Killing a day before the night flight We have a big day with a night flight to Vienna at 2345.  When I woke at 0500, I allowed ourselves to sleep a bit more till the alarm at 0715 and then somehow it was suddenly 0845.  That’s nearly 10h sleep for me!  I guess we’re on […]

Yehliu Geopark Today we hired a car and driver to cover a few places that are part of a common tour itinerary.  Two of three were places I had been to, but it’s a good way to spend the day with friends. The car was organised through the hotel rather than online as we had […]

Dihua Street MH & WL had woken up at 0330 and been out for breakfast before sunrise whereas I had some muesli in the room.  We took a taxi out around to Dihua Street. The street is lined with nice character buildings, some from the Japanese era, selling traditional dried foods.  MH was looking for […]

Above:  My Indonesian lunch. The weather turned as I prepared to venture out today, with intermittent drizzle continuing through the day.  It wasn’t forecast and even when it was raining, the forecast said it was currently cloudy!  That’s so unusual as forecasts show a rainy icon with the slightest showers. I had thought of going […]

Flying to Taipei I woke at 0330, way ahead of my alarm at 0500.  That meant only 5h of sleep but that is somewhat enough for me.  I lay in bed for quite a bit before preparing to head to the airport. Leaving the room at 0527, I called by reception to return my keycard […]

Above:  My awesome meal was a great way to finish the trip! Brief exploration in Taipei My flight back to New Zealand departs at 1835 today.  I had worked it out that if I left the hotel at 1100 for Taipei, I’d still get to the airport around 1400, meaning I’d have spare time for […]

I woke to miserably wet weather, worse than yesterday’s.  After a good hotel breakfast, I checked the forecast.  It was meant to be more or less similar all day but just slightly better in the afternoon. Around 0900, I decided to put on a brave face and the poncho which I had bought five years […]

Getting to Jiufen Today, I had the luxury of sitting down for breakfast at McDonald’s before walking to the train station.  It proved to be the right move for two reasons.  The tea at McD was awesome with two bags of Dilmah and plenty of milk.  And some food options at the station weren’t yet […]