Manila
Finally, a flight ticket to Taipei, Taiwan was purchased, and the bike was
taken to the bike shop to be boxed. The rest of my time was spent sorting
out gear.
By evening, a stroll along the promenade made me understand why Manila
was referred to as the Pearl of the Orient. The sunset was spectacular as
the sun resembled a massive ball of fire, and without any wind and an
agreeable 28°C I didn’t think my final day in the Philippines could be any
better.
Manila, Philippines – Taipei, Taiwan
My flight was only at eleven p.m. allowing the entire day to play in Manila. I
didn’t play much but did much-needed catching up on social and business
matters. Collecting the bike from the bike shop required a Jeepney to the
pension, bike and all. What a performance.
The flight from the Philippines to Taiwan was uneventful and we touched
down in Taipei at around two o’clock in the morning. Everything went
smoothly and all the luggage came out on the belt, bike and all. Being that
early, I believed it best to wait until daylight before hailing a taxi into town.
Unfortunately, the hostel booked wasn’t open at night, and the reception
desk only opened at 9h00. I further wanted to drop my bike at the bike
shop for reassembling, but they only opened at 10h00.
I slept soundly upon the soft airport couches and was ready to venture into
this new country when it became light.