Intro
Part number 5 of my recent trip report series will take you readers on a turboprop tour to Makung, one of the Penghu Islands, right in the middle of the Taiwan Strait. The focus will be on TransAsia Airways (ATR72-500) and UNI Air (DHC-8Q-300), two airlines which offer a dense domestic network and fly to a handful of international destinations. In addition, you will find a series of pictures from a visit to the (officially) tallest building in the world - the Taipei 101.
Background
After booking our side trip to Taipei several weeks prior to the journey, we started searching for domestic flights in Taiwan. Unfortunately, the websites of all carriers offering domestic flights were not available in English - and the well-known flight search engines only showed a very limited number of destinations and flights. So after seeking advice from fellow a.net members from Taiwan, we decided to wait and ask for flights directly at Taipei Songshan Airport. Domestic fares in Taiwan are fixed, so flights would be still available at reasonable prices.
The Difficult Flight Search
Immediately after our arrival from Hong Kong at Taipei Taoyuan Airport we took a bus to Taipei Songshan Airport which is the country's domestic hub. 50 minutes later we stepped off the bus and entered a rather deserted and outdated terminal hall.
It was an early afternoon on a Thursday, apparently not a busy time at this airport. We went to a counter which seemed to belong to a ticket sales office. Two very friendly male agents soon explained to us that this was a dedicated sales counter for the military, but they gave us a printed timetable with all domestic flights and showed us the fares.
We said “thank you”, checked the flights in the timetable and decided to book a roundtrip on the next morning – a Friday. The destination didn't really matter, all we wanted to get was a trip on two different airlines - if possible including an UNI Air MD-90. Several destinations like Kaohsiung aren't served frequently any longer after the introduction of a high speed rail link along Taiwan's west coast. We soon identified Kinmen, an island only two kilometers off the PRC's coast, as the most interesting destination because it is served frequently by Mandarin Airlines, TransAsia Airways and UNI Air (MD-90 only). Our plan was to get a combination of TransAsia Airways (ATR 72) and UNI Air (MD-90)...
Again, very friendly agents welcomed us at the UNI Air ticket counter and tried to help us. However, the English skills of the young agents were limited, so they called an older colleague. Only a few minutes later the guy had shocking news for us: The desired morning flights on Friday morning were already sold out - weekend traffic! So we went to the TransAsia Airways counter where the friendly agents couldn't help us either - all those flights which could have been combined with any of the UNI Air MD-90 sectors were sold out, too. Then we asked for alternative flights on turboprop models to various destinations - but the flights were either sold or the flying times were simply unsuitable.
So what to do? We checked the timetable for flights later in the afternoon and went back to the UNI Air counter. After another round of searching, the agents told us which flights would still be available. Flying to Makung was one of the possible options - now we were hoping TransAsia Airways would still have seats available on the contemplable flights. We asked the UNI Air agents to hold the seats for a few minutes and went to the TransAsia counter. I guess the agents must have rated us as crazy by now...but I told them we were just interested in flying different carriers.
Fortunately, the TransAsia agents could offer us free seats, too, and so we finally booked a roundtrip to Makung. We would already depart at 16:45, only about an hour from now, and be back at Taipei at about 20:00. The last problem which we faced was the rejection of my MasterCard at the TransAsia counter - a technical problem which didn't occur for the first time, btw. Satchmo also has a MasterCard, but luckily, they accepted my older VISA card. We paid about 150 Euro (per person) for the roundtrip which was worth it, considering we would get two rare carriers on an exotic route (from a European point of view).
Airside Spotting & Boarding
Security was just a matter of two minutes, the airport was really deserted at this point of time. There was still enough time left for spotting, so we tried to find a good place at the window front. Active Mandarin Airlines aircraft (Fokker 100, Embraer 190 on the left) together with some stored ex-Far Eastern Air Transport (FAT) MD-80s:
Immediately after taking the first picture, a (friendly) airline employee told us that we should better not take any pictures - due to the military use of the airport. Well, I decided to be a bit more discrete with my camera and binoculars... TransAsia Airways ATR 72-500 B-22807:
Boarding started on time and we walked to our aircraft, B-22806, one of nine ATR 72-500 in the TransAsia fleet:
Cabin Comfort
Two friendly female flight attendants welcomed us in the clean cabin...
