Typhoon Morakot

Typhoon Morakot, a deadly tropical storm that slammed into Taiwan the evening of Friday, August 7, 2009, is one of the deadliest to have hit the island. With peak winds thrashing at speeds of 155 kilometers/hr, eqivalent to a Category 2 hurricane, the typhoon dumped over 80 inches of rain, causing Taiwan's worst flooding in history.

Photos are available here.

According to President Ma, "...the scale of damage caused by Morakot was more severe than a 1959 typhoon that killed 667 people and left around 1,000 missing."

Hundreds of residents in Southern Taiwan are dead and thousands are in need of assistance.
To make a donation please contact the Red Cross Society at 886-2-2362-8232.
The Society's mailing address is:

The Red Cross Society of the ROC NHQ
10F 276, Section 2, Chien Kuo South Road, Taipei 106, Taiwan, R.O.C.

台湾加油!

Taipei In A Day Includes: Taiwan From A To Z NUMBER ONE in Category on Amazon.com!

Taipei In A Day: Includes Taiwan From A To Z is available here, Amazon.com and at Barnes andNoble.com.

In Taipei the book is available at Cherry Valley Bookstore, Tienmu East Road, Lane 8, #99,Tienmu, Taipei (behind TAS)(台北市士林區天母東路8巷99號) (02) 2876-9293.

Thank you again for making Taipei In A Day not only the highest-rated but also the NUMBER ONE highest-ranked Taiwan travel book on amazon.com! --Scott

Taiwan to Fine McDonald's, Domino's Pizza

In Taipei In A Day Includes: Taiwan From A To Z I write in-depth about Taiwan's local culture so readers have a solid understanding of what to expect prior to arriving. I mention that, at times, visitors will find a land of stark contradicitons. Here's a case in point:

The news has been heavily covering the fact that McDonald's and Domino's Pizza will be fined between NT $60,000 (approximately US $1,800) to NT $300,000 (US $9,000) for not changing their cooking oil enough. In fact, one can't turn on the TV and watch the local Chinese news or open a newspaper these days without seeing a headline containing the phrase "tainted oil." The fines, which would hardly hurt these firms' bottom lines, are clearly to send a message to other chains that they should ensure that their cooking oil is changed more regularly. While it's prudent for Taiwan to be taking measures to ensure its citizens are safe, is this seemingly haphazard slap-on-the-wrist really the right approach?

Apparently, the Department of Health (DOH) decided to randomly test and subsequently fine these two chains "in a move to quell consumer fears over the safety of cooking oil used by eateries across the island." How is fining two U.S.-based chains going to make cooking oil used by eateries across the entire island more safe, especially considering that most people on Taiwan eat at small road-side stands? Wouldn't it be more practical for government inspectors to visit night markets around the island and test cooking oil used at these locations, considering that many, if not most, Taiwanese people eat foods prepared there?

Everyone knows too much of anything is bad for one's health. How about cutting the Golden Arches a little slack for once? What do you think?

Expect more random large chain testing and fines to come.

Jiufen (九份)

In Taipei In A Day Includes: Taiwan From A To Z explore the accommodations, attractions, eats, history and unique trinkets rife in Taipei County’s Jiufen (九份), located high above the northern Taiwan port city of Keelung.

Although the name of the restaurant/hotel (bed & breakfast) “Chiu Chunt Dint” may sound funny, the outstanding food, exemplary service and somewhat small yet cozy accommodations are not. Prices for meals are reasonable, ranging from NT $250 (approximately US $7.50) to $550 (US $16.50) for an entree, soup and a beverage. (My suggestion: try the curry chicken with hearty vegetables and cheese for NT $300.)

The hotel is currently running a special, NT $880 (approximately US $26.40) per person for an overnight stay plus two meals, a very reasonable price for a comfortable overnight visit. For those who’d prefer not to trek back into Taipei or beyond after a sojourn to Jiufen consider staying at Chiu Chunt Dint. Or, stop in for a meal, your tastebuds shouldn't be disappointed.

Looks bizarre? Try it!

Ice cream and imported German beer, what was this vendor thinking? It's the perfect combination... for diarrhea!

An enterprising Jiufen stall owner attracts customers dressed as a human sunflower!

Taipei In A Day: Includes Taiwan From A To Z is available here, Amazon.com and at Barnes andNoble.com. Thank you again for making Taipei In A Day the highest-rated Taiwan travel book on amazon.com!

