Travel
Celebrate 50 Years: Princess Cruises Launches 10 Exclusive Voyages from Keelung Port in April
Princess Cruises is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year with a series of global events. Starting in April, it will also designate Keelung, Taiwan as the home port for the Sapphire Princess, offering a range of 3 to 7-day itineraries. Jan Swartz, President of Princess Cruises Worldwide, specially came to Taiwan today (February 3) to hold a celebratory press conference and gifted a Princess Cruises cruise package to celebrity Lee Ya-ling, allowing her to fully embrace her inner princess on board.
New highlight in Tainan！A 6-meter-tall “lucky cat” climbs up the Qigu Salt Mountain and waves
A huge white lucky cat has now appeared on the summit of Qigu Salt Mountain in Tainan！Taiwan Salt, in line with the upcoming winter vacation, has specially created the largest animated lucky cat in the country. From now until March 15, it will stand atop Qigu Salt Mountain, known as having the cleanest magnetic energy in the nation. It aims to gather positive energy together with everyone, bid farewell to the turbulent year of 2014, and welcome the fresh vibes of 2015！
To visit the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival, welcome to Keelung first &
In conjunction with the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival events in New Taipei City on February 22, 27, and March 5, the Keelung City Bus Authority will assist in operating direct buses from the city’s main bus terminal to Shiding to facilitate tourist access. Additionally, on February 27, the “Railway Fireworks Festival” will be held in Qidu District of Keelung City, linking up with New Taipei City’s Sky Lantern Festival, featuring a fireworks display at 9 PM that evening. Citizens are welcome to join in the festivities.
No need to go abroad for night cherry blossoms — New Taipei City launches its first “Wulai Weekend Night Cherry Blossom Viewing”
Not just at the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village — you can now also experience night cherry blossom viewing in Wulai, New Taipei City. For the first time this year, the New Taipei City Government has piloted a night cherry blossom event at Wulai Warriors’ Square. From February 6th for three consecutive days, you can enjoy the charm of night cherry blossoms right here in Wulai.
A bakery from Japan that flies in daily — limited-edition French toast
Bread & Espresso & Book. The flagship store is located on Tokyo’s Omotesando and ranks among the Top 5000 on the popular Japanese food review site Tabelog. Don’t underestimate being in the Top 5000 — that means it’s within the top five thousand restaurants in all of Japan. I had originally planned to visit the flagship store when I went to Tokyo in December, but after eating at bills that day, I really didn’t have room for another sweet meal.
Kaohsiung-Hong Kong Dual Home Port Launched – New Year Holiday Cruises to Be Unveiled in March
To promote a series of cruise itineraries with Kaohsiung as the home port, the Kaohsiung City Government held today (the 3rd) the “2015 Star Cruises SuperStar Aquarius Kaohsiung-Hong Kong Dual Home Port Launch Press Conference,” encouraging cruise operators to use Kaohsiung Port as a home base and offering southern Taiwanese more diverse travel options.
German-style muffins served in a cast iron pan & ice cream in a surprising Shaoxing wine flavor!
The cast iron pans come from the German countryside. At first glance at the menu, the pictures looked like Italian frittatas—something you’d find at a brunch-only restaurant, or like a Yorkshire pudding stuffed with fillings. I can bake Italian frittatas too; next time I’ll try adding some extra ingredients!
Less than a year after its maiden flight, crash occurs: TransAsia says it will cooperate with CAA in inspecting ATR aircraft
On February 18, 2014, TransAsia Airways welcomed its first new ATR72-600 aircraft at Songshan Airport and launched its inaugural Songshan–Makung route on February 21. At the celebration event, then-TransAsia General Manager Xu Yicong stated that the ATR72-600 offers advantages such as fuel efficiency and long range, making it suitable for domestic routes. TransAsia would also become Taiwan’s only airline using the ATR72-600 as its main aircraft.
Eat Tokyo Station? Japan’s 2015 Top 5 “Hottest Local Specialties” Voted by Travelers
Tokyo Banana, Chick Buns... Are these familiar Japanese souvenirs starting to bore you? A popular Japanese travel website recently selected the “2015 Top 5 Hottest New Local Specialties at Tokyo Station,” which not only come in a variety of flavors and unique designs, but are also available exclusively at Tokyo Station.
All efforts focused on aftermath as TransAsia removes New Year red lanterns
TransAsia Airways Flight GE235 crashed into the Keelung River behind the Nangang Exhibition Center at 10:56 a.m. today (Feb. 4). By 5:00 p.m., the death toll stood at 16, with injured passengers being transported to hospitals such as Tri-Service General Hospital in Neihu for emergency treatment. Aside from holding a press conference at 3:00 p.m., TransAsia also quietly removed the festive New Year lanterns from its counter at Taipei Songshan Airport in the evening.
