BLOG Taiwan/ japan / South Korea

1 Heathrow to Hong Kong 12 Hours,

I usually enjoy the long flights but my head really hurt with the pressure, at least that what I think it was because as we dropped in altitude I had a lot of relief. Two hours in Hong Kong and then on to Taiwan and Taipei the capital. Much better flight and only two hours. Starting to feel very tired as the time difference is now nearly 9 hours ahead. Customs was a little scary as everywhere there were serious warnings about bringing Pork and Fruit into the country. We had a whole pig in the case! But Dino Pig kept quiet and made it into the country (whew).

Just as the travel company said there was our driver waiting for us outside the airport terminal.

“I take u to otel. No Englishhh”. This will be a quiet drive to the capital.

First impressions of Taiwan were of the most amazing road system I have ever seen, with bridges and flyovers that stretched for mile after mile. Out of the car window the outskirts of the city were a mixture of old and new building among massive tower blocks. Interestingly the green mountain sides which tried to penetrate the metropolis were incredibly vivid and lush. The trees and plants all blended into one as if competing for every inch of space. On the busy motorway I realised that I was in the safe hands of our skilled driver who was able to straddle just two lanes while texting and using Instagram. At no point did we show any fear even when we skidded and swerved around a stopped lorry! I am not saying Taiwanese are bad drivers: definitely not! Just that we picked the Fecking Lunatic!

We booked in to our hotel but the room was not ready so it was time to go for a beer! We were shattered and a nice cold beer would be just the job in an exciting new country. We walked out of the hotel lobby onto the street “Wow” it just hits you! The heat and humidity are like nothing else. We walked around a few blocks dripping in sweat searching for a bar. Not only could we not find a bar but there were no words recognisable to us. The outskirts of Taiwan city is not really a tourist place but wow it was exciting to be here! We gave up the search after an hour as long trousers and a thick t-shirt tend to slow you down once fully wet with sweat!

Now the hotel is quite something. From the outside it looks a little like a department store but once the Bell boys and Concierge open the doors to you it is a whole new world to a couple of commoners like us.

“Welcome home sir”

I noticed at breakfast this morning in the “Brasserie” ( an almost perfect copy of a 1920s Parisian restaurant ) I was slightly under dressed in my shorts, screwed up t-shirt and trainers with of course socks (I am English).  I also noticed that many famous people had stayed here and their photos with messages were displayed on the wall. Pavarotti, President Gerald Ford, Vivienne Westward and many more elites of society. Shit! What would they think of us drying our underwear on the window ledge of our room, newly washed in the bathroom sink of course!

Now I am not going to bore you with our room but it does have one very wonderful feature I have never seen any where else in the World; an amazing bum washing, heated, massaging and drying electric Toilet! It’s amazing and if you get bored of Taipei city you just return back to the Hotel for an hour or so on the throne!

thumbnail_IMG_0003 thumbnail_WashLéT. CES9574T DH

Desperately struggling to fight off jet lag we hit the streets again in search of beer and maybe some food. Road after road of little cafes, restaurants and street food sellers but no idea of how to order or communicate! And no one would serve us beer without food. One place had a plastic menu with pictures and a rough translation. Chicken Intestines, Eels, Frogs and toads all jumped out at me but, I just was not in the mood for an amphibian. After two hours we were close to giving up when we found Stanley. Wow what a guy! We loved Stanley! He sat us down on the pavement outside, got us two cold beers and cooked us two fantastic Pizzas! On his new UNI Pizza maker all the way from the UK. He was mad about Britain and thought it was fate we had walked by as he tested his new British toy. His not very genuine Taiwan food food was brilliant. His company was brilliant and he was brilliant! Indeed it must have been fate!

970-719-219 (1)

On our way down to breakfast our phone flashed an alert just as the lift arrived “Earthquake Warning”.

Better not get in the lift then!

We went down the stairs and asked about the message to find it was in the middle of the night and we had slept through anyway. Later that evening we spoke to Stanley a veteran of many quakes and he gave us lots of Earthquake advice.  Find a strong point in the building, crouch down low in corners where there are strong triangles and don’t run in the street as bits of building will fall on you or even better sleep through the whole thing!

We loved our day in the city exploring every bit our feet would take us. We learnt how to use the brilliant underground system and the highlight of the day was a trip to Taipei 101 the former worlds’ tallest building. At 500m high and the only Asia designed sky scrapper it is the most amazing feet of architecture and building. The outside represents a growing bamboo with a new growth every ten floors. The 101 floors are to strive for more than just perfection. Other symbols include giant coins, dragons and sculptures. Inside the lift took us to the top in 35 seconds and claimed to be the fastest lift in the world. It certainly made my ears pop. At the top is a massive indoor viewing area that to our surprise was just so chilled. You could sit on bean bags, drink teas and coffee just gazing out off the massive glass walls. It was also a fun area with funny props like deckchairs and angel wings as a back drop for taking photographs of the amazing views.

