second trip to Taiwan

Today is the fourth day of the second trip to Taiwan. And everything, except the first day, has been going pretty well. And the group clients are nicer, and more friendly; the local agent picks better hotels and restaurants. And above all, I have one room for my own all the way. Yep!

The first day, according to the plan, we were to take two flights from Hangzhou by Dragonair at 15:35 to Hongkong, then takeoff at 20:55 from Hongkong, arriving at Taipei at 10:40 pm. But the very minute I checked in my group the airliner staff informed me the flight was postponed to 18:00. That means, I and my group were scheduled to land at Hongkong airport around 20:15, which is only 40 minutes for the transfer.

We were fed twice, before we finally took off. And the service of dragonair is very good though. I tried to calm myself down so I even drank one glass of red wine. And almost as soon as the airplane stopped, I rushed out and met their staff who was to help our transit.

And I led my group, dashing through security check and shops, out of breath to gate 41, where we were mercilessly told, the plane had safety problems and was being fixed. So time and time, the staff came to us explaining that proceedings. So we were told to fly from 9:30, then 10:15, and finally 10:50, but from another gate, since they couldn't solve all problems.

We, so joined the immigration crowd with other 300-odd passengers to the new gate.
And we finally got to Taipei airport, and then hotel, it was 2:30 am, a new day.

Taiwan images

peach blossom

After the cherry, now is the season for peach to blossom. A Tang dynasty poet and governor of Hangzhou designed the scenery for this then-just-repaired causeway in the lake. On this 1000-metre long walk, willows and peach trees are planted at certain intervals, or to be more exact, one willow, and one peach, and then one willow, and then one peach. Every year in early April, when the willow leaves turn green and peach flowers blossom the fullest, I always linger and wonder about it's a dream or a fact.

Freaked out about Taiwan tour

This afternoon while I was waiting for the coach to airport for the coming Croatian group, I happened to run into Wang. I admitted that for seconds I hesitated about calling her name, because this young girl looked so worn out.

She answered my addressing. And then a short chat, before it was diverted to the prosperous tours to Taiwan. She's just returned for two days.

Like a nightmare, my group was those rich farmers from our nearby counties. They don't have basic manners. When I hold the microphone to talk, they even shout louder. And they spit, they jump the lines, they litter, and smoke everywhere, even indoors...

I knew the existence of people like these described by her, and sympathetically she had a whole group of nearly 40 of them, so concentrated.

You should remember to avoid the politically sensitive places, like former residences of its late president Chiang Kai-shek. Or else there will be secret police or cameramen around.

Anyway, hearing her story, I was already freaked out, about my own group scheduled on 14 April.

departure

is an inspring Japanese movie, about death and life, and respect and dignity deserved for both , in the persepective of a young celloist, who retired to his countryside hometown after disbandment and then took a job for encoffinment of the deceased.

Another highlight is its soundtrack. Wonderfully composed and very expressinate.

I'm a legend