SarahVation

Get spirited away in Jiufen

Hello Pals,

I heard that Juifen (九份) was a town to be seen outside of Taipei not on the weekend. As we had set days, we travelled here from Luodong on a Monday.

From 1971 as a mining community, to 1989 as a movie set to then in the 2000s, known as Studio Ghibli inspiration.

Miyazaki himself has denied that Jiufen was the inspiration for Spirited Away, and while I do admit it was cute (lanterns and old towns and views.) I’d probably say it’s just super good marketing. I didn’t love it as much as the reputation precedes and found it too crowded and overhyped. I can admit it’s a quaint little spot in its own way, outside the main street and while I’m glad I saw it, I would not return.

If you would like to know “what to see in Jiufen” click ‘read more’

Taipei; it’s a delight.

Hello Pals,

I went to Taiwan April 23, so i’m (a bit) behind on the updates and I am also really unsure on where the majority of my photos went for this trip? But hey i guessyou get what you get and you don’t get upset!

Taipei is such a beautiful city. It’s easy, full of history, kind people, great food and countless things to do.

If you would like to know what to see in Taipei. click ‘read more’

Before you go: Taiwan.

Hello Pals,

Before heading to any country, it’s best to make sure you’ve got the basics down and making sure you’ve got the essentials like visas and vaccines

🛂 VISA Depending on where you’re from, you may need a visa. For countries who will need a visa, click here	💉 VACCINES Click here to make sure you’ve got the necessary jabs! Australia – myGov has all vaccines avail from ’96.
💬 LANGUAGE Mandarin has been the official language since 1945. Taiwanese Hokkien is considered the local language. You can learn common phrases such as hello, goodbye, please, and thank you by watching a YouTube video here.	💰 CURRENCY New Taiwan Dollar. Code: TWD. Check your exchange here.

Here’s a list of things you should know before you travel to Taiwan.

DUMBO

Hello Pals,

DUMBO is considered one of Brooklyn’s best neighbourhoods. It’s name comes from the acronym for “Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass” and not the 1941 animated film by Walt Disney which is surprising.

There are a few “insta” shots in dumbo that people go there for, but it’s also got so much more than that. I’ve been twice since living in NYC ( nearly 5 months!!)

Before New York State abolished slavery in 1827, DUMBO was home to Brooklyn’s free black community. Brooklyn sits upon the unceded ancestral land of the Lenapehoking people. I honour the generations of displaced and enslaved people who built the country.

If you would like to know “What do to in Dumbo, Brooklyn NYC.” click ‘read more’

Spending a day on Roosevelt Island.

Hello Pals,

It’s full name ‘Franklin D. Roosevelt Island’ is a bit too wordy so tends to be shortened to simply, Roosevelt. It’s held a lot of different names over the years – Minnahannock, Hog, Blackwell and Welfare. By the 1960’s the city and state saw an opportunity to redevelop the island into what it is today.

The island is a 6.5 km / 4.1 m loop, all paved taking around 1 hour and a half. This makes it a perfect half-day trip while in New York!

If you would like to know “How to spend a day on Roosevelt Island” click ‘read more’

The Capitol aka Washington DC.

Hello Pals,

Washington is the Capital of the United States and is a territory surrounded by Maryland and Virginia. Yes, it’s a political city (looking for a man in finance®, 6’5, blue eyes) it’s also home to the Smithsonian, one of the largest collections holding 21 museums and the National Zoo which are FREE (not pay as you wish, not donations (although appreciated) they are free.

I’ve been to Washington DC twice, once in 2022 (just after Covid so masks may still be in photos) and again in 2024 when my cousin visited. It’s simply impossible to see everything so I recommend planning a basic itinerary from the museums, galleries and monuments below. I suggest looking here for a full list of everything.

Washington DC sits upon the unceded ancestral land of the Nacotchtank people. I honour the generations of displaced and enslaved people who built the country.

If you would like to know “What to do in Washington D.C ” click ‘read more’

Before you go: USA.

Hello Pals,

Before you go to any country you should learn some basics but double check those important things such as Visas and Vaccines.

🛂 VISA Depending on where you’re from, you’ll be eligible for the ESTA – Visa Waiver Program which is USD 25. Check eligibility here.	💉 VACCINES Click here to make sure you’ve got the necessary jabs!
💬 LANGUAGE The United States has no official language but English is the most widely used. Spanish, second. You can read an interesting article about the dialects of American accents here.	💰 CURRENCY United States dollar. Code: USD . Check your exchange here. American paper currency comes in seven denominations: $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100.

Here’s a list of things you should know before you travel to the USA.

Day Getaway: Castlemaine

Hiya Pals,

Castlemaine is a slow-paced lovely town in the middle of Mount Alexander Shire. You may hear it’s Victoria’s ‘Northcote’ with a vibrant music and arts scene.

We honour Castlemaine and the traditional lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung People. They are the traditional custodians of this land.

Failing to check the weather, I headed off to Castlemaine on the Vline in jeans and a long-sleeve cotton shirt when it was 30*.

If you would like to know “How to spend a day in Castlemaine” click ‘read more’

Cork + Blarney Castle

Hello Pals,

Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland. It’s known as “the real capita” of Ireland. A mixture of heritage and new. It’s a good location for tourism outside of Dublin as either train or bus connects. Sure, it’s got the notable famous castle of Blarney but also has so much more (the butter museum) (which was closed.)

We spent 2 nights in Cork and managed to fit quite a bit in, even if the aforementioned butter museum was closed (still mad.)

If you would like to know how I spent “two days in Cork.” click ‘read more’

Day Getaway: Bendigo

Hiya Pals,
The rural city of Bendigo is the fourth largest city in Victoria. It has been known as a “city within a forest” being surrounded by lakes, reservoirs, wineries and gardens.

We honour that Bendigo is located on the traditional lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung and the Taungurung Peoples of the Kulin Nation. They are the traditional custodians of this land.

Country Victoria has so many cities worth visiting, it just depends on what you’re after in a weekend away!

If you would like to know “How to spend a weekend in Bendigo” click ‘read more’