Today we had another 8am Port arrival and we didn't have to meet our group until 8:30am in the Ocean Bar. We ate breakfast in the Lido with Dennis & Katie before I went down and exchanged 100US$ for 2810 Taiwan New Dollars from the money changer that had set up shop on board.
We scanned off the ship just after 8:30am in a very industrial port. There were 4 cruise ships in port today including the Celebrity Millenium and our ship definitely drew the short stick as we were docked the furthest away. We had to walk outside the port gate where we were warmly greeted by our guide and driver, Jeff, for the day. It was then about a 45 minute drive to Taipei where we did a highlights tour. It turned out that Yuni, our tour organizer, had used Jeff for another tour in Taiwan back in January.
It started raining as we reached the city and
began our tour. We visited the National Palace, Martyr's Memorial, The Grand Hotel, Confuscious Temple, The Chang Kai Shek Memorial with the changing of the guard ceremony, and the Sun Yat-Sen Square with its views of Taipei 101 which was once the tallest building in the world. During the day we ate a yummy lunch at Formosa Gong for $4 per person, and enjoyed pastries at Riyu Sunny Cake.
On the drive back to the port it began to rain harder and continued to rain throughout our departure into the open seas. The Captain's departure announcement even included the prediction of rough seas as we progress to Naha, Japan. We watched the sailaway from the Crow's Nest before eating a light dinner in the Lido.
Our evening entertainment was first the movie, 'I Tonya' followed by a concert pianist, Naomi Edemariam.
We don't arrive into Naha until about 2pm, so tomorrow will be like a sea day.
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