{ Taiwan + Xpro1 + 1 kid }

Traveling to another country is always a breath of fresh air for any photographer.
New places to explore and thus many more photo opportunity to capture those
award winning photos! I still remembered my last trip to Taiwan before I became
a father; this is what I put in my bag, a Canon 5D mark 2, 17-40mm, 24-105mm
and a 100-400mm lens. Basically I gotten all covered! I hate to miss a photo
opportunity while I am oversea.

But on this trip with my daughter, Summer; a two and a half toddler; things have
to change abit. I have to make space for more important gears. Basically a good
themos flask, a few diapers; a light weight sweater, another set of clothing, snacks,
small toys, baby cream. After all this I am left with little space for the less important
gears. Which is the Fuji Xpro1, 14mm, 35mm and Summer’s Bonart Camera. If you
are wondering how does this Bonart camera looks like; do check on this link.
http://www.japancamerahunter.com/2014/04/bag-834-summer/ How should I put
it this time; I gotten all covered too!

Together with my wife; Audrey, we were in Taiwan for 8 days. We basically visited
Flying Cow Ranch in Miaoli, Cing Jing in the central mountain range and our last
pitstop, Taipei. The capital of Taiwan.

Flying Cow Ranch (http://www.flyingcow.com.tw) is about 1.45 hour ride from the
airport. We stayed in a cottage for about SG$175 per night. Simple and cosy. This
include all the farm experience. Cows, horse, ducks, rabbits………. They also have
some art and craft session for kids. For us we did a baking cookie session. Just have
to highlight that you have to wash all your utensil and pots after the session. Not
recommended for those who hate doing dishes.

Summer is a picky eater. So we had a hard time finding food for her in Flying Cow
Ranch. Not that there no food there. Infact there are 3 food outlet in the ranch. A
burger joint, a hotpot restaurant and a cafe. I went to the cafe in the late afternoon
and ask if they could cook egg fried rice since its not in the menu. I told them that I
just wanted a small potion for a toddler. The chef was very kind and ask me to wait
for 10 minutes. When it was ready, it was packed nicely in a small paper container.
Since it wasn’t the menu, I have to ask how much it cost. The chef smile and reply:
its free! Isn’t that wonderful? What is even more wonderful is that I ordered another
3 more times in the days ahead and its free! Flying Cow Ranch Rocks!

Our second destination is Cing Jing. Its about another 2.5 hour taxi ride from Flying
Cow Ranch. We stayed at Old England Hotel. A very european theme hotel. Many
couples come to this hotel for their wedding photo shoot and also the surrounding
attractions. Green Green Grassland and Swiss Garden are the 2 main attraction in
Cing Jing . In Green Green Grassland, (http://www.cingjing.gov.tw/en/spots/) the
sheep roam freely but they are not lost sheep. There is also a sheep herring show.
Similar to the one in New Zealand. Swiss Garden is a beautiful garden filled with
flowers. There is also a lake in the middle . I guess they were trying to mimic Lake
Geneva.

We stayed 2 nights in Cing Jing before taking the speed rail from Taichung to Taipei.
The journey takes only about 45 minutes. Fast, modern and inexpensive. Summer
travels for free! In Taipei we spend some time catching up with friends. We also visited
the Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei.

When we arrived at the taipei airport, we were inform by the SIA counter staff that
there will be a 4 hour flight delay. Instead of taking the offer of $20 food voucher,
I had a brilliant idea. This idea was spawned from prior before my trip I was ask for
a quotation to shoot the renovation Changi Airport Transit hotel. We explained
that we needed a place to let our toddler rest and sleep. If they could offer us a
transit hotel for duration of the delay that will be wonderful. Of course the counter
staff couldn’t make that decision. Manager was rope in; and after some negotiation
we were offered a room. Hope this is a great flight delay tip for parents.