Failure and a Success

After completing the cycling trip around Taiwan I've decided to return home earlier than planned.  My airline ticket allows me to do that at no extra cost.  I had read online before leaving Perth that it was very hard to contact Cathay Pacific by phone.  People were writing they had been on hold for ages and then the phone would never be picked up.  Cathay Pacific had been hit particularly hard by COVID and it didn't surprise me that they may have significantly reduced staff numbers.  I decided to walk to their offices in Taipei and communicate in person.  Kiri then very kindly offered to take me in her car.  She has been extremely helpful and I am very grateful.

When we reached the Cathay Pacific offices there was no one in the foyer.  No reception desk either.  Kiri corralled a staff member who had exited one of the office doors and she pointed to the phone on the wall.  Their capability to do reservations at the office had been removed.  I was back to waiting on hold being told my call was important to them.  Obviously not important enough to answer my call,  Kiri then corralled a second person who showed us how to change the booking online using Kiri's phone.  I couldn't read the Chinese characters.

The earliest available seat from Taipei to Perth via Hong Kong was Christmas Day.  I attempted to alter my departure date and then their website locked up when trying to accept the change. 

Kiri then corralled a third member of staff who took a copy of my original paper reservation along with my email address and amended departure date telling me she would arrange to have the reservation changed and email confirmation to me.  As of now I haven't received an email.

On a more positive note I went to the camera repair shop I had identified online prior to leaving Perth,  The shop is tiny.  It's probably the width of a corridor.

Camera Repair - 60 BoAi Road

A photo of the English text on the sign to the right of the door

  

The shop is so small only one customer can fit inside.  I found myself in a queue.  Moreover the staff appear to attempt to complete repairs whilst the customer waits. 

Eventually it was my turn.  Using Google Translate I attempted to explain I wanted the camera body cleaned and the lens barrel repaired.  The man didn't understand and went to get a young girl who spoke reasonable English.

With the requirement understood the camera was taken to a wizened old man (he was probably my age!) towards the rear of the shop.  The camera was inspected and cleaned before being returned.  The girl explained the technician had examined the lens and whilst the barrel was slightly worn it wasn't affecting the quality of the image and was unnecessary to replace at this time.  I should wait until it gets worse.

 

Slightly blurred image of the interior shop.  Photo taken through a plastic screen.

When attempting to have the work done in Perth I was quoted $90 to inspect the camera to provide a quote for the repair and the cost would be approximately $400.

The cost in Taipei was TWD$100 or A$5,

If you are in Taipei and have a camera that requires cleaning or repair then I can recommend this shop.

Taipei Main Railway Station is located at the right arrow in the map below.  The tiny camera repair shop is in an area locally known as 'Camera Street'

Camera Repair - 60 BoAi Road

Just as I was finishing this post an email arrived from Cathay Pacific.  My earlier departure on Christmas Day has been confirmed.