Currency

The valid currency in Taiwan is Taiwanese dollar (NT;TWD). Before coming to Taiwan, it is better to have some amount of US dollars or Euros as Czech crowns are not exchangeable to NT dollars on the island. I have heard that you can pay by US dollars in case of emergency.

1€=cca 38NT

10Czk= cca 15NT (http://www.xe.com/ucc/)

Living costs

If you're student, I think you might spent around 10 000NT and more monthly (including rent, food, transportation=gas for scooter, traveling).

On Campus Accommodation

They will automatically assign you to a bit expensive Ching-yeh dormitory for exchange students (2ppl per room). I stayed there during my first semester, but then I moved out and rent room on my own. The reason was my boyfriend. Guys' visit to the girls’ dorms and other way around are strictly prohibited. The dorm has nice lobby and rooms. It costs 13700NT for girls and around 9000NT for guys. If you want cheaper accommodation, you can ask for Sheng-li dorm. Sheng-li dorm has got kitchen.

Off campus accommodation

You can rent your own room starting from 3000 NT (best in East and North district around the university). You can search through these websites:

-          www.tainanbulletin.com

-          http://www.6mama.com.tw/root/main.php (agency, agent can speak English, need to pay agency fee)

This is a great website, however you have to ask you're friend, coz it's whole in Chinese. Basically you contact the owners of houses directly in most cases, so an agent is not involved. 

-          http://rent.591.com.tw/

Insurance

There is an "university insurance" provided by NCKU. It’s around 2000NT for one semester. It is quite cheap and I have good experience with it. I had a small accident and they paid me back. However, you need to have a bank account in Taiwan, most students get one in Chungwa post bank- the office on campus.

ATMs for foreign cards:

You would not be able to withdraw from all the ATMs. With Czech or Slovak debit card is possible in 

China Trust bank ATMs available in every 7-Eleven and Far East Int. Bank ATM in Mega.

Study Chinese

All foreign students can get free Chinese classes for 2 semesters. You too! Use them for sure!! It will help you to grasp some of the basics of language and understand the local culture as well. It’s just 3 hours per week and has slow flow of learning! 

Language exchange is another great option. Ask your Taiwanese friends or post note on the board in Chinese language center that you search for language exchange. You can teach English (or possibly any other language you know) and he/she will teach you Chinese. You don’t need to pay anything and can learn Chinese relatively quickly. 

Report from exchange study program in Taiwan (Tainan) 2

This report offers sort of basic info about survival student life in Tainan. 

Transportation in Tainan 

o   Bike

Bike is the most common transport for students. Costs around 1500NT in the shop in Sheng-li campus. If you think it’s too much, you can wait till January when university provides free bikes. These bikes are, however, very poor and need to fixed. But, it’s also solution. J

o   Scooter

Scooter from shop costs round 12 – 15 000NT. However, you can buy 100 – 125cc from students and friend from 6000NT. Scooters are almost necessary if you want to move around or outside Tainan more comfortably. We were hesitating, but finally the scooter was very good choice. For traveling around the island you will need at least 125cc and more.

o   Train

Train is comfortable transportation if you travel outside of Tainan. To Kaohsiung in 45 min. by local train for around 80 – 100NT. Don’t forget to use your university’ student card.

o   Bus

Local bus – ticket costs: 18NT and bus routes are searchable: http://ebus.tncg.gov.tw/TNWeb/EIndex.jsp?locale=en_US

However, to rely on bus is not the best option. The bus has longer periods in between routes and everything is in Chinese. 

Distant buses – behind the train station on the right there are 3 bus companies. Bus ticket can be purchased in the offices there, not in the bus.

Weather

Mostly hot and humid- at least for most of us, Europeans! Summer is apprx. from April to November. Though, you shouldn’t underestimate winter – it’s quite cold and next time I would bring a winter jacket with me as well (From December to February). 