Picture by Satchmo
...which was equipped with dark blue seats and a purple carpet:
Seat pitch was absolutely acceptable for the short domestic hop:
Departure
The row next to the propeller wasn't our favorite, but most window seats in the cabin were already gone, so we didn't move after boarding was completed. We left the gate only two minutes late and the ATR took off powerfully from Runway 10 only a few minutes later. Luckily, we were sitting on the right side, so we could see the famous Taipei 101:
What a magnificent building:
Drink Service
Tee, coffee and juice were offered and I tried the orange juice - which tasted more like a thin orange punch.
Beautiful Sunset
We had chosen the perfect time for our flight - the light conditions during sunset were beautiful...
Picture by Satchmo
Picture by Satchmo
While the last spots of light were disappearing, we started the approach into Makung Airport. After a flying time of only 45 minutes, our ATR touched down at runway 02. Makung Airport can be considered as a military air base with a commercial section, so we decided not to take any pictures after leaving the aircraft.
Makung Airport
The airport with its 3-story terminal and a 3000 meter (9,800 ft) runway is currently served by four airlines, Daily Air, Mandarin Airlines, TransAsia Airways and UNI Air (once founded as Makung Airlines). Not surprisingly, the size of the modern terminal building is quite limited, so there's not much to do. Before checking in again for our return flight, we had a look outside. It wasn't busy at all during that Thursday evening.
Thursday, 06 November 2008
Makung (MZG) - Taipei Songshan (TSA)
UNI Air, B7 616
19:15-20:05 (19:15-19:57)
Flying time: 00:38 (hrs)
Warning Sign
The UNI Air check-in process was as quick and smooth as at Songshan, it was only a matter of a few minutes until we got our boarding passes. The same can be said about security - no queues, no problems. Due to the limited choice of meals at the airport bistro, we bought some cookies and took a seat in the gate area. Suddenly a warning sign at the wall attracted our attention:
Magong Airport is a military base. Please do not take photos, draw a picture of the airport or make an observation with telescope.
No, I didn't use my "telescope", but I could at least see some registrations through the small windows...
Cabin Comfort B-15239, one of eight Dash 8-300 in the UNI Air fleet, arrived on time and boarding was started soon. The welcome on board was not as friendly as on TransAsia - and the female flight attendant strictly rejected our request to take a cabin photo. "No photos and electronic devices", we were told (unlike TransAsia). Well, we had to try our best without being seen.
The cabin in general didn't look as well-kept as on TransAsia...
Picture by Satchmo
...and the seats were quite hard.
The seat pitch wasn't a great pleasure, either, but still acceptable for a short hop.
Drink Service
We left the parking position on time and took off from runway 20 only two minutes later. Drinks were offered soon - at least that's what we thought. In the end we could choose between a cup of (almost) warm water or nothing...
The approach over millions of lights into Taipei Songshan was absolutely stunning - but taking good pictures through the window at night was impossible. We touched down roughly 38 minutes after take-off and the cockpit crew decided to demonstrate the braking performance of its aircraft...
Taipei at Night
After leaving the airport, we took a bus to the Taipei Main Station from where it would be only a short walk to the YMCA Taipei. The bus ride took a while and we weren't sure whether we had picked the right line, but two friendly passengers immediately offered their help. One man was actually happy to talk to us and asked how we liked Taiwan. Half an hour later we left the bus and checked in at the YMCA - a basic hotel, not as charming as the one in Kowloon, but clean and conveniently located. Neon lights are dominating in the streets:
We decided to have dinner in one of the various small restaurants located on the Taipei Main Station's underground level. Already well-known from Japan: Plastic meals for window display.
