Author: Alex Robinson

I went with two sets of noise cancelling headsets: 1) Coby CY-191 headset – $30 or so at Frys. 2) Philips HN060 earbuds – $60 or so at Frys. Given the long flights through Japan …

Odd note: On the drive back up the island from Kenting, we stopped at a couple of the freeway rest areas. These areas were like those you’ll see on some east coast tollways: restaurants, etc. …

It’s the common understanding that driving in Taiwan is not the thing to do. “Those people drive crazy” is the consensus. What I found: Driving customs and characteristics were unique, but not outlandish. Skills were …

And, in a hotel that has a computer connected, more or less, with the internet. HiNet’s DNS works here maybe 1 in 3. Anyway, from Suao, we went down old Neakahnie Mountain. With lots of …

Well, things clicked along today. Change from yesterday when I could not get an ATM to spit money, and when I spent a trip to nowhere trying to rent a car and got a short …

The tempurature has changed. It’s in the 50’s – at least 10 degrees, maybe 15 down. Ouch. And, it’s not caused by the earthquakes. Rather, the Taipai 101 building causes the earthquakes – or so …

Riding down from Kwan Yin Shan we drove by some side-of-road, tiny buildings with “sexy” dressed woman. Hmmm. Turns out, they sell Betal nuts. Weird combination. Kind of over-the-top drive-thru coffee stands. But, as best …

Best book I’ve seen on starting Chinese is “Survival Chinese” by Don Snow. There is another, red covered book by the same name that’s very average. The good one is oriented toward people learning on …

From Danshui – Bali, Kwan Yin Shan was easier (but not easy) to get to. I wandered around for a while and felt *so* tired before finally finding a way to the mountain through a …

Well, the wrong bus took me back too quickly, so … how to kill a short evening? Hey, go to Costco! Three muffin packs later … (H, chocolate, included 🙂 ) Two floor store. Long …