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    Bullet Train to Kaohsiung

    Taiwan 2024 Travel blog
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    Despite the internet problems at The Cozzi Hotel in Taipei, I was sad to leave there today. It has been a real home from home over the last five days, and I have thoroughly enjoyed staying there. The bed was the comfiest I have ever slept in, while staying away from home, and it has been wonderful in every respect. 

    These days I prefer to go first class, my days of backpacking around the globe are well and truly over, if they were ever a thing in the first place. On the way to our current Hotel, The Han-Hsien International in Kaohsiung, as we left the station, dragging our luggage the 1.5km to this top-class establishment, Darrell remarked, how I would gladly pay for a five-star hotel, but refuse to pay for a taxi to get there! Yes, he's right, I will never pay for transport, unless it's free. We both have legs, and need to keep fit, so I'm walking, come hell or high water!
    Sitting eating our last breakfast at The Cozzi, I glanced momentarily out of the window, onto the street outside. There were queues and queues of people lining up around the block, to get Taipei's most famous breakfast. Personally, I was quite happy, sat eating a lovely morning feast, while people were queuing in the rain... I couldn't think of anything worse. So far, I haven't found any food I would queue for here anyway; I have yet to be convinced!

    The drizzle had started early in Taipei, and we were leaving just in time. The rain will keep falling the entire time we are down south, where the sun is luckily shining every day. Of course, the rain is very different in 32-degree temperatures, but to be honest I have literally had enough of the wet stuff, leaving the wettest winter in Australia for years, behind.
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    We had a while to wait at Taipei's main station, before we could catch the Bullet Train to Kaohsiung, so we grabbed a couple of pastries and a green tea and Guava juice drink. To Darrell's absolute horror, there were no Starbucks coffee shops anywhere to be found. For me, however, it was a bonus, since I can't stand the bloody places anyway.

    The facilities were quite sparse at the train station, but then it was Sunday, and most of the places were closed anyway. It is strange observing how other cultures tick, and Taiwan really seems to be a law unto itself. Unlike any other Southeast Asian country, I have stayed in before, the food is extremely fattening, and calorific; everything seems to be deep fried. I can only assume it is the western influence, everywhere you go. Point blank, there are a lot of overweight Taiwanese; in China, I doubt you would see the same thing!
    After going through the gate to the platform, we waited patiently for the Bullet Train to arrive. These really are magnificent pieces of engineering, built for speed. To get from Taipei in the north, to Kaohsiung in the South, it would take just two hours, travelling at speeds of up to 300 KPH. You can of course, take a local train if you prefer, but the journey would be significantly longer and definitely not as comfortable.
    We were in Carriage 4, seats 12D and 12E. Like all Trains in Taiwan, we queued patiently at the designated platform area for our carriage, and when the train arrived, it literally pulled up exactly where we were standing.  The side, doors opened automatically to let you on board; everything worked like clockwork. It was efficient, there was no pushing and shoving, especially due to the polite nature of the Taiwanese anyway, and everything was done in a speedy, timely manner, with no fuss or delays. This is how a train service should be run!
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    The carriage was bright and airy, and the leg room, unlike anything I have seen before. Despite the super-fast speed the train was travelling, it was comfortable, and you barely knew you were even moving. It was the most pleasurable train journey I have ever taken. Whether Taiwan, Japan or China, they know how to do public transport right, Europe just can't, and it really shows. 

    You could have bought food on board, but at $50 AUD for a bento box, it wasn't something I was going to pay for (Here's the tight wad in me coming out again.) If we had thought about it earlier, we would have picked something up at the station, but with the journey being relatively short, it really didn't matter too much.
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    It was a rather relaxing, stress-free journey, sitting there staring out of the train window, looking at the scenery pass by. I have always loved this form of transport anyway. The movement is often enough to make me fall asleep, but I was determined to stay awake and not miss this experience for anything. 

    Taiwan is very green and lush, but at the same time extremely industrialised. It was captivating seeing the contrast between the two worlds on our trip, and really shows how densely populated this tiny island is. It isn't as modern as I was expecting, but the High-Speed Rail is in a class of its own. This is what I came to Taiwan to experience, and it didn't let me down.
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    We arrived in Kaohsiung dead on time and headed straight to the MRT station, where we could still use our fully charged 'Easy Card' to pay for the journey. We were about eight stops away from the hotel, which wasn't too long. Like everywhere in Taiwan however, the underground was crowded, with little room to move. When you have four suitcases in tow, it can be a bit of a squash to say the least; you certainly get up close and personal, if you know what I mean.

