October 16,

I awoke at 0545 by Jeff stirring. He said he’d just woken up 3 minutes before… uncannily 3 minutes before the alarm. We readied; finished packing; and out by 0640. It was raining, of course it was! The taxi app was just spinning, meaning no one was taking our request. So we walked to the main street, thinking we’d catch a bus. But on the street we were able to hail a taxi. It cost us 5,400 KRW, or $3.79.

We arrived at the airport by 0710. We unloaded and went to check our bags. The ticket agent noticed our boarding pass names did not match our passports – no middle names, as the app only did middle initial. So she had to “correct” new boarding passes by printing us ones. We went to a lounge, so I could have a coffee. Jeff had water, and we each had a small generic muffin. Then left, because it was time already. We got through security, but I had to take out my CPAP battery again… been traveling 2.5 yrs and have had to do this for both Korean flights now… mumble, mumble!

Anyway, we went to the gate and sat for ten minutes. Our flight was delayed 5 minutes, probably due to rain. 🌧️ We boarded by 0757, and the plane backed up at 0818 – only 3 minutes late. At 0835, we took off. Only supposed to be another 55 minute flight. As we flew, I noticed we were between two layers of white clouds. Very beautiful! All I could think of was… “the heavens God’s glory do declare…” The plane touched down at 0924. So we had made up a bit of time.

By 0945 we had our bags and took the airport shuttle bus to get to the International Terminal-IT, as we are on the domestic side in the Seoul Airport. By 1005 we were at the IT, but the check-in counter for bags was not open until 1145. So we parked ourselves. Jeff went and explored some. I blogged. It opened early at 1125. So our bags were checked, but due to having to change our boarding passes again, we didn’t leave the agent until 1140. Anyway, by 1150 through security and to Sky Hub Lounge. Finally had breakfast and lunch! Also able to have wine, a red Spanish one – kind of made up for the boarding pass issues!

We boarded on a China Airlines plane, a 737, and backed out on time at 1355. The plane taxied with take off at 1408. It’s supposed to be a two hour and ten minute flight. As we were settling in we got a meal. We were not expecting that. Jeff had a curried pork one and I had a teriyaki chicken. Jeff’s was better, but we will not need anymore food now! The flight was fine and at 1625, we landed, but there’s a time change and it’s now 1525.

     Welcome to Taipei, Taiwan!!!

As we taxied we could see the Taipei 101 Building. It was once the tallest building in the world – from 2004 until 2010 – at 1,667 feet tall, having 101 floors (where it gets part of its name.) Anyway, we disembarked, went through passport control quickly, and collected our bags . By 1600, we came out – amazing! – but we were hit by the heat. Taiwan is having a heat wave right now – great! We caught a subway. It was onboard here that someone welcomed us to Taiwan! That was nice! Then we transferred to another subway line – arriving outside our hotel. Our host met us here and took us up to our room. We will be here for one week. He left us, after he also welcomed us to Taiwan.

Jeff unpacked as I finished blogging. Then we posted and went out to get a few groceries at a local small grocery. Back at our place, we had a snack supper, watched some YouTube and called it a successful transition day!