I fell in love with Taipei during my late autumn trip a few months back and fell in love with it all over again this month after a lovely long layover between EVA Air flights.

I arrived in Taipei around 9:00 pm from Bangkok and did not fly out again until 8:00 pm the following evening, giving me almost 24 hours in the Taiwanese capital. With such a late arrival, I booked the Hyatt Regency Taoyuan International Airport, which is very close to the airport via free shuttle or Taipei Mass Rapid Transit (MRT).

My room was nothing special, but I slept well and arose at 6:00 am to have breakfast. The breakfast buffet was excellent and I fueled up for my ambitious joinery into Taipei…for church and coffee.

Checking transport options, there was a bus (the same bus CitiAir Bus 1960, as it turns out, I took a few months earlier) from the airport directly to the city that would drop me off a few blocks from St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral in Taipei, where I would attend church. The English service began at 9:00 am, necessitating the early wake-up and departure.

Arriving at the bus depot at Taipei Airport, I noticed the bus I was planning on taking was not listed on the departure board. I inquired and was informed, “It broke down.”

According to Google Maps, I now had no way of making it to church on time unless I took Uber, but I hopped on the MRT Taoyuan Airport Line (purple line), which provides express service into Taipei. Not only was that a picturesque ride, but it was a very productive one…Wi-Fi and power outlets were available onboard and I had brought my laptop along because I figured the journey back and forth into the city would be lengthy.

Once at Taipei Main Station, I connected on the MRT red line (Tamsui–Xinyi) to Daan and then walked about 12 minutes to church, making it on time.

The church service was nice, but I truly enjoyed the fellowship over coffee after church. I spoke to a young attorney who had just finished her certification; it was such a fascinating conversation that gave me insight into the Taiwanese legal system. She also loved coffee and made two recommendations.

One was a place called Rufous Coffee, which was just a few blocks away, but sadly closed (until noon) and I was not going to wait 90 minutes for it to open.

Although it was raining softly, I spent the next 30 minutes walking toward the other coffee shop she recommended called KITE Coffee. It was totally worth the walk and I enjoyed two delicious cortados.

I then returned to the airport, again via the MRT and this time went one extra stop beyond the airport to “Airport Hotel” station. From there, it was just a few paces to the Hyatt Regency.

After getting some work done in case my flight did not have WI-Fi, I spent a couple hours working out in the hotel gym then using the wellness facilities, including the pool, sauna, and steam room. Next time, I want to return to Taipei city, but this was an ideal hotel for my layover.

Returning to the airport, I parked myself in the EVA Air Lounge and got some more work done ahead of my flight back to the United States.