My last day in Taiwan sees me rushing to the emergency room and recreating my dizzying first night of partying in this country. I end my trip and dating life on a high note.

A powerful earthquake and romantic Jiufen shake me into understanding what all the fuss is about.

“I love you,” he said, but my trip was ending, and I was blue. Yehliu Geopark and duck blood offer refuge.

The Korean friend changes my perspective toward pain, beauty, and my fortitude as we hike Taroko Gorge together.

A new Korean friend in Taipei introduces me to dark world of Asian beauty ideals, as I party alone in and re-experience my otherness in Korea.

Sun Moon Lake, Taichung, Baishatun Mazu pilgrimage, and everlasting dates. Who will wait for me, and who will forget?

Guanzihling mud spring, Alishan, Yushan, 4,000 meters of longing, and one hiker on a mission to get hurt.

An enlightening and disastrous temple stay at Fo Guang Shan, farewell to Kaohsiung, and my first encounter of a Palestenian from Gaza.

Tainan Art Museums, salt mountains, snoozy Kaohsiung, and a tear-streaked date.

Welcome to food heave – I mean, Tainan! Here are firecrackers we launch at you for good luck.

Cherry blossoms and a new romantic mission make way for better dates, as well as my bloodiest hiking injury.

228 Massacre, Beitou hot springs, Pingxi sky lantern festival, and the National Palace Museum. Growing older, growing lonely.

Cherry blossoms, racy parties, Chiang Kai-shek, and the best dating week of my life. Happy Valentine’s Day.

My second birthday on this trip.

New Taipei City, Donggnag, Liuqiu Island, and my first Chinese New Year, to celebrate this unforeseen milestone.

More great mountains, more great parties and dates, not one bad moment in this country. I call it… the Taiwanese Roll.

Taoist temples, reptiles, Dr Sun Yat-sen, Elephant Mountain, and great dates. Is Taiwan better than Japan and South Korea?

Welcome to gay heave – I mean, Taiwan!