    After walking to the hotel, here we are! Just look at that stupendous view from our room on the 26th floor. It will be a real pleasure blogging from here over the night five days, that's for sure. The only reason I chose this hotel, was because of the pool for Darrell, otherwise we would have been closer to the city, but so far, I'm impressed, despite the astronomical cost.

    We have a dinner reservation for six, so it's time I got ready!
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    After settling into the hotel, we went for a much-needed meal at the 'Tea Lounge' restaurant, in the hotel. With all the travelling we have done today, we just didn't have time for food, so rather than going out, we thought we would eat in. To be honest, we weren't disappointed, the food was great compared to what we had eaten in Taipei.

    For $1550 TWD, about $75.00 AUD, we had a lovely three course meal and two beers each. It tasted amazing, and we could really eat as much as we wanted. After ordering the main, there was also a salad, soup and desert bar, all totally free of charge, which was certainly a bonus. The beer was also the large 600ml bottles, not the small 300 ml ones...So, I am feeling a little merry should we say. You can definitely tell I don't drink much these days.

    I have to say, I am getting quite a taste for Taiwan Beer these days. It is strong with a really nutty taste, and it is hitting the spot. At only $7 AUD a bottle it is also less than half the price you pay back home. Taiwan isn't the cheapest destination in the World, in fact it is positively expensive, but it is still significantly cheaper than Australia... How can I complain!

    After dinner we had a quick walk around the area and were surprised at how remarkably different it is to Taipei. It must be a newer city, because it doesn't have the small winding lanes that Taipei does. The open, boulevard, New York style layout, is a refreshing change, and really gives it a modern feel. Both Darrell and I are looking forward to exploring more of this amazing place tomorrow, but for now, it is time for bed; God knows I'm shattered!
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    Elephant Mountain and the world's first Cat Cafe!

    Taiwan 2024 Travel blog
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    It was yet another early one this morning, as we made our way towards the Elephant Trail in Taipei. The Elephant trail, East of the city of Taipei, at the end of the red MRT line, takes you to an amazing vista, overlooking the city; it is really a site to behold. Rain was expected to fall by lunchtime, and we wanted to fit in as much as we could beforehand.  

    As it happens, there was no rain today in Taipei, right up until we had dinner at 6pm, so we really had no reason to get up so early. Part of the problem with predicting the weather in Taiwan, is, just like the UK, you can't get it entirely accurate. As an island, the weather systems change constantly, often without warning. I've learnt to take anything my weather app says with a pinch of salt, and just do what I feel is right.
    The trek up to the viewing platforms, showcasing Taipei's city scape in all its glory, was at times painful, but also exhilarating. The temperature wasn't too hot at 8.30 in the morning, but as soon as we began the long walk to the top, the sun came out and the mercury began to rise. By the time Darrell and I reached the first viewing platform, we were sweating like a glass blowers ar*e. Puffing and panting, we had a long way to go, before we reached the top!

    There were plenty of locals and tourists alike walking the Elephant tail, so many in fact, it was often difficult meandering between the growing throng of people. Most of them were of course polite, and allowed others to pass, the narrow, winding stairs easily. There were a few however, who were just darn right rude, and entitled, and as usual, the Americans came top of the list. Blocking stairs, talking loudly and preventing people from trying to get past them, seemed to be top of their list of annoyances. Asians are a lot more respectful and deferential to others, and it is to America's shame, that their citizens act in such a rude way! As an individual, I always let others pass before me, and was brought up to hold doors open for anyone following closely behind. Manners in America, appear to be sadly lacking
    We finally reached the top, after just over an hour of walking. It was comforting to see a defibrillator on every landing, on our way up to the summit, but made me a little anxious, as I gingerly made my way up to the top, breathing heavily as I went. I was well aware of just how unfit I was, as I stumbled, and finally collapsed on a waiting bench overlooking the city of Taipei, at the pinnacle of the mountain. 

