More from Taipei

I've got a few more pictures from my recent trip to Taiwan to share with you that were taken on my last day on the island:

Statue of the late Chiang Kai-Shek, leader of the Nationalist Chinese and longtime leader of Taiwan (Republic of China)

Exterior of Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial. This was the "pitstop" on an episode of CBS television's "The Amazing Race" in January 2008.

Changing of the Guard at Taiwan's Martyrs' Shrine

Taiwanese Naval Honor Guard at the Martyrs' Shrine

Respectful moment at the Martyrs' Shrine. The Shrine is akin to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arlington National Cemetery near Washington D.C. The memorial remembers the Chinese who fought and died against colonialists, Imperial Japan, and the struggle against the communist Chinese.

Traditional Taoist Temple

The National Palace Museum

The National Palace Museum houses the largest collection of Chinese culture and art in the world. Most of the collection was brought to Taipei from the Forbidden City in Beijing during the struggle between the Nationalist Chinese and the Communist Chinese during the late 1940's.

Taipei 101 and Shi'lin Night Market

Traditional architecture within earshot of my hotel

Street scene, northwest Taipei



Taipei 101, world's tallest building


Outside observation deck, 91st floor, Taipei 101

View from 89th floor of Taipei 101, Grand Hotel upper right



The very chic and modern 6 story Taipei 101 Mall, directly connected to the tower

Your one-stop high-end shopping stop in Taipei. Cartier anyone?

Exterior of 101. Note R.O.C. Nationalist Flag

101

Shi'lin Night Market

Not far from the Grand Hotel, Taipei's largest "night market" takes place. Night markets are traditional Taiwanese shopping bazaars that go on well into the evening and can become quite busy. It is a great place to people watch and enjoy the sights and sounds of bustling Taiwanese night life. I relied on Sunny and Michael to introduce me to local cuisine that I would not have easily tried on my own. Exotic tastes of local fruits, candies, tapioca drinks, and local crab and spring rolls were all on the menu. Instead of going to a sit-down restaurant we spent our time going from stall to stall, snacking along the way and enjoying the shopping opportunities. A great evening out on-the-town!

Green mango and other exotic fruits

Eating an authentic spring roll... not the deep fried small variety available at home

Candies to take home and have with a cup of tea...

A tasty and exotic fruit that unfortunately I don't know the name of...

Ok, I can't mention one of my trips without a reference to motor vehicles:

Maserati/Ferrari stamp on Taipei 101

Caught a Taiwanese MINI Cooper at rest near the Shi'lin Night Market.

Taipei, Taiwan

The Grand Hotel, Taipei, Taiwan

Photo credit: Taiwan Junior

Woke up to the Rose Parade on New Year's Day, caught a bit of the USC rout of Illinois in the Rose Bowl and then it was back off to the airport to catch a a flight to the Ilha Formosa, the "beautiful island" of Taiwan.

I'm in Taipei for a few days to attend the wedding of one of my post-graduate school friends.

I've never been to China before but my first impressions of Taipei are of a clean modern city. The wedding reception was held at the Grand Hotel, a famous Taipei landmark and visually interesting building with a history of intrigue dating back to the years after Taiwan established itself as the Republic of China in the face of communist victory on the mainland. Chiang Kai-Shek, the Nationalist leader of the Republic of China had the Grand Hotel built so that he could entertain dignitaries and foreign guests.

Imposing archway entrance to the Grand Hotel and view of Taipei City with the world's tallest building, Taipei 101, in the distance

The main foyer of the Grand Hotel and the wedding reception hall

My graduate school friend Sunny and her husband Michael during the reception

Taipei skyline with the world's tallest skyscraper, Taipei 101

The wedding reception was very elegant and traditional Chinese and I soaked up the cultural atmosphere. The first few minutes of the meal I felt self-conscious about my ability to use chopsticks properly... I've always been fairly proficient, but somehow I felt that I needed to not make an idiot of myself in front of my Taiwanese hosts. All went well, and I joked with the nice folks around me about feeling a little unnerved... especially when I was asked if I would need a fork and knife!

I'm very happy for my friend Sunny and I wish her and her husband Michael all the best now and in the future.

I have a few more days in Taiwan and I hope to see a bit more of the city including 101 and the National Palace Museum, home of the world's largest selection of Chinese art treasures. The Nationalist Government brought these items from the Forbidden City in Beijing after the Civil War, thus nowhere else in the world can one see such an expansive collection of Chinese art. A dinner with Michael and Sunny is also planned.

I'll try to update the website with photos.