Typhoons – local people will tell you a lot and panic, but our stronger storms sometimes are more dangerous. However, you shouldn’t underestimate it too.:)

Exchange study in Taiwan

Report from exchange study program in Taiwan (Tainan)

Some friends and students who plan to either travel or study in Taiwan are frequently asking me about my Taiwan study experience. Sometimes they ask me so many details and questions that I cannot manage to reply them all on time. Well, I'm happy for their interest, so that I decided to post the report about exchange study program in Taiwan and few more info. I came to Taiwan for exchange thanks to the agreement between NCKU (Taiwan university) and my home university (Technical University of Ostrava, Czech Republic).

National Cheng Kung University, Tainan

The area of National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) is in front of Tainan train station (rear exit).

Direction: Go out of rear exit and keep going straight about 5 minutes. On the way you can see the school yard on your left. After few minutes you will reach the main entrance (Kuang FU Gate). Go through the gate and keep going straight for 3 minutes. On your right side will appear a College of Management. This is your department. On the 2^nd floor you can find IMBA office (your student office). It’s very easy and there is nothing to be afraid. Kindness and smile will let some people to help you.

The whole university area has four campuses. Your college is in Kuang Fu campus. In IMBA office will give you a map of the campus. In Kuang Fu Campus there is an Office of International Affairs as well. 

Sport in the university area

Gym – awesome and cheap. You can buy a ticket for 10 times for 200NT (5€, 125czk). Location of the gym: Sheng-li campus.

Swimming pool – I love it. The same ticket is used, as for the gym. Location: Sheng-li campus

Opening hours: from April till November: MO-FR: 7pm-9.30pm; SA-SU: 3pm – 7pm (it might change)

Jogging track – in Cheng Kung and Kuang Fu Campus. 

Start loving new Adobe Illustrator CS6

I have done some work in Illustrator before, but this time I told myself I must learn at least more of basics. Especially when I'm graduated from marketing; there is big Sure I will work with some of graphic design software, so I chose the most interesting and user friendly one.

This is what I have recently done in Illustrator (even for this I followed manual XD) Well, pretty simple, since I'm beginner. I just want to tell you that you don't have to be PC lover or software expert to be able to work with some of the great software over there.. Learn step by step. The great way is to follow the episodes of CS6 tutorial.

The first episode is here: http://tv.adobe.com/watch/learn-illustrator-cs6/setting-up-a-new-document/

To download a free trial of Illustrator CS6: http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/tdrc/index.cfm?product=illustrator&loc=en_us

Chinese- English Language Exchange

One great way to practice what you have learned in Chinese language center or by yourself is though language exchange. It is low cost and great way to not only practice language but also get to know more locals, get help related to translation issues and at least good feeling that you have helped someone to improve language skills. 

In Tainan, if you want to find your language partner, it is great to just simply ask people whether they know about someone who wants to have language exchange with you or another thing can be to most a sticker  in NCKU's (university) Chinese language center's announcement board. It is really the way and you will be surprise how many people will email you. 

Chinese Language Teacher in Tainan

Some time ago I have been looking for teacher to teach and tutor me Chinese in Tainan. I was looking a while for someone who has experience and is sort of more professional. From my experience some of native Chinese people usually estimate that it’s kind of easy to teach someone Chinese, but it’s not. Either you have to be really good, both in Chinese and English and understand the difference how these language are “constructed” and different. Then, you can perhaps more understand which part of language might be a problem for English speaker. This is valid if you want to tutor someone.

I absolutely don’t want to say that non-professional Chinese speaker shouldn’t teach Chinese, no! For example people who do language exchange may greatly improve their especially speaking and listening skills. Me, personally have language exchange experience and I can just recommend it.

Let’s go back to the topic. After some while searching for really good teacher, I have found Ms Monica Lin. Great, this girl’s got basically the same name as me :D  She taught me and my boyfriend for about 2 months. She quickly adjusted to my level and used various techniques to help me to remember Chinese words and phrases. I liked to visit her and learning Chinese was fun! I had to stop because of the problems with my work, but I still continue with Chinese by myself.

So, if you’re still hesitating about teacher of Chinese in Tainan, you can contact me for further references.