We were facing some conversation problems when we wanted to order a meal, but again, a young Taiwanese immediately offered his help and translated for us. Some minutes later we got a tasty soup with noodles, beef, eggs and vegetables.
YMCA Taipei Neighborhood & Main Station
Early in the next morning it was time to leave the hotel because we wanted to see certain aircraft arriving at Songshan Airport before visiting the Taipei 101. Views from our hotel room:
Motorcycles are really popular in Taipei:
Taipei Main Station at daylight:
Picture by Satchmo
Taipei Songshan Spotting
We took a train to a station close to Songshan Airport and switched to a taxi which brought us to an area recommended for spotting. We walked onto the top level of a market hall where we had a great view of the arriving aircraft. UNI Air DHC-8Q-311 B-15237:
Picture by Satchmo
Mandarin Airlines Embraer 190 B-16828:
Picture by Satchmo
UNI Air MD-90-30 B-17922:
Picture by Satchmo
TransAsia ATR 72-500 B-22806 which had flown us to Makung on the day before:
Picture by Satchmo
Taipei 101
After the limited morning rush at Songshan Airport had been over, it was time to visit the famous Taipei 101 - currently the tallest building on earth with 101 stories and a height of 508 meters (1,667 ft). International architectural standards define a "building" as a structure capable of being fully occupied, therefore it takes some more months until Taipei 101 will lose its title to the Burj Dubai. Taipei 101 received the "Emporis Skyscraper Award" in 2004 and has been hailed as one of the "Seven New Wonders of the World" and "Seven Wonders of Engineering".
We were facing the sun after leaving the train station...
...but after a 15-minutes walk it was possible to get a decent shot of that mighty building:
Picture by Satchmo
The structure was so impressing that we couldn't take the eyes off it for a while:
Picture by Satchmo
Picture by Satchmo
That thing is massive and elegant at once.
Picture by Satchmo
Artwork in the main entrance area:
1 0 1 - no words needed:
This is the business entrance for direct access to the office floors:
Visitors who want to go to the observatory have to use the entrance of the skyscraper's shopping mall...
...actually a 5-story-shopping mall with hundreds of stores, restaurants, clubs and other attractions:
World's Fastest Elevator
After buying tickets (some US$13) and passing security, we had the pleasure to take the world's fastest elevator, running at 1010 meters per minute. It takes visitors from the 5th floor to the 89th floor in 37 seconds.
Special elevator features: atmospheric pressure control, active mass damper, aerodynamic capsule, high performance roller guide and safety device.
The two super fast elevators are the red ones:
Picture by Satchmo
Even though the elevator (theoretically) almost accelerates like a rocket, you don’t notice as much as expected - except for the usual popping in the ears. Very impressive machine!
Breathtaking Views
Once you arrive on top, you can enjoy breathtaking views of Taipei - and we were glad that it was a relatively clear day.
Songshan Airport in the distance:
Picture by Satchmo
Taipei 101 Facts
No matter if recorded voice tours in eight languages, informative displays or special exhibits - there's a lot of interesting stuff to explore on the observatory.
World records:
Petronas Towers and Taipei 101:
Text on the board: "Taipei 101's foundation is fortified by 380 piles driven 80 meters into the ground. Each pile has a diameter of 150cm and a load capacity of 1100-1450 tons. These piles extend to 30 meters into the bedrock, making Taipei 101 one of the most stable buildings ever designed."
Damper Baby
The building is equipped with three dampers to offset movements caused by strong gusts and earthquakes. One of them is the world's biggest and heaviest dampers, also visible on the observatory.
Picture by Satchmo
It has a diameter of 5.5 meters, weighs 660 metric tons and consists of 41 layers of 12.5 cm strong steel plates.
Picture by Satchmo
Picture by Satchmo
The damper is nicknamed "Damper Baby" - here's its profile:
No doubts, the visit to Taipei 101 was one of the highlights of our tour. It's the most impressive building I have ever been to and can only recommend a visit to anyone.
