Day 7 - Taipei to Mumbai via Hong Kong – 30 March 2024

Keeping in mind that the Easter weekend could see massive footfalls at the airport I checked out of the hotel by 6 am, foregoing the paid-for breakfast. Light rain danced on my thinning pate as I walked to the MRT station, a mere 500 meters from the hotel. Light was just dawning and there was hardly anyone about on the road.

From the Green Line station, I transferred to the Red Line train to get to the Taipei Main Station. At that Junction Station I took the Purple Line MRT to the airport. The hotel had offered airport transfer for about TWD 1500 for a distance of about 50 km. The MRT tickets from the hotel to the airport cost me only TWD 175, in comparison.

The EasyCard I had purchased at the airport on arrival on 24th had a non-refundable deposit of TWD 100. Besides this I had an excess of only TWD 7 at the end of the airport MRT journey. The other facility that served me well on the tour was the Chunghwah telecom sim card. The seven-day card I had bought for TWD 500 at one of the airport counters had unlimited data and local SMS and call facility. I found it an outstanding bargain. The speed of data transfer was remarkable and available at all times. Wherever I was in Taiwan, I didn't have any blind spot at all.

The airport was crowded, fully justifying the long weekend. However, the large crowd was handled expertly by staff of Airlines, Airport, Security and Immigration. Not once did the queues congest. People were moving all the time. The security check was the most remarkable - only the jacket and hand baggage had to be placed for scanning. You have to walk through a scanner, without being 'man-handled'. The use of technology, with man aiding the process, that's how one can describe this. Staff went about their jobs with utmost professionalism, without delaying any of the processes over social interaction.

The Cathay Pacific flight from Taipei took off in time. The short flight of less than 90 minutes landed in Hong Kong before 1 pm. I used the transfer gates to get through immigration and security. Security was not as efficient as in Taipei. However, the amount of work the security personnel do is a lesson in commitment to ensure that passengers wait the least. The baggage scanner conveyor does not stop and the passenger walks through the scanner without being 'frisked and whisked'. What is most noteworthy in these airports is the frequent warning signs for violating instructions or restrictions. The fines run into thousands of dollars, sometimes accompanied by jail terms. The warnings are not merely on paper, they are strictly enforced too so that it acts as a deterrent too.

The layover in Hong Kong was over 4 hours. I used the time to introspect about the visit to my 56th country. The trip had spanned 7 days including travel. If I were to plan the trip yet again, I would give the tour 8 clear days. Besides a slightly more relaxed visit, I would have been able to include a few places in the central and north-eastern part of the island. Listed are a few defining characteristics of the people and the country.

1. If there is just one characteristic that I am permitted to define the country and its people it is most definitely discipline. You see that in every aspect of their life. They queue up everywhere automatically, however busy or crowded the place is. They respect a parking line, will never park a vehicle beyond the line drawn to demarcate the limit. They never take seats or places meant for the elderly or the wheelchair bound.

2. The old adage that "Cleanliness is next to Godliness" comes alive in this country. They don't litter, spit or cause noise pollution. I saw a train set being cleaned out in 10 minutes because the passengers make sure that those who use the facility after them are not incommoded. Waste is discarded in the right place and the authorities ensure its clearance.

3. Footpaths, stations, malls, attractions and what have you, are all disabled friendly. Even lifts have two sets of buttons, one set at a lower level for the wheelchair bound. The respect that the handicapped get is a measure of the empathy that is prevalent in that society.

4. The respect that Taiwanese extend to their fellow humans is to be seen to be believed. They bow and greet each other and even strangers receive this respect when they are in contact.

5. People eat out all the time. I understood that there is hardly any cooking at home, especially during the weekdays. Cooking a major meal at home is confined to festival days or celebratory occasions. Because of such huge demand for food there are a number of eateries in most places that are both healthy and affordable. Of course, vegetarian options are quite limited, despite claims to the contrary on websites.

6. Regular announcements are made in public transport and public spaces to keep voices down and respect the privacy of others. People are told to keep their devices on mute or use headphones. When people speak on phones, even when they stand next to you, you won't be able to hear them. Raised voices or bellowing seem alien to their way of life.

7. Even though most people have a problem understanding English, be they young or old, they are most helpful. If they don't understand what you are asking, they will direct you to someone who can assist you in some way. They will also profusely apologize for their not understanding you.

8. There are lung spaces, parks and entertainment for young and old in almost every residential area or tourist locations. They are also cleanly maintained and people use the facilities with responsibility. Even children are taught never to litter or spit.

9. The role of teachers and schools in moulding character amongst the young cannot be overemphasized. Children spend most of their waking hours in the company of their teachers and mentors. Teaching is a full-time vocation in the country and parents expect teachers to ensure that their children grow up in the right way. This is all the more so now with the size of the family shrinking.

10. Giving thanks and being grateful is a way of life with the Taiwanese. Perhaps the first word learnt by children is xie-xie, pronounced syeh-syeh, the mandarin Chinese expression of thank you. This is what you are likely to hear the most when you are in Taiwan. When you tap the EasyCard on the machines, even the machines say xie-xie.

11. Taiwanese drive on the right side of road and road rules are strictly enforced. The use of lanes is exemplary. The theoretical and practical tests to obtain a driving license are extremely difficult to get through. 

12. Technology and infrastructure is top class. That said, Taiwan is a country where WiFi is available almost everywhere, free with superb speed. At the airport and in public transport the connection comes on in a trice.

13. The country is peaceful and people peace loving. Buddhism may have had a role in forming this character.

14. Taiwanese are not a smiling people. In public they appear withdrawn and aloof. They keep much to themselves, unless approached.

15. Most Taiwanese use face masks, even though it is not prescribed by law or advised to wear as a matter of precaution.

16. Taiwanese use a second layer of clothing even on hot days. They pull on a jacket or some such accoutrement over their shirt or top. I was amazed how they managed this even on hot summer day.

17. Most museums are free and ushers take you through with the intention that you gain from the visit.

18. Men and women are quite conservative in their dressing habits. Taiwanese women shun revealing clothes.

19. Women didn't look as if they spent too much time and money on make-up and fashion accessories.

20. Show of affection in public is frowned upon. It is not often that you find Taiwanese even holding their hands in public.