I took my first business trip to Taiwan in January, 2000. Most of the time was spent working (of course), but Albert let me out once and while to view the sites and see what the little island had to offer. He even took the time to be my tour guide. The climate in Taiwan is (usually) warm, humid and rain, rain, rain. This trip anyway. And I was there for two weeks. And there certainly wasn't any heat where we were working.
The first of the good weather was the morning of the day we arrived, as it turned on us during that afternoon. The second of the good weather was the Wednesday night before we were leaving (early Thursday afternoon).

One of the night markets. This was towards midnight, so the crowd had thinned.

Another night market. This is a little earlier in the evening, and still it is not very busy to "night market" standards; we bought lots of tea stuff here. Our arrival was very close to Chinese New Year 2000, the year of the dragon.

Four of us from Netpliance we there at one time, Albert, Maeve, Greg and I, which just so happened to be at the Company's end of year party. Somehow, we were "convinced" that all customers are asked to put together a skit and perform it for the Company. So Albert and Greg put together a US-style rap song, with a little bit of musical help from the Company. Maeve and I were backup, and "sang" their lines at inappopriate times since Albert and Greg would not/could not/ did not follow their own script! Maeve and Albert believe Greg set us up. And I believe them.

Maeve and I after providing entertainment.

Our group for the end of year party.

It looks just like in the movies!

Over the weekend, Albert and I visited the coastal city Keelong, in search of the ever-infamous tea rooms. Alas, not only was it POURING rain, but we also did not know how to ask where these "tea rooms" were. This (five star!!!) restaurant was the closest we got.

Albert, Aking and I in front of the red envelope tree of the Grand Hyatt. Red envelopes are used to give money at the Chinese New Year, and the amount given depends on how "good" or "bad" you are. Aking was working in Taiwan while visiting his family for six weeks. And the first time we had seen his hair short for a really long time - yeeeeeears. Okay, maybe one year. Aking has since moved back home to Taiwan.