My travels
As friends on Instagram will have seen, I arrived here safely on Monday. It was quite an epic journey, Tiffany arrived on Friday evening and Marco was really happy to meet her dogs again.
I had time to show her where everything was before she drove me to Figeac where I was picked up by a BlaBla car. (A French car sharing scheme) I was at Blagnac airport and Raph appeared to pick up some stuff I had bought him in England, mostly Strongbow and prawn cocktail crisps, and to wish me bon voyage.
I touched down in Orly at 20h and then once I had picked up my case I had the adventure of finding my way to Charles de Gaule, so simple they said, but actually a tram ride the the metro for over an hour. I was very grateful to be traveling with my iPhone which was able to guide me, but once at CdG I needed to take a bus to my hotel. As luck would have it I saw the actual bus just arriving as I exited terminal 2, and I gratefully climbed on, but the ticket I had wasn’t valid... the driver couldn’t take money, and he just waved my on for free. One of the advantages of being a little old lady I think.
The hotel was very good and cheap at 39€ and despite being right by the airport I didn’t hear the planes at all.
I had a long wait on Sunday because all the organisation had been done for the previous flights and I hadn’t wanted to change everything again, so I was prepared to hang around all day but I decided to ask if I could take an earlier flight to Amsterdam as the turnaround was pretty tight, and I was lucky because due to the virus the lady at Air France was able to get me on a flight at 16h50.
It was clear that many people were not traveling as there were empty seats on both planes, and a more friendly atmosphere. I made friends with a lovely Russian girl on the flight to Amsterdam and we ended up chatting until our next flights we due. The time went so much quicker and I love learning about other countries and cultures.
The flight to Taipei was empty enough that I was able to lie down over three seats and I slept! It felt like morning when I arrived but in fact it was late afternoon, still we were able to drop off the cases at the guest house and enjoy the late night market and a delicious meal at a “Mediterranean “ restaurant.
The next day we visited the fabric market and Rosie showed me her Taipei from when she studied there in 2006.
Taiwan has had a firm hand on Covid-19 since it first appeared in December, and everyone wears masks because it’s a question of respect and responsibility. When we went into the restaurant we were greeted by having our temperatures checked and our hands sprayed. Their policy has paid off, and there have been minimal cases compared to other countries (48 to date) It has had a dramatic impact on tourism though, which is great for me, as the streets are relatively empty.
Pictures, some have already been seen on Instagram
This is for huskyteer
This jade sculpture of a roast duck was in the antique market, but I cannot imagine what, why, how, who... so many questions.
The noodles making robot.
Must eat in Taiwan.
Mediterranean food, Taiwan style. This was Greek salad and falafel.
The dangers of watching your phone while crossing the street.
Taipei is full of greenery, and also much rain!
White mulberry bush
Little public garden
With accommodation for a cat. Taiwan is very kind to the stray animals and makes sure that street dogs are fed.
I had time to show her where everything was before she drove me to Figeac where I was picked up by a BlaBla car. (A French car sharing scheme) I was at Blagnac airport and Raph appeared to pick up some stuff I had bought him in England, mostly Strongbow and prawn cocktail crisps, and to wish me bon voyage.
I touched down in Orly at 20h and then once I had picked up my case I had the adventure of finding my way to Charles de Gaule, so simple they said, but actually a tram ride the the metro for over an hour. I was very grateful to be traveling with my iPhone which was able to guide me, but once at CdG I needed to take a bus to my hotel. As luck would have it I saw the actual bus just arriving as I exited terminal 2, and I gratefully climbed on, but the ticket I had wasn’t valid... the driver couldn’t take money, and he just waved my on for free. One of the advantages of being a little old lady I think.
The hotel was very good and cheap at 39€ and despite being right by the airport I didn’t hear the planes at all.
I had a long wait on Sunday because all the organisation had been done for the previous flights and I hadn’t wanted to change everything again, so I was prepared to hang around all day but I decided to ask if I could take an earlier flight to Amsterdam as the turnaround was pretty tight, and I was lucky because due to the virus the lady at Air France was able to get me on a flight at 16h50.
It was clear that many people were not traveling as there were empty seats on both planes, and a more friendly atmosphere. I made friends with a lovely Russian girl on the flight to Amsterdam and we ended up chatting until our next flights we due. The time went so much quicker and I love learning about other countries and cultures.
The flight to Taipei was empty enough that I was able to lie down over three seats and I slept! It felt like morning when I arrived but in fact it was late afternoon, still we were able to drop off the cases at the guest house and enjoy the late night market and a delicious meal at a “Mediterranean “ restaurant.
The next day we visited the fabric market and Rosie showed me her Taipei from when she studied there in 2006.
Taiwan has had a firm hand on Covid-19 since it first appeared in December, and everyone wears masks because it’s a question of respect and responsibility. When we went into the restaurant we were greeted by having our temperatures checked and our hands sprayed. Their policy has paid off, and there have been minimal cases compared to other countries (48 to date) It has had a dramatic impact on tourism though, which is great for me, as the streets are relatively empty.
Pictures, some have already been seen on Instagram
This is for huskyteer
This jade sculpture of a roast duck was in the antique market, but I cannot imagine what, why, how, who... so many questions.
The noodles making robot.
Must eat in Taiwan.
Mediterranean food, Taiwan style. This was Greek salad and falafel.
The dangers of watching your phone while crossing the street.
Taipei is full of greenery, and also much rain!
White mulberry bush
Little public garden
With accommodation for a cat. Taiwan is very kind to the stray animals and makes sure that street dogs are fed.