Seoul's popular waffle shop Waffle Bant has opened in Kaohsiung — Grand Opening on February 8
Waffle Bant, loved by many as a must-try food when traveling to Seoul, South Korea, has now set up shop in Taiwan. Its first store is located near Hanshin Dome Station in Zuoying District, Kaohsiung. For those who’ve tried it and can’t get enough, there’s no need to fly all the way to Seoul anymore.
Plane crash after drop-off at airport — Bereaved family of TransAsia passenger cries: Where is my sister?
The younger brother of a female passenger surnamed Zheng, born in 1956, was extremely anxious at Terminal 2 of Songshan Airport as he had not yet learned about his sister’s safety. He repeatedly asked relevant personnel about her condition and whereabouts. Mr. Zheng expressed strong dissatisfaction with TransAsia Airways’ consecutive accidents and their handling of the situation, bluntly asking, “If I buy you 20 TransAsia tickets, would you dare to take them?”
Breaking News / TransAsia Airways plane crash into river / All Taiwanese families contacted
TransAsia Airways Flight GE235 crashed into the Keelung River beneath Nanhua Bridge in Taipei at 11:00 a.m. this morning. The death toll continues to rise, with the latest update reporting 16 fatalities. Rescue workers are still conducting search and rescue operations. According to the latest information from TransAsia Airways, all families of the 22 Taiwanese passengers have been contacted. Efforts are also underway to reach the families of mainland Chinese passengers through the Xiamen office and local Chinese tour operators, who will be arranged to come to Taiwan as soon as possible.
Tainan Chengtian Bridge and Bicycle Bridge to Open to Traffic on the 5th – Even More Beautiful at Night
In line with the development plan for riverboat tours along the Anping Canal, the renovated Chengtian Bridge and an important bicycle bridge connecting the northern and southern banks of the Luermen Creek to boost tourism and leisure have both been completed. Both will officially open to traffic at 5 PM on February 5.
TransAsia Airways plane crash – Netizens offer warm encouragement to TransAsia: Keep it up!
TransAsia Airways flight B22816 made an emergency landing in the Keelung River behind the Nangang Exhibition Center in Taipei. The airline announced this news on its official Facebook fan page at noon, stating that it is currently verifying the information and will provide updates as the situation develops. Although no latest details were revealed, most netizens offered positive words of encouragement, hoping that TransAsia will keep going.
Devil’s Bento Made with Champion Rice – Hidden Menu “Never-Extinguished Beef Soup”
Recently, this Devil’s Bento has been frequently popping up on the Facebook page of a local entertainment vlogger. I heard it’s a sister branch of the similarly named Little Devil Steakhouse, and after some online digging, I found out that this bento starts at just NT$100—super affordable. So in January, I seized a free moment, hopped on the MRT, and came to see just how delicious this Devil’s Bento really is!!!
A deep bow apology lasting 30 seconds – TransAsia CEO Chen Xinde: “We apologize to the public”
TransAsia Airways was involved in the GE235 flight crash into the Keelung River today (February 4). By 14:00, it was known that 13 passengers had died. At 15:00, TransAsia CEO Chen Xinde led the company’s top management in holding a press conference at the Civil Aeronautics Administration, where he bowed deeply for half a minute to offer an apology to the entire public.
Chiayi Zhushan Park Stays Open Over Lunar New Year & Launches Free Shuttle on New Year’s Day
The “Fairy Flower Trail,” resembling an ecological classroom, and the thrilling “Sky Corridor,” offering a breathtaking view from high above, at Zhushan Park in Chiayi County have become popular new tourist spots in Taiwan since last year (2014). They attract many visitors on holidays, but the large crowds have led to issues such as pedestrian-vehicle congestion and insufficient parking. To address this, Zhushan Township Office will provide free shuttle buses during the Lunar New Year holiday to ease the flow of people.
Breaking News / TransAsia Airways Holds Press Conference: The Crashed Flight Was Inspected Last Month
At approximately 10:56 a.m. on the 4th, TransAsia Airways Flight B22816 made an emergency landing in the Keelung River behind the Nangang Business Park. There were 58 people on board, including 5 crew members and 53 passengers. By 2 p.m., 13 people had unfortunately been confirmed dead. TransAsia Airways held a press conference at 3 p.m. to provide updates on the rescue efforts and stated that the aircraft involved was a newly purchased ATR72-600 model from last year, with an age of less than one year.
Press your knees together and rest your head against the seat in front — Aviation experts: The brace position can save your life during an emergency landing
What is the brace position? It’s a posture recommended for passengers during an emergency landing on land or water to reduce injuries from impact. — Press your feet and knees together, keep your feet firmly on the floor, and rest your head against a surface that might be impacted, usually the seat in front.