So, the last I updated was a few days ago in Kaohsiung. Staying at the Single Inn was my first introduction to staying in a cubicle of a room. I miss the interaction of other travelers that you experience a Youth Hostel, but I not keen any longer, at staying in a room with others. And so, the Single Inn worked great for me. Did I mention, it was $30 US for your own room. The spa area was of high standard. It also included breakfast.
It was pretty easy to obtain a high speed rail ticket,though the price did seem pretty high for the convenience. I dont fully recall, but I think I spent more than $50 US. Well, it was well worth it since it wizzed through the country bringing me almost to the other end in less than two hours. I guess I could have biked it if I had another week or so.
Arriving at the Taipei Train station was a bit overwhelming, though signage was everywhere. Since I dont havre a smart phone I have found it helpful to do the following. The night before I pulled up info on the ipad regarding the hotel i wanted to stay at. I then take a picture of the screen with my camera. Since I was having a bit of a hard time finding the hotel I showed a passer by the screen shot and hoped they knew where the hotel was. After asking a few others (who were probably also tourists) a guy called the number on the screen, got the directions and took me there. The NeoSoho Rest and Business Center was actually just a few blocks from the train station.
So, he stood at what I thought was the entrance and pointed to go in….I thanked him (did not look overhead to check the sign) and walked up the one flight of stairs. Wow,the place looks spotless clean , I thought. It was weird. I kinda felt like I was at a hospital,not a hotel. So the woman gives me a form to fill out…not so strange…name. address..passport number etc. She smiles and motions for me to follow and she leads me into a dental cleaning room. WHAT. I was so embarrassed , as I tried to explain that I didnt want my teeth cleaned, that I was looking for the hotel. She pointed to the next hallway over.
Neosoho is another cubicle style hotel. It is on the 9th floor and just a few blocks from the main station. You cant really get much more convenient than that. Once again the space was just big enough for a small sofa, small desk, safe, desk lamp,outlets, etc. Nice clean bathroom down the hall. It was there that I experienced my very fist heated toilet seat. Love it.
I cant say enough about how helpful and friendly the staff were there. In fact, when I returned after touring Taipei there was a gift of an international electric adapter from the manager. All the soda, coffee and tea you would want. Once again the price was about $30 US.
I played tourist for a few tays in Taipei. Visits to night markets, wandering around back alleys, getting lost on the city rental bikes. I found the info booth at the train station to be most helpful and had a couple of visits there with lots of questions and they gladly gave lots of answers.
As if I didnt have enough time on my bike journey I found myself drawn to riding the bike just about everywhere I went in town. The city bike program offered by Giant bikes is a great bike program probably similar to ones in most large cities everywhere. There is no charge for useage under 30 minutes. And so, I hopped from tourist site to tourist site,usually in under 30 minutes and at no charge. At the end of my stay I cycled quite some time on the riverside park, being passed by dozens of sleek looking spandex riders. I ,in turn,passed many Senior Citz slowly heading down the road.
As for food in Taipei, I spent next to nothing. At night markets I got noodle soup, or some kinda fried pancake with scallions and lots of fresh fruit. It was easy to just spend a dollar (US) or two on a meal and be full. My last night inTaipei I treated my self to a pretty decent Mongolian Hot Pot meal and splurged about $20. All you can eat, and all you can drink (including beer). It was just around the corner from the Neosoho hotel.
I hope you will take the time to look at some of my Taipei shots and short videos. At first I was not too happy about being inTaipei. I felt overwhelmed and really just wanted to be back on the east coast of Taiwan bicycling. After the first day I felt very at home there. Having cycled a lot while living in New York City in the 70s I felt pretty comfortable being on the bike even in a city. I found lots of great bike paths and even felt OK about cycling alone after dark.
I didnt follow to many suggestions from the guide book, I was overjoyed just to stumble upon things as I went. I was able to spend a night at a nearby cinema and view a new movie about seeingTaiwan from overhead, I was able to stumble upon a typically Chinese dragon show and also went to an awesome song and instrument concert from a woman from Vietnam.
And here I am at a high end airport hotel spending more on one beer than on three nights meals at a night market. Its back to America in the morning and back to work the day after. Time to save up for the next adventure. Hey thanks for reading my notes….please drop me a note if you have any questions or comments. Also one last note….. I made the journey alone mostly since no one wanted to join me. I am hoping to find a cycle companion for future adventures….where to.. well I intend to cycle across America again, I want to ride the Divide trail in the US and looking for a big trip across parts of China into Tibet. Happy cycling. Rosie
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