Taiwan Day 1 Breakfast

Each day I was on this journey I found happiness as I woke. I did not have thoughts of dread as I woke up each day for once in my life each day I woke up not because I had to but because I wanted to. That is not to say I wasn't tired,every inch of my body still hurt with each day I woke. I found a sense of ecstasy which I have yet to emulate again.

I was to meet one of my friends, putting all my trust in her to guide me throughout Taiwan. Communicating was difficult everywhere I traveled, not because of the language, but because my phone had no signal, I had to rely on what little free WiFi i could find. As much stress as this was at time, I found this to be another relaxing part of my travels. I was no longer inclined to check my phone every 5 minutes I could concentrate on the here and now.

I had only been in Taiwan a short while but the atmosphere was so welcoming it did not have the towering skyscrapers of Hong Kong, it was quaint,but it still had the convenience of any large city.

The view from outside my hostel

All the conveniences of home

I made my way to the MTR, there I would meet my friend. We were to spend my entire trip together never before had I had a travel companion. I had always been nervous to travel alone so I never traveled.There was the occasional road trip for a job interview and the one time I traveled to DC by myself on a whim, but never to another country.

We smiled as we met, saying not a word besides good morning and how are you. She spoke plainly, nervous to speak English. Anxious to try my Chinese I asked her where are we going (我们去哪儿）She smiled giggled at my Chinese and said We will go to Beitou.

Trains all throughout Asia are so modern and well kept

Compared to the denseness of the other cities I had been to Taipei was less crowded comparatively.
There was plenty of room to stand  and watch the mountainous landscape as we passed through to Beitou. Everything was so efficient, I still remember the cute sounds the turn-style made as you passed through.

I saw these cute little Characters at Beitou station

I couldn't get over how welcoming the atmosphere was in Taipei was. Everyone was so happy so healthy. We exited the train at Beitou station she looked at me smiled and asked me"Are hungry?" I nodded yes with a big smile.

Beitou 

We walked for a little and found ourselves in-front of what looked almost like a McDonald's, but not. It was called Mos burger. Ordering for the first time in Chinese was not as bad I as expected either! Considering she gave me an English menu Ironic. I ordered something similar to an egg muffin. And I have to say the service compared to any American Fast food restaurant was astounding they brought it right to my table!We walked for a little and found ourselves in-front of what looked almost like a McDonald's, but not. It was called Mos burger. Ordering for the first time in Chinese was not as bad I as expected either! Considering she gave me an English menu Ironic. I ordered something similar to an egg muffin. And I have to say the service compared to any American Fast food restaurant was astounding they brought it right to my table!

Over course of my stay in Taiwan I found myself enjoying breakfast more and more. Breakfast was simple not the Pancakes globed in syrup with bacon and eggs on the side. Enough to feed a man 3 times my size.

They best way I can describe it was they were tiny egg tarts with ham almost like a breakfast dumpling. The portion size was perfect for me and surprisingly filling. My favorite part about breakfast wasn't the food but the beverage. Milk Tea, A combination of Chocolate Milk and tea. I cannot begin to describe the taste. I have yet to emulate its taste in America.

Landing in Taiwan

It was like my Journey had begun a new. I was in another vastly different country. With a different landscape, different customs, even a different climate. Right from the moment I landed I could tell I was in a smaller city compared to Hong Kong. Although it was still crowded I was processed with ease through Taiwanese immigration. No questions were asked and it seemed only a drug/bomb sniffing dog was lead around the airport.

I was nervous, I was to meet two lovely girls whom I had never met in person. Little did I realize that these two girls one from Taiwan the other studying abroad from China, would capture my heart and become two of the best friends I could ever ask for. I wasn't nervous because I thought they might do me harm, I was nervous because  I was afraid the language barrier would be too great. Online we had only texted in Chinese and English so i wasn't sure if their spoken English would be the same level.

My heart raced as I searched through the crowds of people for them. For them I was easy to spot any western male sticks out like a soar thumb in Asia. Their faces were gleaming with excitement as was mine. Without thinking I gave them both a big hug.

We said little that first half hour in the airport uncertain of how to gauge their English. Later I found out that I wasn't the only one who was nervousness. I nervous to use my what little Chinese I had and they their English. Even though we spoke little I felt we could still understand each other.

The airport which I arrived in Tao-Yuan was not actually in Taipei but a city about an hours drive away.After boarding a bus we made our journey to Taipei station.Right away I could see a vast difference in the land space and the roads. It was somehow quiet and quaint compared to the bustling city of Hong Kong. In retrospective it took guts, I was here alone trusting two girls I had never met. I had no contacts here besides them and a few other pen pals.