Conclusion
Flying on TransAsia Airways and UNI Air was a positive experience in general, with smooth check-in, friendly and helpful ground staff and on-time flights. However, TransAsia Airways offered a better in-flight product - more seating comfort and a greater choice of drinks. I would fly on both carriers again but wouldn't hestitate to try Mandarin Airlines, too.
Next report: HKG-LHR-MUC on Air New Zealand and Lufthansa
QantasAirways From Australia, joined Mar 2001, 1261 posts, RR: 4 Reply 2, posted (4 years 2 months 3 weeks 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 23265 times:
Nice trip report! I loved all your photos.. I just came back from Taipei in January and it brings back some fond memories.. especially going up Taipei 101. What date did you go up there by the way? I was in Taipei in mid-November.
Wants2fly From United States of America, joined Oct 2002, 84 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (4 years 2 months 3 weeks 6 days 14 hours ago) and read 23200 times:
Thank you for posting these great pictures of Taipei 101 and Taiwan, My mother country!
Just an interesting note, the second picture from your hotel room section, the one with red characters and picture of three ladies, is actually an advertisement for aviation training school offering flight attendants and ground staff training for airlines.
DALCE From Netherlands, joined Feb 2007, 1581 posts, RR: 7 Reply 4, posted (4 years 2 months 3 weeks 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 23058 times:
Hi PH,
What a great read! TPE101 is really one of the most impressive buildings in the world.
I've seen some big buildings, but this is stunning!! The Berliner Fernsehturm is just a small antenna compared to this
Also the pics are again of a very high quality, you both seem pro's
The routing and aircraft/airlines is also very interesting, I loved the read!
Cheers,
Joost (D-ALCE)
flown on : F50,F70,CR1,CR2,CR9,E75,143,AR8,AR1,733,735,736,73G,738,753,744,319,320,321,AB6. Next flights AMS-ZRH-AMS on
BA319-131 From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 8258 posts, RR: 56 Reply 5, posted (4 years 2 months 3 weeks 6 days 9 hours ago) and read 23041 times:
Hi PH,
Another great report, been loving this series, shame the next one is the end of the road
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): Domestic fares in Taiwan are fixed, so flights would be still available at reasonable prices.
- Interesting to know.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): Makung Airport can be considered as a military air base with a commercial section, so we decided not to take any pictures after leaving the aircraft.
- Wise move
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): Drinks were offered soon - at least that's what we thought. In the end we could choose between a cup of (almost) warm water or nothing...
- Nice?
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): After the limited morning rush at Songshan Airport had been over
- Did you make many new planes?
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): World's Fastest Elevator
After buying tickets (some US$13) and passing security, we had the pleasure to take the world's fastest elevator, running at 1010 meters per minute. It takes visitors from the 5th floor to the 89th floor in 37 seconds.
NZ107 From New Zealand, joined Jul 2005, 5672 posts, RR: 40 Reply 6, posted (4 years 2 months 3 weeks 6 days 9 hours ago) and read 23016 times:
Hi PH,
Another intriguing report, well done! That building just sticks up from nowhere! Simply amazing views though.
What is your preference between the ATR 72 and Dash 8?
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): The last problem which we faced was the rejection of my MasterCard at the TransAsia counter - a technical problem which didn't occur for the first time, btw. Satchmo also has a MasterCard, but luckily, they accepted my older VISA card.
Gosh, it seems like it's handy to carry around both types!
Airbuseric From Netherlands, joined Jan 2005, 4015 posts, RR: 52 Reply 7, posted (4 years 2 months 3 weeks 6 days 8 hours ago) and read 22985 times:
Hi PH,
thanks for the great insight into Taiwanese aviation,
UNI air dissappointing a bit with the photo policy, the seatpitch and the very nice cup of water, but still, you flew on a very interesting Dash 8. That would do it for me
Overall, I have the feeling that the Taiwanese airport staff were very friendly to you and tried to assist you to provide tickets fitting to your schedule. Well done by them!
