Taipei - Monday 27 January 2020

Got up and had breakfast in the hotel. Not good. I love Chinese food, but not the breakfasts and this was very local. Checked out and headed back to Hotel Papa Whale in Taipei and left our bags.

View over the park from our hotel room..

Then headed to Juifen by MRT and then bus. It's in the northern part of Taiwan and about a 2 hour bus ride. Took a look at Juifen Old Street and had some lunch. Then had a coffee.

Looking down to Keelung...



That's Mount Keelung in the background which we are about to climb...

Then hiked up Mount Keelung which is nearby. It's very cold but at least not raining today.

We are on the northwest coast of Taiwan now...

Coming back down...

We then headed back to Taipei and checked into the hotel. Had a snack of mango sorbet as Alex was hungry...



That night we headed to Ningxia Night Market for dinner which was walking distance from our hotel. Tried some different foods and headed back. Then had a cocktail at a nearby bar which was done out like a barber shop and I think that's what is used to be...

The next day when leaving I had some black sesame mochi at the Cathay Lounge. Not bad...

At least the Cathay Lounge is generous...

Taipei - Sunday 26 January 2020

Sunday we went to the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall. Some impressive buildings...

Photobombed !

And again !

After that, we caught the MRT to Taipei 101 and had breakfast. It's miserable and means we can't do the Elephant Mountain hike we wanted to do.

So we checked out and caught the MRT to Beitou the hot springs area in the northern suburbs of Taipei. Checked in to the Atami Hotel which had a hot spring as part of the hotel. It is in a place called Xinbeitou.

We had a rest and a hot spring. That night, we went and found dinner and then went to a bar. It is really cold and rainy and there's not much around to do.

Taipei - Saturday 25 January 2020

Decided to take Alex who is currently staying with me, to Taiwan for Chinese New Year.

I went last year and did Taipei, Juifen and Shifen. This time I want to explore the countryside. However it is Chinese New Year and things may be either closed or busy.

Arrived on Friday night on Cathay - easy 1.5 hour flight. Caught the airport high speed rail to Taipei Main Station and walked about 700m to my hotel with the weirdest name ever - Hotel Papa Whale. But was excellent; cheap, trendy and well located.

Woke up on Saturday and went for a random walk. I have no plans and Alex doesn't arrive until this afternoon.

I liked the look of this. Taipei North Gate...



Then I came to a nice park. It is overcast but not too cold.

Then found the National Taiwan Museum...

Next stop, the Office of the President...

Kept walking. Lots of nice architecture...

Found Huashan 1914 Creative Park and bought some food. It's like an outdoor market but very quiet. To be fair, it is the first day of the Year of the Rat and the whole city is quiet !

This made me laugh...

Then caught the MRT to Taipei 101 to get a coffee at a place I went to last time. Decorations for Chinese New Year look great...

The headed to the Red House area for lunch. This cost NTD100 which is A$5...

Later I picked up Alex from Taipei Main Station. We had a rest then headed to Taipei 101. The weather wasn't good so options were limited.

We then caught an Uber to Lehua night market and had some food. It was pretty busy...

Had an orange juice...

Alex wasn't feeling well so we didn't stay long and Ubered back to the hotel and crashed.

Singapore - January 2020

From Shanghai, I flew China Eastern for the first time which was fine, other than a very painful bag drop-off process and a one hour flight delay.

Caught a Grab from the airport and checked into Capri by Fraser China Square. It's quite new and very close to the office and Chinatown. Got twin beds as Callum will be joining me in a few days.

Monday I had breakfast in the hotel and walked to the office. Lunch at a German burger place I had been to before - Hans im Gluck. Coffee with their logo. Cute...



Monday night I did a heritage tour of Chinatown with colleagues...





Tuesday had lunch at So Sofitel - free flow dim sum. Eating too much again. Tuesday night I picked up Callum from the airport at 2am ! Flight landed at 1230 but as he was classed as an accompanied minor, he was last off the plane !

Wednesday I slept in and met my boss for breakfast in the hotel. Tonight is our big client function at Fullerton Bay.

Had lunch with Callum at Lau Pa Sat and then set him off to walk around the harbour.

I arrived at the Fullerton at 6pm for the function. Great venue and turnout. Wearing a tie for a change...

The room looked amazing...



Lion Dance as it is nearly Chinese New Year...

View of Marina Bay Sands from Fullerton Bay...



Thursday I had lunch at Lau Pa Sat again and took Callum to dinner in Chinatown. I love the food at Lau Pa Sat and it's right near work.



Friday breakfast with Callum and then set him off to Orchard Road. Had an oolong and honey bubble tea...

Friday night I had a drink with colleagues at The Black Swan near the office, then back to the hotel. Went to Indochine in Chinatown for dinner.

Saturday slept in and then we headed to Sentosa where I have never been. Caught the MRT to Harbourfront and then the Cable Car to Sentosa. There are many ways of getting there.

Once on the island, we changed to another cable car system...

Had lunch at and Italian place at Siloso beach...

Then we walked to the other end of the island and found Tanjong Beach where there is a famous beach club...



On the way back, up to Mount Faber...

That night we went to the Night Safari. Caught a Grab about 45 minutes north (SGD26). Did the tram tour and then walked the trails. It was really good. Had some dinner...

Sunday we got up and caught a Grab to Gardens by the Bay...

Then we walked back to Marina Bay Sands...

And then we walked to Clarke Quay for a coffee then back to the hotel...

On Sunday afternoon we headed back to Hong Kong together.