escalating into a territorial collision of hips and frosty glares. Exploring extreme South Island transit observations and the isolated sanctuary of Whataroa.
Lasagna and Beer on a Silent Night: A One-Man Carrefour 'Creep' Script
9/16/2013A record of a supermarket encounter after a walk along the Tamsui riverbank. A detailed account of the solitary mood felt in a Carrefour store at dawn while carrying a bottle of Australian beer and a microwavable lasagna. From Garfield fantasies and the cashier's 'whale-and-dolphin volunteer' gaze to the self-deconstruction of a Hollywood-style loneliness script, this is a life essay full of the aesthetics of solitude.
A True Story Heard at the Market: Second Grade, Six Days a Week of Cram School
4/10/2013In 2013, at the market entrance, I heard an aunt complain: her grandson, in the second grade of elementary school, had six days a week packed with math, English, taekwondo, soccer, piano, and abacus—and she hadn't seen her grandson in a long time. Hearing this, Mizuc just felt exhausted at heart.
Under 'Team Introduction' on the Keep Walking Application, It Could Only Ever Be This Old Partner
11/30/2012Looking back at a midnight rush to apply for a dream sponsorship program. In the 'Team Introduction' field, a deeply touching tribute to my late best friend Hsieh Tsung-hsiang (Little Hsiang). Chronicling our tacit teamwork on adventures, shared footprints from driving circuits around Taiwan to ascending Yushan, and the irreplaceable mark of a true comrade remaining in a traveler's heart after life-and-death parting.
A Pingtung Countryside Encounter: Wandering, Giant Banyan Trees, and Warm Hakka Flat Rice Noodles
11/5/2012Recounting a spontaneous detour through the countryside lanes of Pingtung. How the glint of an old woman's stainless spatula guided me beneath a massive banyan tree into a pale-blue wooden Hakka diner under the sweltering sun. Reflections on rural architecture, southern Hakka history, and a soul-warming bowl of ban tiao.
At a Car Accident Scene, the One Most Likely to Instantly Explode Isn't You or Me, But That 'Him' Who Has Nothing to Do with It!?
10/22/2012Those who go out into the world always meet a ghost sometime. When a fender-bender happens on the road, who at the scene is most likely to explode on the spot? The offending driver? The hit car owner? Or the passenger seat who isn't even driving? The author deeply analyzes the blind, protective 'passenger-seat warrior' psychology during road collisions.
Christchurch Encounter: Meeting a Taipei Woman in a Midnight Hotel, Apart from Love
10/14/2012Chronicling a profound midnight encounter during a backpacking trip to Christchurch, New Zealand. Describing a stylish Taipei woman radiating French bohemian romance with a glowing cigarette beneath the Southern Cross, juxtaposing urban defense mechanisms with rural sincerity.
Tamsui Dining Landmine: The Heretical Burrito Stuffed with 'Vegetarian Ham'
8/21/2012A humorous dining critique of an unfortunate culinary disaster near Aletheia University in Tamsui. How an elegant bistro devastated taste buds with cloying pumpkin soup, greasy fries, and an atrocious burrito packed with faux vegetarian ham.
Campus Mystery: The Disappearance of New Projectors from the Basement
8/3/2012A friend's whimsical request to find a 'camping-friendly outdoor projector' unexpectedly sparks memories of an enduring campus mystery: the summer an entire shipment of brand-new, unboxed high-end projectors vanished without a trace from the new building's basement.
Jinlun Hot Spring Hotel: A Taitung Journey of Cultivation Through Dampness, Instant Noodles, and a 1960s Bathtub
4/22/2012Looking back on an impromptu round-island trip from my student days. In an era without GPS, I got lost near Jinlun in Taitung and stumbled upon a hot spring hotel full of 'period charm.' A record of the dampness that hit you in the face, a windowless room, and the peculiar experience of soaking in a pure hot spring in a cracked-tile bathtub. This is a traveler's log about stamina and a shift in mindset.
The Crimson of That Year: A Student's First Blood Donation as a Rite of Passage
1/18/2011A candid reflection on stepping into a blood donation center for the very first time as a student. Feigning masculine heroism before nurses, watching crimson blood slowly fill the bag, and discovering an unexpected sense of social responsibility.
Getting Lost in Sanxia Old Street: A Hands-On DIY Indigo Dyeing Adventure
3/25/2008Recounting a spontaneous journey through Sanxia Old Street exploring traditional handmade indigo blue dyeing with Yvonne. From wild botanicals on Datun Mountain to being misled by local police and crashing an elementary school dyeing workshop.
