Leaving Liverpool Arriving in Taipei via Istanbul

 It is 1.00 Pm on May 15th 2025. I am sitting by the balcony in the mountain house in Taipei Taiwan. There is a lovely welcome breeze coming in from the mountains; I have just watered Philip's plants, they look happy and healthy.I can see the mountains and the sea in the distance. I feel peaceful I feel blessed.

I left Liverpool on May 5th after a week of farewells to friends ,family clients, and students. I left the apartment in Ullet Road ready for my Air BnB guests .Making sure my co host Tracy was on board with all the ins and outs of running and cleaning the apartment while I was away.

I felt I had achieved a lot in the last few weeks and months working towards my trip to spend Philips 50th birthday with him and to have a three month adventure in Taiwan and Japan.

I felt tired and emotional I was surprised and how teary I felt leaving  in particular saying goodbye to Andrew for three months. Andrew took me to the airport and stayed with me till I arrived and customs. We took a picture

The journey was as good as it can be travelling economy class. I like Turkish Airlines.The planes were clean and fresh and the staff were all attentive. I spent a few hours in Istanbul which was quite exciting just to be there in a new place. The Airport was filled with so many cultures which I love to see. 

I slept a little on the second plane but not as much as I hoped . I had a wash and changed my clothes before landing. Of course as soon as I was on the ground the excitement kicked in and I felt full of energy. 

After being held up at customs I finally got through to arrivals to see my one solitary case going round on the carousel.

I had to stop at the duty free shop at the airport to get cigarettes for Teresa's driver. I cannot remember when I last bought cigarettes , but it must be fifty years ago.

When I eventually got through to arrivals there was a wonderful sight for a mother's eyes Philip was waiting  for me  smiling and waving.

We had a big hug and took a picture together. Philip booked a taxi to take us back to their apartment.

The taxi driver spoke good english and he joined in the conversation, He was from Kaohsiung where Philip had worked for a year, there was plenty to talk about.

It was amazing how familiar that journey from the airport to Philip and Teresa's apartment felt.

Teresa welcomed me then had to go back to her online work.Philip had a shower. I unpacked a little, then we all had some wine and nibbles and a great catch up and it was all very convivial.

I

Wednesday was a blur, sleeping , unpacking sleeping, showering a few times due to heat. Teressa made pumpkin soup for lunch ,and noodles for Philip and I to have for supper. they both worked late. I ate a little but not really hungry just thirsty.

I gave Philip Reflections on Reflections and Teressa the Kitten print from dot-art. They were both appreciative.I read a little of the book to them, Quite touching.

We watched some crazy thing about hot sauces;TV on Philip's giant projected screen and some comedy ridiculing Trump.

Thursday still very jet lagged but later in the day Trs and I went out for a wee gentle walk  

 On Friday Teressa and I took all my luggage by cab to The Mountain House after a morning  of me re packing , happily my case was much lighter as I had brought so much stuff for P& T from Liverpool. 

It was exciting to be finally seeing the place I was going to be staying at for the next three months.

I was really happy to see the mountain apartment I had heard so much about; the views from the balcony were simply beautiful; we took a little time settling in then we got the shuttle bus Zhongyi MRT station.

The shuttle bus waits  at the entrance to the apartments every hour , it takes seven minutes to get into Zhongyi ; it costs 20 TW cent about 10 pence.It is a very comfortable wee bus with seat belts and a pleasant driver.

Trs taught  me  about the bus the trains google maps and google translate.

I took quite a lot of it in to be fair to myself. I like the MRT a lot .They are clean, always on time the stations are serviced and well lit. There is not eating or drinking on the MRT which I approve of.

 We met Philip at a lovely restaurant ...........which we all loved. I had a little sea bass and a few veggies.We then enjoyed the night market  at ...........where I bought some trainers and some " weed"clips for my hair for the 50th birthday party. `Philip has several themes for his party including weed ( 420)

We wandered back to MRT and back to the mountain house via family mart where we got some wine.

Earlier Trs introduced me to Food Panda and app where you can order things from various shops and they all come individually but on the same day sometimes with in 30 minutes.

We enjoyed the wine and a good philosophical conversation about life, death .the universe and everything.

Saturday P&T had a bit of an uncomfortable night on the couch and Japanese mattresses; Philip made us omelettes which were a treat and delicious.

We then had a lovely walk down to town through the University Campus which is beautiful . We stopped to see the swimming pool which I can use very cheaply; then we found a coffee shop and an art shop where I bought some water colours and a wee pad.

We continued on the find a crazy shop ,one of those shops that sell everything  it all spills out on the the pavement.P&T found the attachment for the hose that they were looking for.

