So, it's an early start this morning, as we've a flight to catch. The situation with my leg infection has improved, which is just as well, as the next week is the most important during my current stay in the Far East. We get ready for departure by taxi at 4:30 AM after a makeshift breakfast.
We leave the residence at 4:45 AM using Grab. It's not a service we've used before in Thailand, but it proves quite efficient and inexpensive for this early in the morning.
We arrive in good time for the AirAsia flight FD230 for Taipei, but the airport is busy and the check-in is a bit long-winded. There is then quite a walk through immigration and to reach the gate, more than normal as airports go. We wait at Gate 1 for departure. When the call arrives, I soon realise that there is a shuttle bus waiting, so there is a bit of nostalgia as we are soon heading out onto the tarmac and up the staircase.
The weather today is still on the cool side, but the skies are clear. It won't be so warm in Taipei. The flight takes off just slightly late as we settle down for three and a half hours. We have booked a meal, which we take first, and then I manage an hour's sleep. Outside it's turned cloudy, and I wonder what it's going to be like at our destination. Fortunately, as we near the airport, it's brightened up again. At the airport things go smoothly with passport control and security, but we need to find the express train into Taipei itself. This journey takes half an hour. The main station is a huge transport hub the size of a small town. It isn't easy to find the connections we want with a lot of walking and strange names everywhere, but we make it to our accommodation using two metro lines. For these we purchase an EasyCard.
First Hotel is deep in the city, but the high-story building is a bit dated with a bathtub and older furnishings. It's a bit on the small side, but overall it will do for the three nights we intend to stay here.
It's now moving into late afternoon, and we need to get our bearings, and that means looking for food. The food options on the main street are limited, so we instinctively head up side streets. That works better, and like a bloodhound on the scent, we find a popular dining area. The buffet-style restaurant we fancy is quite reasonable, and that dispels any fear that we would starve. We then get a chance to have a look around and identify the places we might want to return to. By the end of the day all the important boxes have been ticked, and that's a relief in itself.

Source: Visit