Page 28 - 20-21年度總監月報十月號電子書

特別報導

We finally arrived in Taiwan and were shown to a quaran-
VI S I T TO tine taxi at the airport, where our luggage was sprayed and

then we were sprayed before being taken to the hotel. We
TAIWAN were greeted there by staff in protective gowns, masks,

visors etc. and told what room to go to. That was it for
14days in our junior suite! We were fed three meals a day,
which were delivered to a polystyrene box outside our door,
followed by a phone call to tell us they were there. The
food was very good, but the hospitality we were to experi-

ence during our stay was outstanding. We were delivered
mysterious food parcels, giving us an introduction to Taiwan
delicacies, not to mention the wine. That was all courtesy
of the Fleet Commodore, Paul. The 14 days passed surpris-
by IYFR IC Robert Burns ingly quickly and many of the games etc. we had brought to

help us pass the time were not required. The room was very
y first trip to Taiwan, to start to plan events for IYFR good and the staff were friendly and efficient. We were
Mduring the RI Convention, in 2021 was in April 2019 contacted daily by the Central Epidemic Command Centre
and although I knew nobody in Taiwan then and IYFR and sometimes by the Police to check that we were free
had no presence here, my wife, Ann, and I managed to get from COVID symptoms. There was no escape!
around and start to formulate some ideas. Our plan was to On release, Paul kindly collected us and took us to the Sher-
return in March/April this year to develop our ideas, but wood Hotel, where we were to stay for the rest of our time
unfortunately COVID-19 put an end to such travel. I was in Taiwan. Again, we found the staff very pleasant and
then informed early in the year that a new IYFR fleet had helpful. The General Manager, Rotarian Achim Hake, wel-
been formed in Taiwan and required to be chartered in April. comed us with a bottle of wine and upgraded our room to a
This was really exciting news, as this would not only be a junior suite. The first evening we were entertained to a meal
new fleet, but a new country to IYFR. of typical Taiwanese food, which FC Paul had arranged and
Unfortunately, the pandemic meant this was postponed but we met PRIP Gary Huang, Jackson Hsieh, the Chair of the
was finally planned for October. Travel was still difficult, Host Organization Committee and many members of the
but it was now possible to come to Taiwan, although it re- fleet. Everyone welcomed us and presented us with many
quired a business visa, a negative COVID-19 test and 14 lovely gifts. The next day we were taken to the National
days quarantine on arrival. We obtained an invitation to Museum to see some of its treasures, before attending our
come to Taiwan for the Fleet Charter, necessary for our visa, first Rotary Club meeting at the RC of Tien Shin. Again, we
from the Fleet Commodore, Paul Yiu, and we applied to the were made most welcome and educated in the art of yoga!
Taipei Representative in Edinburgh for visas. Our request FRC Joe showed us the Long Shan Temple, explaining to us
was granted, but unfortunately, when the visas arrived our how prayers are made and answered and the way different
photos were almost rubbed off and were unrecognizable. temples with their gods are prayed to for different needs. He
The vias had to be returned and replaced. Our COVID tests then treated us to some fine Taiwan food in a restaurant well
had to be performed in London, as such tests, required for known to him – another wonderful experience.
travelling, cannot be performed in Scotland. At least we The Charter followed on the Friday and what a fun evening
enjoyed a day in London! We finally received our visas two that was! Apart from the Fleet members, there were Gov-
days before we travelled to Taiwan and our COVID test re- ernment Ministers, District Governors and Past District Gov-
sults just 2 hours before we left for the airport. It all gave a ernors in abundance and it was a real pleasure to have PRIP
very stressful start to our trip, but it was to prove well worth Gary Huang present. It was my privilege to make PRIP
the trouble. Gary an Honorary Member of IYFR. The Charter Ceremo-

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