Taipei, Nov. 13 (CNA) A Belgian septuagenarian cyclist traveler praised Taiwan's police for helping him repair a flat tire and communicate with his family on a recent blog post written after completing a 21-day cycling trip around Taiwan last month.
A white-haired foreign national wearing a cycle jersey and a prosthetic left leg walked into a police station in Tainan City at about 5 p.m. on Oct. 7, informing the officers in English that he was having trouble reaching his wife in Belgium.
Police officer Hsu Li-hsin allowed the 72-year old man, who identified himself as Michel Cordier, to send an email using her e-mail account, after which he continued his cycling trip around Taiwan.
Cordier arrived at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport on Oct. 1 and cycled around the island, Hsu said.
During the trip, he took photos of breathtaking scenes from around the island and sought police assistance whenever he encountered difficulties, according to Hsu.
Cordier left Taiwan on Oct. 21 and after returning to Belgium, posted an article titled "Taiwanese pedal full of charms" with 50 photos on the French version of André Tignon, a bike blog.
Hsu told a CNA reporter Tuesday that since returning to Belgium, Cordier has continued to communicate with her via e-mail and sent her several of the pictures he took in Taiwan.
She later learned that Cordier is the chairman of a Belgian cycling club, Union Audax Tournai, which has 200 members.
Cordier cycled the 1,440 kilometers around the island in three weeks and said the two things that most impressed him were that the roads are mostly paved and good for cycling; and the police are more friendly than he imagined, according to Hsu.
Cordier apparently enjoyed the round-the-island trip so much he has recommended Taiwan to other cyclist travelers, especially its amazing scenery and the friendliness of the police, according to Hsu.
