I want to wish all my friends in China and Taiwan a great holiday.  Yes, February 7 is the Lunar New Year - commonly known as the “Chinese New Year”.

Over the last twelve years I’ve had the opportunity to travel to China and Taiwan quite often.  During this time I’ve made some wonderful friends and shared some great times with them.  I have learned much about them, their country, their culture, and along the way a lot about myself too.  What has impressed me the most is how friendly and loving they are.

So, I’d like to celebrate by displaying some photographs taken during my most recent trips there in 2006 and 2007.

Let’s start with Taipei and a photo of Taipei 101 - currently the world’s tallest building.  Just one block away from this marvel of engineering is a sculpture portraying a chess board.   I have spent many weeks in Taipei and have become very familiar with the city, its restaurants, its sights, and its people.  I have made many friends there over the years.

 Let’s next shift across the Taiwan Strait and a bit north to the wonderful city of Shanghai.  This is the Television Tower which is one of the many landmarks in this modern, cosmopolitan, and all so beautiful city.

About two hours drive outside of Shanghai is one of many “water towns” where parts of the city are preserved as it was years ago.  These towns, built around rivers, streams, and lakes, used water as a key mode of transportation.  This photo was taken in the city of Xitang.

Another “water town” is the city of Zhou Zhang which I had the pleasure of visiting on another visit to China.  This particular city will always bring beautiful memories.

This next image was also taken in Zhou Zhuang and it is an opera performer getting ready just before going on stage.

Finally, the Lunar New Year celebration is all about family and…well, food.  Some of the best food I’ve ever had has been in Taipei and Shanghai.  There are so many fine restaurants featuing cuisines from throughout the world.  One of my favorite meals was a dim sum breakfast (brunch actually).  This series of photographs will always bring warmth to my heart.  Here’s one.

So, I’d like to again wish all my friends in China and Taiwan a great holiday and may the Year of the Rat be a good one for them all.