News | Meet the RC | Our People, Our Language | Congress Programme | Post Tour | Mandarin 101
We have received several emails of encouragement, suggestions and questions from some of the readers of the newsletter in the last month, and we would just like
to thank everyone for the great feedbacks! Please feel free to write to us or just simply post a message on the guestbook on www.ipsf2007.org!
Just a quick reminder, the date of the congress starts from August 6th (Day 0 ) till the 16th (Day 10) . On the last issue we announced August 7-16, but we forgot to count Day0 into
the schedule. Please accept our apology and keep the new date in mind! Remember, the congress starts from August 6th !!!
The organizing of the congress has basically become a part-time job in each RC member.
We are all still in 2nd or 3rd year of university, so it’s quite difficult for us to keep balance of both the school work and the congress preparation. However our passion and enthusiasm for IPSF has never decreased,
we hope each of you can feel our sincerity and be as excited as we are!
Be ready to send out your early application form starting from January 1st, 2007!
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CHAIRPERSON OF THE RECEPTION COMMITTEE
 Greetings IPSFers!
Warm wishes to pharmacy friends from all over the world! My name is Yu-Wen Angela Chang, and
I serve this year as the Chairperson of the Reception Committee 2007. I’m 20 years old,
lived in several countries but I have been lucky enough to have spent most of my life
in Tainan, the oldest city in Taiwan. Currently I’m in my 3rd year study in National
Taiwan University in Taipei. Over the past two years I’ve been involved in many activities
in PSA-Taiwan (Pharmaceutical Students’ Association Taiwan), and have been involved in IPSF
since my first IPSF congress in Bonn. The spirit of IPSF was contagious and gave me the
motivation of promoting IPSF in my own country. Now I am very excited and honored to have
the privileged opportunity to channel my enthusiasm to bring IPSF congress to Taiwan.
As RC Chairperson, I am confident that our team will do a good job in organizing a
congress that will highlight your IPSF memory. For any questions or suggestions concerning the 53rd IPSF congress, please feel free to visit our website, www.ipsf2007.org or to contact me directly at superfishbal@gmail.com. The RC team is really pleased that many people have shown interest in our congress. See you in Taiwan next summer!
Yu-Wen Angela Chang
Chairperson of the Reception Committee 2007
superfishbal@gmail.com
+886-966093242/ +886-917780560
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The friendly people of Taiwan
Taiwan has a population of 22 million. The larger part of the island's inhabitants are the descendants of immigrants from the various provinces of mainland China, but in particular from the southeastern coastal provinces of Fujian and Guangdong. Because the different ethnic groups have fairly well integrated, differences that originally existed between people from different provinces have gradually disappeared.
Some 360,000 indigenous people, the original inhabitants of Taiwan, still live here; they can be distinguished into 12 different tribes, namely the Saisiyat, the Atayal, the Amis, the Bunun, the Puyuma, the Rukai, the Paiwan, the Tao, the Sao,the Taroko,the Kemalan and the Zou.
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The official language of Taiwan is Mandarin Chinese (Guoyu), but because many Taiwanese are of southern Fujianese descent, Min-nan (the Southern Min dialect, or Holo) is
also widely spoken. The smaller groups of Hakka people and aborigines have also preserved their own languages. Many elderly people can also speak some Japanese, as they were subjected to Japanese education before Taiwan was returned to Chinese rule in 1945 after the Japanese occupation which lasted for half a century.
The most popular foreign language in Taiwan is English, which is part of the regular school curriculum. However, to be on the safe side, when taking a taxi in Taiwan it is advisable to prepare a note with your place of destination written in Chinese to show the taxi driver.
Taiwan is also the most ideal place to learn Chinese. There are numerous language schools that offer Chinese classes, ranging from hourly-based classes to recognized university programs. Many foreigners from Europe and the United States, as well as other areas, come to Taiwan to spend their holidays, or one or two years, studying Chinese.
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| In this issue we would like to highlight a few social and entertainment programs we have planned for you for each night of the Congress week. After attending symposiums and conferences all day, we hope these events can provide you with a change of pace and a great way to relax.
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| Red Festival |
| In Taiwanese culture, the color red symbolizes happiness, auspiciousness, and good fortune. It is prominently used in celebrations and during holidays and considered to be a lucky color. We have put together a “Red Festival” to not only introduce you to our customs and traditions, but to create a festive mood and celebrate the annual gathering of our friends from all over the world.
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| Taiwan Night |
| On Taiwan night, you will have the chance to play some traditional Taiwanese games, learn about fascinating Taiwanese customs, or even join us for some Taiwanese aborigine dances. This night will hopefully give you more insight into our culture while discovering how they are different or similar to cultures from various parts of the world.
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| “Hallo-gui” |
| We have also planned a unique event, which we have coined “Hallo-guei”. Odd name—we know—but let us explain. The month of August is, coincidentally, referred to by the Taiwanese people as the “ghost month”. It is the seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar, and on the first day of the month, the gates to the underworld are opened to allow spirits and ghosts to enter the world of the living. This concept is very similar to the western observance of Halloween, but we have a very different way of celebrating this month. “Gui” is Taiwanese for ghost, so we have named this night “Hallo-gui” (HALLOween + gui, and a play on the word “hello”) to welcome our friends from the spiritual world.
