Flight was really empty!!! Premium economy was full though. There were only a couple of business flyers when I walked through for the toilet, and the economy was like... almost 1-2 empty seats per row.
At the airport, when I checked into premium economy, I walked past a Japanese tourist group on the way in and the economy check in was packed!
Up the elevator to security screening. I forgot that they don't require you to take your electronics out of your bag now. Lol I even took my laptop out, and repacked it on the side when I saw the sign.
The area where they had the weird stepped round sinking seats with chargers, and pebbles in the very centre (near the Whittakers shop) has been replaced with round cushioned seats and charging ports. It's nicer to the bum but sad they replaced that.
I went up to the gates after charging a little and playing PokeGo on my new Sony 10 VII (still can't get over the size and blandness of android 15), and then felt a little hungry so got a nuts/scroggin snack from the vending machine for $3.50. It was a gate that as being unsused so it was nice and quiet.
As usual, I boarded last to avoid time in the bad air when the system isn't on before the plane starts taxi-ing. My seat mate was a, I think, possibly, half Korean (saw their jacket had Korean on it, and their passport at the gate was one I didn't recognise)? half European lady? Young person. They looked queer or possibly trans. Very unisex. Unfortunately I think they had stinky BO since I could smell it for a good part of the flight. Even with my Zimi on. RIP.
On the flight I watched Tokyo Godfathers (no subtitles though) after lunch was served and it was a really good film. I can see why it's so renowned. Even the sakuga and animation were really well done.
Then King Fu Panda 4 after a snooze and before dinner. It wasn't as artistically striking as 2 (or was it 3?), but still loved bits of it. The villain The Chameleon was like a "fight all the previous bosses again in a colosseum" type trope, and it was quite enjoyable.
The plane wasn't a dreamliner but a Boeing 777-300R, which meant my skin got sooooo dry. IT LOOKED HORRIBLE 😭. The crew also commented that the galley was age away compared to the dreamliner. I think the aircraft was a re-fitted Cathay Airways or Eva Airways one since some of the signs and labels had traditional Chinese. The seats were green. The entertainment screen wasn't as responsive and worked better with the remote, which is reminiscint of the ones we had on a Cathay flight as kids. I think they had to use the 777s due to the Boeing whistleblower incident, where the newer planes can't be fully serviced or maintained and that includes the 787 dreamliners.
So we finally landed and I managed to shut eye and snooze for most of the flight.
Stepping off the plane (it was a balmy 22° and drizzly) you could feel te humidity hit.WAAAH YESSS SO MUGGY BUT REVITALISE MY SKIN PLEASE.
Going through the customs biosecurity screening, they had a sign (wish I got a photo) of a dog photo neck up, and a drawn clipart arm with a thumbs up, telling you that meat products need to be declared. And also another hilarious cute one. Stuff like this is what hits "yes I am in Taiwan".
Immigration cleared, and they had a lovely mural of the arrival stamp and a digital screen for the date. Today is 4 Nov 2025.
I got out and headed towards the MRT. Topped up my Yoyo card by $100 (since there was already $180 on there). Rearranged my luggage (put the carry on into a big suitcase). Whilst waiting on the platform I saw a policeman with ename Pokemon pins (4 in front, 2 in back - a Pikachu and Pokeball) pinned arranged neatly on his Policeman vest. So cute. Another Taiwan thing!
The MRT came and I got on, made it to Linghang Station. Station was deserted but I found the stamps station, and they had a little I think, Amis? statue male and female in a corner with themed background. I heard a song of their language play. I found this really neat. I am already sweating and soaked by now, I'm still wearing long sleeves from the plane. It's spitting but I managed to wrangle both my large suitcases un the 10 min walk to alfar hotel.
The hotel was really neat and clean. Very modern. They had a window I could open with a fly screen!!1 YAYYAYAY!!! That stayed on all night. The temp is confortable. However even with the window open to max, the Airspot read an average of 800ppm all the time.
Took my shower, and talked to a couple of people on Line, and fell asleep by 9pm.
小智's cheese weighed kgs lol. I weighed it next morning.