We found our way to the wharf where we had some pizza and iced tea over looking the harbour with its  twinkling lights and a beautifully lit up river boat,; we got a cab back to the apartment stopping at the family mart for some red wine.

We were settling in to have a wee glass of wine.  Trs could not see Ahui on the video camera.She was very worried and in the end they decided to go back to their place to make sure she was safe.

I was happy for them as it is not too comfortable to sleep here unless you are used to Japanese mattresses.

Which left me to have my first night in the Mountain House on my own. Just for a second after they left I felt a little bereft. Then quite quickly I felt excited to explore the flat on my own, play some music.

I was still pretty jet lagged at that time and was up late slept a little up again and slept again. it was all Ok as I could just rest when I needed to. Ahui was safe and happy. 

Alls well that ends well.

On Sunday it was Mother's day in Taiwan.

I got an Uber to the Marriott Hotel in Taipei to have lunch in Mark's Teppanyaki restaurant with Philip, Teresa ,En and Yuan Teresa's mum and dad, and Curtis Teresa's brother and his wife Charlene and their children Archie and Halley along with the children's nannie.

I gave En and Yuan the Crossbill Painting ,;my gift to thank them for giving me their apartment. 

They were very pleased.

Each family or group in this restaurant is in a room of their own. You have one chef in full view at the top of the table and one waiter. 

We had many courses each one  adjusted to each persons special needs. It was really too much for me at lunch time and in the middle of jet lag.Never the less it was an interesting experience to share with everyone.

The three mothers were given gifts of a single carnation, mine was a lavender ,wrapped in cellophane paper with "I believe good things happen every day" printed on it and a ribbon with especially for you on it.The three mothers then had a picture taken together. It was very touching. I felt included in this family tradition. 

I like the tradition of giving each person a box by their chair to put handbags etc in and I like that all shops have a place outside to put your umbrella.

All the food was served with sparking water which was perfect for me. The meal ended with tea and cake brought by Teresa.

After all the goodbyes warm wishes and  happy mother's days .We went out into a rainy Taipei with its busy roads with lots cars and scooters. And lots of people with many and varied umbrellas up.

I felt quite tired after all of that , it uses a lot of energy being with lots of new people in a new place for a few hours. Philip and Teresa offered to go on with me to another place, but I was happy and ready to get an Uber back to the peace and quiet on the mountain house.

I Enjoyed my first week on my own in the mountain house. I got used to using the shuttle bus and the MRT.

Monday I took the shuttle bus to Zhonghi and spent two hours exploring the area near the MRT .In one direction is is mostly garages which look after motor bikes as far as I could see. What was very noticeable was no matter how small or workaday a place was there was always plants outside on the pavements.

I was delighted to find a purple plant which I have only ever seen in Castlenel. I took a wee cutting and will see if it takes and can join all of Philip's plants on the mountain house balcony. I enjoy taking care of the plants . Watering them is the first job I do every morning and the last job I do every evening.A wee simple pleasure.

In the other direction from the MRT I found lots of little shops and a wee supermarket and a seven eleven; you can't go very far in Taiwan without coming across a seven eleven. The seven eleven offers a little of everything including cash machines , food , coffee, wine and much more.

I always feel reassured when I see one. I saw lots of little shops selling food to takeaway or sit in. I saw laundries which were small spaces and very hot where people were washing and ironing a lot of shirts.

Conversely they were places selling motor bikes and estate agents selling houses and apartments in this area. There is a family Mart opposite MRT which is more or less the same as a seven eleven is handy when you come off  train for last minute purchases. I had an ice coffee in there while waiting for the shuttle bus back to the mountain house.

On Tuesday and Wednesday  I went further afield. I took my first trip on MRT alone. I am well versed on how to use the MRT and the yoyo card thanks to Teressa. I went to Guandu and Zhuwei to practice my travelling on MRT skills .

I was quite captivated being in a completely new place. In Guandu I just had a wee wander around close to the station and saw a hospital a fire station some very small back street places where people live and work.I saw some quite attractive tall buildings towering above the fire station and the railway bridge above .

In Zhuwei I went further and did some shopping ; I am still learning who takes bank cards and who takes cash; I always have cash here and it is often needed. I got the train back to Zhongyi feeling very proud of myself and was there in time to get the 6.00 PM shuttle bus back to mountain house.I felt quite proud of myself. 

My Bank of Ireland credit card was blocked due to suspicious activity( me in Istanbul) I was pleased it could all be sorted on email as I have a different sim card here and could not call them. It was a relief to get the email saying I could use my card normally now. There is so much to adjust to at the beginning of a three month adventure in a new country and it is made more difficult due to jet lag heat and going through the shockwave. Some things I managed on my own other things I was grateful to have P&T to ask for help.

