It’s that time of the year again when I have to pack my bags and tech gear to cover a Major International Tech event only held in Asia – COMPUTEX 2026. This is my 10th year attending the event and I couldn’t wait to go back to Taiwan.
Maya Black’s Role During the Whole Trip
After clearing Immigration and retrieving our luggage, my friend and colleague went to the ATM to withdraw Taiwan currency. That got me thinking. Should I withdraw too, or use my Maya Black Credit Card? I already know Taiwan is a tech country so they should be able to accept Google’s Tap-to-Pay from my Android phone, so why not try it? I was aware that I only have NT$200 on my wallet, but what the heck?
Before riding the train, we went first to a Telco Store in the Airport to buy a Taiwan SIM Card for my Unlimited 4G data. I brought out my Android smartphone and asked if they accept Google Pay. The saleslady said yes, then I paid with my Maya Black Credit Card through Google Pay by tapping my phone on their POS terminal. They inserted my SIM card on my spare Android Phone then went to the train station.
This was my first time paying for a train ticket with Google Pay but I couldn’t figure out where to make the transaction. We were in a hurry, so I had no choice but to use my NT$200 and I paid $160. I was left with NT$40 in my pocket. I inserted my token when I learned that I could use Google Pay by tapping my phone at the contactless, purple-banded fare gates. Lesson learned.
Around 40 minutes later we arrived at the Taipei Main Station, the largest railway and transit station in Taiwan. Since we booked the same hotel last year, we already knew our route by passing through the underground mall and used the elevator to go up in front of Shin Kong Mitsukoshi. Our hotel is just right beside it and we were able to check in.
We went back to Mitsukoshi to have dinner in the basement. We found a stall selling steak, noodles and eggs. I pulled out my phone, opened Google Wallet with my Maya Black Card ready to be charged. Did my “tap-to-pay” thing with my phone and waited for our number to be called. Dinner was so sumptuous and I was so glad I ordered steak that evening.
Before we went up, we dropped by at the Family Mart on the ground floor to buy water. Here’s when I became worried. I saw their POS terminals and they were quite ancient. I was pretty sure my Maya Black Card would not work with Google Pay with their old terminal. I asked the cashier if I could use my phone’s tap-to-pay feature, and he showed me the same terminal. After a few seconds of hesitation, I tried it and I was so surprised it worked! Google Pay works with the old POS terminals in Taipei. Ah, another reason added on why I have been in love with Taiwan for the past 10 years!
Day 2 started with breakfast at McDonald’s in front of Mitsukoshi. I couldn’t wait to try out their Grand Breakfast again after waiting for a year. I ordered through their kiosk and tapped my smartphone through Maya Black and Google Pay. My Grand Breakfast consists of three hotcakes, scrambled eggs, ham, and four pieces of chicken nuggets! And because it’s breakfast, it’s mandatory for me to order McDonald’s hashbrowns. My favorite!
We rested afterwards since we had free time until our event in the late afternoon. Around 3 PM we took an Uber for our first destination, Wotancraft, a boutique Taiwanese handcrafted leather workshop, to buy a camera bag for my friend’s Leica. They also carry leather sling bags, backpacks and watch straps. This place is a trap for me because their products are impressively made.
The camera bag was presented to me and I went on to purchase it with my Maya Black via Google Tap-to-Pay. My friend sent me his payment to my Maya account and immediately paid it to my Maya Black Credit Card so I could increase my available credit balance.
We walked to Syntrend which is a haven for gadgeteers like me. For me, every visit makes me feel like a kid in a building filled with toys. Our first event was going to be held there, which is still an hour away. I went to a gaming brand’s store to look around and unexpectedly found something to buy. Oops. I’ve been feeling cold since the day before and I forgot to bring my jacket for the trip. I found a sweatshirt which is lightweight and can keep me warm at the same time. It doesn’t look loud for a gaming brand which made me buy it.
Again, I tapped my phone and the purchase was charged to my Maya Black Card. Funny thing is, it was the same amount I paid earlier to increase my credit balance. The event was about to start so we went ahead and partied until the evening.
ALSO READ: Afternoon Date with my Daughter: Everything Paid With Google Pay and Maya Black
On Day 3, I skipped breakfast and went to the Taipei Main MRT Station. Walked through the underground mall until I reached the fare gates. I tapped my phone several times on the gate but it didn’t work. I approached the Station Counter and I was told that cashless transactions are handled by them. Bummer, but it’s not a big deal. I used the Tap-to-Pay feature again with my Maya Black card and I received my token. I tapped the token in the gate and rode the train all the way to Nangang Exhibition Center Station.