This is her website/blog:  http://wckbhutan.blogspot.tw/ (Monica Lin) On the right side, you can find her profile with an email address.

Good Luck with studying Chinese J

Free WIFI in Taiwan

In Taipei you can probably reach free wifi spot easily, but what about other cities, places in Taiwan?
Well, recently we discovered, you can have 90 minutes per day just in 7- Eleven.
How? Start up your laptop in 7-Eleven and go to website: http://www.7-11.com.tw/event/127wifi/index.htm. Create new account adding your cell-phone number and password. Enjoy free internet :)

Updated info about changing from Visa-Exempt entry to Resident visa - working status

Just today I have learned in Immigration office in Tainan that if you want to change your visa free entry (visa-exempt entry) to resident visa with working status, you don't have to leave the country (Taiwan), for example fly to Hong Kong. This is great regulation that save money, time and frustration.

If you want to do so, you just have to, at first, apply for visitor visa (National Immigration Agency- NIA) and then change it to Resident visa and apply for ARC in NIA or your local Immigration Office.

I live in Tainan and nearest National Immigration Agency is in Kaohsiung; local Immigration office is in Tainan. I'm not sure about the difference or the hierarchy of these offices. Just go to the local place you usually go regarding visa issues and ask them where exactly you should go.

In order to apply for visitor visa (for working purpose), you would need to have valid work permit (already issues by your employer, given to you).


The below posted website has the addresses of Immigration offices in various cities (Taiwan) http://www.immigration.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=1092844&ctNode=32289&mp=2

Chinese Learning Resources (Taiwan)

As I recently and again started to focus more on studying this language, I offer you some useful resources I have found or have been referred. All of them have got an option for traditional characters. I hope you will find them useful.

Good English- Chinese (Taiwan) dictionary- one of the best I have been referred, has got useful features.

http://www.mdbg.net/chindict/chindict.php

Traditional Chinese stroke order (animation) - I always use this tool, coz it's simple and easy to use. 

http://animation.archchinese.com/arch_animation.html

Software – flashcards- It enables you to save, memorize and test Chinese words and sentences. You can run the software on various computer, just by downloading it and login to it. You would need internet as it cannot be run offline. 

http://ankisrs.net/

Speak Mandarin in Thousand Words – this is the best source so far I have found. My Chinese teacher gave this website to me. This is amazing tool to improve your listening and speaking skills. Good luck

http://edu.ocac.gov.tw/interact/ebook/1000_w2/index_classList_0.html

Cheapest flight from Taiwan to Hong Kong

Either you plan to go to Hong Kong for traveling or for visa run, the cheapest ticket you can find is usually offered by China airlines- CA (Kaohsiung <-> Hong Kong) or Cebu pacific (Taipei <-> Hong Kong).. Cebu Pacific is a low cost airline. It means in case you want to take more luggage than just cabin handbag/backpack, you would have to pay additional fee. They also don’t offer any meals or drinks for free on board.

With China airlines, you can take 1 cabin and one additional luggage with weight not more than 20kg. CA has many offices in Taiwan, for example in Tainan there is one very close to roundabout Dongmen – Shengli Rd. You can but a ticket in their office, but when purchasing online it is cheaper. You better go to office when you want to change your flight or have any problem or question. 

Airlines flying from/to Taiwan to/from Hong Kong (in order according to usual ticket price starting with the cheapest). 

Airlines' order may vary depending on season as well how much in advance you're buying the ticket. This scheme is valid for flight bought apprx. 3 weeks in advance:

Cebu Pacific: http://www.cebupacificair.com/Pages/default.aspx

China Airlines/Mandarin Airlines*: http://www.china-airlines.com/en/index.htm 

Hong Kong Airlines: http://www.hongkongairlines.com/en_HK/homepage

Dragon Air: http://www.dragonair.com/da/en_INTL/homepage

Cathay Pacific: http://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en_INTL/homepage

Eva Air: http://www.evaair.com/html/b2c/english/

*CA operates Mandarin Airlines' flight including. 