By Thursday I was ready for a stay home day. I had a lot of vegetables in the fridge which needed to be used. I listened to Middle March on Audible and washed salads made two soups and a Ratatouille.I was surprised that I felt quite comfortable in the kitchen here while cooking as it is very hot weather . I still don't feel like eating too much but I was able to freeze a lot of it.I am enjoying the delicious pineapples melons and grapes very cold out of the fridge. Delicious.

On Friday I packed my small purple case ready to go to P&T for the weekend. I was to meet Teresa in town at the MRT Blue Line Zhongxiao  Dunhua exit 2. and we were going to have out eyelashes done.It was to be the first time I changed lines from Red to Blue. I felt so proud of myself. I made it I got there at 5.00 I waited for 30 minutes and no Teresa and no internet. After a bit of creative thinking and feeling sure Trs was not coming. I went into a wee shop and asked if I could use their internet; when I was connected lots of messages came flooding in; Philip called and we were both happy that everyone was OK. I went to get a coffee calm down and wait to hear from Trs. I enjoyed the quiet time a Starbucks and their wifi too. Trs and I met and went on to meet Philip in a restaurant near Philip's work. I was certainly ready for a G&T. We had a lovely  meal a catch up then a wander round the Mall where I could not resist buying two solitary Christmas cards. 

We then went out into the area where Philip works which it turns out translates as Southport.

After a walk in the lovely warm evening we arrived at the Music Centre, a place I remember and really liked last time I was here.It is a concert hall where we were told a party would start about 10.00 PM. The music was not great but it stopped quite quickly. We went back to the place we went last time where  there are lots of tables and chairs out side a row of bars. We ordered a French Sauv Blanc and Philip had a beer.

The wine was lovely; I asked P&T Alan Alda's 7 quick questions.  Which was interesting for me. I have asked those questions many times and I am always curious to hear all the different responses.

  

We got an Uber back to P&Ts and had more wine and some of the Tiree Gin. Another late fun evening.

On Saturday it was preparations for BBQ .Trs organised for me to have my eyelashes and nails done which was very relaxing and inexpensive too. Philip took me to the beautician and Trs collected me.

 Unfortunately it rained very heavily. 

P & T cooked on the balcony and the kitchen and we ate inside. I enjoyed meeting Ste Kelsey Derek and seeing Kent again.

They brought Philip lovely thoughtful gifts and cards and we took lots of pictures. Trs bought cakes that looked like sushi ,very convincing they were too. 

I loved meeting the guests and hearing their stories. Kent has recently lost his mum . He talked at length about her distressing journey. I think he felt better to have shared with us.

Most of the guests left around midnight; Kent stayed on and the weed came out. I have to admit I drank only tea all evening and it did not spoil my enjoyment.

Sunday Philip went to the Dragon Boat and Trs and I went to have our hair done, It was a fantastic head massage ,condition ,wash and dry. One of the best I have ever had.I almost fell asleep. 

 

I got an Uber from there back to Mountain House which after two weeks is starting to feel like home.

I watched a movie A Time to Kill which I enjoyed it is very old now but now and again a John Gresham is just what the doctor ordered.

Monday 19th I laid low all day I felt very tired and allowed myself to just rest sleep , listen and watch.

Tuesday. it is Philip's interview today; He and Trs and moving out of their apartment due to a stressful time with a neighbour, They are more than likely moving back to this lovely mountain house.. I am hoping Philip will get this job today which will mean he is close to this place and it will be a regular job, not hourly paid

It will be Philips 50th birthday on 22nd May two days from now. I am meeting him in town we are going to his favourite restaurant for a pizza ( of course) then back to their place for wine and gifts.

On Saturday 24th May 2025, I am joining thirty of Philip's friends we are  going on a four hour afternoon cruise to celebrate Philip's 50th birthday one more time. It  sounds like a lot of fun and high jinks.

We will end at Pier 5 to have food and more fun.

I heard from Philip after the interview; it went very well. he will know next week if he was successful; I think he was successful because he tired, but of course I am a mum :)

Next post after the celebrations.

I am looking forward to meeting more of Philip's friends. It would be icing on the cake if Andrew could be here of course. I was very fortunate to have them both with me for a few weeks at Christmas. 

As Mick Jagger reminds us " we can't always get what we want"

When the celebrations come to an end; I will start exploring again and using the pool at the campus and simply enjoying being here in this lovely house, Before we head to Japan for a few days which is very exciting for me.