Time flies
Somewhere between routine and adventure – why Hualien didn’t wow us, but still mattered
This article was originally written in German and translated into English with the help of AI.
Hualien, Taiwan.
Stop 2 out of 3 of our Traveling Village journey is already coming to an end. Just over a week to go, then we head into our final “pause” before spending another 37 days in Busan, South Korea.
Right now, it feels like time is flying.
Maybe it’s because we’ve crossed the halfway mark. But probably also because Taiwan—at least this part around Hualien—hasn’t exactly blown us away with big, memorable highlights.
Most of the trips we’ve done were solid, but rarely truly impressive. And that shifts your focus. Less chasing the next “wow moment,” more settling into everyday life. More coliving. More community. More of the things that simply work—and that you don’t mind repeating.
And maybe that’s actually the point. Not constantly jumping from highlight to highlight, but allowing yourself to sink into a kind of normal life, even while traveling.
Here are a few things from our time in Hualien that will stick with us:
The place itself feels a bit rundown. The nearby national park is still largely closed, local politics seem to have made a few questionable calls, and tourism hasn’t really bounced back.
The night market: especially on weekends, a chaotic, lively meeting point with hundreds of stalls and a big playground. We even celebrated a birthday there—complete with culinary “challenges” (stinky tofu, duck heads, chicken combs…).
Michaela went even deeper into her writers club and ended up organizing a two-day retreat.
I (once again) became Spikeball champion—followed by a proper champagne shower.
The weather is finally getting warmer. Unfortunately, so are the mosquitos and sandflies.
A full-group day trip to Taroko National Park was stunning—making it even more frustrating that most trails are still closed after the 2024 earthquake.
Food-wise, we found a few good spots, but Hualien won’t make my list of places to visit for the cuisine.
Dance classes: I tried hip-hop, K-pop, and contemporary (my favorite). And Matilda found her own weekly dance class as well.
Our coliving setup: calm, comfortable, and exactly the kind of retreat you want when everything around you still feels a bit unfamiliar.
All in all, this place works because of the community.
Without it? I probably wouldn’t recommend Hualien as a travel destination.
It’s been a valuable experience.
But we’re definitely ready for what’s next.
P.S.: Here’s a deeper look into our life “between two worlds” (traveling family vs. the German system).
I enjoy our rhythm here extremely. This city breathes art in such a subtle way, creativity is overflowing. From the stunning streetart truly everywhere to the possibility to rent a piano room. You find so many quirky places. And we are met with such an open warmth, I don‘t feel ready to move on yet.