Cheapest flights from/to Taiwan to/from Central Europe

By Central Europe I mean: Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Austria. I found out the cheapest tickets from to Taiwan to Central Europe are from:

• Taipei to Budapest (Hungary) 
• Taipei to Prague (Czech Republic).

These are usually with 1 or 2 stops (usually in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Moscow or other Asian city with 2^nd stop in Europe- Amsterdam, Frankfurt).

I’m slowly becoming a frequent flyer on this route, so I think I have quite good overview regarding cheaper flight tickets from/to Taiwan. At first I usually check the prices on http://www.skyscanner.net/.

Then I go to website of that particular airline, for example China Airlines and book the flight there. 

Sometimes you can get a good deal in Taiwan by purchasing a ticket through travel agent. In travel agency you can pay cash and a good thing is that you can almost always persuade them to give you cheaper ticket. 

When buying through travel agent in Taiwan, it is important to have good knowledge of ticket prices before you approach one.

I actually prefer to buy ticket through Czech-Slovak travel agent- Student agency. .(http://www.studentagency.sk/). They have got English website as well (http://www.studentagency.eu/), but I'm really not sure about the payment by foreign debit cards, should be possible of course, so just ask. They should be able to speak English. This agency's got the cheapest tickets from Europe to Taiwan you can possibly find.

When to buy a ticket to (Central) Europe?

It depends on the reason why you want to travel. Many people travel to Europe for holiday and the best time is either summer time (July-August) or winter time (December – January) to experience a winter beauty. At this time the tickets are much more expensive then out of season. Price depends on how well in advance you  are buying a ticket, but generally during the season it will cost from 700- 1200€* return ticket, and from 500- 850€* one-way ticket on the above mentioned destinations.   

Sleeping In airports

I have some experience with sleeping in airport and I can say it is usually save when using common sense and follow basic rules:

• o   Have a continuous look at your handbag, luggage;
• o   Sleep nearby other sleeping people- yes, you can sleep, but take care of your belongings; I usually put them as close to me as possible or cover them by light blanket.
• o   If you have to go away and leave your luggage, you can ask policeman or service personnel to look at it.
• o   Take small pillow, it’s bothering but I always regret when I don't take it.

Very nice and useful source of info about sleeping in airports is this website:  http://www.sleepinginairports.net/.  You can find info on particular airport of your interest.

HAVE A NICE TRIP~~ :) 

* 100€=3760€ (http://www.xe.com)

Couchsurfing in Taiwan

Couchsurfing, for those who still don’t know about it, is a global travel community. By creating profile on this website http://www.couchsurfing.org/, you can join community for free. (I suggest you fill in the profile as much as you can).

The main activity is not only about hosting (provide place or couch to stay) or surfing (stay in someone’s place), but about getting to know the people when traveling, be introduced to new cultures, experience hospitability, feel safer while traveling around new places.

At the beginning I did not believe this can work and said I wouldn’t trust people so easily, but after over 40 times I have experienced couchsurfing, I generally trust couchsurfers and like to meet them.

Especially in Taiwan where people are mostly polite, friendly and hospitable, couchsurfing is amazing experience. Sometimes when we travel and don’t surf (don’t stay in someone’s house), after the trip we often realize we miss something. Me and my boyfriend we surfed in Taipei, Kaohsiung, Tainan, Hualien, Chiayi, Nantou County, etc. Majority of Taiwanese couchsurfers we met, became our friends and we still keep in touch with them. So that it is a great way how to get to know new people, people in new places, locals, how to get to know local culture, ways how the people think, traditions. Many couchsurfers shared amazing stories from traveling or even everyday life with us and that was very interesting.\

I recommend you, absolutely don’t hesitate to become a member. It might be your life experience. :D J

Snorkeling in Liou Qiou island

What I like about snorkeling is that you can do it even when you’re “beginner” and the equipment is not expensive. If you think this is not for you or it might be boring, promise yourself to try it at least once. There are few great spots in Taiwan that are worth to discover. I like Xiao Liou Qiou. It is tiny island not that far from Kaohsiung in Southern Taiwan. You can find more info here: http://liuqiu.pthg.gov.tw/liuqiu/web_en.php?prog=intro

Xiao Liou Qiou

I love convenience and I’m also pretty lazy, so that I always take scooter with me everywhere. Good thing is that you can take it to this small island with you, just for 100NT one way.