I sat there quietly taking everything in, it was too dark to see anything and I was thoroughly exhausted, I hadn't eaten since earlier that day, I was starving.My friend just like any american I knew had their head deep in their phone. Her phone had the Cheshire cat for a case. I said one word to her "Alice" she looked at me smiled and said "Yeah" in a kind comforting voice. We looked at each other a moment, and then I realized from that point on I was in good company.

Taiwan was full of cute and sometimes
bizarre art work and cartoons

Taipei station, for some reason people
only sat on the black tiled floors

After dropping my things at my hostel we headed to Taiwan's famous night markets.....

The Journey to Taiwan

The journey to Taiwan was an adventure in itself. The airport was crowed and lush with people from all over the globe.People from not just Asia all passing through or stopping in Hong Kong to conduct business. Africans, Americans, Europeans hearing at least a dozen different languages being spoken. This airport was ginormous making even Logan Airport in Boston look tiny. I must have walked over a mile just to get to my gate, even with the help of the moving walkways.

What amused me the most was the glass smoking areas, jam packed with people in a haze of gray smoke filling every inch of the room.  Starved as I was there was no time for me to wait in the obscenely long lines to get food. I settled for a small snack at one of the news stands.

After sitting down in my seat I immediately drifted off into a deep sleep.

Last Day in Hong Kong

This was my final day in Hong Kong the rain had cleared from the previous day. I was both sad and a little excited to leave. To most Hong Kongers this city is small with not much to see as a tourist, but I found 4 days was not enough. I had just become accustomed to life in Hong Kong. I finally felt I was getting used to the flow of the city. I was able to navigate alone unchallenged by the thick weave of streets.

My flight was later in the day, so i had time to explore just a bit more. I headed for the Avenue of Stars, which is located right along Victoria's Harbor facing with Hong Kong Island just across the bay. It was only a short train ride from Kowloon maybe one or two stops.

It was still early in the day when I arrived at the stop closest to the harbor. Because this was a weekday the streets were less crowded than I was used to,so it was kind of peaceful just walking about while everyone was at work for the day.

I found this guy taking a mid morning nap  on part of the art display.

 The harbor was quiet with a steady ambient noise from the construction of a towering skyscraper nearby. I seemed to have gotten used to the obscene heat and humidity of Hong Kong by this point but the breeze coming off the harbor was refreshing.For the first time in my life I felt content calmly watching the boats navigate through the haze of the harbor.

Even in this condensed city new building are still erected 

I went down one way occasionally seeing another group of tourists taking selfies of the harbor.

I remembered how when I begun to plan my trip I had wanted a strict schedule so I could see everything. I would take a few pictures just to say I had been somewhere;This was better. If I have one piece of advice for travels it is this. Don't make plans the best things in life are spontaneous . Sticking to schedules will make you stress and that will only make your travels less enjoyable.

I headed down the other direction of the harbor towards the Avenue of Stars. Hong Kong for those of you don't know has had a history of cinema. Much like Hollywood Hong Kong too showcases their most famous stars on a walk of fame.

Of course Hong Kong's most famous star was ironically American born. Bruce Lee is a name that still lives on today as a pioneer in both the film and martial arts industry. As both a film buff and a student of martial arts, this was a must see for me.

Although this wasn't the most incredible sight i saw on my journey, it still brought a great big smile to my face. I must also point out how difficult it was to get a picture of Bruce Lee with no one taking selfies. Even on a weekday morning people seem to flock to sights such as this just to take a selfie and to say "I was here"

There he is that pig again

Another Favorite of mine Jackie Chan is another
famous actor in Hong Kong Cinema

As a side note I found some interesting signs along this boardwalk,

I sincerely hope this isn't a real problem in Hong Kong

It is a good thing I left my Hawk at home. I would also
like to know how one keeps a hawk in a city of this size

After traveling the length of the boardwalk I made my way into yet another shopping district. I was getting hungry at this point,so i stopped to eat.

I found many restaurants near tourist areas seemed to be good about having English menus. Which was good for me since I cannot read Cantonese. I sat down to have at one of my Hong Kong friends suggestion Kongee an almost rice porridge. Although not as filling as I had hoped it helped settle my already upset stomach.

After eating i wandered around some more in and out of some malls. I found a One Piece 3D Art Museum. One Piece is an anime that is huge all over Hong Kong. Everywhere I saw merchandise related to this or other anime. It was kind of neat, you would go in and take pictures of yourself next to the art and it would look as if you were in the Anime.

 I headed back to Causeway Bay for the last couple hours to get some nick nacks and maybe a book on Cantonese. Otherwise uneventful I made my way back to the Hostel where I packed up.