One Year After New Zealand Travel 2008 | A Solo Adventure
2/20/2008Reflections one year after returning to the Republic of China from the Middle-earth of New Zealand. A record of the hero Mizuc striving to level up and learn new skills in daily life, drifting through the big city doing odd jobs, and — upon偶然 opening a dust-covered adventure notebook — recalling the life-changing days of adventure in that mysterious land.
Winter on the Neiganzhai Old Trail: A Clumsy Trial of Swollen Streams and a Pitch-Black Descent
11/26/2007A record of a winter river-tracing challenge full of variables. A detailed account of facing multiple trials on the Neiganzhai Old Trail as winter set in — the river swelling, slipping off a cliff, and a flashlight breaking. Sharing a traveler's awe before the forces of nature in extreme conditions, and that unique experience of steaming in the cold wind — clumsy yet comfortable.
Driving to Caotun, Nantou During Typhoon Krosa: When the Windshield Wipers Died on the Highway
10/4/2007A gritty chronicle of heading to Caotun, Nantou for engineering measurements during Severe Typhoon Krosa. Nostalgic memories of the PDA dial-up era, failed windshield wipers on the freeway, and dodging an airborne stainless steel water tank. Reflections on the raw power of nature and camaraderie.
Neiganzhai Old Trail and Hongye Valley Waterfall: A Record of a Leech Ambush After Heavy Rain
9/21/2007A record of an adventure leading to the hidden Hongye Valley Waterfall in the Datun Mountains of Tamsui. A detailed account of the miserable experience of being attacked by a large swarm of leeches when the water volume was abundant after heavy rain. Sharing observations of the natural ecology around Neigan Great Waterfall, along with transportation and safety advice for visiting this quiet water source.
The Brave Hero and the Princess's Grand Backpacking Quest: New Zealand Working Holiday NZ 2006
2/13/2007A whimsical fantasy RPG-style chronicle of backpacking across Middle-earth (New Zealand) in 2006. Chronicling how the Hero Mizuc and an eccentric band of companions gathered in a mysterious old lodge, embarking on a working holiday saga of wandering, raiding NPC resources (groceries), and battling the Dark Lord's insidious magic (everyday existential lethargy).
Hualien and Taitung 4-Day Round-Island Trip: A Full Record of Food, Lodging, Transport, and Ticket Expenses
8/5/2006A detailed record of the expenses of a four-day Hualien-Taitung trip in 2006, including lodging costs at Wuling Farm, Hongye Hot Spring, and Zhiben Hot Spring, as well as spending on local delicacies such as Chishang bento, Donghe buns, and Guangfu Sugar Factory ice cream, for readers planning a Hualien-Taitung trip.
Hualien and Taitung 4-Day Round-Island Trip: Day 4 Disrupted by Typhoon
8/5/2006The final day of the round-island journey, departing from Zhiben Hot Spring along the scenic coastal route heading north. Savoring the renowned Donghe pork buns, visiting the Coastal Tropic of Cancer Marker and Dahan Institute of Technology in Hualien, and concluding this impromptu typhoon-altered four-day eastern Taiwan wandering amidst the crawling traffic of the Hsuehshan Tunnel.
Hualien and Taitung 4-Day Round-Island Trip: Day 3 Disrupted by Typhoon
8/3/2006Day 3 of the round-island journey: savoring rich fresh milk at Ruisui Ranch, photographing the Tropic of Cancer monument, and climbing into Taimali's Wangyou Valley on Daylily Mountain to capture the golden blossom ocean across the mountain slopes, before torrential storm clouds and approaching typhoon disrupted our circuit plans.
Hualien and Taitung 4-Day Round-Island Trip: Day 2 Disrupted by Typhoon
8/2/2006Day 2 of the round-island road trip: departing from Wuling Farm, crossing Dayuling on Provincial Highway 8, and descending through Taroko National Park into Hualien City. Chronicling early morning alpine vistas, thrilling drives through dense mountain fog at Jinma Tunnel, refreshing desserts in Hualien, and an overnight stay at historic Hongye Hot Spring.
Hualien and Taitung 4-Day Round-Island Trip: Day 1 Disrupted by Typhoon
8/1/2006A spontaneous five-day round-island expedition originating from Tamsui. Day 1 chronicles the road trip from Tamsui to Wuling Farm in Taichung, featuring the first-time drive through the Hsuehshan Tunnel, roadside agricultural charm along Provincial Highway 7, and the alpine natural splendor of Wuling Farm.
