Photo Gallery | Taipei

It seemed as though every vertical surface in Taipei has a sign on it. When they run out of vertical space, they scale the building and using bamboo for supports they create inexpensive billboards that nature will remove with the next summer typhoon. Note that half of the sign is in English and half in Chinese -just enough to confuse the entire market.

We came across this little boy trying out a new scooter in the CKS Memorial Plaza.

A truly spectacular building on the CKS Memorial, this roof abutment is atop the National Theater building.

A boy climbs on the base of the enormous entrance way to the CKS Memorial.

Lin was nice enough to break us in slowly on night markets in Taipei, which number over 30 throughout the city. Relatively sanitary the first couple of nights, we ended the trip witnessing things too disturbing to mention here.

A typical night market station is shown here, this one specializing in seafood. As you can see, no part of any animal is wasted.

An oil tank farm model is shown here with a fully functional port in the background. This picture (and several here) were taken at "Minerature World," a theme park about an hour of central Taipei City, displays over 100 small-scale models of world landmarks. The oil tanks in this picture are about the size of a basketball.

We stopped for this "magic" show at Minerature World. It was hard to tell who was more bored, the audience or performers on stage. I think Lin got a mini-thrill out of watching the cute hunk of a teenager hang upside down wearing an Egyptial skirt.

An indoor merry-go-round we came across at an amusement park in Taipei.

And being a very good sport when it came to helping me pack around camera equipment.

Lin at a mature moment racing Josh on animal go-karts at an amusement park in Taipei. And she calls me the child.

One of the most impressive models at Minerature World, this picture show part of the Forbidden City complex in China.

Another one of several night markets we visited.

We noticed that all shoe stores wrapped thier sneakers. Presumably this was to product their product from the harsh environment and pollution.

This home and chicken coop was less than 10 feet from the Westin Hotel - a five-star property in the heart of the city. There seemed to be no zoning laws or permitting requirements in the city.

Boasting a number of world records including tallest building and fastest elevators, Taipei 101 was incredible in its architecture, cleanliness, and efficiency. At the base is a 7-story shopping mall that is completely western - made us feel like we were on Michigan Street in Chicago. This portion of the city is clean (except the air) and resembles a modern American city core.

Bill Clinton is very popular in Taiwan and was making his second trip to Taipei to promote is book. Before you liberals get too warm and fuzzy, they love every American president here, including GW. When it comes right down to it, they flat out love Americans in Taiwan and go out of their way to be warm and gracious.

Taken from the 89th floor observation deck atop Taipei 101 Center. These massive 'ornaments' act as wind dampers to protect the building during typhoons. In the background is a small area of Taipei City.

We were able to visit the "big ball" but there was not enough light to photgraph it. Converting NT$ to US$, the ball cost roughly $4 million to construct.

This ferris wheel is over 45-stories in height and is visible from many parts of Taipei City. The wheel never stops; passengers must embark and debark with the wheel in motion. Another one of the amazing engineering efforts we witnessed throughout the city.

A more detailed view of the big ferris wheel, attached to a shopping mall in Taipei City.

A typical night market station, this one featuring fruit. In the foreground are tomoatos which are eaten purely as a fruit in Taiwan. If you order fruit salad, it will be cocked full of cherry tomatos.

There is a 7-11 about every 50 feet and a Starbucks about every other block. While the Starbucks was just like what you will find in America, the 7-11s are dramatically different and can sell you a duck head but they have no concept of a slurpee.

A three-story arcade in one of the night markets which had nothing but a bunch of photo booths. As we left this establishment, I began to wonder what else was going on in all these booths.

This knock-off of the Statue of Liberty was found at Warner Center and we saw a number of Liberty replicas during our stay. Taiwan citizens are compeltely committed to democracy and liberty.

Another picture of Taipei 101 Center after the smog had returned.

Josh was a good sport about helping me keep track of cameras and lenses. We were waiting here for a cup of Starbucks at Warner Center.

Taiwan's capitol building which is heavily guarded on all sides. The building also serves as the residence of the President.

A block from the capitol I stopped to say hello to this pig. After all, when is the last time you past a pig in your city? After a nice hello, the damned thing bit me on the leg. Note to visitors: beware of arnry pigs.

Somewhat modest from the street (relative to some of the other temples we visited), this temple in central Taipei City was impressive and rich in culture upon entry. Temples seemed to be the largest single-dwelling buildings on the island.

The rail system in Taipei runs both above ground and below ground. It would compare with rapid transit in New York except it is very clean, very cool, and very fast. You can make it from one side of Taipei to the other in 15 minutes and you will most likely thank your God for the air conditioning.

A night market vendor station featuring a variety of incense.

Joshua in front of the CKS Memorial. The plaza is nearly a mile long and the memorial about 5 times the size of Lincoln's Memorial in DC. The entire grounds are absolutely awe inspiring - they truly revere this man.