While packing up I made a friend of  both my host and another fellow from Columbia. I truly wish I had more time to talk to them. They were both fascinating people an artist / hostel owner, and a free lance translator in visa limbo from mainland china.

Like a pack-mule I headed towards the airport ready for my next leg of my journey. I was truly sad that I only had a short time in such a vibrant lively city.

Day 1 Part 3 The New Territories of Hong Kong

 After leaving the market we headed towards the area of Hong Kong Known as the new territories. Hong Kong I have learned is very compact, and very efficient . We passed though one of the universities If i hadn't known it was a university I would of thought it was a shopping mall. A train station even runs into part of the university giving easy access for students

Students from all different backgrounds flooded the halls. Here classes are offered in Cantonese, Chinese and even English. When I passed through I was envious wishing that I could of had the opportunity to study abroad in such a diverse environment.

We continued to walk the buildings gradually shrunk givings a fantastic view of the mountainous 

region.The view was breathtaking the mountains and towering buildings almost matching in size.

This rock is supposed to look like a mother holding a baby

Horse Racing is very famous in Hong Kong. In fact during my
stay the first race of the season occurred

 These were almost like little villages set aside from the vast metropolis of Hong Kong.

These "towns" are regulated by the government. The owners own the land and the building but are strictly forbidden from building above 3 stories.I liked this part of town, it was very quaint. I remember feeling very relaxed here. Even though I had no idea where I was or even how to get back to my room, I still felt safe. 

Perfect for Barbecuing 

Each little Village even comes equipped with
their own shire.

From the village it was only a short walk to a convince store. Convenience stores in Hong Kong and everywhere I went in Asia (Taiwan, and Japan) were much more than a place to simply buy a soda and a snake. Many times there are whole tables set up to have a meal and  just relax.

Enjoying a coke out of a Glass bottle. Perhaps my only
Soft drink of the trip

Eventually we came to near where my friend lived. Next to it stood large parking garage gated. Everywhere I looked I saw "Luxary" Cars not a single one was a so called "junker" which you see all too often here in america. Getting in the left side of the car was strange to me being a passenger.

 We headed deep into the new territories. North east to a place called "High Island Reservoir"

This is my favorite memory from Hong Kong. Never could I have imagined how gorgeous the natural environment of Hong Kong Really was was. The mountain hid the bustling metropolis behind us , but ahead of us tumbled more and more mountains each surrounded by several different bodies of water giving the appearance that I was in an archipelago.

Soon, we came to a parking lot at the entrance to what appeared to be a small park. After exiting the vehicle he informed me that we would walk along a trail for about an hour to get to our destination.
I looked around, trail what trail? There was no trail we walked along the side of the road to reach our destination.

I was amazed at the endurance of my companion.I had only seen him drink a glass of tea earlier in the day walking in flip flops all day. Meanwhile I had been drinking water all day long wearing appropriate walking shoes. At this point the extreme heat of Hong Kong started to take a toll on me.
He moved at a quick pace down the path while I followed at a meager pace.

We passed by many paces such as these
October and November are the months when people typically
barbecue the summer months are too hot,

  Moving through down the path we saw few hikers. However there was almost a constant flow of taxi cabs coming to and from our destination moving faster than was comfortable. The trees and mountains slowly opened up giving us a gorgeous view. With each turn the view became more and more beautiful.

We turned one corner and everything opened up awestruck I had take it all in it was so... peaceful watching the boats sail along the lake below. I still couldn't believe where I was I had never dreamed I would ever see someplace so tranquil so close to a city such as Hong Kong.

This is perhaps my favorite picture of Hong Kong

I found myself standing there watching the boats cruise along the lake,only to find my friend still walking far from where I stood. After what seemed like two hours we made it to our destination. A large damn. Nearby there was a small shaded picnic area and the end of the road. Everyone who came here was waiting for a taxi cab to return to the city. From what I was told just over the next hill was a popular beach front only accessible by foot.

My water was all but gone and I was starving. My friend called for a cab and we waited and waited until our cab arrived.When we made it back to the car we made our way to the boarder to the mainland. My friend had to do some quick business over  over in Shen Zhen. Since I had no Visa I had to wait patiently at the station.

It killed me to stand there so close to China I wanted to cross so badly. Next time I told myself... Next time I will cross. While I stood there droves of people came filled with suitcases filled with god knows what. I had to press myself against the wall to keep from getting pushed by the crowd.

ShenZhen

After A delightful dinner with him and his wife. It was time to return to my hostel. I was exhausted my feet ached my head began to hurt a little.. but i was happy and ready for a new adventure tomorrow