Anyway, you can go by small ferry to Liou Qiou from Donggang harbor – return adult ticket 380NT or 410NT, depends on which company you take. Schedule of ferries both directions are full and trips are frequent (every hour) with last one around 5pm both directions. 

The ferry company that charge you 410NT will arrive and dock in Baisha tourist port, Liou Qiou. This port is built for tourists mainly and it's convenient as it is surrounded by shops and you can access beach just by walking from there. The company that charge 380NT for ferry will go to Dafu fishing port which is a bit away of the "center". This port is used mostly by local people, however if you've got a scooter, it's just 5 min. drive from Baisha port.

We love to do snorkeling just on the beach shown above on the picture. It is a beach where the Vase rock is located. You can borrow snorkeling goggles in a shop nearby. I would suggest at first you can try to "snorkel" with your "swimming goggles" and then borrow or buy after you got motivated..:D Have fun! :)

Around Taiwan by scooter

Is it possible to go around Taiwan by scooter? Well, let’s just say you have to prepare yourself well- proper “equipment” and psychical readiness.

Average time required for various distances- scooter:

Tainan -> Kenting (2 short stops):  5hours

Tainan-> Kaohsiung, city center (1 short stop): 1,5 hour

Tainan -> Taitung (road #1 & 9): 8 hours

Tainan -> Taroko National park J (through Nantou county): from 2 days- to…..depends on your resistance to ass pain.

Traveling by scooter has its advantages and disadvantages. Sitting on the scooter for long time is not that fun and you would have do breaks often in order to avoid back pain, but definitely will make you feel more convenient in final destination without worries about public transportation or scooter rentals. You’re the Lord of your schedule. 

Our scooter often looks like this, coz we (me and my boyfriend) also like to camp to save money and have more fun. 

How to get a decent job in Taiwan?

This page is about the opportunities and main concerns for getting a decent job in Taiwan. I recommend the first thing you do is to get familiar with 104.com.tw- upload your CV in Chinese, cover letter, fill in as much information as possible. It might seem tough at the beginning since everything is in Chinese, but this is really almost the gateway and absolutely necessary skill for getting a job. Many employers won’t advertise jobs anywhere else. 

When searching for job other than teaching, you have several options:

•   Engineering
•   Sales/Business development
•  English translator/interpreter
•  Modeling (I’m serious)
•  Research position in university

It also depends on your Chinese level. Speaking Chinese will of course make you more desirable. However, there are some jobs that do not require you to speak Chinese well, such as engineering positions, researcher in university, and English teacher.

Majority of those jobs employer expects you to speak a bit Chinese are sales representative position (business development abroad)- full time, part time or as agent. When you work as sales for full time, your employer will provide you work permit and ARC.

From visa-exempt stay to resident working visa

Let’s just say you’re staying in Taiwan for 60 or 90 days (visa exempt entry), it mean you don’t have any visa just permission to stay for 60/90 days. When applying for job, you should tell the company  about this at the beginning. You should also make them clear what is your level of spoken Chinese and I can guarantee it will save you a lot of money, time and disappointment (It happened to me several times that after I had travelled long distance and appeared in the company, they realized I really cannot speak Chinese fluently and sent me back home). If the company still wants you to come for interview, then.. that’s great! J

After the company decides to hire you, make sure about the salary, work contract, etc.  Let them know that you need them to apply for work permit for you. You cannot apply by yourself, company has to do it and it takes about 7-14 days. You can start working legally after you obtained resident visa with work status.

For work permit you will need to give the company:

• Passport (copy)
• Photos
• Health certificate form B (you can download it from Taipei representative office of almost any country, bring it to hospital. They will examine your health and if everything is OK, they will give you certificate in 7 days. It is useful to bring any vaccination certificate you have with you to hospital)
• Bank account – you can issue one only when you've got ARC already. You may probably submit this later on.
• Diploma of highest degree – copy (not sure whether certified one) or any work contract or anything that shows what have you done for past one year or anything that shows you've got a qualification to work as sales/engineer/etc.
• Other documents that might be relevant.

