laos festival="laos festival" Whats the date for this years Wesak festival?
Vesak (Sinhalese) is the most holy time in the Buddhist calendar. In Indian Mahayana Buddhist traditions, the holiday is known by its Sanskrit equivalent, Vaisakha. The word Vesak itself is the Sinhalese language word for the Pali variation, "Visakha". Visakha/Vaisakha is the name of the second month of the Indian calendar. Vesak is also known as Visakah Puja or Buddha Purnima in India, Bangladesh and Nepal, Visakha Bucha in Thailand, Phat Dan in Vietnam, Waisak in Indonesia, Vesak (Wesak) in Sri Lanka and Malaysia, and Saga Dawa in Tibet. The equivalent festival in Laos is called Vixakha Bouxa and in Myanmar is called Ka-sone. Vesak is a public holiday in many Asian countries like Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, and so on.
In 2007, the Festival of the Wesak full moon in May, begins on Wednesday, May 2 at 3:09 am PDT (10:09 UT).
hotel lao_2="hotel lao" I am planning a trip to Lao, Cambodia and a paradise (not very tourist) island in Thailand. any routes?
we´ll go backpacking and love to get to see ethnic groups. From 7-27th August.
Happy to get suggestions on routes, cheap hotels and nice restaurants
Northern Thailand, - Chaing Mai, Pai VietNam - Saigon, Hanoi, Hoi An Cambodia - Seim Reap, Angkor Wat, Phnom Phen Lao (Laos) - Vienteinne. You could also try Myanmar, it has started to open it's borders, but I have not had the chance to go there yet.
I highly recommend VietNam, it is an AWESOME place to Backpack and has great culture and brilliant food. Also has stacks of minority tribes relatively unaffected by tourism (Research, Central highlands Tribes of Vietnam) Do some research on sites like Lonely planet ect.
Acacophony of flutes, gongs and drums fill the theatre. A procession of colorful flags moves across the waterway stage, banners fluttering out over the ripples. The four sacred animals – dragon, phoenix, tortoise and unicorn – dance in line. This is the traditional water puppet show.
Water puppetry, an art form unique to Vietnam, is a said to have been inspired by the annual flooding of the Red River delta, when religious statues floating out of the temples gave the villagers the idea of creating a new form of wet season entertainment. It is called the soul of rice fields because of its close association with water and the paddies, and was historically performed in thuy dinh, a two-storey village hall where the top was used for worship, and the bottom for performances.
Villagers would gather for shows at festival time or after the harvest in provinces around Hanoi. The traces of Thuy dinh dating back three centuries can still be found in several districts, the most famous being Thay pagoda. Water puppetry reached its peak during the Ly dynasty (1009-1225) - a show was performed for royalty in 1121 to honour King Ly Nhan Tong's great age. The puppeteers stand waits deep in muddy water behind the bamboo curtain. The troupe was traditionally an amateur social group of 70 - 80 people, but only 20 of them were puppeteers. The head of the troupe, an elderly man acknowledged as the most experienced puppeteer, made all the decisions. According to village custom, females were forbidden to join the troupe for fear that when they married, they would reveal the troupe's secrets to their husband's families.
Water puppet themes involve both the rhythms of village life and national heroic legends. It can take up to 150 puppets to express the 16 legends that form the commercial repertoire of city theatres. The most popular character is the peasant compere Teu. Chubby Teu comes out in a bright red loincloth and sing let, admonishing villagers for their bad habits with a big smile and mischievous eyes. Teu is considered the creator of roi nuoc, and was traditionally worshipped during the performance. A French newspaper wrote that the puppets are manipulated the unimaginable cleverness. It's as if they are being commended by an invisible power" The music and fire works, cleverly syncopated with the story, add to the excitement of thus folk art which combines sculpture, painting, embroidery, dance, fire work making, poetry and music.
Today, water puppet performances attract a steady audience of tourists than villagers celebrating the harvest in their thuy dinh, but the stories are the same and the crowd is no less appreciative of the magic and skill on show, finding it as entertaining as the peasants have for centuries.
