Isn’t this cute - in Da’an park - a super small size toilet for the kids, with the full size one to the left of it.

Yes indeed, even the door has this marked as a “Family Toilet Room” - so now you can have the unique bonding experience with your children of taking a dump together …. lovely.

Just tidying up my room ready for the party tonight, pick up my electric shaver and go to put it in its case - when suddenly notice a tingling sensation on my finger.

Look down to see a cockcroach crawling along my digit!

After throwing it far across the room, the cockroach killing spray was quickly fetched and the little f*cker met its timely end - before being thrown from the 14th floor balcony.

Ha!

Quite possibly the greatest thing about Taiwan (aside from the prices) is the “MTV” - not the popular music television channel, nor the name of any channel (despite the deceptive name) - but a private movie theatre.

“What do you mean?” - I hear you say - well my friends, let me explain.

MTV stands for “Movie TV” and is a place where you can go to watch movies in a private room on your own, or with friends.

So basically, it works like this.

1. You go to said place (there are many of them around), where you will find stacks and stacks of DVDs - basically it looks like a huge Blockbuster video store.
2. You choose the movie you would like to see.
3. You go to the desk, give them the movie, £1.50 (per person) and choose your (free) drink (a range of soft drinks, juices, teas and coffees).
4. Be escorted to your own private cinema room, complete with massive “sofa/bed”, projector, massive screen and dolby digital sound system (with massive bass).
5. Sit back, relax and watch your movie, using the intercom should you require anything else during (more drinks, popcorn, noodles etc.)

The rooms come in varying sizes, the smallest fitting about 4/5 people, the largest having multi row beds and allowing around 20 I’d say to see the flick.

To give you a better idea of what I mean, how about I just show you some photos

Perfection - no idiots in front talking, no loud crunching from others eating - and best of all, you can actually lay down and watch the movie in total comfort

I so wish they could bring this to England, but alas, I feel just as with the Japanese karaoke rooms - this just wouldn’t work - too many chav idiots and people with no respect would just ruin it (make it messy, graffiti, steal the projector etc).

Asia certainly has a lot going for it.

I never thought I’d ever hear myself saying this, but I am very impressed with Burger King….

After a craving for a chicken burger led me to the biggest dissapointment ever at KFC (yup, can you believe it - the “king” of chicken places - and their chicken burgers in Taiwan don’t even use breasts!) - someone suggested I try out the Burger King “Chicken Sandwich” - OMG - it was amazing …. so 10 points to the King

Went to Danshui last weekend - a thrilling (yeah right) hour ride on a scooter in the freezing cold (all the while knowing, even when we finally got there - we had the same thing back again). (As you can see from the Wiki) - It’s a seaside town, geared towards “tourists” - with loads of food stalls and carnival style games (shooting, hoops etc) - along with the largest concentration of basketball games I’ve ever seen.

We went to a smallish cafe down the end of the seafront which reminded me like being at home, I’m not sure why, the place had a very english cafe style feel to it. The food was also rather tasty, so that was most definitely a bonus.

Speaking of good food - you’ll never believe what I found yesterday … a chicken pie shop!!! Amazing! Proper puff pastry stylee and at a bargain price of 45p.

So yes, Taiwan is treating me very well for eating - a 12″ subway sandwich for lunch, crisps and large drink (all at a mere £2.70) - with dinner being anything I want - seriously, they have every type of food here - with a full 3 course meal in a proper restaurant never costing me more than £7.50!

Tickets also confirmed now - I can even check in online (and choose my exact seat!) - never been able to do that before, though now if I can’t pick the exit row seat, who do I try and sweet talk to upgrade it for me?

As for the rest of what I’ve been up to - I’m at the moment writing a summary of the last year (which is obviously taking a while) - but so as not to get behind again, will keep updating the latest stuff as it happens. I’m also wondering whether to post little bits as I think of them, or just wait until the end of day to do it all in one …. we’ll see.

Anyhoo …. tonight I’m going to the mini-movie theatre (MTV) so will get some photos to show everyone, as I don’t quite seem to be able to describe it accurately yet.

Prepare to be amazed!

Well it seems my flight isn’t booked after all - the agent didn’t put through the request in time (despite the fact we were sitting in the office with her for an hour) and lost the booking!

Even worse, as BA are now closed, it now goes over the timeline to book without paying a £30 surcharge!

So upshot is, I should be on the same planes, same seats - just having to pay £30 more because of the stupid agent…..