Here are the details of our Taiwan Trip next year.
Please visit our American GI's Return to Taiwan in 2009 blog site here.
Taiwan in 2009 Trip Details. This Update: 03 November 2008
Concerns raised in e-mail from Taiwan veterans about the heat, humidity and possibility of typhoons in July and others who asked that we move our visit out of the peak travel season during the summer months, we have, after lengthy consideration, changed the trip date to September 2009.
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The weather will be somewhat cooler and the summer travel season is over.
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Our arrival date in Taipei is now scheduled for Friday, 11 September 2009.
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Your departure date would be on Wednesday, 09 September from CONUS. Actual airline schedules are not yet available, but current schedules with China Air Lines, historically the least expensive way to fly, put their CONUS flights into Taiwan very early in the morning.
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We chose a Wednesday departure flight date from CONUS which lands in Taipei early Friday morning.
Here is our proposed travel schedule in Taiwan:
11 September: Friday- Traveling and Arrival in Taiwan
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Arrival at Taoyuan International Airport between 0500 and 0800 hours.
Most of us will be arriving via China Air Lines from CONUS early on Friday morning.
As you depart from the aircraft, you will have to walk a considerable distance to the baggage claim area (there are moving sidewalks.)
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After securing your checked baggage, you may want to consider stopping at the Money Exchange area to convert $100.00 US currency into NT$ to cover the bus ride to the hotel, which is about NT$ 150.00 Additionally, you will want to have some NT$ on-hand to tip the bell boy at the hotel, or purchase a snack or beverage in the terminal before our bus leaves for the hotel. Currency can be converted at the hotel or at most banks. It is faster and easier in your hotel. VISA and Master Card are accepted just about everywhere.
Note: You can check the most up-to-date currency conversion rates on our blog, it is the last and bottom entry of things to view. Check this address also for current rates.
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You will now pass through customs and immigration where your passport will be stamped with a 30 day visitor visa. After customs, it’s only a short walk down the hallway and into the terminal arrival area.
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As you enter the terminal area, look for our sign “TAIWAN IN 2009” Someone will be stationed at the entrance of the terminal holding that signage and will greet and guide you with information on our bus ride to the hotel.
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Once we have gathered all our group of arrivals from the various aircraft, we will board a commercial bus and travel as a group to Taipei and our hotel. The trip should take 45 minutes to an hour. We will check-in at our hotel and the remainder of the day is free.
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I will attempt to visit with everyone as you arrive. I want to pass out everyone’s cell phone number, a list of our group members with room numbers, and a small bio on each of us. I plan to do this at the hotel, using their business office to print the information forms. This will insure no one is ever without immediate assistance no matter where you. All you have to do is call one of us from your cell phone and help is on the way! No stress, we are all hooked together by telephone.
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Before you travel, check to see if your cell phone works in Taiwan. You can look it up on the internet or call your cell phone provider to ask for Taiwan availability. Most major US carrier’s cellular phones will operate in Taiwan. When your aircraft comes to a stop at the gate area, turn on your phone. Chances are you will receive a text message on it before you reach the baggage claim area informing you which Taiwan cellular company can accommodate your incoming and outgoing cellular phone calls. As you rest in the terminal area, you might want to call home to let your family know you have arrived safely in Taipei and let them know your cell is working fine.
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The ac power supply is still 110, so your phone charger will operate just like home.
12 September: Saturday - Day One in Taiwan - Taipei
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Meet at hotel dining room for breakfast between 6:00 and 7:00 AM. We will go over notes, talk about any information that needs to be discussed and what is in store for today, Saturday. We should be out of the hotel by 8:30 and on our way to the MRT station. We will ride to Taipei Air Station, visit the area, also the JCC area (if someone worked there during their assignment) we can ask for a tour. Then stop by the National Taiwan University and possibly the Taiwan Air Defense Command Center.
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Back on the MRT and travel to the area where the Headquarters Support Activity (HSA) East and West Compounds once stood, the commissary, the Navy Exchange, the gas station, the Embassy shop, then down the street to the old “entertainment” district and a stop at the Florida Bakery for a yummy pastry, look around the area, maybe stop for a tasty lunch. After lunch, we could jump back on the MRT and visit Taipei 101, the tallest building in Taiwan and for a time, the tallest building in the world. A beautiful place to visit. Then if anyone wants to visit, and we are permitted inside, a visit to Grass Mountain and the old compound there. By this time, everyone will probably be tiring. It’s probably time to head back to the hotel.
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Dinner and the remainder of the evening is your choice.
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13 September: Sunday - Day Two in Taiwan - Taipei
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Breakfast meet-up in the hotel dining room, between 6:00 and 7:00 AM. Discuss notes, answer questions, etc. After a great breakfast, coffee, and a newspaper, we will leave about 8:30 for a visit to the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. After visiting there, a short rest and then on to the Presidential Office Building, the 228 Peace Park and other buildings in this area. Many of us would probably like to see Shiminding (West Gate Area) again. You remember, the huge movie signs 2 or 3 stories high. Our old hang-out for seeing the latest films and shopping. Oh how it has changed, you need to see this area once again. Maybe then visit the military museum or the postal museum. This will be enough for today, back to the hotel and the night is free.
14 September: Monday - Day Three in Taiwan - Travel
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Breakfast in hotel at 6:00 – 7:00 AM, eat, talk, etc. Check out of hotel and head for our tour bus as we begin our Taiwan tour.