    ​The views were truly magnificent; unlike anything I had seen before. Although I was out of breath, I also had a great sense of satisfaction, that I had completed the marathon climb. It certainly does make you feel invigorated, and full of life. 
    Despite my achievement, I was tired, exhausted, and shattered as I started to make my way down the other side of the mountain. By the time I had reached the bottom I was ringing in sweat, and badly in need of a drink. Looking over my shoulder at the mountain behind, I was amazed by just how far I had come personally. It wasn't that long ago; I was weighing in at 100kg, and out of breath after just walking up a flight of stairs. Today I can walk up a mountain, and most importantly, I am 25kg lighter. Thankfully, I can now enjoy doing the things I've always wanted to do, and that really does make me happy.
    Soaked in sweat, with temperatures hitting 32 degrees, we made our way to the MRT underground line and headed to Starbucks for a cold drink. I love coming here as a blogger, because they literally have the fastest WIFI in the World. I was able to upload all of my photographs and videos in a matter of minutes. I mean, how the hell can Starbucks have a decent internet connection, but everywhere else doesn't?... It really beggars' belief. Still, I'm not complaining, since it gives me more time to enjoy my holiday. 

    Darrell has already complained I spend too much time blogging, but, as a writer, it is something I have to do, every day, I know Darrell does find that difficult at times, but it is just a fact of life for me; I would love to take a break and switch off, but I know it just isn't going to happen.
    From Taipei 101, we jumped on the MRT Red line and went to our next destination - Taipei's famous cat cafe. In fact, we went to the World first Cat Cafe, opened in 1998. Once again, I would love to tell you the name, but it is in Taiwanese, as you would expect, which I am unable to decipher. However, if you watch the brief video below, you will see me reference it at the end of the recording.

    Darrell and I have been to many Cat Cafes all over the World, and I can safely say this one was the best. The cats, dogs and a bird in the care of the owners were happy, well cared for, and looked after, and I was delighted to sit there, drinking Taiwanese Apple Tea, and eating a delicious homemade piece of cake. 

    Cat Cafes can often be terrible places to visit. The last one we went to in Chiang Mai, had a profound effect on me, and I vowed never to return to one again. The animals there were badly looked after, and the place stunk of urine. Here in the World's first Cat Cafe, the animals were squeaky clean, and a joy to be around. I did breathe a sigh of relief - my faith in humanity had been restored.

    This is a must-see destination for any cat lover that comes to Taiwan, and I would happily return again and again. I have never felt so welcome at an establishment in my life, but things didn't stay happy for long.
    By the time we left the cafe, at 2pm, both Darrell and I were ravenous, the last time we had eaten was at breakfast, so we tried to find a place to get a late lunch. Now this was the one aspect of Taiwan I detested. We could not find anywhere to eat! We spend a good two hours looking for somewhere, just to sit and relax - to no avail. Everywhere was either full, or hosting events, and there was just nowhere to go.

    How can a place with so many inhabitants, have so few decent places to eat? I have never had any problems, in any other country, seeking out a bistro or cafe, but here in Taipei, it had become an impossible task. In the end we gave up, and started to make our way back towards our hotel. Luckily however, we stumbled across somewhere to eat, a block away from the COZZI, where we are staying - Nora's Kitchen. 

    This was a particularly disappointing end, to an otherwise fabulous day, which has been somewhat tarnished. A large International city like Taipei, should have better facilities. Whether you are crammed nose to nose on the MRT, fighting over a seat in a restaurant or just looking for somewhere to grab a quick coffee, there should be more choice on offer and please provide somewhere to sit. Not everyone wants to stand up eating a pastry. 

    Tomorrow, we head south to Kaohsiung, and the hope is, we will find a more relaxed vibe, where we can unwind a little more. Taipei has been a wonderful place to visit, but both of us just haven't spent enough time relaxing. This is a large, hectic city, so you expect a lot of hustle and bustle, but even when we stayed in the bigger Bangkok, we could find somewhere to relax - In Taipei, it can be an almost impossible task. Nevertheless, it has been a fantastic journey in this friendly city, and I have some wonderful memories to take home to Australia with me!
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    An Unforgettable Day in Jiufen!

