The Taiwan Report

1. SCHEDULE

Nov 13th: Aircraft Dublin-London-Dubai-Hong Kong.

Nov 14th: Landing in Hong Kong Airport was exciting ! Had I not known that this is one of the world's most tricky landing places, I might have thought we were crash-landing in the centre of the city! Coming in, after dark, the aerial view of the city, with its millions of street lights and multi-coloured advertisements, was astonishing. After a 2-hour stop, I got the China Airlines flight to Taipei.

On arrival at Taipei, I heard my name called. What had I done ? No! It was to report to the Airport Authority for VIP treatment! I was whisked through Customs and Immigration before I could say "Jack Robinson".

Dr. Jen-Hsou Lin met me at the Arrivals Hall and he had arranged transport to the city. My first impression of the city was the chaotic traffic. Thousands of motor bikes, cars, trucks, bicycles and pedestrians seemed to converge on intersections. Drivers who stay accident-free in Taipei must be among the best in the world.

Then Dr. Lin pointed to the Grand Hotel. It is a wonderful sight, a huge hotel in magnificent Chinese style, perched on top of a hill and fronted by a beautiful Chinese gate. So this was Taipei! The car swept up to the main door. We entered the lobby. What a sight! It must have been 50 m x 50 m - the most impressive hotel lobby I have seen. The architecture, sculpture and decoration was quite unlike anything in my previous experience.

Nov 15th: A lazy day, spent relaxing with Dr. Lin, his wife and children. We visited Yang Ming Mountain, in beautiful sunshine. The weather was like high summer in Ireland. (I had left Dublin in wet cold November weather).

Nov 16th: Down to business. Discussions with Dr. Lin about his work in the Department of Animal Husbandry, National Taiwan University. Introductions to his colleagues and some of his students. Afternoon with Dr. Chien Chung in the APDepartment, Veterans' General Hospital, Taipei (VGH).

Nov 17th: Attended lectures by Chung at the Chinese AP Research Foundation (CARF) Headquarters, Taipei. The lectures were on his research and clinical effects of needling AhShi points, and on his use of YangLingQuan (GB34) in pain control in acute traumatic injury. These were excellent lectures and were listened to attentively by a group of visiting M.D.'s on a CARF training course. Lunch with Chung. Afternoon in the AP Department, VGH.

Nov 18th: Discussions with Dr. Lin at his laboratory. We attempted our first APanalgesia test in the cow. It was 90% successful (see later). Afternoon in the VGH. Lectures to Dr. Lin's students.

Nov 19th: Opening of the Taipei AP Symposium. Evening Banquet and Kampe!

Nov 20th: Symposium. Banquet and more Kampe!

Nov 21st: Symposium closed at 1700h. Banquet and still more Kampe

Nov 22nd: Trip to China Medical College, Taichung (CMC). Stayed at Lucky Hotel. Banquet and Kampe, Kampe!

Nov 23rd: Veterinary AP Seminar, Taichung Vet School. Another banquet. Kampe, Kampe, Kampe! I'll never survive this!

Nov 24th: Visit AP Department, CMC. Return to Taipei. Farewell to Drs. Ha, Hand, Pomeranz. Stay at YWCA! Dinner at the home of Dr. Lin and his family.

Nov 25th: Pig Research Institute, Chunan. Lecture to Institute staff and local vets. Evening meal with Dr. Lin's co-workers (Chang Chia, Shieh Meei Hwa, Tsou Li Mei, Ms. Wang and Chin Sun).

Nov 26th: Visit Dr. Sun at the Yang Ming Medical School. See Dr. Ha's research facilities there. Afternoon in Chung's Department, VGH.

Nov 27th: Very relaxing day, driving around the Northern coast of Taiwan. Fishing and seafood. Our host was Eddie Tsang. Sulphur baths at Yang Ming Mountain. Final banquet (Mr. Tsang).

Nov 28th: Sad farewell to Jen-Hsou and Li-Fei Lin. Flew Taipei-Singapore-London-Dublin. Composed my poem "Taiwan" on the back of the Qantas menu card, leaving Singapore. This poem is dedicated to Jen-Hsou and Li-Fei Lin as a gesture of thanks for their friendship and hospitality and as a memory of a beautiful land and its people.