After obtaining a work permit

After they applied and got a work permit, they will issue visa for you through agent (either company or you have to pay for agent service) or you can do it by yourself. When issuing visa by yourself, call to Immigration office and ask whether you have to leave the country or you can get resident visa while staying in Taiwan. Usually, if you already have resident visa and ARC, you just need to change the status. If you have visitor visa, you must change it to resident visa- in these cases you don’t have to leave the country.

However, if you have visa-exempt entry, you just have to make sure by calling to Immigration or Labor office about leaving the country for visa.

Basically when you’ve got a work permit, you just need to apply for resident visa and get ARC. Work permit is a permission to work, nothing else. It is not permission to stay. ARC is the official permission for staying in Taiwan. Work permit is just one of the documents you need to get in order to get visa and ARC.

Visa run or leaving the country to apply for visa

The best representative office to apply for resident visa is probably Hong Kong. I have heard they have a lot of experience and are friendly. You can check  Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (Hong Kong)  (http://www.taiwaninfo.org/apply.htm) for required documents, payment and procedure. Just make sure you have got all what you need for application so that you don’t have to trouble yourself in Hong Kong when you realize you forgot one paper.

I heard the service in Manila is quite chaotic. I’m not familiar with offices in other cities or countries.

Salary for foreigner

Today I've finally got the information what is a minimum salary company is required to pay to foreigner. The company is required to pay foreigner minimum 48 000NT/month. From this amount the government will deduct 20% (in this case=9600NT), what’s left is: 38 400NT. Then the company will reduce this amount of insurance pay (the company I was applying for job told me it’s about 6% of 48000NT monthly, so around 3000NT). What left is 35 400NT- this is the minimum net salary foreigner should get in Taiwan by law. Just make sure about everything what the company is going to deduct from your salary.

For sales and foreign market development positions, average salary for foreigner is:

-         

•       Tainan: 35 400 – 38 000 (depends on the size of the company and industry; usually family-owned        small manufacturer will pay less)
•           Kaohsiung and Taichung (similar to Tainan, but could be a bit higher;  surprised?)
•         Taipei- 37 000-50 000 (depends also on your specialization, years of experience and whether company has foreign capital)
•            Hsinchu (similar to Taipei, perhaps a bit lower- really depends)

Which company is the best for me?

This is very individual, but I would suggest if you don’t have much working experience, bigger company is better for you. Bigger company usually already has some marketing department or some basics of marketing. From my experience, small family-owned business’ owner doesn’t have many resources and time to teach you and expects you to bring the real value to company in a short time. Sometimes their expectations are a bit unrealistic, but it really depends on the particular company.

The best is to work for international company (in most cases)- these positions are very competitive and almost exclusively in Taipei.

When deciding which city to go for working, each does have pros and cons. Tainan is small and easy to go around if you've got a scooter.  The weather is hot, people warm and friendly. It’s not that far to Kenting either. On the other hand, vast majority of the companies there are small businesses. These companies do not have much of a budget for marketing and other activities. In this type of business, traditionally, owner is the head and center of everything, it’s his business and he doesn’t like to hear any suggestions, improvements or complaints about the way they do business.

Kaohsiung is similar to Tainan I would say, perhaps more opportunities to find something decent.

Many foreigners say Taichung is the best city to work and live. It has the best weather, people are friendly, but it doesn't have access to sea. 
Taipei is the capital and biggest city, it has everything, but weather. People are also busier and less relaxed compare to people in South.

As for me, at the end I would choose a place where I already know few people who live there and know the place itself, so I wouldn't be completely unfamiliar and without help in a new place. For example, I don't know almost anyone in Taichung and don't know the city that well as Tainan or Kaohsiung, but that's another opportunity and later on I would surely make some friends.
You just have to realize you're going for work, so you won't have that much time to do as many stuff as you do while studying. 

