6am: original plan was to leave at 6am to avoid the traffic. We’ll that didn’t happen.
730am: traffic…
Gaggle of escooters
The scooters get to inch up at stop lights. The scooters are like flies everywhere. Driving a car here would be so stressful. You have to co standby watch out for scooters zipping past.
Made it to the security check. Apparently no photos allowed here (I got yelled at).
So we checked in. Went through security. They stopped Vivienne for a second and asked her didn’t she already scan the ticket? Didnt know what that was about until we sat down at the lounge. Appare5the united Desk checked us all in but Juju. They printed vivi boarding passes 2x. (One for juju) somehow juliette made it through the security check point. This seems like a major security risk.
Well luckily we caught this otherwise they were in process of giving juju seat away.
1150am flight was delayed. Now in process of take off.
730am PST landed at SFO and now at customs.
Went to the AMEX Centurion lounge at SFO. It’s at a temp location while the usual terminal is undergoing reno. It was packed and super loud. Guy at the bar is talking very loud and yelling profanities. Kids next to us are doing the 2-5 year old scream cry whine.
Food was good but we had to go somewhere else. Checked out the Canada Air Maple Leaf Lounge at SFO (Gold Alliance partner). That’s pretty nice.
Outside terrace @ Maple Leafe lounge SFOComes with jet fumes.
After a long layover we made it to ORD. Short connection time we ran to the gate. Now the flight is delayed. Yay. Tired.
7am: off to Taipei. We are heading the my grandfather’s resting site which is in these mountains, and a little far. The most difficult part of this venture is getting up the small winding road up the mountain. For those that know me, I was that motion-sick kids on the bus.
Wendell Borton – motion-sick kid
YS and I opted to take the train/rail down 1.) reduce me getting sick with my dad driving, and 2.) his RAV4 can only fit 5 people.
So Taiwan cemeteries are usually on top of mountains.
… hillsides were historically less valuable for farming but offered good drainage and spiritual significance, with mountain slopes providing ample space and auspicious placement for tombs…
-Google Gemeni
Often there is a lot of shrubbery that can over grow. It requires a lot of upkeep. On top of that the stairways up are very treacherous.
So we had to cut back all this growth to get to the tomb.
The path.
Mr frogCleared out the foilage. What kind of mosquito vector disease do they have here?Born 1904 i think. Passed on 1980Loquat flowerBanana
Checking out Ximending before we get packing. One of my favorite places in Taipei to go. Lots of food and stores/nightlife.
CousinsSierra really wanted Vivi and juju to have these pretty hair clips and wear with her.
I posted about this before but they have air raid shelters everywhere. Apparently the MRT subway station is a commons one.
We made a stop at Ximending. Very popular spot especially for the younger crowd. Apparently they film a lot of the Taiwan Dramas here too. Definitely a spot to check out if you are in Taipei.
This large door swings over and seals upMister DonutQuick stop by the underground mallHedgies are popular this year XimendingThey blurred the picture of the risqué product. I can’t quite make out what it is…
On the way to ORD. Slumming it in first (we got upgraded) of course its the shortest leg of the trip.
Vivi and Juju were in Taiwan already this summer, but we all didn’t get to go. We opted to do a winter trip to avoid the excess heat and humidity.
My first winter in Taiwan was a slap in the face. I remember wandering around looking at the shops stocked with heavy winter clothes, and locals wearing jackets. It was still hot! At that time I’ve only been in Taiwan during the summer. I was wondering what the deal was. Maybe it was just a way to participate in what “winter” is like. Well I was putzing around in a t-shirt and shorts one day. Day started out nice and warm but the temp precipitously dropped. Who knew it got cold in Taiwan. Ill be ready this time!
On another note, we recently ventured in to the travel phase of our lives. Everytime we would walk pass those snazzy cubicle seats in the United Polaris 1st/business class, or the United Polaris Lounges, I always lamented. Thinking never for me:-(
We then discovered having those premium credit cards/co-branded cards can get you perks to make traveling much more comfortable.
We currently have the Chase United Club Card, (ill save that for another post) that gets us in the the United Lounges. Definitely a plus to have during layovers instead of sitting on the ground or standing at a crowded gate.
1130 am Pacific Time @SFO awaiting departure for Taiwan.The complementary beverages are a bonus too.
So apparently the current US administration announced they will sell Taiwan. $11.1 billion dollars worth of arms.
There may be a chance the CCP will take over Taiwan while we are there. I wonder if that means I won’t be able to get back:(
Back to the topic, if you are at SFO, United Lounges at F terminal is better than G. Bigger and hot food.
Overall a little dated.
Bathrooms are nice and private
United Lounge F terminal pooper
As the fam goes get food, this little Asian boy plops right down in vivi’s seat. He stares at me. I stare at him. I figure he’d relize I’m not with his group/family and he would run off. After about a minute he runs off when his mom calls him over. I guess maybe he thinks all Asians do look alike?
Polaris Lounge. One day I will be admitted…
Polaris: I’ve always wanted to get my own little cubby tp lay flat for a 14 hr trip to Taiwan. Alas no credit card or status would get us there this year. (I suppose we could have paid $10k plus a seat)Premium Economy – not too bad either. Its not Polaris but it will get us there
12/18/25 155p pacific time. And we are off.
433 p pacific time. (7p eastern?) 11hrs left…the flight attendant questioned vivi if I was her dad, because it seemed like a random Asian guy was taking a picture of her. 707 pm EST Almost there. 42 min left!
And we are here. After >24 hr total time traveling.
Love these dumplings seats
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