    Taiwan 2024 Travel blog
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    Evening all… Tonight I am back at the hotel, after an exhausting twelve hours in Jiufen. I guess I must be getting old, all tucked up in bed at 8.30pm, but it really has been a tiring day. To make matters worse, the hotel internet connection is just not working for me. It has a totally insecure connection, which will just not work on my laptop. I am therefore having to pay for my own Wi-Fi, through my mobile phone provider in Australia. Paying $20 AUD for 5 GB of data, isn't too bad on the scale of things. I am using about 2 GB a day, so by the time we leave next week, it would have cost me about $80 AUD — No real biggie. 

    Now, I didn't know it was going to be this bad here, but you would think a large hotel, like COZZI, would at least have a secure connection for its guests. I will be complaining, as you would expect. If you are coming to Taiwan, and staying at this otherwise first class hotel, may I suggest you seek alternative arrangements for internet use, like me. It will cost you, but at least you will have peace of mind, having a secure connection to the internet!
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    We had an early start this morning, waking at 5.15am. I wanted to make the most of the last sunny day in Taipei, before we leave and travel south on Sunday. We had another wonderful breakfast at the hotel, sat looking towards the urban sprawl outside. The truth is, I am a lover of city life, and have missed living in a busy metropolis since leaving Portsmouth, two years ago. Taipei is a city like no other and is home to over seven million people, so you can imagine, just how busy it is on a daily basis.

    As I sat there eating my freshly cooked omelette, glancing at the Taipei Times, I was immediately struck by world events that were shaping this small country. Tensions are running high in this region, with China having just completed a military exercise, off the coast of this island. Of course China would claim, Taipei is part of the mainland, while Taiwan wants its independence, and a future very much rooted in the western world.

    I know nothing of the geopolitics at work here, but I understand just how beautiful this country is, and how welcoming Taiwanese people are. I would hate to see this country forever changed, under the watchful eye of Communist China!
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    With a particularly fine day on the horizon, we had decided to travel north, to the World-famous city of Jiufen, situated, idyllically, in the green lush hills this island is famous for. This is a destination I have wanted to explore for many years, and is another place crossed off my bucket list.
    We took a local TRA train, from Taipei main station at just after 8am this morning; both of us are getting used to navigating the transport system now, and actually find it pretty easy to get around. The train was absolutely packed with commuters, trying to get to work, so, feeling rather tired, we both had to stand for the first twenty minutes of the hour-long journey. 

    ​As the train passed through the north of Taipei, I was struck by just how old the infrastructure is. I don't really know what I expected, but I thought Taiwan would be far more modern than it actually is. This northern region does seem rather neglected, compared to the capital, but everything seems to function well, and the journey was pleasant enough.
    We arrived at Ruifang railway station, about ten minutes away from Jiufen, absolutely spot on time. Immediately, we made a beeline for the bus stop in Resident square, taking the 1062 bus to our final destination.

    Now I just want to say a word or two about Taiwans Easy Card system, since that is what we have been using to get around, since we arrived on Wednesday. When we alighted at Taipei main station, we purchased the 'Easy Card' from the local ticket office. You can top this card up at any time, and use it to pay for everything, from train, bus, and boat travel, to groceries and restaurants across the whole of the country, not just in Taipei.

    This is the best system of integration I have ever seen, and is so easy to use and top up, using one of the many machines, at stations and other participating outlets. Despite the creaking nature of Taiwan's infrastructure in places, this little card is a blessing for a tourist like me, and has allowed us to travel throughout this city was complete ease!

    The ten-minute drive to Jiufen, was hair-raising to say the least, with the bus taking corners so fast, I feared for my life at times. Even Darrell was firmly strapped into his seat, just wishing for the bus ride to be over as quick as possible.
    We definitely made the right decision to come early to Jiufen. The narrow tiled streets were completely empty and quiet, giving us time to walk patiently around, without being hassled by shop vendors and restaurateurs. This was actually the most relaxed I have felt since being in Taiwan; I would certainly advise anyone travelling to Jiufen to get there as early as possible, just to get a feel of the place, before the hoards of tourists arrive!