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): Already well-known from Japan: Plastic meals for window display
Don't tell me. Although some of these meals look better in the showcase then they taste in real
About Taipei101. Impressive indeed. Haven't seen it myself yet, but will do someday in the future. Interesting to see the KL Petronas Towers mentioned also. Have been there and went up to, I think 44th floor only, were the observatory is. You can walk the bridge and that's it. Not so special, although also this is a beautiful building.
On the other side, KL Television tower is very tall, from my memore about 450 meters height, and the observatory is almost at the top. Have been on it too, and it was very impressive to look down a bit onto the Petronas building!
Thanks for the great report. So all your inter-Asia travels are finished now?
Regards,
Eric
"The whole world steps aside for the man who knows where he is going"
Quoting QantasAirways (Reply 2): Nice trip report! I loved all your photos.. I just came back from Taipei in January and it brings back some fond memories.. especially going up Taipei 101. What date did you go up there by the way?
Thanks, Johann! We went on top of the 101 on November 07.
Quoting Wants2fly (Reply 3): Thank you for posting these great pictures of Taipei 101 and Taiwan, My mother country!
My pleasure! Taiwan is a great country, I really want to go there again and stay longer.
Quoting Wants2fly (Reply 3):
Just an interesting note, the second picture from your hotel room section, the one with red characters and picture of three ladies, is actually an advertisement for aviation training school offering flight attendants and ground staff training for airlines.
Interesting to know!
Quoting DALCE (Reply 4): Also the pics are again of a very high quality, you both seem pro's Smile
The routing and aircraft/airlines is also very interesting, I loved the read!
Thanks a lot, Joost!
Quoting DALCE (Reply 4): I've seen some big buildings, but this is stunning!! The Berliner Fernsehturm is just a small antenna compared to this
Well, one can't deny that!
Quoting BA319-131 (Reply 5): Another great report, been loving this series, shame the next one is the end of the road
Thanks, Mark! As I already mentioned, another series will follow. I spent a few days in the US this week and got some rare birds - old, loud, beautiful "Red Tails"!
I only got a total of 12 new regs at TSA and 4 at MZG - not great, but some rare stuff.
Quoting BA319-131 (Reply 5): - Wow, I want to visit this when in Aisa next.
If you're in the neighborhood, the 101 is worth a visit, no doubts!
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 6): Another intriguing report, well done! That building just sticks up from nowhere! Simply amazing views though.
Thanks, Nicholas!
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 6): What is your preference between the ATR 72 and Dash 8?
I have always preferred the ATR because it's more spacious.
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 6): Gosh, it seems like it's handy to carry around both types!
It should be enough to have one, but I was told the acceptance of MasterCard in Asia is still a bit lacking compared to VISA.
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 6): How far down is the damper positioned?
The main damper is positioned high up between the 88th and the 92nd floor.
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 6): Still can't wait for that Air NZ report!
I will finally start working on it in the coming days.
Quoting Airbuseric (Reply 7): Thanks for the great report. So all your inter-Asia travels are finished now?
Thanks, Eric. Yes, intra-Asia traveling is finished, but there are other reports to come.
Quoting Airbuseric (Reply 7): Overall, I have the feeling that the Taiwanese airport staff were very friendly to you and tried to assist you to provide tickets fitting to your schedule. Well done by them!
Yes, indeed. Not just the people at the airport - we met helpful people during the whole Taiwan side trip.
Quoting Airbuseric (Reply 7): Although some of these meals look better in the showcase then they taste in real
I can't deny that!
Quoting Airbuseric (Reply 7): About Taipei101. Impressive indeed. Haven't seen it myself yet, but will do someday in the future. Interesting to see the KL Petronas Towers mentioned also. Have been there and went up to, I think 44th floor only, were the observatory is. You can walk the bridge and that's it. Not so special, although also this is a beautiful building.
