My Taiwan Journey from Factory Worker (2005) to Solo Backpacker (2023)

"Trust the process, your time is coming. Just do the work and the result will handle themselves." - Tony Gaskins

Taiwan was my very first destination abroad and as an OFW Factory Worker (2005).  This first journey  in Taiwan lasted for 7 days only due to homesickness. My work had 12 hours duty a day with 1 day off only a week. I went home despite the debts my mother had made just to complete this Taiwan journey. I came from a failed IT career when I accepted this OFW stuff.

Imagine my thoughts I went home jobless, with zero savings and lots of debt because of my stupidity. 

My second destination abroad was Thailand (2010) but as a Solo Backpacker. Almost 18 years later I came back to Taiwan as Tourist Backpacker, strolling everywhere independently with financial freedom.

Imagine again if I didn't follow my instinct last 2005... 

I wouldn't be in aviation industry months after.

I wouldn't have an Engineering graduate studies.

I wouldn't visit 137 Countries and beyond.

I wouldn't discover mind blowing life perspective.

 

Life is not a race, everyone has their own separate path. Always try to train our mind to see the good in everything.

As Albert Einstein said, “The one who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. The one who walks alone is likely to find himself in places no one has ever been before.”Also, "A ship is always safe at the shore - but it is not what it is built for."

When life gets harder, don't wish it to be easier, Decide to be stronger. 

Time flies indeed. Live a life you will remember.

My Taiwan Journey from Factory Worker (2005) to Solo Backpacker (2023)

Asian Trilogy Mountains All Visited Pinoy Solo Fun Hiker

“Hiking is a bit like life: The journey only requires you to put one foot in front of the other… again and again and again. And if you allow yourself the opportunity to be present throughout the entirety of the trek, you will witness beauty every step of the way, not just at the summit”

This is just a fun-challenge for me that brings to the summit of three of the most iconic peaks in the far east. Asian Trilogy Mountains is composed of the highest mountain peaks of Japan (Mt. Fuji 3,776masl), Taiwan (Mt. Jade 3,952masl) and Malaysia (Mt. Kinabalu 4,095masl). While not to be underestimated, this is a challenge suitable for all hikers with a good level of fitness. An incredible accomplishment for any hiker to reach the peak of all three.

The reason why I hiked Mt. Kinabalu (2013) is because I want to go higher on my amateur mountaineering achievement. That time, the highest mountain I summited was  Mt. Pulag, 3rd highest in Philippines at 2,922masl for two times (2010 and 2011). Then, at a sudden plan due to appropriate month to hike, I planned to summit Mt. Fuji (2014) which was my first time to hike alone in my entire life and my first time also on night hike. Then almost 10 years after, rejuvinated my passion to accomplish Mt. Jade to complete the AsianTrilogy Mountain.

MT. KINABALU (4,095masl) is the highest mountain in Malaysia. Mt. Kinabalu hiking is expensive because it can only be trekked with a recognized local travel agency supported by a mandatory guide and optional porter. The summit push is mildly difficult because of the rope-support ascent early morning and has to descend at around 0600H because of fixed itinerary.

MT. FUJI (3,776masl) is the highest mountain in Japan. Trekking Mt. Fuji is not that expensive because it can be done independently (no guide and porter support) and no registration or park fees, only confirmed accommodation is required. I think today (2023), there's registration already that costs 1,000 JPY.

MT. JADE (3,952masl) is the highest mountain in Taiwan. Mt. Jade is the cheapest among the three because it can be done independently (no guide and porter support) but for foreigners, permit and lodging advance booking is required.

Asian Trilogy Mountains All Visited Pinoy Solo Fun Hiker