Taipei Morning Stroll, with Turtle and Lion

Businesses and shops line Taipei's major thoroughfares and side streets, but...

...parks abound, filled with trees, shade, flowers, ponds, and active people: tai chi, tango, zumba and more.

This lovely pond is tucked away by the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall

A beautiful 'tray' of lotus plants seems to float on the water

Despite the faraway feeling, Taipei's metropolitan features are just a short stroll away from here

Look closely --- it's a quite yet lively place.

No children playing in the morning's heat, but at dusk, this place will draw many delighted children and families

I love these power-boxes, sometimes fenced in...

And sometimes right out on the sidewalk…

Motorcycles make sense in city traffic; this building is just a few yards away from three massive Japanese-style department stores, with great food courts in the basement of each one.

Guardian lion mother plays with her cub while keeping an eye on beautiful Taipei.