It has been a pleasure helping countless travelers to Taiwan enjoy their travels with greater ease.  Thank you to everyone who has provided a positive review of my guidebook and custom "Taipei In A Day (台北一日遊)" tour  based on my best-selling Taiwan travel book, Taipei in a Day: Includes Taiwan from A to Z,  I sincerely appreciate it.  

Have fun and enjoy your time on Taiwan, and if you need a personal Taiwan guide, I provide custom "Taipei in a Day (台北一日遊)" tours based on my best-selling Taiwan tour guide!  Feel free to contact me via www.taipeiinaday.com for details.  --Scott

Neihu MRT Opens to Fanfare and Delays

The Neihu line of the Taipei Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) metro system is operational but currently plagued by electrical problems. During the first few months of operation expect heavy crowds and delays. One article mentions “a series of service disruptions.” Those heading to Miramar Entertainment Park would be wise to depart at Jiantan Station and take the free shuttle bus instead.

"Cape No. 7" Movie Review Showcased in Taiwan's Leading Bilingual Travel Magazine

Taipei In A Day: Includes Taiwan From A To Z is available here, Amazon.com and at Barnes andNoble.com.

In Taipei the book is available at Cherry Valley Bookstore, Tienmu East Road, Lane 8, #99,Tienmu, Taipei (behind TAS)(台北市士林區天母東路8巷99號) (02) 2876-9293.

Thank you again for making Taipei In A Day the highest-rated Taiwan travel book on amazon.com! --Scott

Japan's "Grass-Eating Men" Dilemma

Decided to post another article related to Japan, this one in Slate deals with how many Japanese male youth are turned off by how preceding generations defined success through bigger, better, faster and more material possessions. They're called "grass-eating men" (soushoku danshi) (literally "grass-eating boys") because they'd rather spend their time gardening, playing video games, taking walks or engaged in more solitary acts to find solace rather than, say, strolling around department stores searching for the latest imported brand name products.

"Grass-eating men" are a product of the times. They don't know whether they'll have a job in a month so they're not prone to splurge to impress friends or the opposite sex. Their rejection of the decades-old keep-up-with-the-Suzukis behavior in Japan's capitalist society is considered a "dilemma."

What do you think?

Green Tea Coca-Cola To Debut in Japan

This article pertains to Japan and not Taiwan, but with "Beer Flavor Green Tea" for sale at convenience stores and supermarkets throughout the Republic of China (Taiwan), tea-flavored Coca Cola, if tested sucessfully in Japan, can't be too far off. Also, looking forward to trying some of that basil-flavored cola from Pepsi! The article appeared here.


Enjoy your life trying a wide variety of unique products in
the Republic of China (Taiwan), including Beer Flavor Green Tea!

"2009 Summer Rock Summit" Article Featured in Taiwan's Leading Bilingual Travel Magazine

Taipei In A Day: Includes Taiwan From A To Z is available here, Amazon.com and at Barnes andNoble.com. In Taipei the book is available at Cherry Valley Bookstore, Tienmu East Road, Lane 8, #99,Tienmu, Taipei (behind TAS)(台北市士林區天母東路8巷99號) (02) 2876-9293.

Thank you again for making Taipei In A Day the highest-rated Taiwan travel book on amazon.com! --Scott

"Exuberance" Over Warming Mainland Ties?

A well-written but decidedly one-sided article published in today's New York Times delineates how many Taiwanese show "exuberance" over Taiwan's markets opening to investment from Mainland China. While it's true that President Ma has been pragmatic in his efforts to engage the Mainland both economically and politically, not everyone on the island, as the writer may lead you to believe, is thrilled about recent increased cooperation between Taiwan and the Mainland.

A little less than half the population (currently around 40%) supports the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) (民主進步黨). Opposition candidates and "pan-green" citizens that support the party are grumbling that "President Ma Ying-jeou and the KMT are giving everything away to the Mainland..." Just ask your neighborhood taxi driver. The writer takes a decidedly pro-business slant and interviews notables in the investment community rather than candidates or supporters of the opposition political party.

To illustrate my point, Taiwan Premier Liu Chao-shiuan, in an article published the following day (Thursday, May 14), struck a far more cautious tone : "The government prefers to adopt a more conservative approach in the initial stages to allay public concerns."

Regardless, let's hope that Taiwan's markets improve along with its international relations.