Quebec is a province of Canada located near the Atlantic coast. About the size of Mongolia, it is 43 times as big as Taiwan. It has vast golden corn fields, endless forested rolling hills, soaring ancient buildings, a seacoast where seals and whales can easily be seen, and 8.4 million Quebecois—its French-speaking people.

        While Quebec has many towns and villages, it has only two major cities: Quebec City and Montreal. Quebec City, the province’s capital, is situated near the mouth of the great Saint Lawrence River. Founded in 1608, it is one of the oldest cities in North America. The defensive stone walls surrounding Old Quebec, which are still there today, are the only fortified city walls remaining in the Americas north of Mexico. Therefore, the Historical District of Old Quebec was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.

       Montreal, while not the capital city, is by far the largest city in Quebec. In fact, with 1.7 million people, it is the second-largest French-speaking city in the world, just after Paris! Montreal was named after Mont Royal, a big hill in the heart of the city. It is a traditional yet cosmopolitan city, whose buildings known for their architecture range from the Notre-Dame Basilica and the Olympic Stadium to the Montreal Casino, and whose nicknames include the City of Saints and the City of Festivals! If you visit, you’ll find the province of Quebec to be a place full of history and style. You will certainly love it—even if you don’t speak any French at all.

       According to the statistics from the Ministry of the Interior, the aging index of Pingtung County in 2021 ranked fifth among the 22 cities and counties in Taiwan. This result shows that the planning of long-term care services for people __26__65 and above is an urgent issue. President Chain Store Corporation ( PCSC ) has been noting the rate of dementia ( 失智症 ) much

       __27__ in the elderly population since 2014. PCSC worked with Pingtung Christian Hospital to launch a public welfare fundraising program called “Dog Therapy for the Elderly.” This program

       __28__with the Professional Animal-Assisted Therapy Association offers dog therapy services for elders with dementia at 7-ELEVEN stores. The therapy dogs are trained to give comfort to elders. It is expected that this program can help__29__the progression of dementia for the elderly. In the meantime, PCSC hopes to enhance public awareness of the prevention and care of dementia.

Nothing is more refreshing than a slice of watermelon on a hot summer day! Research has shown that watermelon has a wide range of health benefits, particularly__30__ blood pressure. In a study conducted at Florida State University in the US, a group of overweight middle-aged participants was given watermelons for six weeks, but__31__watermelon was given for another six weeks. The participants had their blood pressure checked whether they ate watermelon or not. Results showed that watermelon significantly reduced blood pressure in overweight individuals both at rest and under stress.__32__, a similar study was conducted at Reading University in the UK. The researchers’ main goal was to examine the degree to__33__L-citrulline ( 左旋瓜胺酸 ), a natural element found in watermelon, helps to lower blood pressure. Results found that L-citrulline encourages healthy blood pressure by producing nitric oxide, a gas that relaxes blood vessels and supports the flow of bloodstream.

      As your train follows the North Link Railway along the eastern coast of Taiwan, you will see high mountains on one side and blue sea on the other in an enchanting picture of natural wonder. Along the way you will enjoy viewing the changes of nature's handiwork. After the train rolls onto the Lanyang Plain, your eyes will be filled with bright green rice paddy and, in the distance, the Turtle Island, majestic mountains and deep blue waters.

      Besides scenic spots, you can also enjoy a vast range of tribal attractions in the Hualien and Taitung areas. It is well known that eastern Taiwan has the highest concentration of aboriginal tribes ( Amis, Puyuma, Atayal, Rukai and Bunun ). Tourists may join a variety of tribal celebrations staged in Hualien, and the Amis Harvest Festival is the best known. Each Amis village holds its own festival that lasts for an average of three days in mid-July for Taitung villages, and in August for Hualien villages. Late in the year, usually in December, Puyuma villages hold the Monkey Festival in which males of the tribe --in the past-- killed a monkey as part of young braves' initiation into manhood. 

    According to the aboriginal language, the tribal name Puyuma means “ together ” and “ united ”. The Taiwan Railway Administration introduced a new tilting train, “ Puyuma Express ” (普悠瑪), which was named after the aboriginal tribe in Taitung County. In response to public expectations, the Puyuma Express started service along the eastern coast in early 2013.