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We will begin our journey heading north east for Keelung, visiting an artist town Jioufen, then on to an old gold mine, and a World War II POW camp at Chinguashii. Then back west where we catch the highway and drive through the longest tunnel in Asia (Hsuehshan tunnel at 12942 meters, 8 miles long) toward the Ilan Valley and along the east coast toward Hualien. We will skirt along the coastal mountains with exciting views of the ocean. This road is very similar to US Highway 1 south of Big Sur in California. We arrive in Hualien. We will visit a marble factory and other sites in town, check into the hotel and meet later with those who desire to have dinner and walk around possibly visiting a market or other sites of interest, depending on time available.
15 September: Tuesday - Day Four in Taiwan - Travel
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Breakfast, check out of hotel, back onto bus and on our way to Taroko Gorge (mini Grand Canyon and the Number #1 Tourist attraction in Taiwan) where we explore for a few hours, then on to Tiansiang and visit other sites along the way as time permits. The road continues over the central mountain range with beautiful vistas and toping out at 10,600 feet before heading to Chingjing Farm and on to Sun Moon Lake (the Number #2 Tourist attraction in Taiwan) for the night.
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16 September: Wednesday - Day Five in Taiwan - Travel
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Breakfast, check out of hotel, back on bus and travel to Alishan (the Number #3 Tourist attraction in Taiwan), about 7,250 feet above sea level. Ample time in the afternoon to take leisurely stoles along well marked trails in the area. There are trees here that are over 3,000 years old. We stay high in the mountains tonight.
17 September: Thursday - Day Six in Taiwan - Travel
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If you desire, get up very early and walk or board a bus or train to the mountain peak with many other visitors to see the sun rise from this high altitude and amongst the clouds. Return to hotel for breakfast; check out and onto the bus for our trip back to Taipei. We should arrive about 3:00 PM. Check into hotel, rest of day free.
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Note: Some of you may want to ride the new “High Speed Rail” back to Taipei. If you would like to take this exciting ride, we will stop in Chiayi and drop you off at the railroad station. You can catch the next train and be in Taipei very quickly. The rest of us will meet up with you back at our hotel later in the day. We can take your baggage with us on the bus and have it available at the hotel later in the day.
18 September: Friday - Day Seven in Taiwan - Taipei
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Free day. Suggestions, visit National Palace Museum, go shopping at Sogo Department Store, other department stores, or maybe look for your old house or apartment building, is it still standing?
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7:00PM Try to meet-up with entire group one last time for an evening meal. We will discuss where to eat, but we should try to come together this last evening to bond our group together, exchange addresses, etc. It was a fun time we will never forget, and of course, we need to pose one last time for group photographs. This trip will probably be the last visit most of us make to Taiwan. As a group, we made it a wonderful trip.
19 September: Saturday – Day Eight in Taiwan – Departure and Travel day
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Bus or taxi to airport, your choice. Fly home or on to other vacation destinations.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Airline tickets are not yet available for September 2009. My agent indicated she may have prices in December. We will find the least inexpensive Bulk Rate tickets. When they become available, information concerning prices, itinerary changes, etc will be published.
I know a few folks have indicated they would stay longer in Taiwan, some are leaving for other Asian destinations, etc.
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The trip has been fashioned very loose. Changes can be made and it is not set in cement.
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The dates are now firm – September. No additional change in date will be made.
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The above itinerary is what we felt would offer each of us an opportunity to see Taipei again as well as visiting some of the more exciting sites down island. The down island trip must have at least 10 folks at a minimum. If we don’t meet our 10 minimum number, you can still take one of the many trips offered by commercial tour agencies; most will visit the same areas. If we set up our own tour, we have control over everything and can change as we see fit along the way. Much more interesting and easy going.
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Hotel costs and the down island trip costs will be announced as soon as we can determine how many of you will say, I’ll be there, I’m flying out to Taipei in September to join with the group.
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I would expect hotel prices to be between $100 - $150 per day. Hotel prices on the tour will probably be a little less. The bus and driver cost will be shared equally with those who take the down island tour. The hotel generally includes a breakfast buffet in the price of the room. Each of us is responsible for our own charges, i.e., hotel, transportation, food, anything else. Bring some cash and have a credit card for payment of hotel and other charges.
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Does anyone belong to a Club that has exchange privileges with the American Club in Taiwan? Check this link to see.
If someone has exchange privileges, we can visit the club (old Club 63)
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Let us hear from you. Your comments and suggestions on the trip.
I look forward to your e-mail.
Write to me at: Taipeiairstation@hawaii.rr.com
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My good friend Gene Hirte and his lovely wife will join us on the trip. They reside in Taiwan and have graciously volunteered to help insure our visit is delightful, interesting and fun.
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I hope you will join us.
Kent Mathieu - Honolulu
Taipei Air Station 1965 – 1968
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If you would like to visit an old base of work station that is still in existence, we must write to the Taiwan Trade Office in the US and ask for help in allowing us to POSSIBLY visit a particular active military facility. They may or may not allow such a visit. We must ask in writing, therefore -
If you want to visit such a facility, e-mail me and we will put your facility/site on our list.
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Here is our list of facilities/sites we will ask permission to visit:
1. - No requests yet.
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If you would like an easier to read copy of this Trip Details Memo check the Taipei Air Station Web Site here: http://mirach.lunarpages.com/~taipe2/index_files/Page1872.htm
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