I also went up to the PT Skybride, but views from there are limited. However, the design of the towers is really beautiful.
Quoting Airbuseric (Reply 7): On the other side, KL Television tower is very tall, from my memore about 450 meters height, and the observatory is almost at the top. Have been on it too, and it was very impressive to look down a bit onto the Petronas building!
Definitely a great place to go, I agree. I also enjoyed "looking down" at the Petronas Towers. Even though the Menara Tower's height including antenna is 420 meters, the observation deck is positioned at a height of "only" 276 meters.
CO7e7 From United States of America, joined Dec 2004, 2848 posts, RR: 2 Reply 9, posted (4 years 2 months 3 weeks 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 22753 times:
Great report as usual... but the pix from the T101 are AMAZING..
Globetraveller From Germany, joined Apr 2008, 377 posts, RR: 22 Reply 10, posted (4 years 2 months 3 weeks 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 22598 times:
Hi there PlaneHunter,
Another great addition to your trip report series. Some excellent pictures and interesting detail. I especially liked the pictures of Taipei: they brought back some fond memories of my trip to Taiwan a couple of yours ago.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): Magong Airport is a military base. Please do not take photos, draw a picture of the airport or make an observation with telescope.
Hehehe... I guess this brought the picture-taking to an abrupt end.
Anonms From United States of America, joined Dec 2007, 561 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (4 years 2 months 3 weeks 5 days 19 hours ago) and read 22553 times:
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): "No photos and electronic devices", we were told (unlike TransAsia).
When I flew TransAsia they had the same policy, but it wasn't enforced. It's generally a policy for flights to/from airports that share a field with the military (Making, Kinmen, among others).
Johruk From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2008, 166 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (4 years 2 months 3 weeks 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 22334 times:
Great report!
Funnily enough on BBC2 last night in the UK, Richard Hammond (of Top Gear fame) did a show on how Taipei 101 was built. Real interesting show...It was amzing to think they drew elements of Sailing and sports cars in to the building and it lifts system. If you can get chance to see it, well worth watching!
The777Man From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 6079 posts, RR: 56 Reply 13, posted (4 years 2 months 3 weeks 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 22314 times:
Excellent report as always PH!
Looking forward to the last in the series and of course the next series.
Keep up the great work!
The777Man
Need a Boeing 777 Firing Order....Further to fly....GA, T5, CI and LX 777s
Funnily enough on BBC2 last night in the UK, Richard Hammond (of Top Gear fame) did a show on how Taipei 101 was built. Real interesting show...It was amzing to think they drew elements of Sailing and sports cars in to the building and it lifts system. If you can get chance to see it, well worth watching!
Fantastic report! I SO want to see Taipei 101!
If anyone is interested, the show mentioned above is on again tonight, (Monday 23rd Feb) at 7pm, on BBC2 in the UK.
The program is called "Richard Hammond's Engineering Connections".
Leskova From Germany, joined Oct 2003, 6075 posts, RR: 72 Reply 15, posted (4 years 2 months 3 weeks 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 21861 times:
Thanks for yet another great report!
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter):
...which was equipped with dark blue seats and a purple carpet:
Hmm... not really all that pleasing to my eyes... but hey, as long as it's reasonably comfortable...
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): The row next to the propeller wasn't our favorite, but most window seats in the cabin were already gone, so we didn't move after boarding was completed.
Maybe I missed it - was this a flight with free seating, or did you get assigned seats?
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): Luckily, we were sitting on the right side, so we could see the famous Taipei 101
Quite a view!
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter):
We had chosen the perfect time for our flight - the light conditions during sunset were beautiful...
Sunrise and sunset are some of the best sights from aircraft windows...
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): Makung Airport can be considered as a military air base with a commercial section, so we decided not to take any pictures after leaving the aircraft.
Probably a wise decision...
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): Magong Airport is a military base. Please do not take photos, draw a picture of the airport or make an observation with telescope.
