TAIPEI AIR STATION

 

Club Update  - June 2006

I must begin with this thought. 

Many of you folks who are reading these pages preceded me into Taiwan.   I arrived in 1965.

Things prior to that date were history to me, much of which has not yet been told. 

Consequently, my observations begin in 1965. 

                                   

 

Club 63, the largest club on the island, offered just about everything you could want.  When you think back to the times you were on the island,  most would probably agree, Club 63 was THE PLACE.  While other clubs had their specialties,  Club 63 was outstanding in providing the comfort zone of peace,  relaxation and atmosphere most of us were looking for when we walked through it’s doors.  

I spent many of my off duty hours at the club, eating, watching weekly football films and playing cards on Monday nights, and of course, who could pass up Membership Night, that once a month free buffet dinner and drinks with a floor show thrown in—all for the price of your monthly dues, was it $1.00? 

I sometimes wonder why they charged membership dues.  The slot machines must have poured in large amounts of cash every month.  Anyway, that’s the way it was and we enjoyed it all.

Here are the latest pictures available, things have not really changed that much have they, at least on the outside of the building.  Who can send in more older photographs to add to these pages? 

 

 

Photo is courtesy of Lentz,  taken 1970-1971.

 

 

 

Our old Club 63 is now,  The American Club in China. 

Check out their page.  They continue to provide the services and atmosphere we enjoyed so many years ago at Club 63.   

 

These photos taken May 2006.

 

Extensive remodeling has taken place.

The 2 palm trees in the 1970’s photo above are still standing.

Taipei air quality is still awful.

Haze lingers on the far hill, look to the right on the 70’s photo,  and on the far hill above the building on this 2006 photo.

 

No parking is allowed along the curb on Pei An Road today. 

The old days of parking wherever you choose are gone.

No more blue or red taxi cabs in Taipei.  All you see today are yellow cabs  and many are Toyotas. Very modern and comfortable.  

You’ll remember the constant honking of horns on the streets during your days in Taiwan.

 

Today’s Taipei laws are more strict, you’ll be fined for blowing your horn without need.   The government has enacted a  laundry list of fines for such things as crossing the street on a red light, spiting on the street, throwing trash on the street, and many many more.

I found the streets to be clean.   The traffic to be as dense as before with just as many motor bikes but fewer bicycles.  There are so many motor bikes parked on certain sidewalks that it is impossible for more than one  person to walk .  One bright spot in traffic, folks now seem to obey traffic laws somewhat.  In the 60’s it was chaos driving on the streets!

Much better today….

 

The government has set up cameras everywhere.  If anything goes wrong, chances are a camera caught the problem and the police are on it.

 

Please note the cleanleness and neatness of the area.  This carries through on many of the streets of the city.

There are many beautiful wide and tree covered streets in Taipei today.  A wonderful change and lovely to drive on.

 

Taipei is a modern, clean and exciting city !! 

Unfortunately, the air quality is as bad as ever..

 

 

 Here’s the front entrance door area, now covered, protecting you from Taipei’s many rain filled days.

 I didn’t notice if the old stag bar entrance still exists.

The Grand Hotel towers over this shot. 

Visit the Grand Hotel site on their page.

 The entrance door is located in the general area  it always was.

Notice the covered entrance driveway.