Cycling Around Taiwan
I took 2 weeks off in October to ride a bicycle around the whole of Taiwan. It was over 1000km and took about 2 weeks to complete. Along the way, I had both good and bad experiences and there’s a lot I’d love to share!
I also filmed a lot of videos of my cycle, so if you’d like to see, you can watch this episode on YouTube – The Level Up English Podcast.
This is perhaps the longest solo episode I’ve ever recorded, but throughout the episode, I talk about the good and the bad, what I did day by day, how I prepared for the trip, and my experience talking in Chinese with people there.
Along the way, I also mention a lot of useful vocabulary which will be useful for you as English learners. Hope you enjoy!
Conditional Structures
I’d like to give a quick bonus lesson to help the English learners based on this episode. Throughout the episode, I used a lot of conditionals structures.
Zero Conditional
If + Present Tense + Present Tense
Describes general truths
If you have enough time before the trip, these things naturally pop into your head. (8:07)
If you want to train that much, you have to give up many days (12:56)
First Conditional
If + Present Tense + Future Tense
Describes a real or likely situation in the future.
If you’re listening on audio like Spotify or Apple podcasts or wherever, this will be no different to you. (1:56)
You actually don’t need many clothes if you’re going to be washing most nights. (52:53)
Second Conditional
If + past tense + would / could / might
Describes an unlikely future situation
I knew that I would be happier if I pre-booked my accommodation. (6:40)
That could be really beautiful if you were not in pain and if the weather was sunny. (39:12)
Third Conditional
If + past tense + would / could / might
Talks about past regrets and things that can no longer be changed
If it had not been windy, I probably wouldn’t have been injured. (54:51)
If the weather had been good, would I recommend it? (59:28)
Feel free to practice these conditionals in the comments!
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🍌🍌It was amazing episode, yes sometimes we planned a trip but the weather has a different plan. Thank you for sharing this story and I really amazed by your patience.
Thanks for watching until the end, Najd! Well said – life happens in its own way regardless of how we plan
Hi Michael,
This is Christy from Taipei! I’ve been listening to your podcast for over a year! I really enjoy listening to your thoughts about things, people, cultures and many more, and of course I also get to improve my English this way. The way you see the would around us, full of curiosity, inclusion and tenderness, is most inspiring and brings us positive vibes which are much needed on a daily basis.
From previous episode, I learned that you were planning a trip to Taiwan, my hometown. I was thrilled but also a bit of nervous because I didn’t want you to feel disappointed at her. And after finishing this episode, I feel so sorry that you encountered two typhoons during such a brief stay here, unbelievable!! Eastern Taiwan is actually really scenic if not for the horrible rain and storm. I hope your leg recovers perfectly now and do wish the weather treats you well on your next visit (if you would ever consider to give her another chance). End of April might be ideal because typoone and spring rain haven’t arrived and the winter monsoon should ease up then.
豆花(Tofu Hua) lover here too 😉
Warm regards,
Christy
Omg I need to delete the extra ‘e’ !! Typhoon*
Thanks so much, Christy! Appreciate you sticking with the podcast for so long already 🙂
I was very aware of trying not to make it sound like I had problems with Taiwan itself, but rather the bad circumstances such as the typhoon. I’m planning to go back (maybe next year!) to see more of the east, and possibly also Sun Moon Lake.
Thanks again for listening and your comment
Bananas , I like this secret code
Haha! Thank you, Hind 🍌
Bananas , I like this secret code 😂
Bananas
🍌🍌🥳