From Hong Kong I flew back to Europe. First London then Prague. But After all I returned to Asia. I have tasted something which will never fade away. Long time spent in Asia and my comeback to Europe has changed things by extraordinary way. I mean a lot. During this visit I have cultivated new point of view on traveling. I met some people which have been traveling around the world for some time and it was very inspirative. My comeback in Europe was relatively short and soon I was returning to Asia. I took flight from Prague to Taipei and the second part of journey in Asia had begun.
Taiwan. I have get here more or less because of cheapest flight from Europe in very short time. I connect it with meeting of one guy from Slovakia which already live in Taipei for a while. To get to Asia is more difficult part but then it’s easy because cheap flight in East and Southeast Asia are just everywhere to anywhere.After long flight with stop in Dubai finally I came to capital city Taipei.
I had to find the flat which I had booked through Airbnb. Well as it usually goes nothing is simple and even this first visit of Taiwan started little bit awkwardly, fortunately nothing serious at all. After arrive to Taipei airport I checked location where to go, withdraw some Taiwanese cash and let’s go explore! It was evening, almost night so I went directly to destination according by google maps. The taxi dropped me on nearby street and I have started to look around to find correct place.
I reached destination hidden at small street in middle of two bigger blocks but unfortunately nobody home. I tried to knock on doors, ring bell and… nothing. Hmm, awesome! So I didn’t have other choice and I had to call to number through O2 roaming. Some girl luckily picked up phone and I tried to get right information ASAP why nobody is there and etc. She explained me that it’s different address then in Airbnb and I have to go there and there but unfortunately I couldn’t understand details because the quality of the call was horrible. I just heard some number of the street but I wasn’t sure about it.
I was middle of nowhere it was 11 PM and I was wondering what now. I went to main street start to looking around if there is nobody to ask for help but the streets were just empty. On other side of street I have noticed some small machine, I think it was parking machine I have seen map there but everything was only mandarin. Then suddenly some woman approach me and asked me if I need some help. I think I looked like really desperate at that moment. First I was like she is going ask me for money or to try to sell me something I know its stereotype thinking but seriously usually I experienced only that. After I talked to her I realized she wants really help so I asked to if she can call from Taiwanese number to phone number from Airbnb. She did, they talked in mandarin and I was very happy about it. She not even explained me where to go she accompanied me exactly to front of correct doors so I would find it for sure. Wow, honestly this surprised me at that time I didn’t have a lot experience with much kindness by strange people but here we go. I am giving one big positive point to Taiwan.
In Taipei I have planned to stay for no more than two weeks. First days I have slowly exploring city, enjoy downtown, street food and most famous street markets as for example - Raohe Street Night Market (饒河街觀光夜市) :). Of course street food was very good. It didn’t disappointed me. The city transportation is sophisticated as the most of cities in Asia so getting somewhere is comfortable and easy. Generally stay in Taipei was cheap despite the fact I was spending time usually in center of the capital.
The weather wasn’t very pleasant all the time. It was windy, rainy time in December just few days before Christmas. I wanted to stay even through New Year but I couldn’t because 95 % of hotels and accommodations were occupied during 30. – 31. December and 01. January. Seriously, I couldn’t find anything under 80 euro per night. The Elephant Mountain is one of the places definitely worth to mention. Just little bit hiking but it will reward you by spectacular view on Taipei city with dominating building Taipei 101.
Other recommendation belong to the memorial hall and national theater which is nice to visit. My stay in Taipei was calm and satisfying. The cozy coffee & tea shops, shopping centers, street food, kindness of people, good services and etc. Ah, almost forget. Not entirely perfect I lost my tooth filing during my stay here. Due to inefficient time I have decided to let fix it in Bangkok which was my next stop, again. Next time I’ll talk about Chiang Mai and Koh Chang Island and finally Laos.
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