To Taipei

Australia to Taipei via Hong Kong was nicely managed thanks to Patrick and Amanda taking us to Sydney the night before and Robyn and Ian allowing us to stay the night in Sydney.
Robyn drove us to the airport at 7 and the check in took a matter of minutes, was simple and stress free.

We had a few hours to fill in and then we were off.

Beautiful weather, easy flight and touch down at Hong Kong for a transfer to the Taipei flight. All easy, pleasant and a tribute to Asian efficiency and helpfulness.

We reached Taiwan  at 8 at night and caught a bus to the street near our accommodation. Tried to walk but ended up catching a taxi  -  in the end an excellent decision.

Taipei is interesting, not too crowded, friendly and helpful and easy to get around.
Everyone works in with everyone and even though the city is busy I have not seen or heard a word or noise in anger, frustration or aggression.

Accommodation is pleasant and clean (don't drink the water) and reasonably priced.
We walked for hours today and caught a few taxis to sort out techno problems that were solved by two young Apple assistants who spoke English.

Weather in Taiwan and Japan

Taiwan

Today  Apr 5th	Friday  Apr 6th	Saturday  Apr 7th	Sunday  Apr 8th	Monday  Apr 9th
Mix of Cloud and Sun	Mix of Cloud and Sun	Mix of Cloud and Sun	Mix of Cloud and Sun	Mix of Cloud and Sun
26°C 18°C	26°C 18°C	26°C 17°C	27°C 18°C	28°C 19°C

Japan

In contrast to the extremes of summer and winter, spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) in Japan are comparatively mild. Rainfall is relatively low and the days are often clear. These are, without a doubt, the very best times to visit the country.
Japan - Weather: The Spring Season

Like the wonderful falls in central Japan, springs are just as nice. Moderate temperatures, longer days, no mosquitos and cherry blossoms.Central Japan temperatures in spring are 8 to 17 degrees Celsius. (46 to 62 degrees Fahrenheit). In southern Japan the swing will be roughly 8 to 18 degrees Celsius (46 to 64 Fahrenheit). In northern Japan expect your spring to be in the range of 0 to 9 degrees Celsius (32 to 48 Fahrenheit).

10 Hi: 16 °C Lo: 8 °C	11 Hi: 14 °C Lo: 11 °C	12 Hi: 18 °C Lo: 9 °C	13 Hi: 18 °C Lo: 12 °C	14 Hi: 16 °C Lo: 6 °C
15 Hi: 17 °C Lo: 9 °C	16 Hi: 19 °C Lo: 12 °C	17 Hi: 20 °C Lo: 14 °C	18 Hi: 20 °C Lo: 12 °C	19 Hi: 20 °C Lo: 13 °C

Earthquakes

earthquake yesterday - one of at least 3 in Japan

5.8

2012/04/01 14:04:26

37.117

140.943

57.1

EASTERN HONSHU, JAPAN

MAP OF RECENT LARGE EARTHQUAKES IN JAPAN / TAIWAN REGION (1995 - 2005) TABLE of LARGE EVENTS in JAPAN DATE G.M.T. LAT LONG MAG REMARKS 16 Jan 1995 01:16 34.58 135.01 6.9 Kobe, approx 6,000 killed, 415,000 injured 26 May 2003 09:24 38.85 141.57 7.0 Eastern Honshu 25 Sep 2003 19:50 41.78 143.86 8.3 590 killed, tsunami with max wave height 4.0 m 31 Oct 2003 01:06 37.81 142.62 7.0 off eastern Honshu 23 Oct 2004 08:56 37.23 138.78 6.5 Honshu, approx 20 killed 20 Mar 2005 01:53 33.85 129.98 6.6 Kyushu, one person killed 16 Aug 2005 02:46 38.22 142.01 7.2 Honshu, approx 40 people injured 16 July 2007 6.8 Sea of Japan 11 Mar 2011 05:46 37.916 142.391 8.8 East of Honshu - major tsunami EARTHQUAKES IN JAPAN SINCE 1900 WITH 1,000+ FATALITIES DATE LAT LONG MAG LOCATION DEATHS 01 Sep 1923 35.0 139.5 7.9 Kanto 143,000 07 Mar 1927 35.8 134.8 7.6 Tango 3,020 02 Mar 1933 39.0 143.0 8.4 Sanriku 2,990 09 Oct 1943 35.6 134.2 7.4 Tottori 1,190 07 Dec 1944 33.7 136.2 8.1 Tonankai 1,000 12 Jan 1945 34.8 137.0 7.1 Mikawa 1,900 20 Dec 1946 32.5 134.5 8.1 Tonankai 1,330 28 Jun 1948 36.1 136.2 7.3 Fukui 5,390 16 Jan 1995 34.6 135.0 6.9 Kobe 5,502

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN TAIWAN AND THE PHILIPPINES The table below shows earthquakes causing 1,000 or more fatalities in Taiwan since 1900 DATE LAT LONG MAG DEATHS 16 Mar 1906 23.6 120.5 7.1 1,300 20 Apr 1935 24 121 7.1 3,280 16 Jul 1935 24.4 120.7 6.5 2,700 20 Sep 1999 23.69 121.31 7.6 2,297 26 Dec 2006 21.82 120.53 7.1 1 killed, 3 injured

Taiwan and Japan

This time next week we will be in the northern hemisphere.

Taiwan

Taiwan is an island north of the Philippines off the coast of China.
It used to be known as Formosa (meaning Beautiful Island)
Officially it is "Republic of China".

The capital is Taipei and the main language is Mandarin.
22 million people live on this island that looks smaller then Tasmania.

They use the new Taiwanese dollar for currency.
We are going on a three day tour to national parks, gorges, hot springs and historic sites.






Japan


Japan is a string of islands stretching up to Russia off the coast of Korea.
The Yen is the unit of currency.
Famous for beautiful art and textiles, theatre and earthquakes.
We get to see the famous cherry blossoms (being spring) and plan to see Tokyo, Kyoto, Kananzawa, Shirakawaga, Takyama and Hakone and as much in between as possible.

Australian Architecture and Art - Evandale (Tasmania)