Baian Wild Stream Hot Springs: A Pre-Dawn Adventure and Misty Hidden Gem by the North Coast Highway
1/9/2004A firsthand account of a crazy journey setting out at 4 a.m.: four friends rushing into the mountains of Jinshan to seek the mysterious 'Baian Wild Stream Hot Springs.' A record of the thrills of groping through pitch-black mountain trails with only a single flashlight, the wild scene of sharing the springs with 'veteran bathers' at 5 a.m., and a deep appreciation of nature's primal vitality.
Hsinchu Night Drive: Cruising the Western Coastal Highway After Taoyuan Airport Drop-Off and Starry Beers at Xiuluan Hot Springs
1/7/2004A late-night expedition bridging Taoyuan and Hsinchu. Starting from a pre-dawn airport send-off, leisurely cruising along the Western Coastal Highway, to rallying close friends for a midnight dash into Jianshi Township's wild Xiuluan Hot Springs. A chronicle of spirited mountain driving, moonlit reflections, and hot spring camaraderie under the starry sky.
Driving Around Taiwan: Terrifying Memoir of Nearly Crashing on Day One from Drowsy Driving in Yilan
7/19/2003A candid account of a heart-stopping driving scare in Yilan. Details the sheer terror of nearly rear-ending another car due to drowsy driving during my first solo round-island road trip around Taiwan. Reflections on travel insurance pitfalls, and gratitude for coming out unscathed during an unlucky zodiac year.
A Solo Round-Island Trip Around Taiwan: Exploring the Charms of Mountains and Sea
6/30/2003A summer vacation, one person, one car—setting off on a spontaneous, unplanned round-island adventure around Taiwan. A record of the journey from Tamsui through Keelung, Hualien, Taitung, and Pingtung to Tainan, capturing the fun of getting lost, magnificent scenery, and heartwarming reunions with old friends—a wandering log totaling 1,420 kilometers.
Hsinchu Night Drive: From Lost on National Freeway 2 to I. M. Pei's Hsinchu Incinerator
5/27/2003A chronicle of an overnight, sleepless two-day adventure across Hsinchu in 2003. Starting with a rookie highway mishap navigating toward the airport, rushing an all-nighter lab presentation, visiting the nostalgic Green Grass Lake, to late-night stargazing at Lianhua Temple and observing the architectural marvel of the Hsinchu Waste Incineration Plant designed by master I. M. Pei, concluding with a bonfire by Gangnan Beach.
SARS Memories: A Faculty-Free Graduation Banquet and Midnight Sand Digging in Gangnan
5/24/2003A surreal snapshot from the height of the 2003 SARS epidemic: an absurd college graduation banquet where all professors boycotted out of contagion fear. Ravenous students swarming like zombies, a zero-prize raffle, and a midnight beach sand-gathering mission.
Xiuluan Hot Springs in Hsinchu: Midnight Scooter Ride with Friends for Wild Springs and Stargazing
5/23/2003A wildly spontaneous adventure on the eve of graduation. Five classmates rallied at midnight, braving drizzle to blaze on scooters from Hsinchu downtown deep into the rugged mountains of Jianshi Township. A detailed chronicle of exploring a checkpoint school bathroom, stripping down in wild thermal riverbeds, and falling asleep on chilly river boulders beneath a glittering starry sky.
Summer Trek: Attempting to Walk from Hsinchu to Taoyuan Along the West Coast Highway (The Failed Mission)
6/13/2002A candid recap of an unplanned cross-county trek from Hsinchu toward Taoyuan that fell humorously short. Led astray by newly paved roads, circling around the Hsinchu Air Base, and battling scorching summer heat on uphill climbs to Xinfeng.
Freshman Year's First Night: Roosters in Hsinchu Fields and the 'Wanderer's Internet Cafe'
9/23/2001Chronicling tender memories of leaving home in 2001 to study in Hsinchu. Tossing and turning on a bare wooden plank in an empty rental room, strolling field ridges at 4 AM amid crow calls and distant roosters. Seeking shelter before dawn in an internet cafe reading news, sharing quiet solitude with a fellow stranded newcomer.
Tamsui Oddities: A Turtle on the Rooftop That Loved to Jump
6/26/2001A hilarious record of the antics caused by a neighbor's rooftop menagerie in an old Tamsui apartment building. A soft-shelled turtle with a 'jumping delusion,' the drum-like clang of a metal awning, and a turkey that staged a 'jailbreak' on Christmas Eve. A childhood memory full of neighborhood comedy and the regret of misidentifying species.
