Taipei

Pseudo Tokyo, because well, traveling to Japan for New Years was just way too expensive. Ended up traveling to Taipei, for some hot springs in Beitou, hiking in Yangmingshan, night markets in Taipei and New Years around 101. Icing on the cake, a nice upgrade on the return flight home. Not a bad plan B. 

Everything in real time

There used to be a saying in Hong Kong which went along the lines of "Everything in real time". It was a saying popularised by Rob, which referred often to last-minute, impromptu trips around Asia. Legend has it that Rob once did 14 trips to Taipei in a single calendar year, most of them decided "in real time", ie. On a Friday afternoon during work, deciding that he would rather not spend the weekend in Hong Kong would proceed to the airport, sometimes without an advance purchase of a flight or a hotel. With passport in hand and "figure it out". Rob left Hong Kong in 2015, and with it the saying of "everything in real time". 

Fast forward September 2024, and Rob happens to be back in Hong Kong for business. It's on the Tuesday and I get a message "Taipei this weekend?" - four days notice, not quite real time, but definitely on a whim. After much deliberation, I managed to find a couple of cheap flights on points and a reasonable rate for a Taipei hotel for one evening.

Not quite the same gusto of yesteryear, but 24 hours in Taipei was really good. Plus a special guest.

Taipei

Back-to-back weekends, not sure I have the energy for this anymore! Josh's (not 40th) birthday in Taipei. First time on Greater Bay Airlines, not too expensive, good flight times and pretty comfortable. Thankfully no immigration lines, but despite leaving work at 6 pm still managed to get to hotel around 11 pm. Still I forget how easy it is to get over to Taipei. Good fun weekend, although being out and about the whole day Sunday, it's definitely a young man's game. Glad to get the earlier flight back into Hong Kong.

Taipei

Weekend travel is back! Friend's birthday, and a short weekend trip to Taipei. I really need to sort out an APEC card. It feels good to be jumping on a flight after work for some food and celebration.

The farewell continues: Taipei

Back to back weekends - this weekend, Taipei. One night.

Memorable tidbit #1
First time I've selected a "special meal" on a flight. I went for the "Low Fat" option. Surprisingly not too bad.

Memorable tidbit #2
Scheduled departure: 16:40, expected arrival in Hong Kong: 18:25. Actual departure: 21:00, arrival back in Hong Kong 23:30. Typhoon decided to batter Hong Kong, forcing the airport to temporarily shutdown and for the plane to be stuck in multiple holding zones.

The Gang head to Taipei

Weddings aside, it's rarity that the Australians and the Texan steal away for a holiday. In fact, over the course of my Hong Kong stay we have managed to travel a total of two times; both for weddings. Considering that we as a group spend so much time together here in Hong Kong and that we always have a great time overseas it was decided that we should try to arrange a non-wedding trip somewhere in Asia. To avoid problems with annual leave and destinations it was decided to travel somewhere close. Taipei.

The funny thing is, this trip went from a initial group size of eight to final number of twenty two people.

Always

"So if by the time the bar closes, and you feel like falling down, I'll carry you home tonight" - We Are Young

It was all white, everything

I don't think I'll ever tire of visiting Taiwan. Another weekend trip to Taipei to celebrate a friend's Birthday at the Godskitchen 2F White event.

Excellent weekend - although a little heavy on the partying. Pleasant surprise. Met somebody this weekend who also, by coincidence will be on the same flight with me to Kuala Lumpur. So begins the start of two weeks of travel. Bliss.

"We can make fast or we can make it last" - Lupe Fiasco, All Black Everything

End Point

I distinctly remember leaving Sydney with the mandate to try Hong Kong out until the beginning of May. By 'try' I had intentions to see if Asia required somebody with my skill-set. This seemed like a reasonable plan, and if after 6 weeks there was zero interest in my resume I told myself (and others) that I would attend the wedding and simply return to Australia and resume life in Sydney. I secretly knew that this wasn't really an option.

So, now it is May and I've not much to report. The market has been extremely slow. A far cry from my first few weeks in London where interviews were constant and consistent! I think this contrast is part of the reason why I still remain here, determined to set myself up in Hong Kong. To this date I have had zero interviews with companies and I'm starting to feel like I've outstayed my friend's couch. As strange as that sounds I find the lack of interviews re-assuring. The general feedback I've received from recruiters is that my resume will definitely provoke interest and that I just need to exercise a little patience as the market was "unusually" slow right. So enough about my situation and back to the main post topic, the wedding.

It has been over 5 years since I was last in Taipei and it still remains one of my favourite Asian Destinations. Friendly people, excellent food and an overall great vibe - not a lot has changed. Despite being here before I was secretly excited to spend the weekend in Taiwan. Firstly it would be the first family gathering since my Grandma's funeral and I couldn't wait to see Aunts, Uncles and immediate family from Australia. Secondly, the two getting married (my cousin and his fiancee) helped me a lot while I was in London and I owe them so much for the way my London Experience panned out.

The wedding itself was traditional, intimate and a lovely ceremony. I was, by default the best man, by tradition, the definition, an unmarried male from representing the Groom's side. Wonderful time, excellent food and a renewed vigor to get back to Hong Kong to set myself up!

Springbreak

Milestone #1. First Trip in Asia