Despite flying in from the west, I woke at 0630. However, with the cool damp weather expected outside, and no pressing hunger or plans, I stayed indoors till 0930. I checked out a place that came highly recommended, to try get brunch, but it was closed today. Leaving my room again at 1100, it was […]

Transit in Chengdu Tianfu About an hour before landing in Chengdu Tianfu airport, the crew served sweet milk coffee or tea.  It was a nice way to wake up from my doze of under 3h.  It’s quite an achievement for a 6h30 flight, less take-off, meal and descent time. We landed on time at 0900 […]

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 […]