    We stopped and had a coffee, and in my case, a carrot juice, in a beautiful café overlooking the ocean. Sadly I just can't remember the name, but it was set over three floors, right on the corner, of one of Jiufen's main streets. It offered panoramic views of the coastline and hills surrounding the city. It was a joy, sitting there, just breathing in the fresh sea air, before the heat really began to bite.
    After morning coffee, we ventured back out into the street — it was packed. In that brief half an hour we were sat inside the restaurant, bus loads of tourists had arrived, and all the souvenir shops had opened their doors. This was of course a delight for me, since I love small 'nick nack' shops, selling tasteless fridge magnets, postcards and obje d'art. Part of the enjoyment of going on holiday, for me, is taking home little reminders; every time I look at them, I can be transported back to happy times in Asia. Darrell, on the other hand, can't stand the amount of stuff I bring home, and the money I spend. Still, after leaving all my belongings back in The UK, I've got a lot of stuff to make up for.
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    After walking the entire length of Jiufen, we went back to the same restaurant we had coffee in earlier, for a spot of lunch and a few beers. If I go to a place, and like it, I will return again and again. The restaurant was perfect in my book, if a little expensive, but then, who 'penny pinches' on holiday? I know I certainly don't. 

    I ordered delicious homemade Taiwanese dumplings, some Tiramisu, (Clearly catering for western tastes) a large Taiwan Beer, and some warm Japanese Saki rice wine, which really hit the spot. The food, service, ambience, and atmosphere was just faultless, and given the opportunity I would return again and again. Sadly, I'm not sure when we will get back to Taiwan in the future, but unlike Vietnam, I would love to go back and relive my time here at the earliest opportunity.
    To end our brief visit to Jiufen, we walked around to the other side of the mountain, this hillside city is built into, where we could see just how beautiful it is. It reminded me of our time in Sorrento and Amalfi in Italy, as well as the many holidays we spent with family in Croatia. Both of these places had similar mountainous, rocky coastlines — dramatic and awe-inspiring. Both Darrell and I agree (for a change) about just how special northern Taiwan is. I could have quite easily spent the whole holiday here, despite the thousands of tourists, and I am just thankful we had the opportunity to visit when we did.

    I do worry about what will happen to Taiwan in the future, which is why we decided to go now, and not later. There is so much upheaval in the World at the moment, that neither Darrell nor I, are sure when we will leave Australia again. I suspect war is coming, but I am hopeful, the World can pull back from the brink before it's too late, and all of us can live our lives in peace. 

    Whether we are British, Australian, Russian, or Taiwanese, we are all human, just trying to get by in this crazy World right now. This holiday is special, because it could be the last one we have until the political climate changes for the better. I have my fingers crossed for the future; I certainly didn't want to end this blog on a down note, but sometimes you just have to say what's on your mind, as I have done this evening, good or bad.

    ​Chao for now!
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    Taipei 101, Chiang Kai Shek Memorial and Raohe Night Market!

    Taiwan 2024 Travel blog
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    Taipei 101
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    ​I think I must be getting brave in my old age; today I did something I don't usually do and go up, what was the World's tallest tower until 2015 — Taipei 101. Darrell's hip is playing up, so we had to take the MRT train to the tower, rather than walk, as I suggested. To be honest, I have put on so much weight over the last few days, the more walking I do the better, but my other half has other ideas. Taiwanese food is not by any shape of the imagination healthy. Unlike the rest of Asia, its food has a distinctly western feel about it, with plenty of fried chicken and high carb delights on the menu; this is not a place to visit if you don't want to put on weight, and certainly isn't for the faint-hearted. 

    It is rather difficult trying to avoid the unhealthy food here, as much as I have tried. Even at breakfast this morning, the food was most certainly high in fat, with only a small selection of fruit on offer. When I get home from this holiday, I am going to have to do a lot of keeping fit, to get back to the way I was!
    The views from the top of the tower were spectacular, even if the cost of going up to the observation deck was extortionate. The price for the two of us was $1200 TWD, which is about $60 AUD. Nevertheless, this is a must-do activity, if you are visiting Taipei. 

    The observation deck is indeed one of the best I have seen; dotted throughout the 360 degree viewing platform, are a number of what I can only describe as, 'kitsch follies.' Here you can sit and have your photo taken, in front of the different urban backdrops behind, adding an extra element of excitement, as you explore the city outside. These displays, almost childlike in nature, are extremely Taiwan centric, and me and Darrell loved them. We are both Hello Kitty fans, so you can imagine how thrilled we were to be surrounded, by things we absolutely adore. Taiwan suits our own sensibility, and is a particularly fun place to be!
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    After spending nearly $300 AUD in the souvenir shop at the top of the tower, we made our way down into the rather exclusive shopping mall below. This vast complex is populated with designer labels — including Cartier, Yves Saint Laurent, Armani, and many others; all of which were completely out of our price range. I'm a cheap and cheerful kinda bloke at heart, more op shop than designer shop, and I certainly wouldn't be wasting money on overpriced clothes, especially when there are so many knock offs in the markets outside. It was, however, nice to see, how the other half live — Would I want it myself? Well, no, probably not!

