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Taiwan Travel Blogs

1895, military defeat forced China to cede Taiwan to Japan. Taiwan reverted to Chinese control after World War II. Following the Communist victory on the mainland in 1949, 2 million Nationalists fled to Taiwan and established a government using the 1946 constitution drawn up for all of China. Over the next five decades, the ruling authorities gradually democratized and incorporated the native population within the governing structure. In 2000, Taiwan underwent its first peaceful transfer of power from the Nationalist to the Democratic Progressive Party. Throughout this period, the island prospered and became one of East Asia's economic "Tigers." The dominant political issues continue to be the relationship between Taiwan and China - specifically the question of eventual unification - as well as domestic political and economic reform. To be updated

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By Forts
September 13th 2009

We sign a contract and have a fight in Ikea. Asia » Taiwan » Taipei

We only have a few more days before we have to move out the flat. I still don't have a job so it's a risky process. I'm reluctant to commit to anywhere too far from the centre as I don't want to be lumbered with a killer commute. Melissa has found a few ads and we set up some viewings. First up is one in Nangang. This is about as far east as you can get so I'm already unenthused. The apartment is in a beautiful modern tower with a gym, pool and 24 hour security. It's got two smallish bedrooms [View Full Entry]

By Momo298
September 12th 2009

Early Morning Hike Asia » Taiwan » Taipei

Photo 1

There is this mountain path near my house that I've been dying to explore. I decided, while I am still out of school, to take the chance and wake up early this morning for a little hike. Even though it gets up into the high 90's (~39C) in the afternoon, the morning is nice and cool. I ended up waking up on my own around 6:30am. I had set my alarm for 7am but I was rather pleased my body got up on it's own earlier. [View Full Entry]

By LivingTheDream
September 10th 2009

Extreme beauty of the world and a pleasing delight of hills and water (Taroko Gorge, Taiwan) Asia » Taiwan » Taroko Gorge

Me enjoying the Wenshan hot springs in the narrow valley

(Day 524 on the road) A three hour train ride south on one of Taiwan's comfortable and reliable trains brought us to the city of Hualien on Taiwans' east coast, the stepping stone for the magnificent Taroko Gorge. Or shall we call it, as the English translation in the tourist brochure does, "Extreme beauty of the world and a pleasing delight of hills and water"? Catchy! We had missed the last bus for the day to Taroko Gorge and thus spent the night in Hualien. That was not bad actually, as this way we set off the next morning on our [View Full Entry]

By Forts
September 9th 2009

Buxiban street & another interview. Asia » Taiwan » Taipei

Buxiban street

Knocking on doors I've decided that the only way I'm going to find a job is by knocking on doors. With every job on Tealit receiving dozens of applications from better qualified, better looking people with North American accents I need to up my game a bit. I knock up a three page "brochure" about moi which consists of a cover letter, my cv and a letter of recommendation from my last school in Korea. I debate the merits of including the letter as it looks like a forgery but decide to throw it in anyway. Korea has hagwons, England [View Full Entry]

By JeroenB
September 8th 2009

Taiwan Asia » Taiwan

Taipei 101

The first day in Taiwan I went for a walk around Taipei and soon a question arose in my mind. Should I learn sign language or Mandarin (Chinese)? There were so many deaf people walking around because of the Deaflympics that have just started in Taipei. All kinds of different nationalities were walking around in the city. After my stroll around I took the MRT (metro) to Taipei City Hall where I visited the at this moment highest building in the world: the Taipei 101 tower. It is 508 metres tall and it is amazing to stand beside it and look [View Full Entry]

By LivingTheDream
September 7th 2009

At last - The Ilha Formosa (Taipei, Taiwan) Asia » Taiwan » Taipei

"Taiwan really good" - me no check grammar lah

(Day 521 on the road) "Taiwan really good!". This was literally the very first thing I saw after stepping off the plane in Taipei. I have never fully understood why the Chinese and apparently also Taiwanese never bother to check for spelling and grammatical errors on their billboards and signs, but I am very glad they don't - as it always provides for some of the best spontaneous entertainment possible! T-shirts and posters with writings like "Three win the first", "Happiness just like flowers", "Fuck the hot" (serious), or a hotel named "The trusting hotel" never fail to make me smile. [View Full Entry]

Dictator on display like a hero (Chiang Kai-shek)

By Forts
September 6th 2009

Neihu - worst place in Taipei? Asia » Taiwan » Taipei

Near Neihu

To all Neihu lovers please accept my apologies for the following. It was written when I had only recently arrived in Taipei and was still getting my bearings. The responses I've received to this post suggest that Melissa and I were not in fact in Neihu but in a neighbouring district. I'm not changing the title of the post as that would affect the authenticity of the blog but am willing to own up to my mistakes. Neihu I'm very sorry. It's Saturday and Melissa wants to go Neihu which is on the far north eastern section of the brown [View Full Entry]

By Forts
September 5th 2009

Job hunting Asia » Taiwan » Taipei

Miramar

Over the next couple of days there is a flurry of activity on the job front. Melissa is offered a job by the lady she went to see over at Dazhi and I get called up by a school called "Uncle Jason's." Aside from the name, which is supposed to sound friendly but from my cynical viewpoint sounds like a perverted family member. Anyway Irene from Uncle Jason assures me that they will sort out the ARC for me if they offer me a position. This is excellent news and I head over to see them. They are just past City [View Full Entry]

By Megasaurus
September 2nd 2009

Final Notes Asia » Taiwan » Taoyuan

As I write this, I am flying to LA airport. I have never had such an extreme mix of emotions. I can't wait to hug my mom, dad, and brother! I can't wait for freedom! I can't wait to feel cool dry air! I want to sleep in my own bed, and I want to talk with and see all my friends. On the other hand, it was extremely difficult to fight back tears when I waved goodbye. It never gets easier to leave my sister, I guess. Kennon and I became very close friends in such a short time; I [View Full Entry]

By Forts
September 1st 2009

Green noodles, wet concrete, tragedy, and good news on the job front. Asia » Taiwan » Taipei

Green Noodles

So the plan is to do job applications in the morning and explore the city during the afternoon. We now have a phone which is a godsend. I take Melissa over to Taipei 101, where we discover "Jason's" supermarket in the basement which sells everything you could ever wish for, Shillin night market where we eat the biggest fried chicken in the world, and Taipei Main station where we finally try the delicious beef noodle soup that Taiwan is famous for. She takes me to Tianmu, a popular ex-pat area between Beitou and Danshui where we wander, eat Japanese food and [View Full Entry]

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