All along, I thought I had only spent more or less P10,000.00 for my July 21 to 24 Taiwan trip. Behold, let's reveal the accurate computation cost on this blog episode. 

I tried my best to remember some of my expenses during this trip and I just estimated some of the amount or prices. Below is the list of my expenses:

I also used Google Sheets to present my expenses hoping it would present clarity. 

I think I went over my budget on this trip. Hopefully, next time I'll be able to spend less on my next trip.

Please use my Trip.com and Klook code if need to purchase anything on these travel apps. I hope this information is helpful if you are planning a trip to Taiwan. 

Do you think I spent a reasonable for this trip or not? 

Let me know what you think. 

Last night of my trip in Taiwan, and I got to witness the night market of Ximending. There were street performers who captivated both locals and foreign tourists. I stayed for a while watching the performers from the beginning of their performance, but I wasn't able to finish recording it since the camera had lost its power. I also couldn't stay late, and I had to sleep early for my return flight the next day. I think I also bought some food souvenirs that night. 

I decided to have my breakfast at the airport, and the Burger King food stall caught my attention because of their Naruto meal specialty. Unfortunately, I did't get the Naruto meal, because it was a little pricey for one meal for me, it was 300 plus Taiwanese dollars, so it would cost me 600 plus Philippine pesos. Instead, I got their regular meal, probably it was 189 Taiwanese dollars or 378 Philippine pesos. 

My tummy was happy and moved on to the boarding and waited for my flight. 

With less than two hours, I got back to the Philippines and it was still raining. I left raining and returned raining, just like Philippines, I guess. 

It was a tiring Taiwan trip, but it was all worth it. Just like I said before, I would love to visit Taiwan again if I get the chance, hopefully for a trip and not just for a layover. 

It's my Day 2 in Taiwan, y'all!

From Ximen, it was a two-hour ride to Tamsui, and that was a long travel time, but the good thing the view from the train car was something I enjoyed. Along with my unexpected travel buddies, Jewel and Sheila, we got to take some pictures inside the train.

We hadn't had our breakfast, so upon reaching Tamsui, the first thing we did was to check out some food stalls and convenience stores near the train station.

After the train ride, we needed to ride a bus for an hour, I think, to reach Yehli, where we could find the geopark.

The coastal view from the bus ride was superb. The sea was looking blue and divine. That long bus ride was worth it in exchange for all the sights I got to see. It was like having a bus tour of the provincial area of Taiwan.  

There's no denying the wonders I witness at Yehliu Geopark. All the sweat, confusion, and doubt vanished when we saw the magnificent rock formations that looked like mushrooms and the vast blue sea. 

We tried our best to explore the place and get the best out of the little time we had there. Photo opportunities were something that was never missed among Filipinos. 

There was an area of the geopark that had souvenir stores. I got dried seafood and a ref magnet. Some of the store owners spoke Tagalog words and accepted Philippine currency either cash or via GCash.

It was another adventure finding our next stop, Jiufen Old Street. We were not sure what bus number we were supposed to hop on; it was all instinct and confidence in our understanding of the Tiktok travel video, which was always referenced by my travel buddies.

The Jiufen Old Street was literally a maze old street turned into a market. There were a lot of interesting stores. Food, souvenirs, a tea house, and restaurants were just a few of the shops I remember. The place had that Studio Ghibli vibe, and I liked it as a fan of their animated movies. 

I made sure I got the free Taro balls as one of the complimentary items of the Fun Pass I bought via Klook app. 

Unfortunately, we didn't make it to Sheifen Falls and the Lantern festival. The travel time consumed most of our time. I had this thought, I should go back to Taiwan since I missed a lot of attractions I wanted to visit. I don't know when I would get to explore Taiwan, but I hope to visit it again.

It was dawn and Taoyuan International Airport was practically closed. Only the passengers and a few employees were present when I got inside the airport. My struggle was that there were few options of people to ask for queries. Sometimes, I tend to ask a lot of questions.

The wall decor at the airport was entertaining enough to preoccupy me as I trudged on the long pathwalk. There were paintings in frames and murals. It was nice to see them the second time. There were a lot of Filipinos going to Taiwan. I was amazed but not surprised. The Philippines' proximity to Taiwan made it easier for us, Filipinos, to travel to Taiwan without the hassle of a long and rigorous visa processing. 

Filipino travelers can enter Taiwan visa-free until July 2026 and can stay up to fourteen (14) days. Just make sure you complete an online immigration arrival card at https://twac.immigration.gov.tw on the website of the National Immigration Agency within three days before arriving in Taiwan.

Enjoying an almost empty of people airport was something I got to experience at Taoyuan International Airport. No noise, no people. It was just silence and bright lights and nice structures. 