 

Taiwan working experience

I think I was lucky to work for this company.. colleagues are really nice and friendly
 people, just my boss is a bit hot-tempered guy. He was surprised I cannot speak 
Chinese when I first came to company and gave me an ultimatum to learn to speak 
and listen in 4 months. It shocked me, however.. it’s ok coz this was an one of the 
reasons I decided to come back to Taiwan.

I used to be an exchange student of VSB-Technical university of Ostrava and 

traveled to Taiwan thanks to cooperation program between this uni and Taiwanese 
NCKU. I spent in Taiwan one year, my major was international business. 
I liked Taiwan very much (I also found a boyfriend here) and since I was leaving, 
I wanted to return. I was lucky I must say.. Basically, without  speaking fluent 
Chinese it’s extremely difficult to find a job here other than teaching English. 

After months of struggling, AIESEC helped me to find a company with location 
and job description which suits me. While being in my home country, I had an 
interview with key people from company and.. they liked me. 

I started to work on 16th of Febr. as a sales and marketing trainee. My current 
job at work is preparation for trade fair TIOS (Taiwanese International Orchid Show) 
where we will present our company and meet potential clients.

What is “my job” here? I’m marketing and sales assistant. My duty is to respond 
to customers emails and communicate with them, meeting the clients showing them 
company’s greenhouse, attend exhibitions and shows and later perhaps some 
online-marketing as well.So, how I feel here? Comfortable, however if I can 
speak Chinese, it would be perfect..:) Searching for the right Chinese 
teacher is not that easy. Everyone here however “behaves” 

like the Chinese would be the world easiest language.

Taiwan Int. Orchid Show 2012

My stay in Taiwan is enjoyable so far! If you have any question or want to add some 
comments. The company, where I work is a breeder, hybridizer and orchids’ seller. 
They own several greenhouses with a thousand of really beautiful flowers of many 
colors. Owner Mr. Wu, my boss is a passionate breeder with 25 years’ experience.
Still, it’s a new company. 

Orchids Phalaenopsis

Taiwan is a tiny island on the East side from China. Taiwanese culture is mixture of 
aboriginal Polynesian tribes and mainland Chinese. They speak Mandarin Chinese, 
using traditional(more complicated) characters. English is spread among young people, 
but older generation speaks mostly Japanese and Taiwanese.

Japanese used to be a first foreign language, but English is more and more popular. 

Many, especially young people are fans of Japanese culture and Korean pop and drama 

culture. Taiwan is mostly known for its computer brands such as ASUS, Acer or HTC. 

Taiwanese people work hard and long hours. Even though gov’ policy restricts it, only 
few companies follow it – I’m lucky to work in one of those.   And how are Taiwanese 
people like? 

They are extremely polite, indirect, friendly, humble and.. honest, rarely they will offense 
you and if they do so, it is not intentionally.

My stay in Taiwan is enjoyable so far! If you have any question or want to add some 
comments, feel free to do so. 

Tips on traveling I haven’t found anywhere else..

Little Liou Qiou (Xiao Liu Qiu)

This is a good website with a boat schedule: http://liuqiu.pthg.gov.tw/

Can I take scooter to the island?

è Yes, you can and it’s much more convenient than rent it on the island. It costs 100NT/one way. You can buy ticket just before boarding. Scooter is very convenient and good way how to travel around island.

Can I camp on the island?

è Yes, there is one campground – very nice facility, 400NT/person. I think it’s not worth if you don’t mind to find your own random spot somewhere. Just go around the coast and you will find some, no worries. 

Where is the nicest spot for “playing on the beach?”

è Beach nearby Vase rock. Vase rock is close to the harbor.

Vase Rock, Xiao Liu Qiu

Where to eat?

è Ask local people and they will suggest you some inexpensive local restaurant. ( You can use words like:便宜的餐廳, 在這裡?-> Pián yi de cān ting, zài nail?-> Where is a cheap restaurant?) However, these local restaurants don’t have menu in English (for fried rice, which is usually one of cheapest and good meals, say: 炒飯->chǎofàn; for noodles:..麵->Miàn) Most other spots are more expensive than mainland Taiwan.