A FLOATING WORLD
Vietnamese water puppets are respected internationally as an important art form, and a wooden statue of Chu Teu by Phan Van Ngai can be seen in the Louvre in Paris. Puppets are made from the wood of the fig trees that line village ponds. The first stage of puppet making is the carving of the wood by craftsmen, to give it its unique character. Then it is covered with gold or silver leaf, or other colors. A final layer made from resin of the son tree- the raw material of lacquer – is added to waterproof the wood. It takes months to make a finished puppet. The average weigh is at about 2 kg, but some weigh in at 8 kg. The puppets are attached to a system of rods, with silk wires and a pulley system worked by both the hands of the puppeteer and the water, creating the illusion of the floating world
PROGRAM NOTES OF A WATER PUPPET SHOW at THE THANG LONG TREATRE
1.Musical Prelude Each performance opens with two or three traditional Vietnamese tunes, played on traditional instruments. These tunes will vary from show to show. Both the artists and their musical selections are listed daily on an updated program.
2. Raising the flags and introducing "Chu teu", the M.C It would not be a festival without colorful flags, traditionally in five different colors. The challenge, and indeed the art of water puppetry, is to keep the flags dry, even under water. Chu Teu's role is similar to that of a Master of Ceremonies, but with a uniquely Vietnamese style. He appears as a relatively young man with a comical young boy's haircut. He is also rather underdressed and acts as though slightly naive, at times irreverent but always with a sharp wit. A sample of his introduction: Teu toi von dong tren thien thuong I, teu come from heaven Boi hai dao bi truat xuong tran gian Exiled down here for stealing a peach Thay su doi boi roi da doan Seeing that this society is full of complicated problems Nen toi phai lan loi de lo toan su roi day ba con a! I must wade in and try to sort out these entanglements! (In Vietnamese boi roi often means "concerns" or "problems a play on words for "roi" in the next line which means puppets. Likewise "lan loi" figuratively means trying or struggling very hard and literally means diving and swimming - a clever if not too subtle reference to "roi nuoc" or water puppets)
3. Dance of the Dragons According to legends, the Viet people are descended from a Dragon and a heavenly Fairy. They were said to be powerful, wise and benevolent. The Dragon Dance, like the flag dancing before gives the puppeteers the chance to show off their technical ability and dexterity.
4. On a Buffalo with a Flute A popular to Vietnamese song asks: Ai bao chan trau la kho ( who said that tending buffaloes is a hard- knock life?) and the song goes on to list the various enjoyments spending a day outdoor on the back of a buffalo: Toi xin ke ve dong lua nuoc ru bong tre Let me tell you about the rice fields, the villages Xanh ngat que lang lung trau sao thoi veo von. Enclosed in emerald green bamboo The sound of a flute from a buffalo's back Hoi ai con nho co huong thi ve Come back all those who yearn for the homeland.
5. Farming Activities The part of the show has the puppets performing various agricultural tasks such as tilling the land, transplanting the rice seedlings and irrigating the rice fields with large buckets. Incidentally many of these practices are still used today and can be seen in the Red River Delta.
6. Catching frogs This is a comical sketch in which the farmer tries in vain to capture frogs in his basket.
7. Fox stealing a Duck Another vignette of Vietnamese agricultural life. In both the Red River (Song Hong) and Mekong (Cuu Long) deltas rice field and plentiful number of ponds exist. These provide a natural habitat for ducks. Unfortunately every once in a while, a certain creature finds a fat juicy duck simply irresistible!
8. Fishing Fish is the major source of protein in the Vietnamese diet, from the famous (and pungent) fish sauce and shrimp paste to the delicate fish jerky and shredded dry shrimp. With its long coastline, Viet Nam has hundreds of rivers and thousands of lakes and ponds. As this performance shows, fishing can be both relaxing and also character building.
