The authentic tastes of summer 2007 Summer Kaohsiung / 2007夏日高雄 夏來高雄，體驗原汁原味的夏日風情
◎Text by Ya-Ting Hou ◎Photos by Chung-Hui Pao
Summer time in Taiwan always gives an impression of overwhelming heat and humidity. In fact, many are afraid of embracing the summer, yet the city of Kaohsiung is an exception. The contrast of sunshine and blue sky has become its most appealing aspect, especially in summer.
Kaohsiung is surrounded by mountains, rivers, lakes and oceans, which make the city a pleasing place to stay during summer. It has been said that sub-tropical climate has helped to develop the passionate characteristics of the citizens of Kaohsiung. When visiting the city, be sure to stroll around the city at relaxing pace. People fall in love with the city for various reasons. Many enjoy the blue sky by the Kaohsiung Port. This location ranks as the sixth largest container port in the world, where you can watch ships from around the world , coming and going. Having a cup of coffee by the romantic Love River, which flows through the center of the city, might be the best way to live like a local residents. Appreciate the panoramic view of the Sizih Bay, where one can immerse oneself in the natural setting with the mountains on one side and ocean on another when looking down from the Former British Consultate at Dagou. It's extremely romantic to spend a day by watching the famous sunset in the Sizih Bay. If you love fresh seafood, you have to come to Cijin; those folks in Cijin really know how to cook this local delicacy. If you are an art lover, waondering around in the Museum of Fine Art could be a wonderful way to spendl a day. Another popular way to experience the city is by taking the "Love Boat" on the Love River or riding the ferris wheel form the newly opened Dream Mall, to experience the city. Kaohsiung has much to offer everyone, day or night.
Starting from 2005, a summer festival entitled "Viva Kaohsiung" become an annual event. This has brought wonderful memories to those who visited the city in summer. The city government has ambition to bring joy and happiness to the residents as well as visitors, through numerous fabulous events and activities. The main theme for this year is "2007 Summer Kaohsiung". It combines dance, rock, music, ocean, arts and everything you are craving for the summer.
As the heat escalates, the Cultural Bureau organizes a series of ice festivals: the best ice shop competition, the most popular ice product competition and the shaving ice eating contest. All are designed to cool you down. How about devoting summer time to a sport camp? The Education Bureau and schools co-organize various camps for students and youth, such as climbing, canoeing, sailing, biking, archery, swimming, tennis and Frisbee throwing. The Information Office has planned different types of musical concerts for music lovers through the summer. From July 14th to August 18th, many popular artists will be invited perform in the "In Love with the Love River" music concerts to be held on Saturdays, at Glory Pier. The independent music concert takes place at Pier-2 Art District from July 28th to August 19th. It is being held to encourage the young generation to create original music, offering them a chance to display their talents. There are also three music concerts on July 27th, August 10th and August 24th respectively, for Taiwanese song lovers. Apart from music concerts, the city also provides many kinds of events, such as Kaohsiung Books EXPO. Kaohsiung Municipal Film Archive will show the domestic and foreign animation films within five communities throughout the city. There will be free dessert, drinks and pop corn available during each occasion. Those are great occasions for the family. The film archive is expected to cultivate film audiences and encourage more interest among the community. If you are looking for a fun summer, Kaohsiung is the place to visit.summer. From July 14th to August 18th, many popular artists will be invited perform in the "In Love with the Love River" music concerts to be held on Saturdays, at Glory Pier. The independent music concert takes place at Pier-2 Art District from July 28th to August 19th. It is being held to encourage the young generation to create original music, offering them a chance to display their talents. There are also three music concerts on July 27th, August 10th and August 24th respectively, for Taiwanese song lovers. Apart from music concerts, the city also provides many kinds of events, such as Kaohsiung Books EXPO. Kaohsiung Municipal Film Archive will show the domestic and foreign animation films within five communities throughout the city. There will be free dessert, drinks and pop corn available during each occasion. Those are great occasions for the family. The film archive is expected to cultivate film audiences and encourage more interest among the community. If you are looking for a fun summer, Kaohsiung is the place to visit.
◎文／侯雅婷 ◎攝影／鮑忠暉
台灣夏日的酷熱總讓人感到太過熱情，有些招架不住；唯有高雄例外，豔陽高照的碧海藍天是夏日高雄最迷人的寫照。
高雄的山、河、海、港把氣候調整得和煦宜人，更孕育高雄人天生熱情浪漫的性格。用最恣意、輕鬆的步伐，走一趟高雄，抬頭即可於碼頭港邊享受蔚藍的天空、欣賞壯闊的港景；在愛河畔您啜飲一杯香濃的咖啡，同時欣賞河面上點點風帆，亦或是乘著愛之船感受愛河之美；佇足在美術館欣賞藝術作
品；於前清打狗英國領事館眺望西子灣依山傍海的美景，或是搭著渡輪到旗津大啖海鮮，這個城市就像一個大舞台，不分白天夜晚，五彩繽紛，活力無限。
每逢夏日，高雄總有數不清的活動，一幕接著一幕上演，帶給人們無限歡樂與幸福。還記得前年的「夏不落日系列活動」和去年的「河港愛戀─遊輪、啤酒、音樂季」嗎？今年，高雄市政府結合各局處精心策劃「2007夏日高雄」系列活動，讓高雄一整個夏季都不打烊。
炎炎夏日，文化局首推冰品系列活動「高雄剉冰王」，從６月15日到７月26日，邀請您一同享用清涼消暑的冰品，渡過美好的盛夏季節。結合高雄市各學校，教育局舉辦各式的暑期體驗營，包括攀岩、獨木舟、OP帆船、自由車、射箭、遊泳、網球、飛盤等活動，讓年輕學子的暑期不留白。新聞處則籌劃推出各類型的音樂會、演唱會，要讓喜愛音樂的您大飽耳福；活動從６月22日「讓地球酷一下」拔插頭抗暖化音樂會開始，接著是備受矚目的「永浴愛河，幸福城市系列演唱會」將於７月14日到８月18日在光榮碼頭登場，由最受歡迎的流行音樂歌手陪您共渡週六夜晚，還有「2007 HIGH 浪」獨立流行音樂創作大賽提供年青音樂人投入音樂創作、公開競技的平台，「咱的故鄉咱的歌」鄉土音樂會則分別於７月27日、８月10日、８月24日共舉辦三場，喜愛台灣歌的聽眾千萬不要錯過了。
除了聽好歌，港都的夏日也充滿各種知性的選擇，例如８月８日至19日的「高雄國際書展博覽會」，以及電影圖書館以走入社區的方式，推出五個場次的動畫影片巡迴展，希望將電影文化推廣到城市的每個角落。這夏高雄真的好好玩，絕對值得您來親自體驗。