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About Hoponworld

hey there

Welcome to Hoponworld!

I’m Mariza — cat lover, Netflix binge-watcher, occasional mimosa drinker, and a huge Deon Meyer fan.

In 2011 I left a career in Advertising to teach English in Taiwan. Since then, I’ve traveled extensively in Asia and now call Taiwan home.

When I’m not juggling work, you’ll probably find me unwinding on a gorgeous beach, hunting for waterfalls, getting lost in a bustling city, chilling at a hipster cafe, or snacking my way through a night market!

My travels have taken me to 30 countries across four continents, and while I haven’t been everywhere, I can’t wait to explore more of our beautiful world!

“I heard an airplane overhead. I wished I was on it.” ~ Charles Bukowski

As you might have guessed, my love for traveling and sharing travel tips and tricks with others sparked the creation of this blog.

The best part? Traveling doesn’t need to be hard, and you certainly don’t need to quit your day job (even though that would be awesome) to live a life filled with amazing journeys! And on my blog, I’ll show you exactly just how to do that! 

All in all, Hoponworld is a space for folk who love anything from bustling cities and lesser-known gems to island getaways and trekking through lush jungles.

On Hoponworld you’ll find in-depth destination guides, quick city break itineraries, and stacks of travel tips to help you spend less time planning and more time creating awesome memories! 

