Bringing a musical instrument to Taiwan/practice rooms

[bluepoppy]

Hi,

I might (possibly) be going to live in Taiwan at some point this year. Whenever I've been abroad before, I've always had to leave my cello behind, but this time I might stay for a very long time and I really need to bring it with me.

Has anyone else brought a cello/similar instrument over with them?

So far suggestions include: booking a seat for it on the plane (teacher's idea), shipping it, getting the trans-siberian express train to Beijing then paying the excess on a HK-TW flight, just paying the excess on the London-TW flight, not bringing it and buying a new one in Taiwan...

Can anyone comment on what would be the best way?

Things I am worried about are: humidity effect on instrument, hard case vs flight case and insurance.

Also I would be living in an appartment, so does anyone know of any practice rooms in Taipei? Or have any other good suggestions about places to practice?

Thanks