I ordered an omelette but got a banana pancake with honey for breakfast which was quite good. Then I got the omelette and the hotel cook knocked over my coffee - it made a mess but I was unscathed. As most museums are closed Monday, today was the day to explore the Old Quarter and to search out rain gear which I left at home with last minute rearrangements. I had prepared a nice walking guide which didn't serve much purpose since I started in the middle and ended...

Off to a good start with a long and somewhat restful trip on EVA airlines - two decent hot meals and a personal movie screen so I could watch movies (The Perfect Host with David Hyde Pierce, Too Big to Fall (about the fall of the investment banks, and a Chinese movie, The Piano in the Factory), when not eating or dozing. Arrived in Taiwan for a change of planes only to be met by one of Taiwan's favorites. (see pictures). Thought about calling home or even sending...