Our journey to Taiwan started with a slight hangover. After being let down by 2 buses, we made it to the main station in time and jumped on the ICE to Frankfurt, which had been cut in half and was therefore completely overcrowded. The journey was characterized by typical German discussions about the incompetence of Deutsche Bahn, garnished with screaming children and thus overwhelmed parents, while we – sitting on the dirty floor – followed the whole thing “smiling”.

After waiting a little over 2 hours, we finally got through check-in and had a burger at a well-known, larger chain. This was followed by the standard program at the security check – at least for Andreas: a complete check of the luggage, as always with the “friendly” announcement from the staff that next time just don’t pack so much technology.

After our plane took off an hour late and the first round of drinks had already run out of beer on board before it was our turn, the mood was starting to change a little. At least one stewardess was on her toes and smuggled 2 beers under her uniform for us from first class to the very back of our seats.

We have nothing positive to report about our stopover (Shanghai) and the associated entry into China, so we leave it at that. And before anyone asks: for us, Taiwan is definitely not part of China!

After our arrival in Taiwan, we organized 2 Easycards for the next few days – the best and most convenient alternative for paying for transport in Taiwan. Afterwards, we went straight to the first express train, which took us to Hualien. There we just moved into our hostel room with a funny, half-blind host, who explained his door and every detail to us down to the smallest detail and was incredibly pleased that we had understood everything and were therefore able to open a door.

After our dinner – a fish soup for everyone and then rice with pork skin and fat – and two beers, we fell into bed dead tired and fell asleep immediately.