Archive for the ‘So You Are Coming to Taiwan’ Category

TAIPEI MAIN STATION – Interior picture   Leave a comment

Useful tip: Booking office for Taiwan High speed Rail is located on the North-East corner of this building.

Posted May 18, 2012 by fathomTaiwan in So You Are Coming to Taiwan

BUS TRAVEL IN KAOHSIUNG   Leave a comment

This was at the Gushan Ferry Wharf  bus stop.  Bus No. 248 runs constantly between Kaohsiung Main Station bus stop on a loop that includes the ferry, Fisherman’s Wharf, International Market Place, Taipei Museum of History, Bank of Taiwan etc. Bus rides in Kaohsiung cost a standard NT$12 regardless of the distance to be traveled [...]

Posted March 15, 2012 by fathomTaiwan in So You Are Coming to Taiwan

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ASTORIA RESTAURANT – VIEW OUTSIDE   Leave a comment

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 [...]

Posted February 20, 2012 by fathomTaiwan in So You Are Coming to Taiwan

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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 [...]