1000009884 (1)lkj 1000009696 (1) gia se Th eg 0l hert (1)m Tasted t1 of (1)

One other thing we did was to gate crash a trade show at the exhibition centre. Well it wouldn’t be us if we didn’t! As we walked passed the building there was a side door and inside I could see food vendors and lots of trade stands. We went to the main entrance with the hope of gaining some free food inside. We also liked the fact there was heavy security. We immediately thought let’s just walk straight in but, checks were quite strict. Ah they have hand stamps when you leave we could easily fake that? But instead I walked up to the VIP entry desk and told them I had come all the way from the UK to the show. “I sell clothes and toys”

She looked at me puzzled when I showed her Dino Pig! But after 5 minutes of bullshit I had in my hand two VIP Entry Tickets! Job done. Inside we tried chestnuts in batter, Money cakes and smoothies while all the time keeping a straight face when asked if I wanted to start a franchise!

1000009846 (1) 70-5666 (1) 1000009847 (1)

Two and a half days in Taipei city and we have fallen in love with not only the place but the people! Everyone is so warm, polite and welcoming. We both feel so safe here. There are a few things that will stick in my mind like how incredibly clean everything is. There is literally no litter! Something so different from home is the abundance of animated characters and soft toys. They relate to all aspects of life here. When you see a safety notice it will almost always be a cute cartoon animal demonstrating how to stay safe. On clothing it is a big feature in everyday fashion right down to the umbrella. At first it comes across as maybe childish or even crazy to us but, after a while we loved it because it is happy and cheerful. It brings a smile to your face which is never a bad thing. Another overall impression is the embracing of modern technology and the increasing wealth here to afford it. Taiwan is not a poor country in fact 14th in the world and rising. This is evident after a visit to the shopping mall near Taipei 101. It is said to be the largest in the world and packed to the rafters with shoppers of all ages. You can buy a Rolex, Tag, Patel or a designer label but our favourite was the fluffy toy and character shops. Now I never thought I would say that! So much fun but I really missed my Granddaughter who would have loved it.

1000009982

Next morning the rain was torrential as we were ushered to our taxi by the Bell Girl, this turned into a slight confrontation as the tiny dot of a girl tried to wrestle my heavy suitcase off me to lift into the boot of the car. She won the battle of wills and heaved it into the back. I then broke with Taiwan protocol and gave her a tip for her efforts. She seemed very pleased as she had the most gorgeous smile on her face. (Evidently tipping in Taiwan is not good manners)

We left Taipei heading to the town of Keerlong to meet our ship Norwegian Spirit. As I gazed out the taxi window I couldn’t help but smile to myself that here I was, lucky enough to be halfway across the world on an amazing adventure!

EF 24248228 mong Aril

We booked onto the Spirit and because it left the next day we decided to go out exploring the night markets and shops in some of the heaviest rain I have ever seen. Being novices to this sort of thing we put on our waterproof rain jackets or as they probably say in Taiwan sweat suits! We were soon carrying them as the temperature just doesn’t drop even though it is so wet.

Once again the lights and sounds of the streets were so exciting. Dashing in and out of alley ways and covered streets watching local life busying on with out a care in the world when they should have been building an “Ark”.         

On most streets we saw amusement machines which we found a bit odd as the prizes looked strange. It seems the Taiwanese are mad about gambling and will regularly use amusement grab cranes to win the most mundane prizes like washing powder, masks and even shopping bags!

After a few hours we swam back to the ship (Rain like this can’t be normal!”.

That evening on board ship at a very quiet bar we were trying desperately to drink the value of our whole drinks package in one night when we heard sobbing behind us!

“It is no good I cannot bottle my emotions you know, I am Mexican”

Many more tears “I can never talk to them again, I will erase them from my memory”

Their distraught was a 23 year old Mexican girl who had fallen out with her friends on the very first night of a 9 day cruise! It was 12pm at night now and she was sharing a cabin with two other girls she wanted to erase from her memory.

There was only one thing for it Uncle Paul and Auntie Wendy to the rescue!

“Grab yourself a seat love next to us and tell us all about it” I insisted.

After one hour of counselling and a new set of life rules she marched off at 1am to confront her friend with a big smile and a straight back. Another job done! (And yes we have seen her since for some follow up session and she is doing fine. In fact we have a new friend in her.)

“Bloody hell, I need a cup of tea before bed, after that” I said

“Me too” come on.

We set out in the morning desperate for a few more hours in Taiwan before sailing. It was still raining hard but set off with minimal clothing this time. And we were lucky enough to collect yet another great memory! Down by the waters edge near the harbour a group of Taiwanese Women were jumping and dancing in front of a camera. As usual, a smile and a few jokes and we were dancing and leaping together for pictures as well as freeze dancing, which I love anyway. I even had a very quick lesson in ballroom dancing from one of the girls. I think she was quite disappointed in my abilities though.

We all exchanged profiles and will amazingly stay in touch after only 20 minutes. So much fun!

1000010020 (1)ff 1000010021 (1)mm thumbnail_Image thumbnail_Imagev thumbnail_Imagey

We left Taiwan at 5pm with a little sadness. We fell in love with the country we really did!

On to the Japanese Tropical Islands next. Back on the move again!

6261AC76-184D-4825-90,28-83D03422C374