June 22, 2026 I had a week off my Chinese lessons, so I decided to visit Shen’ao Rail Bike [深澳鐵道自行車]. The weather around this time in northern Taiwan was humid and dangerously hot, with temperatures around 38 degrees. The Central Weather Administration said there was an “excessive heat warning”, recommended avoiding unnecessary outdoor exertions, and “tak[ing] precautionsContinue reading “Shen’ao Rail Bike”
Tag Archives: travel
Baimiwong Fort, Taiwan
May 22, 2026 My Mandarin studies at NTNU’s MTC were interrupted: the staff refused to grant me another visa, saying I had been studying there for far too long. So I switched to the Chinese Cultural University’s Mandarin Learning Centre. I actually find MLC better than MTC. In MLC I had one-to-one classes with a MandarinContinue reading “Baimiwong Fort, Taiwan”
Katoomba, Australia
February 24, 2026 I was back in Sydney. My mother mentioned she’d like to visit Katoomba, an internationally famous place near Sydney, in the Blue Mountains region. The Google Map above shows Katoomba, around 110 km west of Sydney. The train from Sydney Central Station to Katoomba takes roughly 2 hours. Our 8:25am train, at Central Station. TheContinue reading “Katoomba, Australia”
Pondering Pilchards: Cambodia, by Gordon
January 7-18, 2026 Gordon and I went to Cambodia. The Google Maps above show the route. We flew into Siem Reap, toured the Angkor Archeological Site, then travelled by boat to Battambang, then by train to Phnom Penh. Gordon has very kindly offered to write up our trip! Over to him: Richard has invited meContinue reading “Pondering Pilchards: Cambodia, by Gordon”
Nong Khai, Thailand
February 2-9, 2026 I was in Thailand for two weeks at the end of my trip to Thailand and Cambodia. I wanted to see the Northeast (Isaan) again, so I planned to visit Nong Khai. The Google Map above gives an approximation of this train route: from Bangkok through Korat (Nakhon Ratchasima), then Khon Kaen,Continue reading “Nong Khai, Thailand”
Koh Rong, Cambodia
January 21-24, 2026 I visited Koh Rong, an island off the coast of Cambodia near Sihanoukville. The Google map above shows the route I took. I arrived in Sihanoukville by train, the daily service from Phnom Penh. I was whisked to the port by taxi, paid the return fare of $US 25 (about $AUD 38,Continue reading “Koh Rong, Cambodia”
Koh Laan, Thailand
December 18, 2025 I went to Koh Laan (above) on a day trip. On that day I caught a sawngthaew (สองแถว) from my hotel near the Runway Market to Bali Hai wharf, then a boat to Tawaen beach on Koh Laan, and then returned the way I came. At the coffeeshop near my hotel, aboutContinue reading “Koh Laan, Thailand”
Train to Pattaya
December 13, 2025 I’m in Thailand. Above is my view from my balcony on the 7th floor of the Krungkasem Srikrung Hotel, around 7am. The Bangkok (Hua Lamphong) railway station is on the extreme left. Another view of the canal, the Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem. According to Wikipedia in order to serve as a new outer moatContinue reading “Train to Pattaya”
Sydney Fish Markets
December 7, 2025 On Sunday, I made a last-minute decision to visit the Sydney Fish Markets, as part of my plan to go to sites very popular with tourists. The itinerary is superimposed over the Google Map above. From Circular Quay, I took the ferry to Pyrmont Bay wharf; caught the light rail to theContinue reading “Sydney Fish Markets”
Bathurst, Australia
November 26, 2025 I’m back in Sydney. My 2-year visa had expired, and the Mandarin Training Center refused to give me another. However, I discovered that I can go back to Taiwan without a visa and study Chinese, though I have to depart in 90 days. I’ll be doing this for, hopefully, some years. ButContinue reading “Bathurst, Australia”
Wandering Richard 