It felt so good to be back in Nangang but I immediately went up to the Media Center to set up my gear. I already knew there would be plenty of media peeps in the exhibition area, so I decided to work on some articles first until lunch time. What I liked about COMPUTEX is that they take care of members of the media around the world. They always have food and drinks available and they also served us lunch, for FREE. Because of this, I didn’t have to go to the 7-11 downstairs (the queue is always long) or to any other establishments because it was surely going to be crowded.
After a day spent in COMPUTEX, my colleague and I went to the MRT station to pay for the train fare with my phone powered by Maya Black and Google Pay’s Tap-to-Pay. I already know the drill: tell the counter about my destination then tap-to-pay with Maya Black. For dinner, we went to Mitsukoshi again but wanted a breaded pork chop. Found a stall that sold my cravings and paid with my Maya Black card and Google Pay’s Tap-to-Pay feature, then savored my dinner.
We wanted to work before going to the hotel. Thankfully, there’s a nearby Starbucks in another corner. Ordered brewed coffee for the day and used “Tap-to-Pay” with my Maya Black stored on my Google Wallet. We worked until the store closed around 10:30pm.
The morning of Day 4 was the same as Day 3. Walked my usual route, paid my train fare with my Maya Black and Google Pay then was on my way to Nangang. It was a very busy day and I hit the exhibition floor after leaving my bag in the Media room. I went back there to eat the free lunch they were serving that day and I covered my assignments for the rest of the afternoon. And I went back again to Nangang Exhibition Center MRT station to buy my ticket, and paid again via “Tap-to-Pay” with Maya Black.
I wanted to have dinner at a Japan-based restaurant where I’ve eaten already last year. My colleague’s dinner that time was a big hamburger steak which I was craving for the past few nights. Ordering here is by QR, and my order was delivered in just a few minutes. I was disappointed by the size of the hamburger steak because it wasn’t as big as before. I ate it anyway. Went to the cashier and said GPay, then used my phone to pay with Maya Black through Tap-to-Pay.
I was late on Day 5 but it was okay because I already planned out my coverage schedule. Paid the fare with Maya Black, covered a brand’s booth exhibit where I found a good ol’ friend of mine in my previous work. We went out and he treated me for a lunch of ramen then went to his booth and I was astonished how their chipsets helped major telecommunication networks and OEMs around the world.
We finished a bit early then took the MRT (of course paid with Maya Black and Google Pay) back to the hotel to freshen up. We took the MRT again to Ximen and had dinner hosted by a brand partner, then had milk tea with a PR friend in their hotel.
Day 6 was our last day. We checked out at 12 NN and I hadn’t had breakfast yet. I saw a chicken fast-food store in front of the hotel and ordered a spicy chicken sandwich with pimiento and drink. I paid at the kiosk easily with my Maya Black by tapping my phone, ate my lunch then went to Ximending to buy gifts for my daughters.
Walking to Ximending wasn’t that far from my hotel. I learned about the distance the night before when I walked all the way to our area. I called my daughters and asked them what they wanted for pasalubong. My eldest, who was graduating from high school that day, requested for a hoodie. My youngest said she needed a new pair of Birkenstocks before she went back to Sydney. I bought both of them each in different stores with the quick and painless tap-to-pay method of Maya Black and Google Pay. I rushed back to the hotel to meet with my colleague and take a train to the airport.
Learning from my train experience from the airport last Sunday, I opened my phone’s Google Wallet and tapped my phone on the fare gate. The barrier opened and I entered on the way to our train, knowing my train fare was already charged to my Maya Black card.
We arrived at the airport and checked-in our baggage. My colleague went ahead to check out the Gundam Store while I went down to have my 2nd and last McDonald’s meal. I ordered a Spicy Classic Angus Beef Burger with Curly Fries and a Large Coke, the same meal I had at Taipei 101 last year before going to the airport. Back then I didn’t like the fries so I wanted to try it again and find out if it still tastes the same.
For the last time in Taipei, I used my phone to “tap-to-pay” my meal charged to my Maya Black card. The Angus Burger was okay like before but I didn’t complain about the Curly Fries this time. I still like the Twister Fries in the Philippines.
We arrived in Manila safely late in the evening. In all honesty, I only spent $NT200 in cash: NT$160 from the Airport to Taipei Main Station, 20 from Taipei Main Station to Ximen on Day 5, and the last $20 from Ximen to Taipei Main Station before going to the airport on Day 6. I didn’t withdraw Taiwan dollars and only made payments using my Maya Black Credit Card with Google Pay’s Tap-To-Pay feature.
With all the spendings I had during my trip plus what I will be spending for the next few months, I will be able to accumulate more points for my Maya Miles. Hopefully, I’ll be able to earn enough points to convert them into free flights or other travel and lifestyle rewards.. And speaking of my next trip, I also hope I’ll be able to relax in an airport lounge – another privilege of being a Maya Black cardholder.
I somehow was able to prove that I can survive on a trip abroad by going cashless with Maya Black and Google Pay!