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| | We promise great drinks, great music, and great company. Get excited!
| LOCATION |
 Where is Kenting？Kenting is situated
at the southern tip of Taiwan. It is
home to Kenting National Park, the
only national park in Taiwan with both
land and coastal zones, and.is the
oldest and southernmost national park
on the island, The park is famous for
its dynamic coastline and vibrant
marine life, and many people travel
from all over the world to enjoy the
beautiful beaches, sunny weather,
and the magnificent landscape.
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| WEATHER |
 Southern Taiwan is located in a tropical monsoon climate, and enjoys sunshine throughout the year. Kenting is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, and warm winds blow in from the Philippine Sea to the white sandy beaches dispersed along the coast. The landscape is often dotted with palm trees, banana trees, sugar canes, and rice paddies. Since the
temperature on the island remains constantly warm even through the winter months, the area is great for swimming and diving all year around.
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| PLACES OF INTEREST |
| Kenting National Park is rich in diverse natural resources and cultures, even pre-historic reserves. The park covers 180 square kilometers of land and over 150 square kilometers of sea, and the area offers a long, diversified coastline with variety of topographical landscapes. Few of the most notable sights in Kenting National Park are:
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| Kenting Forest Recreation Area |
 The recreation area covers 435 hectares, 76 of which are open to the public. Over 1,200 species of plants can be found in the reserve. The plants are arranged according to type, divided into areas for medicinal plants, tropical fruits, rubber trees, and many others. 17 scenic points are stringed together as a trail, offering visitors a chance to visit everything from the Valley of the Hanging Banyans that features overgrown aerial roots that form a unique scenery, to a 27-meter observation tower gives the visitors a spectacular view of the nearby Orchid Islands and a panoramic view of the ocean.
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| Sheh-ding Nature Park |
 Uphill from the Kenting Forest Recreation Area is Sheh-ding Nature Park. This park provides visitors with an opportunity to see flora and fauna in their natural state (in contrast to the Kenting Forest Recreation Area, in which the display is much more formalized). The front section of the park contains a number of walkways and birdwatching pavilions,which provide an ideal location for watching some of the larger birds that stop over in Kenting on their migrations. Further to the south, the park has been left largely undeveloped, giving visitors with enough time and energy the chance to explore the lush forests of Kenting in their unspoiled state.
--Adapted from Taiwan Tourism Bureau
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| Maobitou |
 “Mao-bi-tou” literally means “cat nose rock”, and it is one of the two southernmost tips of Taiwan that points out into the sea. The name is derived from the shape of the coral rock that resembles a cat squatting on the sea. Coral reefs grow along the beach into a formation called fringing reefs that are constantly eroded by waves to form a unique landscape rarely seen in other parts of the world. From the pavilion on the rock, you can see the entire length of the Kenting’s southern shoreline and the hills that rise above it.
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| Longluan Lake |
 Longluan lake is the largest natural freshwater lake in Taiwan. It was historically used as a reservoir for agricultural irrigation, but now it has become a nature preserve and a paradise for migratory water birds. Over 180 species of birds pass through the area each year. There are walking trails for bird watching, and Longluan Lake Nature Center serves to educate its visitors about the area’s natural environment and ecological resources.
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| Shadao |
 Shadao Beach (or “Sand Island Beach”) is situated on the Henchuen Peninsula. It is the only beach in Taiwan that has shells, and although beaten and battered by the waves, the broken pieces of coral and shells make up 98% of the sand, which causes the sand to sparkle like crystals. Many jewelry makers came to shadao to exploit the shells and sell them to places like Japan and Hawaii. As a result, Shadao Beach was turned into a reserve and no longer permits shell collections. There is a museum next to the beach that displays the numerous kinds of shells that lay beneath their feet.
-- Adapted from Taiwan Travel Network
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| Eluanbi Park |
 Eluanbi is the one of the two southernmost tips of Taiwan along with Maobitou. The name is derived from Goran, meaning "Sailboat" in a local aboriginal language. The Eluanbi Lighthouse on the park was built during the Qing Dynasty in 1888 to prevent many accidents that occurred in the area due to the shallow waters and hidden reefs. The lighthouse is the only armed lighthouse in the world with gun holes in the wall and a trench around the perimeter, and this was used to protect against frequent raids by the local aboriginal tribes. The lighthouse, although still function, now serves as a historical monument and is famous for the beautiful views of the shoreline and surrounding tropical forests.
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| ACTIVITIES |
 Kenting, renouned for its unique landscapes, abundant natural resources, and vibrant flora and fauna, attracts millions of tourists domestically and internationally each year. One of the biggest attractions is the dazzling sunshine, the clear blue ocean, and the white sandy beaches that can be enjoyed all year round. Popular activities range from frolicking in the water and snorkeling to surfing, sailing, and SCUBA diving. There are many rental shops as well as professionally trained coaches who can help you get started. For those who would rather stay dry, there are many glass bottom boats from which you can peek into the vibrant life in the underwater world. When you are in Kenting, be sure to try out a banana boat ride, one of Taiwan’s favorite water activities. Riders sit on a large inflatable tube in a shape of a banana that is pulled by a jet ski. Often the jet ski will speed up very quickly, then come to a sudden stop or a sharp turn, thereby throwing the riders off into the water. Try and stay on if you can!
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For further information, please go to www.ipsf2007.org
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