back to Taiwan, big election, reunions with friends
March 20, 2008
The big presidential election happens on 3/22, and many overseas Chinese head back to Taiwan to vote! My reason for going back was for a reunion with my college classmates, something planned since last year. I will also get to meet my junior high classmates, and maybe even some elementary school friends!
They was a little late taking off. While sitting at the gate, the lights in the cabin went off, and they tried to turn them back on, off they went, and back on, and so on for 5-6 times! It sure didn't look promising. However, it was fixed quickly and we were off. It was raining pretty hard in Tokyo, and I sure hoped that we didn't have to use any emergency procedures if the electricity went out again in flight. But now I have arrived safely in Taiwan, all is well. The weather in Taipei was dry, and a bit warmer than in Tokyo. I saw the moonlight reflected on the wing during landing, so I knew the moon was out too.
I don't know why but I sure don't remember the airport very well. When we landed, and deplaned into the terminal, it felt just like any airport elsewhere, not too different from Tokyo's Narita in feeling. However, there were 30 or so stations at the immigration entry open, and the lines were a lot shorter than in Tokyo. Since I checked in real early, maybe that's why my luggage came out last. I was hoping it wasn't lost again (it happened in Rome, and once on the way home). Luggage retrieved, I looked for an ATM, and the Bank of Taiwan one was good enough to give me some NT so I was set to go to Taipei. Don't forget to browse through the free information stand as you exit the luggage are into the terminal, there were plenty of free maps for all parts of Taiwan, in Chinese and in English and some other languages.
I took a taxi since it was late and I didn't want to figure out the bus route, which would probably not take me that close to the hotel anyway. At almost 1100NT, it was not cheap, but the taxi driver knew where the hotel was and got me here directly. It's always a good thing when checking in, the hotel did not say they never heard of me. I always worry a little bit about that. But they have, and I am in a perfectly adequate room, so I am happy.
They was a little late taking off. While sitting at the gate, the lights in the cabin went off, and they tried to turn them back on, off they went, and back on, and so on for 5-6 times! It sure didn't look promising. However, it was fixed quickly and we were off. It was raining pretty hard in Tokyo, and I sure hoped that we didn't have to use any emergency procedures if the electricity went out again in flight. But now I have arrived safely in Taiwan, all is well. The weather in Taipei was dry, and a bit warmer than in Tokyo. I saw the moonlight reflected on the wing during landing, so I knew the moon was out too.
I don't know why but I sure don't remember the airport very well. When we landed, and deplaned into the terminal, it felt just like any airport elsewhere, not too different from Tokyo's Narita in feeling. However, there were 30 or so stations at the immigration entry open, and the lines were a lot shorter than in Tokyo. Since I checked in real early, maybe that's why my luggage came out last. I was hoping it wasn't lost again (it happened in Rome, and once on the way home). Luggage retrieved, I looked for an ATM, and the Bank of Taiwan one was good enough to give me some NT so I was set to go to Taipei. Don't forget to browse through the free information stand as you exit the luggage are into the terminal, there were plenty of free maps for all parts of Taiwan, in Chinese and in English and some other languages.
I took a taxi since it was late and I didn't want to figure out the bus route, which would probably not take me that close to the hotel anyway. At almost 1100NT, it was not cheap, but the taxi driver knew where the hotel was and got me here directly. It's always a good thing when checking in, the hotel did not say they never heard of me. I always worry a little bit about that. But they have, and I am in a perfectly adequate room, so I am happy.
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a small gem at an affordable price
I saw a review by Siam (a fellow travbuddy) on this hotel, and booked it for my trip to Taiwan in March 08. Since I was by myself, my main criteria for a hotel is cleanliness, convenience, internet access. Dong Wu Hotel was a great value for the price (I booked online at their web site). And I spent a total of one week there. The staff was very friendly and courteous. The location is about 10-15 walk from the nearest subway MRT station, so not as close as can be, but you could also take a bus to a slightly farther MRT station. The hotel had many maps, included one in the elevator showing you how to take the bus. Other maps include a handy pocket MRT route map, and both English and Chinese versions of the nearby attraction and street map.
The room(s) I got were nice enough, bed was very comfortable, the bathroom very new and clean. The only minus was no windows with any view. The windows were high and small. But that was easily overcome by their more than reasonable price. I think they also have a few rooms with real windows, but they cost more and I didn't need them.
There are photos of neighborhood baroque architectures on the walls, and antiques or artworks on display at each floor. It was a nice touch.
In room internet was free, both wired and wireless were available. I did have some problem at times with the network being down, but overall it was good.
Breakfast was included, and you take your breakfast at a basement cafe, which was very nice. It even had a couple of large flat screen TV's and 3 PC's with printers for the guests. The breakfast has good variety and the cafe also served as a library with a large selection of magazines and newspapers both Chinese and English. You can go into the cafe anytime for free tea and coffee and use the computers.
I put 4* on the amenities because the network went down a few times, but otherwise this hotel is perfect for someone who wants a nice place to stay without spending too much and don't need a window with views.
The room(s) I got were nice enough, bed was very comfortable, the bathroom very new and clean. The only minus was no windows with any view. The windows were high and small. But that was easily overcome by their more than reasonable price. I think they also have a few rooms with real windows, but they cost more and I didn't need them.
There are photos of neighborhood baroque architectures on the walls, and antiques or artworks on display at each floor. It was a nice touch.
In room internet was free, both wired and wireless were available. I did have some problem at times with the network being down, but overall it was good.
Breakfast was included, and you take your breakfast at a basement cafe, which was very nice. It even had a couple of large flat screen TV's and 3 PC's with printers for the guests. The breakfast has good variety and the cafe also served as a library with a large selection of magazines and newspapers both Chinese and English. You can go into the cafe anytime for free tea and coffee and use the computers.
I put 4* on the amenities because the network went down a few times, but otherwise this hotel is perfect for someone who wants a nice place to stay without spending too much and don't need a window with views.
Dong Wu Hotel from across the st…
Nice comfy bed
new, clean and good size batchroom
view inside the breakfast cafe, …
view of the breakfast cafe