What to bring?

è If you are coming during other season than winter, bring sun-block cream.

East Coast

I want to visit hot springs somewhere on East Coast- Where should I go?

è On our way along East Coast we came across small hot-springs village “JinLun Hot Springs”. This place is not very well known by travelers, but if you’re looking for not-too-touristic place, with quiet loveable environment, than Jin Lun hot-springs are better choice. To reach this village, just follow road #9, few km after Taimali, you will come to JinLun.

Where should I stay?

Yitianwu Springs Hotel - nice place we staed in JinLun 

è  JinLun Hot Springs: Just go around the village a bit, towards the expensive Spa hotel, but don’t stop, go further and after the bus stop, turn rightà you will find loveable hotel with extremely helpful and kind people. This small family hotel, built in Japanese style is one really nice spot in the middle of nowhere.. It’s completely new, cheap, has pool outside and private hot-springs; provide coffee for free and cook dinner or breakfast for you. This was one of the best accommodations for value and price we found. We almost cried when we were leaving.. Definitely recommended to everyone!

Run for visa-exempt entry (Taiwan)

One of the cheapest ways to run away from Taiwan and come back to get another 30/90 days visa- is low-cost airline Cebu Pacific: http://www.cebupacificair.com. Return flight from Taipei to Manila can cost you from around 4000NT. If you decided to fly to Manila, there is only one flight there every day – at 1.25am and only one flight back (Manila-Taipei) at 22:40pm. No other flights for these destinations from Cebu Pacific.

Manila Airport

I decided to fly there and back in one day- yes, you can do it (you can come back to Taiwan within one day). Manila is however not recommended if you’re going to issue a new visa, Hong Kong is better- more efficient I would say. If you consider price of ticket very much, don’t forget to plus 500NT as you will be charged on Manila airport for “Airport fee”, once you fly back to Taiwan. 

If you decide to stay on the airport in Manila (as I did, as it was very humid and polluted outside), bring your laptop. There are several Wi-Fi spots, claiming being for free (I didn’t check it). If you didn’t manage to change pesos before arrival to Manila, don’t need to worry as you can easily change them on the airport, even 100NT. The cheapest meal you can get on Manila airport is in 7-11 (ready-prepared hot rice, some snacks, fried stuff, etc). There is even airport chapel with masses everyday (weekdays at 11am as I remember)

Cheap bus ticket from Taiwan Taoyuan Airport (Taipei) to Tainan/ Taichung/Kaohsiung

In case you come to Taoyuan airport, entering Taiwan, in the middle of night and you try to look for the way to get home/to the destination on the south, I have one tip for you:

è Go to the arrival hall and find elevator – go to B1 (or B2- not sure now) and come to UBUS (bus)stand. Sometimes there is no personnel and taxi and other drivers would try to persuade you to give you a lift for ridiculous price. Don’t let them fool you! You can take UBUS to Tainan for 300NT (Kaohsiung 400NT)- whole journey from airport to your destination. ( Some people might not know about this particular bus, for example police woman who was trying to help me)

If you’re foreigner, try to ask locals around you about this bus- just ask who is going to Tainan/ Kaohsiung and follow them.. Usually it departs at 3am. First you need to take local bus (or transport car) from airport and then change it to distant bus on the spot driver shows you.  

Camping in Kenting

Where to camp in Kenting?

For staying in camping site you can pay from 100-500NT/night, there are many sites on the way- some visible, some a bit hidden. Some provide you tent, some not.  If you’re broke and brave enough, you can camp on the beach and pack your stuff early morning. Why brave? The stray dogs barking on our tent seemed to me as threat. J

Where not to camp?

Use your common sense. Perhaps to be too “bothering” and visible is not good idea.

Is it safe to left my stuff (tent, bags, etc.) in campsite?

As I said- use common sense.. from my experience it’s pretty safe but don’t leave your money or valuables around.

What not to forget when camping?

From my experience, light! As you can end up building a tent in dark.