Before my flight, I purchased a Taiwan Fun Pass (Unlimited 3-Day Pass) via Klook app. It cost me P3,994.00. The fun pass card was available at the airport, and the pick-up time was four (4) or five (5) in the morning. I wasn't able to use the pass to the fullest because of the places I missed visiting, but I think I got its worth in all the train rides I had. 

For those who are unfamiliar with MIBF, it stands for Manila International Book Fair and is an annual event that many Filipino readers and writers eagerly anticipate. As a reader and writer, I have always been excited to participate in this event, especially if I have the budget (haha).

And this year has been, so far, my best experience of MIBF. And good news for those who know me: I stepped out of my comfort zone, or at least I tried, even if only for an hour, and I want to praise God for that!



With the help of PaperKat Books and Ms. Kath, I was able to book an hour of meet-the-writer and a book signing event during the MIBF 2025.

Initially, I only planned to consign my latest book, The Restless Mind, and hope for the best of its sales. I am scared to be on the frontline of the meet-the-writer and a book-signing event. But then, there was this desire to try the book signing activity. I took the risk. I thought I had nothing to lose, and it was not like I was going to do something bad or illegal.

"I am just gonna put myself out there, and be a little vulnerable in the eyes of spectators." I thought to myself.

So, yes, I did! I had the book signing and meet-the-writer activity with PaperKat Books. I am really grateful for the opportunity and the experience, and I am so glad I got to experience MIBF 2025 as a writer and a reader.



Special shout-out to the readers who took a chance on my book, The Restless Mind, during my book signing: Ram, Grace, Zu, LJ, and Thine!💙 If you bought my book at MIBF 2025, and I was not able to sign it for you, I hope I get to see you at other events. SLMT 💙

I am looking forward to experiencing more of this event.

I am joyful that I did this. It was beyond my comfort zone, but God did it again! He helped me get through 🙏🙌

The Restless Mind, my latest book, is participating this year. The book event will run from September 10-14, 2025, from Wednesday to Sunday. 

Ms. Kath Eustaquio-Derla and PaperKat Books helped me to make this opportunity possible. 

I also have a Meet the author schedule at Booth #2-122, 2nd Floor Function Hall, SMX Convention Center Manila. So if you want to meet me or get your copies signed, please feel free to drop by. Other freebies are waiting for you. I hope I get to see you guys and gals! 

The day of my flight to Taiwan was rainy. There was a typhoon or an incoming storm, so the weather wasn't good. It wasn't the best weather for any kind of trip. 

Going to NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport), I am thankful to have a point-to-point bus transport from my town to Terminal 3. The bus fare cost was 300 Philippine pesos. It took me more or less two (2) hours to reach the airport from my hometown. It was a long ride, always, and the bus air conditioning was too much for me in the rainy season. It was a good thing I had jacket jeans, and I felt so cool wearing them.

It was still raining hard when I finally arrived at the airport. There seemed to be a lot of people, especially inside the airport. I printed my boarding pass from the AirAsia kiosk, which was really convenient for me, and I got to keep it for pasting it on my journal notebook. After that, I went straight to the security check-up and I passed. But unfortunately, some of my journaling materials, like glue and small scissors, got confiscated, which made me a little sad. I was still glad I passed the inspection. Thank you, ma'am and sirs at NAIA, for keeping us safe!

Before getting something to eat, I went straight to my boarding gate to make sure it really did exist. It was not a long walk, but not short either. It was walkable, and I got to do some sightseeing inside the airport. There were a lot of stranded passengers due to bad weather, and I could tell they were not happy about the situation. But it is better to be safe than sorry, right? Right.

I walked back to the Fruitas stand I saw when I was sightseeing. I had a mango and watermelon smoothie, and it was good, but it had a lot of ice. The ladies at Fruitas were so kind to give me some of their fries from Potato Corner. I was embarrassed, but they were persistent, so I accepted the free fries.

I had my dinner snacks on a chair near my boarding gate, and I arrived so early at the airport that I had a lot of waiting time, probably around two (2) hours. I patiently waited and tried to get busy. I tried to get some sleep and massaged my face with a guasha. I was thinking of reading, but my book was inside my suitcase, so next time I'm gonna put it inside my carry-on bag.

When it was boarding time, I discovered that I had to pay the Philippine travel tax. I had no idea about it. One of the flight attendants helped me; she instructed me to do it online. I think I paid 1600 plus Philippine pesos. 

My flight from Manila to Taiwan was scheduled at 11PM, and it got delayed too for twenty (20) minutes due to bad weather, which was not an ideal time for me, but the cheapest. I regret booking that flight schedule. Next time, I have to make sure the flight won't inconvenience or take a toll on my health.

It was also boarding time when I started crying for no reason. I want to say for no reason, but I was aware of the real reason. Boarding the plane reminded me of the time I was leaving Austin, Texas, at Austin–Bergstrom International Airport. It was so heartbreaking watching my boyfriend see me leave. It was a sad day. 