    From luxury and excess, we headed to culinary perfection. We found The Angel Cafe on our way back to the hotel; it was a little gem, tucked away down a particularly exclusive side street. This was a western style establishment, serving food with a knife and fork… YES, a knife and fork, and not chopsticks, as is usual here. Darrell finds it particularly difficult to eat with chopsticks, and I could hear a sigh of relief, as we sat down to eat.

    Darrell had Linguine with mushrooms and truffle and I had Hungarian pork. Both dishes tasted wonderful and certainly filled a hole, washed down with a couple of bottles of beer. This wasn't a cheap option however, and, although I enjoyed the ambience and food, it was quite an expensive meal, costing $100 AUD. Sometimes, though, it is worth paying more for something special, and special it was!

    ​Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall
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    After lunch, we headed to the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall and Gardens. This is something I have wanted to see for many years. It is a wonderful monument, full of history; richly decorated, it is a superb example of Taiwanese architecture and I just love it.  There were so many echoes of our time in Seoul, South Korea: The colours and style were, to the untrained eye, identical, and it was definitely one of those wow moments, when I saw it.

    By the time we arrived, the sun was high in the sky, and it was very hot. There is very little cover in the memorial grounds themselves, but the surrounding gardens, with lush green vegetation, and KOI carp swimming in a beautifully presented lake, is a welcome pit stop, during the heat of the day. This has been my favourite part so far and wherever we go now, will have a lot to live up to.

    ​Raohe Night Market
    To end the day, we headed to the World famous Raohe Night Market, just a few stops on the underground, from our hotel. This is a destination I have seen a lot of, on YouTube, and I had a good idea what to expect. The market was crowded with tourists, and you could hardly move through the thronging crowds, without elbowing someone in the face. The food itself is not the best, and is pretty standard stuff really. We bought a doughnut burger, followed by a sausage on a stick and finally a large piece of fried chicken with topping of your choice.

    As you walk through the market, you can smell the popular 'stinky tofu,' a popular dish in Taiwan, that smells like sewage. That is enough to put me off for life. On top of this, there is also the odour of Dorian fruit, again an aroma akin to a blocked drainage system, and not something I even want to try. Apparently, both of these dishes taste absolutely wonderful, but I just can't bring myself to eat something that smells so bad.

    Finally, back at the hotel, we are relaxing ahead of another busy day tomorrow. So far we are both enjoying this hospitable Asian country, especially the incredible sites, polite people, amazing MRT train system and vibrancy of Taipei itself. However, the food hasn't so far lived up to my expectations. I haven't eaten anything, I thought I would like to eat again, and I am still seeking that perfect dish. Also, the food is terribly fattening and has played havoc with mine and Darrell's IBS and all that entails! (what a lovely thought for this evening)

    I do always find myself comparing the countries I visit, to my favourite Asian country of choice, Thailand, and nothing has so far lived up to it yet. I fell in love with Bangkok, the first time I saw it, Taipei is a city that is slowly growing on me. Furthermore, I just hope by the end of the week, I have another amazing destination to add to my list, of countries I would like to return to again; until then, my judgement is well and truly reserved. After all, we have only been here two days, a lot can change in the next ten!
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    Day 1 in Taiwan - Shattered, knackered and badly in need of sleep!

