Betel nut is a mainstay in the more rural and coastal areas of Taiwan. A bitter tasting concoction of the betel palm nut and lime paste which when wrapped in a leaf, results in red gums, teeth and a high-octane caffeine/energy-drink like buzz.

Most people try one because, well, why not? Most visitors however don’t do it over and over again, they leave that to the manic taxi and truck drivers careening around blind corners who have the telltale red streaks splashed down the vehicle doors.

Some of our clients from the Gold Coast, however, got a real taste for it.

Paul Tarvit and his mates completely missed the addiction stage and went straight to being connoisseurs. A few cold Taiwanese beers helped the process. In seven days, they went through seven packets. But hey, what would have killed most mortal Westerners, obviously didn’t apply to these guys – it simply made them paddle harder, surf faster and more often; not a problem though, we know plenty of surf spots.

With the Chinese New Year having just been celebrated (Happy Year of the Horse everyone!) winter swells are still sliding in with the majority being in the 9 to 13 second period range. Clean winds and clear conditions are the order of most days with plenty of surf time on offer. It’s a case of how much can your paddling arms handle? And when exhausted, there’s a host of restaurants, temples, hot springs and night markets to check out.

We took a few days off this month to head to the mountains and witness the locals preparing for the annual lantern festival. It’s a real treat to be able to head from the coast to the mountains to witness the joy of Taiwanese native communities reveling in old traditions.

With so much to see and do in Taiwan, there’s rarely a dull moment, and we’re happy to partake in it all.

Text and photos: SurfTaiwan.com