Taiwan

Taiwan: Night Markets, Capybaras, and a Very Memorable Layover

I've never understood why people spend long layovers sitting around airports when there's a whole new destination waiting outside.

When I discovered that we could schedule an overnight layover in Taipei on our EVA Air itinerary, I couldn't resist. After all, why simply change planes when you can explore another country?

Vuong, Justin, and I arrived at Taoyuan International Airport and hopped into an Uber for the roughly 45-minute drive into Taipei. We checked into the Grand Hyatt, conveniently located near Taipei 101 and within walking distance of a night market.

With only one night to explore, we weren't about to waste it.

Taipei 101, Temples, and the Smells of the Night Market

We set off on foot, taking in the sights around Taipei 101, the city's iconic skyscraper, and making our way toward Linjiang Street Night Market, also known as Tonghua Night Market.

Along the way, we passed a beautiful little temple tucked among the modern buildings. Its roof was covered with elaborate dragons and colorful figures, and red lanterns glowed beneath the eaves. It was one of those unexpected discoveries that makes wandering through an unfamiliar city so enjoyable.

And then we reached the night market.

You know how I feel about night markets.

There were food stalls everywhere, with all sorts of delicious things sizzling, steaming, and frying. Most of the smells were wonderful.

Most.

Every now and then, I'd catch a whiff of something that reminded me distinctly of the autopsy suite.

As a pathologist, that's not a comparison I make lightly.

I'm guessing we'd encountered Taiwan's infamous stinky tofu, a fermented delicacy known for its rather aggressive aroma.

Now, I'm usually an adventurous eater. I'll try almost anything.

But whatever was producing that smell?

Hard pass.

Fortunately, there were plenty of other delicious options. We sampled fried chicken, bao, savory meat-filled pockets, and Wagyu beef skewers as we wandered among the stalls.

And for dessert, we discovered an enormous bowl of Taiwanese mango snow ice, piled high with fresh fruit, drizzled with sweet, creamy sauce, and accompanied by chewy sesame-filled rice balls.

It was absolutely delicious.

But the food wasn't the only entertainment.

We also discovered several permanent shops devoted entirely to claw machines.

Not just a few machines tucked into the corner of an arcade. Entire storefronts filled with them!

And the prizes were hilariously random.

Trump toilet brushes. Laundry detergent. Doritos. Toiletries.

Apparently, in Taiwan, you can try your luck at winning just about anything.

I couldn't decide whether this was brilliant, bizarre, or both.

Probably both.

Capybaras and Convenience-Store Cuisine

The next morning, we had one more adventure planned before leaving Taiwan.

A capybara café.

Because why wouldn't you spend your limited time in Taipei visiting giant rodents?

We took an Uber about 30 minutes into the suburbs to visit Capybara Knight, a café dedicated to those enormous, remarkably laid-back animals that have become internet celebrities.

Capybaras have a wonderfully unbothered attitude toward life, and getting to see them up close was a delight.

Afterward, we stopped at a nearby 7-Eleven.

Now, if you've never visited a convenience store in Asia, you're missing out. They're nothing like the typical American gas-station variety.

We were particularly fascinated by the instant ramen selection.

There were so many choices!

After considerable deliberation, we selected some very fancy golden ramen to take back to the hotel.

Sometimes the most memorable travel experiences involve extraordinary monuments or breathtaking natural wonders.

Other times, they involve capybaras and convenience-store noodles.

And I'm perfectly happy with either.

One Night Wasn't Nearly Enough

Taiwan was never intended to be a major destination on this trip. It was simply an opportunity to turn a layover into a little adventure.

But in less than two days, we managed to explore a fascinating neighborhood, admire one of the world's most recognizable skyscrapers, visit a beautiful temple, eat our way through a night market, discover some wonderfully bizarre claw-machine prizes, and spend time with capybaras.

Not bad for a layover!

Of course, we barely scratched the surface of what Taiwan has to offer. There are mountains, coastal landscapes, historic towns, and countless other places we'd love to explore.

But that's one of the things I enjoy most about travel. Sometimes a short visit is just enough to make you want to come back.

And Taiwan definitely deserves a return trip.

Next time, we'll stay a little longer.

Although I'm still not promising to try the stinky tofu.

One Night in Taipei: Night Markets, Capybaras, and a Layover Worth Planning

One Night in Taipei: Night Markets, Capybaras, and a Layover Worth Planning Sometimes the best travel adventures happen when you're supposed to be somewhere else. When I discovered that our EVA Air itinerary would allow an overnight layover in Taipei, Taiwan, I jumped...