An Evening Of Shorts: Comedy in Taipei, Taiwan

Millwall Neil suggested we go to watch some “English comedy” in Taiwan’s capital, Taipei. “You’re kidding” I said, as the only people I had spoke to in the previous 2 weeks could speak no English at all. He said that he had read it in the only English newspaper in Taiwan, The Taipei Times. In Read more about An Evening Of Shorts: Comedy in Taipei, Taiwan[…]

Backpacking in Taiwan: Going to the Top of The World’s Tallest Building Taipei 101

I have been up many tall/high buildings before (Empire State Building, USA; CN Tower, Canada; Sky Tower, Auckland; Scrabatar, Northern Ireland), but never in the world’s “tallest” building. Taipei 101 was finished in 2003 and claims to be the world’s tallest building (of any description). It is certainly by no means the world’s “highest” building Read more about Backpacking in Taiwan: Going to the Top of The World’s Tallest Building Taipei 101[…]

Backpacking in Taiwan: Blood Taipei

  OK its a joke and a ridiculous pun. Something that in 2004, either myself or Lock In Lee would have been proud of. “What blood type are you?” someone asks. “I’m blood type A” I reply. Without the pun, I ended up in Taipei for the final leg of our Taiwan adventure. I had Read more about Backpacking in Taiwan: Blood Taipei[…]

Jonny Blair living a lifestyle of travel in Shinying shrimp fishing

Backpacking in Taiwan: Shrimp Fishing in Xinying

It was another random Friday night in Shinying and surely this one has to be one of the most enjoyable Friday nights of all time. We went Shrimp Fishing in Taiwan! Really! It was suggested to us on the Thursday night, whilst at the night market with two of Neil’s workmates – Binh and David. Read more about Backpacking in Taiwan: Shrimp Fishing in Xinying[…]

Backpacking in Taiwan: Exploring Taichung

Taichung is the third largest city in Taiwan. It wasn’t our plan to actually go there and see it. It does have some appeal, but as my Lonely Planet guide stated, “Taichung is hardly a must-see.” And for that very reason, our first 12 days in Taiwan avoided this massive smoggy city. That is except Read more about Backpacking in Taiwan: Exploring Taichung[…]

Backpacking in Taiwan: Touring Changhua City and Baguashan

Backpacking in Taiwan: Touring Changhua City and Baguashan

Changhua City. Its a big city in Taiwan. I had never heard of it before yet I found myself with some spare time towards the end of our time in Taiwan. We had bunged in a lot, having basically toured the entire island as much as we could in 2 weeks. On a free Friday Read more about Backpacking in Taiwan: Touring Changhua City and Baguashan[…]

Watching Czech Republic 0-0 Northern Ireland…in Shinying, Taiwan

It was the first time I would ever attempt to watch a Northern Ireland match on the internet, and the first time I would be in Asia when we have a match. I gave up travelling to Northern Ireland away matches back in February 2009, when life changed forever. It is a pleasing aspect in Read more about Watching Czech Republic 0-0 Northern Ireland…in Shinying, Taiwan[…]

Jonny Blair in Kwan Tzu Ling Taiwan a lifestyle of travel

Backpacking in Taiwan: Kuan Tzu Ling – Hot Springs Mountain Village

Again you’ll have to bear with the English prononciation of this wee mountain village – signposts read “Guanshiling”, local signs in the village read “Kuan Tzu Ling” and the entrance gate to the mountain road reads “Guanzihling.” Natalja and I did a day trip there, because the mountain village is famous for its “hot springs.” Read more about Backpacking in Taiwan: Kuan Tzu Ling – Hot Springs Mountain Village[…]