I got in to Taipei Taiwan airport early this morning on a stopover to Seattle. The flight from Brissy was crowded and I felt packed in like a, well, a Chinese person. The kid next to me was one of those well-fed 20 year olds of the new generation who play video games 24/7 and shake the very chair beneath him (and mine too) with his button pushing antics. He was good at it though judging from the flurry of numbers on the screen. But what do I know.

The food was excellent on EVA and did they keep it coming!? I experienced 'shrimp' noodles for brekky. The other choice was scrambled eggs and croissant and didn't I get a look when I opted for the more local cuisine. It was yummo, and spicy too. The 'trolly dollies' were exceptional in their poise, grace and attentiveness to us weary travelers and I didn't mind their sleek look, either. I love the use of Western given names accompanying the Chinese surname on their name badges. What I wouldn't do for Vivienne Feng or Irene Yu's phone number!

I had a window seat and sat staring out at the darkness of 41,000 feet, 540 mph and -70f degrees for a good part of the night, as displayed on the revolving screen ahead of my seat. There were two bright stars following me. I didn't get their names.

Near the island of Taiwan the sun broke free of the towering grey clouds and lit up the new day with brilliance. The dark green mountains that line the island from north to south are reported to be near 3000 metres high and were shrouded in mist like fairy floss (cotton candy). I haven't verified that height claim but it did look like I could reach out and skim my hand over the top of 'em. Loads of loaded container ships sat at the entrance to the port, no doubt loaded with consumer goods bound for the mainland (China) and western ports. Some Aussie or German or Yank kid might be wearing a pair of Nike runners next month that were aboard one of the vessels.

I've a long wait til my next flight and yeah, it does seem like a long way to go to get from OZ to Americaland, but a thousand saved here and there is petrol money in my tank. To entertain myself I'm taking photos of as many robots, Hello Kitty shops complete with playgrounds for the littlies, cafes with unusual names like Homey, consumer electronics stores abound and the Chinglish signs are a hoot. When I get a mo' and a better internet connection (no complaints as it's free) I'll post some of them.

For now I'm content to sit in a peaceful and relaxing garden meditation space within the airport, complete with ferns and flowers and, what's that beautifully assymetric Asian raked-out rock garden art(?), and let the other travelers whirl about me, pushing and shoving through crowds, and generally carry on as thought they own the place, which they do.

It's all good. Glad to be here. Happy riding all.

Hmmmm 41,000 feet that is high enough to see the earth curvature and a black sky.

Rick G wrote:Hmmmm 41,000 feet that is high enough to see the earth curvature and a black sky.

In the inky darkness of early morning I could see a black band with barely a twinkle in it above the grey band of cloud and the outline of the distant curve of the horizon. I was surprised to see the aeroplane's altimetre often near or over 40,000 feet and the temperature drop accordingly. Of course, Icarus might have had something else to wax on about, but all I knew was that I had wings of the modern kind.

Normal wall, not glass...

charlie99 wrote:

• chill out and enjoy the sights young grasshopper
  
• have a good trip
  

Formerly Chang Kai-Shek airport, Taipei. (He's no longer remembered fondly round these parts)


Inside the airport, with its hustle and bustle, are these quiet spots with lounges. nice.








Motorbikes in Taiwan are small displacement and not allowed on the highways. This road'll have to do.

This airport is a massive structure and under reconstruction. It's well-laid out and even though I've got a half a day to hang about (and going into the city is not worth the effort) I have not lacked for things to do and see. In amongst the general melee of people and high-end shops are wonderful pockets of calm and, well, grasshopperishness. Wax on or wax off, one can get that done here too.
'

The raked out rock garden thingo is called a Zen Garden i think.

Looks like an amazing airport. Hope your travels go well Budgie Bottom ( dont know if you remember that skit from Full Frontal with Peter Moon)

peter moon .....lol giggle snort