cherry blossoms surround seoul tower in spring

xo Mariza

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Colorful views are the best 🌈​​​​​​ Colorful views are the best 🌈​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​📍 Zhengbin Fishing Harbor​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​#keelung #keelungcity #zhengbinfishingarbor #colorful #taiwantravel #colorfull #colormakesmehappy #taiwantravelmap #hiddengems
My city might not be as hip as Taipei, but at leas My city might not be as hip as Taipei, but at least we’ve got this cool tiger! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀It’s probably not going to be up much longer, so if you happen to be downtown in the next few days, definitely make a pitstop at the East Gate! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀📍 Yingximen, Hsinchu (竹塹城迎曦門)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀#hsinchucity #yearofthetiger #mytaiwan #chinesenewyear #lanternfestival #taiwangram #taiwanlife
📍Ci’en Pagoda ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Bui 📍Ci’en Pagoda⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Built by former President Chiang Kai-shek in memory of his mother, Ci’en Pagoda is an iconic landmark of Sun Moon Lake. The pagoda is 46m high and offers incredible views over the lake and surrounding mountain scenery.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀For the best views, climb all the way to the top! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀#sunmoonlake #sunmoonlaketw #taiwangram #beautifultaiwan #iseetaiwan #amazingtaiwan #taiwantrip #taiwantravels #taiwantourism#taiwandream #ilovetaiwan#taiwantravelmap #taiwanlife #visittaiwan #taiwan_tourism #taiwan_destinations #nantou #pagoda
Soaking up the views. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Soaking up the views.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀📍Wenwu Temple⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀sunmoonlake #sunmoonlaketw #taiwangram #beautifultaiwan #iseetaiwan #amazingtaiwan #taiwantrip #taiwantravels #taiwantourism#taiwandream #ilovetaiwan#taiwantravelmap #taiwanlife #visittaiwan #taiwan_tourism #taiwan_destinations #nantou #temple #wenwutemple
Sun Moon Lake is Taiwan’s largest natural lake a Sun Moon Lake is Taiwan’s largest natural lake and is famous for its incredible scenery. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀But did you know: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀💦 Sun Moon Lake sits 748 meters above sea level. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀🙆‍♀️ It spans more than 7.93 km2 and is approx. 27 meters deep. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀🦌 Legend has it that the lake was first discovered by the Thao Tribe (the area's indigenous people) while hunting a deer.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀☀️🌙 The east side of the lake looks like a sun, and the west side of the lake looks like a moon, hence the name.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀🫖 Taiwan’s rare premium black tea, Red Jade (aka Tea # 18), is grown in the mountains surrounding the lake. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Sun Moon Lake is a fascinating place with loads to do too! 🥰 Check out my latest update (link in bio) to discover all of its best bits! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀#sunmoonlake #sunmoonlaketw #taiwangram #beautifultaiwan #iseetaiwan #amazingtaiwan #taiwantrip #taiwantravels #taiwantourism#taiwandream #ilovetaiwan#taiwantravelmap #taiwanlife #visittaiwan #taiwan_tourism #taiwan_destinations #nantou
Good morning from dreamy Sun Moon Lake. 🥰​​ Good morning from dreamy Sun Moon Lake. 🥰​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​#sunmoonlake #sunmoonlaketw #taiwangram #beautifultaiwan #itathao #iseetaiwan #expatblogger #amazingtaiwan #taiwantrip #taiwantravels #taiwantourism #taiwandream #ilovetaiwan​​​​​​​​#taiwantravelmap #taiwanlife #台灣旅遊 #visittaiwan​​​​​​​​#taiwan_tourism #台灣景點 #nantou
To all my Taiwanese friends, 新年快樂! 虎年行大運!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I’d post a picture of a tiger, but I don’t have one, so these blooms will have to do! 😂🤣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀#chinesenewyear #cherryblossoms #lifeintaiwan #expatlife #taiwan
We drove 3 hours to get to this secret cherry blos We drove 3 hours to get to this secret cherry blossom spot hidden in the hills of Yushan National Park, and boy, oh boy, were we glad we did! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Wanggao Teahouse sits roughly 1500m above sea level and offers incredible views over green mountains that seem to go on forever. But the shining star here is the GORGEOUS cherry blossom forest planted against the mountain slope. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀There’s a zig-zag trail lined with hundreds of cherry blossoms trees that leads you down the mountain. And although it's well-paved, it’s really steep. So get ready to break a sweat! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀If you’re into off-the-beaten-path travel, this place is a MUST! 🥰⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀📍望高茶園景觀餐廳⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀南投縣信義鄉同富村太平巷72之6號⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀#南投景點  #taiwantravel #taiwangram #instagrammer #artofvisuals #cherryblossoms #pinkpinkpink #colormakesmehappy #iseetaiwan #vscotaiwan #bpintaiwan #amazingtaiwan #igerstaiwan #exploretaiwan #popdaily  #ig_photooftheday #ig_color #nantoutravel
Endless mountain views 😍😍😍⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Endless mountain views 😍😍😍⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀📍 望高茶園景觀餐廳⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀南投縣信義鄉同富村太平巷72之6號⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀#望高茶園景觀餐廳 #cherryblossoms #taiwantravel #nantoutravel #jademountain #yushan #taiwan_wheretogo #taiwangram #iseetaiwan #beautifuldestinations
These blooms make my heart flutter. 🥰🌸⠀⠀ These blooms make my heart flutter. 🥰🌸⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Wuji Tianyuan Temple is the BEST cherry blossom  viewing spot in Taipei (IMO).⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀If you want to see the blooms for yourself, they usually bloom for a few fleeting weeks in early February and then again in March (when a different cherry tree blooms). ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀📍 Wuji Tianyuan Temple, New Taipei City⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀251新北市淡水區北新路三段36號⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀🚌 To get there, take the Red MRT Line to Danshui and hop on bus 875 or 876 towards Beixinzhuang. Get off at the Tianyuan Temple stop. The bus ride takes about 20 minutes and costs NT$15.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Opening hours: 9 am - 5 pm daily⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀💫 For more tips, head over to my blog, where you can read all about visiting this gorgeous Taoist temple during cherry blossom season. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀#cherryblossoms #cherryblossom #amazingtaiwan #taipeitravels #flowerstagram #flowerslovers #flowergram #sakura #travelyam #ig_photooftheday #tripgo #taiwan_dream #wantogo #wanderlust #wujitianyuantemple

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