    Australia Taiwan 2024 Travel blog
    I was supposed to finish this blog entry last night, however, I literally must have passed out where I was so tired. It's now 5.15am in the morning, and I have had a wonderful night of sleep, on what is probably the comfiest bed I have ever slept in; it was like sleeping on a cloud — or maybe, that's because I was just so tired.
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    Our day started relatively late yesterday. We had a midnight flight from Perth international airport, and as usual, we were there with plenty of time to spare. I am a person who is always early; I have never been late for anything in my life — so we arrived by taxi at just after 8pm. At nearly $50 AUD for a taxi from our house to Perth international, it isn't cheap, but then nor is Australia in general; The reality is, I think we are both just grateful to be leaving Perth for a bit. After one of the wettest winters we have had in years, it felt good to be going somewhere hot, if a Little rain soaked at times. Taiwan does have its fair share of wet weather, it has to be said, but this green, lush country is a must-visit place for Darrell and me, and somewhere we have wanted to go for a very long time.
    We had a few beers at the airport, and some rather expensive, mediocre food. Despite the usual moans and groans about cost, it always feels great to be sat in an airport, waiting to get away. When we lived in Europe, we travelled a hell of a lot. With shorter distances between countries, it was easy to just pack up and leave for a while, getting a cheap flight to this place or that. In Australia, it is obviously a very different, considered purchase, and even though we do make sure we try to go on holiday twice a year, it really doesn't feel enough!
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    We flew to Taipei on Cathay Pacific — cattle class as usual. There is no way I am paying for business class; I would rather suffer for the few hours involved, then pay a fortune for something, that in my humble opinion, isn't worth it.

    To put it in some kind of context: As we boarded the plane, business class looked radiant, shiny and a bit posh, but in reality, as we exited, after the seven-hour flight, it looked worse than economy, where we were. I remember thinking to myself — 'whoever you are, whatever class you maybe, you will still end up in the same dilapidated mess in the end.' This is as true for a flight, as it is in life. It felt good to have just paid a fraction of the price, then those with more money did… Even if I was wealthy, I'd never pay the huge costs involved; I'll always be a tight wod in that respect!
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    The flight itself was pretty uneventful, and I even managed to watch a film, something I never do. Readers of Roaming Brit understand just how much of a nervous flyer I am, so being relaxed enough to do anything on a flight, is pretty unusual in itself. Have you heard of the term 'raw dogging' a flight, well that is generally what I do — basically nothing. I sit there with my hands firmly gripping the arm rests of the seat; feeling every twist and turn, I hold on for dear life. This time it was different, I managed to watch the screen in front of me, focused and calm. I watched the film 'Civil War,' which was a bit gory for me, but nevertheless, I enjoyed it, more than I thought I would.

    Darrell mind you was not happy. He detested the flight, dropping airline food down his clothes, squashed in the middle of me and a Taiwanese gentleman, and unable to sleep whatsoever. I on the other hand, managed to get a little shut-eye. With turbulence at a minimum, which was unusual on a flight in South East Asia, I felt relaxed enough to be able to drift off, even for just a short while.
    We arrived in Hong Kong for a two-hour stop-over, at about 7.30am. We managed to get through security relatively quickly and without any fuss, and through to the well catered for transit area. Now, Hong Kong is one of my favourite airports. There is always something to do there, and it has amazing facilities and shopping. It is a great stop-over destination as well; if we had had more time, we would have probably stayed a few days, but it was nice just sat there for a few hours before our next flight to Taipei.
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    The journey to Taipei took just over an hour. The flight itself was a little more turbulent than the other one from Perth, but we arrived in good shape, early, and relatively unscathed. This was the worrying flight for me, since China has been doing military exercises off the coast of Taiwan and with tensions across the World rising, my anxious mind obviously thought the worst, as it always does. 

    After passing though Boarder Control, without incident, we walked outside into the warm, tropical air. It felt good to be back in Asia again. I do love the climate here, more than anywhere else in the World, and thirty degree plus heat, does suit my constitution these days. Half an hour later we were on the MRT train, travelling to Taipei main station, and our hotel in the centre of the city.
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    The transport system here is great — we were quickly ushered onto a train for the 45-minute ride. We took the express train, which missed out most of the stops, but sadly we had to stand all the way. This isn't unusual for Taipei. This is a big, populated city, and most people use the train system to get around. Feeling exhausted after our flight, I think I can safely say, this isn't a trip you want to do, with little or no sleep. Slipping and sliding around a train carriage, full of people, with sparse seating, isn't for the faint-hearted. Nevertheless, we were able to look out of the windows, at the green lush vegetation pass by. This is an extremely wet, tropical region, and the green hills and mountains are really a site to behold.
    From Taipei main station, we got on a commuter train, on the Bannan line, to our hotel. It was literally one stop away. It was fascinating to see people queuing patiently within lines, not deviating or encroaching on someone else's space, When the train arrived, we all walked calmly to the doors; there was no pushing or shoving and everyone was so well-mannered. Can you imagine seeing this in central London or New York?
    Although the system seems modern on the surface, with large gates preventing you from falling from the platform, the trains themselves aren't particularly modern. From my recollection of Bangkok, and the BTS Sky Train there, the MTR appears to be older, and the trains are not in the best condition. It was, however, an easy system to navigate, once we had got the hang of it. Darrell does these things far better than I, who can't even read a map, so I left him to work out where we were going, to differing degrees of success.
    We are staying at The Hotel Cozzie, a modern boutique hotel in the Shandao Temple area of Taipei. It is clean, modern, and perfectly appointed. When one considers the lack of good hotel rooms in Taipei, I think this place is perfect. Hotel rooms are very expensive, because of the lack of space here. Before I booked the Cozzi, I remember seeing rooms which were small, had few facilities, and in some cases didn't even have a window. Here, were had three windows, a large suite by Taiwanese standards, and even a bath in the bathroom; I couldn't be happier.