No, I didn't use my "telescope", but I could at least see some registrations through the small windows...
Good that you also didn't draw a picture of the airport...
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): In the end we could choose between a cup of (almost) warm water or nothing...
I bet that was a hard choice to make...
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): Already well-known from Japan: Plastic meals for window display.
I've seen those in several countries in Asia... and in a restaurant in Zürich Oerlikon where I regularly eat...
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): We took a train to a station close to Songshan Airport and switched to a taxi which brought us to an area recommended for spotting. We walked onto the top level of a market hall where we had a great view of the arriving aircraft.
Any hassles from security? Or is spotting still accepted - or at least not considered semi-terroristic - in Taiwan?
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): After buying tickets (some US$13) and passing security, we had the pleasure to take the world's fastest elevator, running at 1010 meters per minute. It takes visitors from the 5th floor to the 89th floor in 37 seconds.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): It has a diameter of 5.5 meters, weighs 660 metric tons and consists of 41 layers of 12.5 cm strong steel plates.
Abrelosojos From Venezuela, joined May 2005, 4915 posts, RR: 55 Reply 16, posted (4 years 2 months 3 weeks 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 21782 times:
Thanks for a wonderful TR. I should visit Taipei again ... have not been there since 2002.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): Again, very friendly agents welcomed us at the UNI Air ticket counter and tried to help us. However, the English skills of the young agents were limited, so they called an older colleague. Only a few minutes later the guy had shocking news for us: The desired morning flights on Friday morning were already sold out - weekend traffic! So we went to the TransAsia Airways counter where the friendly agents couldn't help us either - all those flights which could have been combined with any of the UNI Air MD-90 sectors were sold out, too. Then we asked for alternative flights on turboprop models to various destinations - but the flights were either sold or the flying times were simply unsuitable.
So what to do? We checked the timetable for flights later in the afternoon and went back to the UNI Air counter. After another round of searching, the agents told us which flights would still be available. Flying to Makung was one of the possible options - now we were hoping TransAsia Airways would still have seats available on the contemplable flights. We asked the UNI Air agents to hold the seats for a few minutes and went to the TransAsia counter. I guess the agents must have rated us as crazy by now...but I told them we were just interested in flying different carriers.
Fortunately, the TransAsia agents could offer us free seats, too, and so we finally booked a roundtrip to Makung. We would already depart at 16:45, only about an hour from now, and be back at Taipei at about 20:00. The last problem which we faced was the rejection of my MasterCard at the TransAsia counter - a technical problem which didn't occur for the first time, btw. Satchmo also has a MasterCard, but luckily, they accepted my older VISA card. We paid about 150 Euro (per person) for the roundtrip which was worth it, considering we would get two rare carriers on an exotic route (from a European point of view).
= Jaja. I smiled at this because I have certainly got these looks. Last time was in Chile when the agent thought I was mad as I wanted to go through all the options to get me furthest away from SCL using multi-stops .
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): We were facing some conversation problems when we wanted to order a meal, but again, a young Taiwanese immediately offered his help and translated for us. Some minutes later we got a tasty soup with noodles, beef, eggs and vegetables.
= I have had my share of travels and only in Taipei have I gone to restaurants and felt completely lost. Brought back some good memories of my trip there.
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6183 posts, RR: 79 Reply 17, posted (4 years 2 months 3 weeks 1 day 23 hours ago) and read 21664 times:
Hi everybody,
thanks for your feedback!
Quoting CO7e7 (Reply 9): Great report as usual... but the pix from the T101 are AMAZING..
Thanks, CO7e7, nice to hear you liked the 101 pics.
Quoting Globetraveller (Reply 10): Another great addition to your trip report series. Some excellent pictures and interesting detail. I especially liked the pictures of Taipei: they brought back some fond memories of my trip to Taiwan a couple of yours ago.
Thank you, Globetraveller. Did you like Taiwan as much as I did?
