Kenting now offers a new,different "Taste Tour". Autumn is the season of mountain winds inHengchun. The wind not only brings with it the rustling of the tree branches butalso their rich fragrance. When people in Hengchun talk about the smell ofhome, it is the scent of the Five-leaved Chaste Tree (Vitex negundo) that comes to mind. In the early years, Hengchun'shillsides were covered with chaste trees, and everyone that grew in Hengchun recognizedtheir unique fragrance carried down by the mountain wind. The chaste tree wasonce quite a common and practical plant. The wood can be made into tools andagricultural implements and the leaves also have a refreshing scent. Driedleaves can be used for washing materials, incense or insect repellent. Forchildren, it also served two purposes. One was for making spinning tops, andthe other was for "caning". The strong, thin branches inflictedstinging blows without causing lasting harm, so every family kept them handy.Eco-tourism in Hengchun is now introducing these unique local plants totourists and organizing other experiences. The Kenting Eco-Tourism DevelopmentAlliance offers 9 different itineraries and specialty menus for visitors tochoose from. For more information, please send your questions to evie1212.tw@hotmail.com.