Last Sunday we climbed the tallest building in the world. Taipei 101, for a charity event organised by the Canadian Society here. It was hot work in a stairwell without aircon but it was a fun day.

35 minutes and1899 steps later and we were there. It was fun at the top. A live band, food, drinks and an amazing view of Taipei.

 A week to two ago saw a little journey out of the city to the Lin Family Gardens. A well known historical mansion surrounded by beautiful gardens and ponds bursting with carp. Mmmmmmmm - carp.

 

There were big ponds, bridges and big stone walls everywhere.
 

 Li's first orchid certainly brightened up our room.

This past week, we have played host to Molly and Greg, Li's parents. It has been lots of fun being a tourist again, this time another visit to Chang Kai Shek Memorial Hall followed by an awesome meal at Din Tai Fung - Taiwan's most famous dumpling restaurant.

On Wednesday we battled the humidity and the heat and trekked up the Jingmei Trail. There are lots of hiking trails all over Taipei that are conveniently located within minutes from MRT stations.

A section of the very ornate roof of the Jingmai Temple. This is typical of the temple decorations here.

Some of Li's little angels.

Got no arse? Hips just a distant memory? Heres the solution!!! Join the millions (and millions) of satisfied Taiwanese men and get yourself into a pair of High Pants. Pockets are conveniently located under your armpits and your belt also doubles as man boob support. (Manssiere, Bro)

Last Sunday saw a pleasant journey to Taipei Zoo.......

Observing animals in their habitat without distubing them requres skillful camouflage.

We think the sign says it all.....Sign design by "Turd Baby Signs". (See Jan 31st post)

Looking for some hot turtle action? Taipei Zoo is the place for you. A menage a turtle no less!!!! Good to see they are all wearing protection.

Well, at least he wasn't flinging poo.......

When you say you are just going to have "a couple of beers" in Taiwan it's still gonna be a big night!

Now thats a whoop ass can of beer. As opposed to a big can o' whoop ass which is illegal in Taiwan. 940mls of fun for less than AU$3. Thats value in any city.

Thanks to the clever folks at Google, we have Google Earth. A patchwork quilt, if you will, of many satellite pictures all conveniently sewn together into an easy to use program. Get it at http://earth.google.com/ . Anyway, here's that island of Taiwan. It's smaller than Tasmania and has 22.5 million people on it. And check out the amount of green there is. Thats all mountains. That makes the bits where people live very crowded!