I started packing for my Taiwan Trip with all my toiletries, first aid kit, shoes, and clothes. My suitcase was pretty much packed and ready, except for some of the last-minute additions. It was really, really hot when I was packing the suitcase. Sweaty and hot, I survived the heat and was able to write this blog entry. 

Here is the list of things I put in my luggage.

shampoo

conditioner

feminine wash

sunscreen

lotion

perfume/cologne

body wash

toner

cotton balls

cotton buds

facial routine kit

band aids

burn cream

antibiotic ointment
Tylenol 

Eye moisturizer 

Tennis shoes

leather shoes

dresses

underwears

leggings

shorts

socks

sleepwear

That's quite a list, but I always try to be prepared and ready for any trip. It is better to be ready than sorry. I know this is not a comprehensive list, but you can modify, add, or remove some things that you might need or not need. It all depends on your comfort, tolerance, and what you need. 

Join me as I travel the world. Tara!

When I had an 11-hour layover during my trip from the US to the Philippines, I was able to step on the ground of Taiwan, but I did not attempt to get out of the airport despite the long hours of staying there. I just thought to myself that I would return there as a tourist, not as a passerby. And I did. 

Travelling the world is also one of my many dreams in life. I guess dreams keep us going, too, in life, like hope. This is my first time doing solo travelling. I am a bit nervous, which is normal, I think. I tried to prepare properly for this trip. 

The Trip.com app has been my go-to online software for my travel ever since I booked that ticket with my friends for a Cebu trip, which was seven years ago.

Every time I travel, my goal is to find the cheapest but safest flight, hotel, and tour. I am always travelling on a budget. 

This time for the booking I used US dollar currency, since it felt more affordable and not painful on my pocket when I look at it. Well, yes, it is more of a psychological thing, and hopefully, it is helping rather than damaging me.

Flights. For the plane tickets, I spent $110.50. It is a round-trip ticket already for 4 4-day and 3-night trips, or more like three (3) days and three (3) nights because of the flight schedule.

Hotel. For the accommodation, I tried booking in a hostel. I booked for 2 nights, since I would be spending the 1st night at the airport. I spent $24.10 for the hostel. I made sure that the hostel is a walking distance of the training station.

Tour. I decided to avail a package tour since I would be travelling in an unfamiliar land. I thought it would be safer and cheaper because the tour includes the transportation. As it was advertised, the tour is composed of 7 tourist attractions to visit. It is a one-day tour. I paid $49.75 for the packaged tour.

In total, for the plane tickets, accommodation, and guided tour, I spent $184.35, which roughly converted to 10,139.25 Philippine pesos.

I am excited and nervous at the same time for this trip, but I am definitely looking forward to it. 

Join me as I travel the world. Tara!

Whenever I hear Tyler, TX the first thing that comes into mind is Rose Garden. A friend’s post on Facebook left this impression on me, since it is always fun to visit places with flowers I got interested in that part of Texas. So when I got the chance to go to an area near Tyler with my boyfriend, I didn’t want to miss the chance to be able to visit the flower garden. 

It was always a long drive getting to Tyler and aware that driving was not easy, I always tried my best to be of use to the driver. I tried my best to be the navigator which I did okay and food commander which I did good feeding him while he drove us safely to our destination, and he always did a good job behind the wheels. 

I got to be in Tyler more than once and visited a few places, thanks to my generous and kind tour guide. Here’s the list of places we got to drop by from all our visits to Tyler:

Broadway Square Mall. It is an old mall in Tyler. You could see pictures of the old mall on the wall of the hallway going to the restroom which felt nostalgic. 

Boba Loompia. So good! Filipino food in Tyler, represent! It was so good and nostalgic. 

Rose Garden. I was so in love with all the flowers. They were gorgeous  and some of them were in full bloom.

Painted Tree. It was a boutique where you might find some of the curios things you would ever see. 

Crumble Cookie. Yum! Yum! Yum! I got no other words but delicioso! Bon appetit!

UT Tyler. His graduate university and my heart was full when he took me there. I love him for sharing that part of him to me.  

Bass Pro Shop. It is an outfitter store. It is still amazed me by their wide selection of outdoor clothes, equipments, vehicles, and a lot more. They got everything you need for a wild adventure.

We also got to try some restaurants and this list is not comprehensive since I forgot some of the places we ate at. I am going to update this list as I remember those places. Hopefully, fingercross.

Rotolo's Pizzeria. The Angry Pig was so good. Non-traditional pizza with spicy BBQ sauce, Italian sausage, bacon, jalapeños, and cheddar cheese.

Another Broken Egg. We had our Valentine's date here. The food was good and serving was big. I was so full and so happy to spend the day with him. 

The homemade food was the best part. I got to experience real and authentic American food. So good!

I miss Tyler, I miss Flint. I miss him so much.