JP/15/VOLKER

JP/15/VOLKER

If you go

Where: The Pinglin Tea Industry Museum is located at 19-1 Songchi
Keng, Shuiteh Village, Pinglin Township, Taipei County (about 40-
kilometers southeast of the capital). The museum runs a shuttle
bus service to and from central Taipei. Opening hours are 9am to
5pm, Tuesday to Sunday. For more information phone the museum on
8862-2665 6035.

Getting there: Malaysia Airlines has regular return flights from
Jakarta to Taipei. Phone the airline's Jakarta office on 21-522
9701 or visit www.malaysiaairlines.com.my for details.

When to go: Taiwan is fairly comfortable year-round, but you may
want to avoid Chinese New Year (usually around February) when
hotel prices double, transport is booked out and shops and
restaurants close for days.

Lodging: Budget travelers should try the Taipei Hostel (6th
Floor, Lane 5, Lin Shen North Rd, Taipei, phone 8862-2395 2950,
fax 8862-2395 2951, email bookings@taipeihostel.com,
www.TaipeiHostel.com) where clean, simple rooms
start at US$7 (Rp 61,875) a night. A more upmarket option is the
centrally located Cosmos Hotel (43 Chung Hsiao
West Rd, Section 1, Taipei, phone 8862-2361 7856, fax 8862-2311
8921) where three-star rooms start at US$81 (Rp 715,310) a night.

Currency: One New Taiwan dollar (NT$) is equal to Rp 254.

Reading: Lonely Planet Taiwan takes a definitive look at the
island nation. For Taiwan travel tips in cyberspace visit
www.roc-taiwan.org,
www.taiwanfun.com and www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations