A Life of Travel: Malaysia to Taiwan to the Philippines!

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It's Tuesday and it's time for a travel newsletter...

📆 update

Hello from Taipei, Taiwan!

First, my stay in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia lasted for a month. It was great. I worked a lot, exercised a good amount, ate some good food and kept the routine very simple. Two thumbs up for that trip and the down time that it provided me in terms of not bouncing around too much.

Right now though, I write from Taipei.

How I ended up here is a long story but the point is, I’m here for 12 days. The plan is to maintain my routine as I still have a lot of work to do. This summer is proving very busy with the tours coming up later this year, the tours for next year and other projects I’m working on.

I’m a huge fan of Taipei so this unexpected trip worked out well. The food is incredible, the streets are quiet, the neighborhoods quaint and it has an overall atmosphere unlike anywhere else.

It’s just, so damn nice. Everything is nice here. Everyone is nice here. 

It’s so quiet, safe and serene.

It’s historic, modern and close to nearby nature. 

It’s not touristy at all.

It’s easy to get around by foot or metro. The sidewalks are wide and calm. There are cars on the road but nothing that would be considered heavy traffic.

The city is fun, the desserts wacky (tofu pudding, I’m talking about you), the noodle soup and dumplings delicious (the original Din Tai Fung is here), the night markets vibrant and the coffee excellent.

It’s affordable and good value. Great hotels in ideal locations are well under $100 per night. $10 will get you a really good meal at a sit down restaurant.

There is an abundance of different areas to wander - Zhongzheng, Wanhua, Da’an, Xinyi, Shilin, Ximen among others - each with their own architecture, style and energy.

Again, it’s all so very nice.

So here I am, a happy traveler in Taiwan.

But, alas, it’s a short visit. After my 12 days here, I shall board a Royal Air flight (never heard of this airline before I booked my ticket) and take a direct 2 hour trip to…. Boracay, Philippines.

It’s time for a white sand beach.

💭 did you know?

🗾 Vending Machine Kingdom (Japan)
In Japan, there are more than 5.5 million vending machines—that’s one for every 23 people. You can get everything from umbrellas to fresh eggs to hot ramen. Some are even located in hiking areas, with no human settlements around for miles.

🏜️ The Desert That Snows (Namibia)
Namibia’s towering red dunes occasionally get dusted with snow. It’s rare, but snow did fall just a month ago. When cold air from Antarctica moves north, the Namib Desert briefly wears a white coat. (I’m offering a Wander to Namibia tour next year!)

🏘️ Border Town Craziness (Netherlands and Belgium)
In the town of Baarle, the border between Belgium and the Netherlands runs right through restaurants, shops, even bedrooms. Some houses have two addresses—one Dutch, one Belgian—and people literally cross international borders just by switching chairs at the dinner table.

BIG NEWS! Wandering Earl Tours has now run 130 trips and welcomed over 1500 travelers on those trips!

From the very start, the focus has been offering something different than a standard group tour. That’s what I believe in, that’s the core of everything we do and that’s why we have so many repeat guests.

For 23 years I’ve traveled the world, making friends, building connections and gaining access to all kinds of destinations and experiences far beyond the tourist trail.

Our trips make use of all that. Our trips are designed to show you a destination in a way that few people will ever see, so that you genuinely have a trip of a lifetime.

I’m beyond excited to continue this journey. And I am super excited to welcome all who want to wander beyond mainstream tourism!

🌐 around the globe

🚚 Truck Art in India
Get mesmerized by this Instagram account that shows incredible free-hand truck art being painted onto trucks in India. I can’t even write my name clearly with a pen.

🇫🇷 Paris Recommendations
One Paris-based writer shares the detailed email that she sends her friends and colleagues when they ask her for honest Paris recommendations. Naturally, it’s worth a read.

🇲🇦 An Ode to Moroccan Taxis
Here’s a short, touching video in which a Moroccan taxi driver named Ibrahim pays tribute to the old Mercedes taxis that are quickly becoming a thing of the past.

🛫 Delta Airlines and AI Pricing
Delta has begun using AI to determine airfare pricing for certain people, based on timing, demand and what it thinks a specific passenger is willing to pay.

🚲️ 3 Country Bike Trail
This European bike trail allows you to visit France, Germany and Luxembourg in one day as you enjoy rolling through the picturesque nature of the region.

🇮🇩 Surabaya Renaissance
My friend, and Southeast Asia expert, James, visited Surabaya, Indonesia. He believes that this city will soon be on the map for many more travelers, especially once the current revitalization projects are finished. Get there before the crowds!

🇵🇱 This is Poland
A random story about one guy’s journey across Poland to pick up a second-hand wooden door and the beautiful, undiscovered places he comes upon during that trip. It’s perfect for off-the-beaten-path travel!

💬 Language Visas
If you want to stay longer in a particular country, one option to obtain a long-term visa might be to learn the language.

🗺️ where in the world?

A big congratulations to those readers who guessed the location of the photo in the previous newsletter! Here’s who guessed correctly:

Dominic, Tom, Rosy, Dorota, Jaime, Corina and Steve

The location is the Palazzo Pubblico in Siena, Italy, right there in the heart of stunning Tuscany!

This week’s photo:

It’s time to guess…where was the below photo taken?

If you have a guess (the more specific the better), click reply and let me know. Anyone who guesses correctly will be mentioned in next week's newsletter 😄 

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Thank you so much for reading!

Derek
(my middle name is Earl)

WanderingEarl.com

Travel Insurance: My personal recommendation for affordable and reliable travel insurance is Safety Wing. It was created by travelers, for travelers, and it's rapid growth in popularity is well-deserved.

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