A brief visit to the Grand Hotel on the way to dinner afforded this interior shot of the lobby. No need for red lights on the Christmas tree when that is the primary color to be found in the hotel.

The Gate of Great Centrality and Perfect Uprightness is the main entrance to the park.  I regret now not having photographed it from the other side, looking back on the illuminated park.

Another view of the National Concert Hall after the sun has set.

Without a flash I could not expose for both the magnificent caisson and the statue, so I opted for the former. Inscribed on the wall above and behind the seated figure of Chiang Kai-shek are the Chinese characters for Ethics, Democracy, and Science.

The memorial to the former President of the Republic of China is octagonal in shape. The number 8 is traditionally associated in Asia with abundance and good fortune.

Pictured here in the National Concert Hall located in the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Park.

It is hard to photograph the tallest building in the world from the ground. Here is my best effort. This is Taipei 101, named for the number of floors above ground. It was recently overtaken in height by the Burj Dubai in the United Arab Emirates upon completion of the Burj’s 141st floor. Taipei 101 retains the title of “world’s tallest building”, however, as international architectural standards define a “building” as a completed structure capable of being occupied. Completion of the Burj has been stalled by the economic downturn.

My first day of meetings were fruitful. We are here visiting our manufacturing partners to learn about their design capabilities. We wrap things up by late afternoon and I get a chance to do some photography before meeting again for an extended dinner. This is my favorite photo from the day. You must click on it for a full res view to appreciate all the patterns.

Not being the least bit sleepy given the time difference, I decided to go for what turned into a one hour walk in the middle of the night. Not much of interest happening at this time but I did happen upon this interesting tree illuminated by a sodium street lamp.

At each of the last two airports along the way I meet up with several Sonos colleagues and by the time we reach our first hotel there are four of us. The journey that started pre-dawn on Monday in Boston ends here on Tuesday evening.

This morning, I began a 9-day business trip to Asia. I flew from Boston to Chicago (pictured here on approach), Chicago to Tokyo, and Tokyo to Taipei. Total travel time with layovers and car service was more than 24 hours. Combine that with a 15-hour time difference (almost a perfect day for night swap), and you get one very tired camper.