Quoting Globetraveller (Reply 10): Apparently "Damper Baby" was actually made in Germany and then shipped to Taiwan. So its place of birth should actually be changed.
Interesting to know!
Quoting Globetraveller (Reply 10): I am looking forward to these trip reports with great enthusiasm.
...and with patience, I hope.
Quoting Anonms (Reply 11): When I flew TransAsia they had the same policy, but it wasn't enforced. It's generally a policy for flights to/from airports that share a field with the military (Making, Kinmen, among others).
Funnily enough on BBC2 last night in the UK, Richard Hammond (of Top Gear fame) did a show on how Taipei 101 was built. Real interesting show...It was amzing to think they drew elements of Sailing and sports cars in to the building and it lifts system. If you can get chance to see it, well worth watching!
Looking forward to the last in the series and of course the next series.
Hi Lars, thanks a lot. If I only had a bit more time to post all these reports faster...
Quoting LHR777 (Reply 14): Fantastic report! I SO want to see Taipei 101!
Thanks, LHR777. It's really worth to visit the 101.
Quoting Leskova (Reply 15): Thanks for yet another great report!
Servus Frank, thanks for your comments!
Quoting Leskova (Reply 15): Maybe I missed it - was this a flight with free seating, or did you get assigned seats?
Both carriers had assigned seating.
Quoting Leskova (Reply 15): Any hassles from security? Or is spotting still accepted - or at least not considered semi-terroristic - in Taiwan?
It wasn't a problem because we stayed away from airport ground. But the authorities in general are concerned about Chinese spies - which I can understand, of course.
Quoting Leskova (Reply 15): Get to it - you still have that US report to write afterwards!
Quoting Abrelosojos (Reply 16): Thanks for a wonderful TR. I should visit Taipei again ... have not been there since 2002.
Hi Abrelosojos, thanks for your comments.
Quoting Abrelosojos (Reply 16): Last time was in Chile when the agent thought I was mad as I wanted to go through all the options to get me furthest away from SCL using multi-stops
Yeah, I can imagine how they reacted to your requests...
Quoting Abrelosojos (Reply 16): I have had my share of travels and only in Taipei have I gone to restaurants and felt completely lost.
FLIEGER67 From Georgia, joined Sep 2003, 4387 posts, RR: 57 Reply 18, posted (4 years 2 months 3 weeks 1 day 20 hours ago) and read 21604 times:
Hi, PH,
another real interesting story.
And also superb pictures, well done.
Two not that well covered airlines and a never read about it airport,
so it seems that Euros are a good investment.
And that building looks stunning, also something for me to explore these
new architecture.
Contact Air From Germany, joined Apr 2001, 1154 posts, RR: 14 Reply 20, posted (4 years 2 months 2 weeks 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 21212 times:
Hi PH,
it was very interesting to read about your Taiwan domestic flights as well. Once again great pictures taken by you and Satchmo. Taipei 101 looks really impressive indeed. Seems to be worth a visit.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): the websites of all carriers offering domestic flights were not available in English
This is really strange - you wouldn't expect this in these days. Obviously not many foreigners travel on domestic flights in Taiwan.
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6183 posts, RR: 79 Reply 22, posted (4 years 2 months 1 week 5 days 23 hours ago) and read 20895 times:
Quoting Contact Air (Reply 20): it was very interesting to read about your Taiwan domestic flights as well. Once again great pictures taken by you and Satchmo. Taipei 101 looks really impressive indeed. Seems to be worth a visit.
Thanks, Christoph!
Quoting Contact Air (Reply 20): Obviously not many foreigners travel on domestic flights in Taiwan.
That's definitely true.
Quoting Contact Air (Reply 20): Well, that's the fate of A.Netters trying out exotic routings.
We have to deal with these issues...
Quoting Sabena332 (Reply 21): Another fantastic report with great text and great pics, thanks for posting!
Thanks, Patrick! Good to hear you enjoyed reading.
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