    If there was one criticism I had, it was the lights everywhere. Even when you turn all the lights off using the switches next to the bed, the buttons themselves were still illuminated all night, which meant the room was overly bright for me; as someone who prefers darkness, it did make it difficult to stay asleep at times. Otherwise, it was perfect, and we both slept in the huge bed, like a dream.
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    By the time we were both rested after our long journey, we were both ready for bed. However, we did venture out briefly to the Shilin night market, just to have a brief look around, with a view to return today, for some authentic street food. The market only takes cash, so we couldn't really buy dinner there. We only had large denomination notes of a $1000 Taiwanese, and with prices at an average of $40, we decided to go and eat in a more expensive restaurant near our hotel. Even then, however, we ended up paying just $39 Aud for a nice meal and beer.
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    With day one at a close, we came back for an early night. I did sit for a while looking out at the vibrant city outside, as I prepared my blog for today. The streets were packed full of people and cars, bustling and full of life. This is why I like Asia; unlike Australia, where the city streets are quiet, Asian cities, make you feel alive and give you a real zest for life. The more time I spend in this part of the World, the more I fall in love with it. This is of course only our first day in Taipei, but I am hopeful the rest of our stay will be as magical as the first.
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  • Published on

    The uneasy connection between, homosexuality, religion, and politics!

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    ​This will be my last blog from Australia for a while, as Darrell and I head to Taiwan, travelling to Taipei in the north and Kaohsiung in the south. We will be taking the World famous, high-speed bullet train, as well as other local trains in order to get around, rather than organising tours, as we have done in the past. Hopefully, this isn't a mistake, and we will have a relatively easy time of it. Of course, this is providing everything goes to plan and nothing goes wrong. Judging from previous experience, in other countries, this may be a wish too far.

    Still, we are both in holiday mode, looking forward to our trip, and just thankful to be leaving Australia for a while. The weather in Taipei and Kaohsiung will be in the mid-thirties while we are there, but there will be sporadic rain showers, which isn't unusual for Taiwan.

    For the next eleven days, I will be blogging while I am away and will keep you updated on our progress; I have everything crossed for a smooth journey; above all I am just glad to be spending time with my other half, doing what we love most, travelling in Asia!
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    In my Vlog this week, I am talking about the uneasy relationship between, homosexuality, religion, and politics; this is a subject close to my heart. As someone who follows politics in the UK very carefully, I have always had a keen interest in how my sexuality sits within the political arena.

    My political affiliation has changed much over the years. When I could first vote, back in 1987, I was firmly in the Conservative camp, supporting Margaret Thatcher. I regarded Lady T as Britain's greatest Prime Minister, at least during my lifetime, throughout her period in office. After years of rejection, I also lent Tony Blair my support, to make much-needed reform, ensuring my husband and I could build a better life together in The UK.

    In recent times, I have become somewhat disillusioned with politics, and disenchanted with all parties. Having said that, it is important for me, as a gay man, to support those who seek to improve equality for all, in a World where rights for minorities appear to be going backward. I am concerned for the future, but hopeful that we can overcome the worst that humanity throws our way. On occasion, I have had to hold my nose, and vote for parties I would rather not, in order to 'get things done', in a country that I will always love, no matter where I live in the World!
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