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Well. I've finally recovered from the nasty travel days last week and am in Taiwan. As amazing as India was and is, I so far love Taiwan. There's something about staying and touring with a local that makes it a little more relaxing, especially because he obviously knows the language (Chinese). Taiwan is super diverse and over the last few and next few weeks I'll see/climb mountains up to nearly 3900m (same as Ledakh) and relax at beaches on the east coast in the warm Pacific sun and water. All of this in a small island in which one can take a train across the entire place in about 6 hours. I already want to come back in the spring and see more of Taiwan, 9 days is not enough. 

Tomorrow I head to Taipei, and I will be there Sunday and Monday. Tuesday to Haoulin on the east coast. Wednesday to Tai Tung. Thursday Koashung and then back to Taichung area. All by train and car, I will get a sweeping overview of Taiwan. Like I said with India I could easily spend a month here at least! 

Just a few papers from the travel day from India to Taiwan. 

Sunrise from the BOM-HKG flight. Morning coffee and that at 41k feet, yes please!

Taiwanese bubble tea. Tapioca bubbles in tea. 

Hurt my arm a good bit getting this view/picture at 3300m hill southeast of Taichung. 

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Taiwan is much different from India. Clean, much more modern to name a few. It's a lot warmer, hitting 26-27 during the day and only 20 at night. A little humid as well, but those nights in Leh were getting cold! My host family couldn't be better. Food, laundry, and a place to sleep...what more could I ask for? Hopefully Taipei isn't too dead on Sunday night. I originally planned to head up to Taipei today (Saturday) but needed a day to rest my shoulder/arm after I hurt it climbing yesterday. I'm staying at a backing hostel and those are always good for meeting people! I will probably head up to the university in north Taipei as well, just to see what the campus is like. 

I also got a very nice and much needed haircut/wash/styling for only $280tw. 

Sun moon lake. Very pretty but foggy that day.