5 Things We Have Learned This Week… #14

This week marked a shift, the end of our North East Asia era and the start of our South East Asia era. Yes, we are calling them eras… IYKYK.

We have wrapped up our final day in Taiwan and landed in the Philippines, where we’ll be soaking up sun and sea for the next month. Our first few days here have already introduced a new pace, new flavours, and new challenges (spoiler: it’s hot).

But before we dive deeper (literally in a few weeks time), here are five things we’ve learned as we transition from temples and trains to beaches and boats.

1. Taiwan is a quiet leader in LGBTQ+ rights

We didn’t expect to find such a welcoming and visible LGBTQ+ community on our final day in Taiwan, but we did, and it was brilliant. After months without much queer visibility, Taiwan offered a burst of rainbow that felt both genuine and unpretentious. It wasn’t loud or flashy, but it was warm and real. Compared to London, where the scene can sometimes feel performative or cliquey, Taiwan’s had none of the judgement and all of the heart. It reminded us of Tokyo and Osaka in the best ways, safe, soft, and celebratory.

Taiwan is, impressively, the first country in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage (in 2019), and the rights of LGBTQ+ citizens are protected under law. But beyond policies, what stood out most was the atmosphere: no second glances, no judgement, just easy acceptance.

That sense of freedom and comfort reminded us why visibility matters. And it’s got us excited for the next big queer stop on our journey - Bangkok Pride in June. If Taiwan was gentle and grounding, we expect Bangkok to be colourful and chaotic in the best possible way. With Thailand having legalised gay marriage at the start of 2025… this year’s Pride will surely be one to remember in Bangkok!

2. Relaxing into beach life takes time (and a mental reset)

Landing in the Philippines wasn’t just a change of scenery it was a full body recalibration. After months of trains, cities, sightseeing and constantly moving, we suddenly found ourselves doing… nothing. We’ve had a few days before, especially in Fukuoka (Japan) and Xi’an (China) where we didn’t do too much and at first, it felt weird. Guilt crept in. We thought shouldn’t we be doing something? Exploring? But at the beach… well it already feels like you are doing something so it takes all that guilt away. I can see why people love it.

And after a few days in, we’re beginning to settle into it. The sounds of waves replacing traffic. Waking up with no alarm, no plan. Reading for hours. Saying yes to a second breakfast. Beach life asks you to be still, and that’s not always easy especially when you have sand sticking to you but it’s a lesson we’re ready to learn.

3. Filipino food is a delicious, deep dive into culture

We’d heard Filipino food described as a blend of Asian, Spanish and American influences, and now that we’re here, it’s easy to see (and taste) why. There’s a comforting richness to many dishes - soy, vinegar, garlic, slow-cooked meats that comes from centuries of layered history. Spanish colonisation left its mark (hello, adobo), American occupation introduced fast food culture, and Chinese, Japanese and Korean traders brought noodles, dumplings, and rice-centric dishes.

We’ve already dipped into lechon (roast pig), sinigang (sour tamarind soup), and pan de sal (sweet breakfast rolls). Every meal feels like a new adventure even if our stomachs are still figuring out how to handle three types of fried carbs at once.

And then there’s halohalo. Now we haven’t tried this yet but we’re convinced it must have been invented during a heatwave by someone with a sweet tooth and a blender. We’re excited to try it!

4. The heat is here to stay and we’d better adjust

We’ve officially entered what we’re calling the ‘eternal summer’ of our journey. With New Zealand as our next cool-climate stop, which is 6 months away, we’re learning to embrace (read: survive) the heat. It’s sticky, it’s relentless, and it makes walking 500 metres feel like a full workout.

But we’re adapting: shady spots are gold, cold drinks are sacred, and an iced coffee fixes almost anything. The sooner we stop resisting the heat and start living with it, the better this tropical era will be.

Who knows maybe I’ll begin to love it?! But then with Ash who doesn’t mind the heat as much as me beginning to appreciate AC even more even he perhaps it’s too hot after all.

5. Tagalog is just the beginning, the Philippines is a linguistic mosaic

We’ve quickly learned that while Tagalog is the foundation of the national language (Filipino), it’s far from the only tongue spoken here. The Philippines is home to over 180 languages and dialects, with regional variations shaping the way people speak from island to island. Cebuano, Ilocano, Waray, Hiligaynon, the list goes on.

So far, our language skills are limited to one word: tagay! (cheers!) which we learned over a cold San Miguel from some Filipinos. But learning even a handful of words in Tagalog feels like a good way to show respect, and we’re excited to expand our vocabulary beyond toasts and thank-yous.

FINAL THOUGHTS

From rainbow flags in Taipei to the sounds of crashing waves in Palawan, this week has reminded us of how travel gently shifts your lens. We’re learning to slow down, to sweat without complaining (too much), and to savour every new flavour — cultural or culinary.

Here’s to sunshine, sand, and saying tagay a little more often.

Thanks, as always, for coming along with us.

Until next week…

A & S