Picture is a repeat from last year. Looks better with a grey frame. Russian-Taiwanese food. I’m returning to Taipei next week and will be visiting this friendly establishment – a part of the modern history of Taiwan. Located opposite a colorful temple – which is unusual and there is a story about how and why [...]
Archive for the ‘So You Are Coming to Taiwan’ Category
ASTORIA RESTAURANT – VIEW OUTSIDE Leave a comment
VIETNAM FLAG IN COFFEE SHOP Leave a comment
Australian journalist Simon Townsend, who was later to become the host of the popular children’s TV show Wonder World made news in the mid 1960′s by refusing to serve in the Australian army as a conscript. He was jailed for a time by the army and given a tough time. Simon was certain to be [...]
BEST GUIDE TO TAIWAN – INSIDE PHONE BOOK Leave a comment
HOTEL NAMES CAN BE CUTE Leave a comment
It was once known as Kind Business Hotel, near Kaohsiung Main Station. I stayed there 2003. A room with a curtain on the wall and no window behind the curtains shocked me a little, at the time. I was thankful the night check-in spoke English. It was a late night check-in and I was a bit [...]
RESTAURANTS – CLEVER MARKETING Leave a comment
A clever method of encouraging customers to return. A 30% discount voucher (based on what you spent today) can be deducted from your next bill. There is a use-by date. Brother Hotel has FIVE cuisine choices, each with its own kitchen. Nothing like this exists in Australia. Location near Nanjing Road East MRT station, Taipei.
TAIPEI MAIN STATION – tips Leave a comment
1. Taipei Bus Station is nearby, across the street on the north side. 2. The Q square building adjoins the bus station (on the north side). Shopping and new cinemas. Underground passage to and from bus station. 3. A MRT (local fast railway) entrance is on the south-east side of the main station building. Other [...]
LATEST TAIWAN TRAVEL INFO Leave a comment
LONELY PLANET have published their 8th guide to Taiwan, so I picked up a copy and began checking for errors. (More on that later in the month). The book is over-priced yet essential for first-time visitors. A good starting point. A lot of work involved in the compilation. Taipei MRT rail stations have free maps [...]
IT HAPPENED AGAIN – BANK ATM FAILS Leave a comment
I stick to my rule of only using a bank ATM when the bank is open. Just as well. Upon inserting an internationally recognized credit card in a Taipei city bank, the ATM’s own computer went into a boot mode, the receipt slip was a mass of CAPITAL LETTERS that made no sense. My card [...]
JUICE and WHAT AUSTRALIAN’S KNOW ABOUT TAIWAN Leave a comment
Kiwi fruit and orange juice. I see a young girl peeling kiwi fruit for hours every day in a big department store at Zhongshan. Is there a machine that peels kiwi fruit? Kiwi fruit were once known (in Australia) as Chinese Gooseberries. An advertising campaign originating from New Zealand successfully changed the name. Kiwi [...]
SO YOU ARE COMING TO TAIWAN – No.1 Leave a comment
New Taiwan Dollars NT $1000 is currently about $33 Australian dollars. (NT$1000 has been close to $50 in past years – a bit cruel). Get a pocket compass before arriving in Taipei. You’ll understand why, later. First tip will be: Catching bus from Taoyuan airport (formerly CKS International) to Taipei Main Station. A compass will [...]
