Planning trip to Japan or Taiwan
Posted: Sun Dec 17, 2017 6:30 pm
My favourite teas are Sencha and High Mountain Oolong. One day, maybe in a few years, I would like to visit one of these countries to explore local tea culture. I haven't done any research, beyond watching videos on YouTube. Once I choose a location, I would spend some time on-and-off over the next 1-3 years researching...getting excited.
I see myself visiting several shops each day, where I can drink tea, as well as buy some tea and tea ware (but the focus is on drinking tea, and exploring the culture). Here in Canada, I've visited several tea shops where you sit down with a pitcher of hot water, your choice of tea and the accompanying teaware and have a nice long tea session...talking 'tea' with the employees. I would love to do this multiple times a day, day after day! That would be an amazing vacation for me. I would also like to visit tea farms, and take in some local sights and cuisine.
Some thoughts as I look ahead:
- Ideally I would not have to travel too far between sub-regions within either country - I would like to see the different cultures between towns/areas, but not have to travel many hours to do so.
- I could try and learn some of the local language ahead of time, but would be speaking mainly English. Hopefully the locals are accommodating to english-speaking tourists
- I love sushi...which puts Japan slightly ahead of Taiwan (though the scenery in Taiwan looks unbelievable)
- I love cycling...and would perhaps rent a bike a couple of times and do some road cycling (maybe Chip has a comment, as I believe he's a cyclist)
- I'll likely be going alone; I've travelled alone and would find benefit in the alone time (at home it's not very quiet or relaxing
- Price is important...flight, decent hotels/B&B's (I want clean and comfortable), local travel
- Don't really want to rent a car, but could if it's highly recommended
- Would be flying out of Toronto...I think both are long hauls, but the shorter/easier the better!
I look forward to hearing from anyone who's been to both places, to compare, but if you've been to either please share the good and bad, as well as specific regions to focus on in either country.
I see myself visiting several shops each day, where I can drink tea, as well as buy some tea and tea ware (but the focus is on drinking tea, and exploring the culture). Here in Canada, I've visited several tea shops where you sit down with a pitcher of hot water, your choice of tea and the accompanying teaware and have a nice long tea session...talking 'tea' with the employees. I would love to do this multiple times a day, day after day! That would be an amazing vacation for me. I would also like to visit tea farms, and take in some local sights and cuisine.
Some thoughts as I look ahead:
- Ideally I would not have to travel too far between sub-regions within either country - I would like to see the different cultures between towns/areas, but not have to travel many hours to do so.
- I could try and learn some of the local language ahead of time, but would be speaking mainly English. Hopefully the locals are accommodating to english-speaking tourists
- I love sushi...which puts Japan slightly ahead of Taiwan (though the scenery in Taiwan looks unbelievable)
- I love cycling...and would perhaps rent a bike a couple of times and do some road cycling (maybe Chip has a comment, as I believe he's a cyclist)
- I'll likely be going alone; I've travelled alone and would find benefit in the alone time (at home it's not very quiet or relaxing
- Price is important...flight, decent hotels/B&B's (I want clean and comfortable), local travel
- Don't really want to rent a car, but could if it's highly recommended
- Would be flying out of Toronto...I think both are long hauls, but the shorter/easier the better!
I look forward to hearing from anyone who's been to both places, to compare, but if you've been to either please share the good and bad, as well as specific regions to focus on in either country.