Leaving the Philippines behind, I was looking for a distinct place where fewer people from Europe tend to go. In the shadow of its larger Asian neighbors such as China, Japan, and Korea lies this small island nation. Despite its modest size, it offers insanely beautiful mountainous landscapes and an exciting culture shaped by its colonial history.

Join me on an adventure through Taiwan, where I attended the world’s most dangerous festival, got shot at with actual rockets, and found silence in the tea terraces and bamboo forests.