Foreigners get it going on for Chinese New Year

Phillip Charlier from Australia, a researcher for NDI (National Democratic Institute, a think tank).

“I’m going to Taitung with my significant other. I’ll catch up on my reading — “Robot’s Rebellion.” We’ll be feasting on freshly caught seafood every day, and all the traditional Chinese and aboriginal delights of Chinese New Year — fresh, organically grown binlung (betelnut), mijiu (millet wine), pijiu (beer), and every kind of jiu.

“I’ll be joining the crowds on a train down the east coast, one of the most beautiful train rides in the world — open space, no pollution, fresh Pacific breeze. We might try to get down to Kenting for a few days, where it’s warmer.”

Linda Hirschfeld, right, a Marketing Consultant of German-American, Taiwanese and Hakka descent.

“My friend (Dawn Wang) and I are still debating what to do. Last time, we ventured by car down the west coast; this time we want to have a more in-depth look at what the east coast has to offer. We’re thinking of visiting Ilan, Taroko Gorge, ending up in Taitung, maybe even Kenting to visit friends if we make it that far and want to brave the crowds. Or we might end up liking an area and staying longer. We’ll escape the north’s cold weather, and experience local Taiwan wherever we go. Road trip!

We like climbing, and getting ourselves in a challenging situation, where I say something like “Look, there’s a rock-strewn slope! Wonder if we can make it up there in time to catch the bus back?” Whenever we go someplace, we try to visit non-tourist areas and take our dogs; it’s no fun being cooped up on a balcony in Taipei.”

Dan Machanik is a comedian from New York, and called The China Post from Koh Phi Phi, an island in south Thailand.

“I’m doing as little as possible, just chilling out, hanging out on the beach, scuba diving. My Taiwanese girlfriend will be with me and we’ll be hiding from her parents. I think just being away from Taiwan is kind of exciting — Do you blame me? What is there to miss about it — the shrinking market and rainy, cold weather? More and more, my business (part owner of major food supplier) is in China, at our Beijing office. So for me, Taiwan’s a luxury.

I’m always looking forward to the New Year; no comment on the Year of the Rat particularly.

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