9. Triumphant Return In the center of Hanoi the Van Mieu (Temple of Literature) still records the names of all literary doctorates who passed the national examinations, dating back to the 11th century. Large stone steles rest on the backs of giant stone turtles commemorating their achievements. The turtle represents longevity and highlights the importance of learning in Viet Nam society. The exams were held every three year in the capital to select mandarins. Graduates were then appointed to all levels of the bureaucracy, including the Royal Court. The graduates would then make a triumphant return to their home village in full regalia with all the benefits of office: fine clothing, honor guards, trumpets, flags, carriages and offerings. This selection system, which has been observed for centuries, reinforces the Vietnamese attitude towards learning. This involves not only respecting learning for its own sake but also using it as a means of escaping poverty. In the most recent refugee crisis learning again proved its undeniable value: a person may lose everything he or she possesses; from status and wealth to loved ones, but education is something that can not be taken away.
10. Dance of the Lion
11. Dance of the Phoenix
12. Legend of the Restored Sword In Vietnamese history, Le Loi successfully led a ten -year uprising (1418-1427) to regain independence from China. Legend has it that, Le Loi was greatly helped by a magical sword. In 1428, after he became the king, one day when he went boating on a lake in the capital a giant turtle surfaced and asked for the sword to be returned. The king duly agreed and the lake was named Hoan Kiem or Restored Sword Lake to honor the event. As the performance states: Ba thuoc guom than giup nuoc khi This lengthy sword has helped me before Muon quan xam luoc het ra uy It defeated tens of thousands of invaders Thai binh than kiem ve nguyen chu Now in peace the magic sword is returned to its owner Hoan kiem ho nay dau khac ghi And this lake shall be remembered as Hoan kiem
13. Swimming Water, as well as being the sustainer of life in Viet Nam can be also source of fun especially for these youngsters.
14. Boat Racing Loa loa loa! Oye oye oye! Mo dau ngay hoi la tro dua thuyen To open the festival is the boat race Thon dong chit khan dieu The eastern hamlet wears red scarves Thon doai mang khan luc The western hamlet wears blue scarves Thon muc buoc khan vang The muc hamlet wears yellow scarves Loa loa loa! Oye oye oye!
15.Unicorns Competing for the Prize
16. Dance of the Fairies A reprise of the Dragon and fairy theme, representing the ancestors of Vietnamese. According to legend King Lac Long Quan (about 2800 B.C) married Au Co and together they had 100 sons. After a time he told her "I came from the Dragon and your ancestors were the fairies it would not be possible for us to last forever together. Why don't you take 50 of our sons up to the mountains while I take the other 50 down to the sea" They split up Lac Long Quan established the eldest son as the king of the new realm, Van Lang. The new king named himself Hung Vuong and established the first Vietnamese dynasty.
17. Dance of the Four Magical Animals The Four animals with magic power are: The dragon, the Unicorn, the Turtle and the Phoenix
Click to watch the video
About the Author
Travel Indochina, Travel Vietnam, Travel Laos, Indochina Tours, Vietnam Tours, Laos Tours, Cambodia Tous, Luxury Tours, Culture Tours, Family Tours, Adventure Tours, Halong Cruises, Mekong Cruises, Sapa Tours, Daily Tours, Vietnam Visa, Visa To Vietnam, Travel to Vietnam, Travel to Indochina, Travel to Laos, Travel to Cambodia, Travel to Indochina
thai consulate laos="thai consulate laos" Are the any thai embassies where uk residents cannot make a non-immigration visa?
I am a british citizen,someone told me that you cannot renew/make a non-immigration visa for Thailand at the embassies/consulates in the bordering countries (malaysia,cambodia,laos). I was told that you must go back to your country of residence and apply there, is this true? i dont think it is as ive met people from america who have done it in malaysia and laos, i dont see why it should be any different for a british citizen.
anyone have any recent first hand experience that can clear this up?
thanks
It's not a question of nationality, it's hard to obtain O non immigrant visa (embassies internal dispositions) best chances in PP, avoid Penang.
If you have never travelled to a developing country, Laos would certainly give you a unique experience and probably more than just one. With its old colonial charm and vast rural areas, if you like the outdoors or just want to relax Laos has plenty to offer. When visiting Laos you will have to purchase Laos currency which is known as Kip and here are some advantages and disadvantages of using Kip.
Volume: Laos widely accepts US dollars but on arrival in the country you will probably exchange your Dollars to the local currency known as Kip, try not to change all of your cash to Kip as you will be in for a surprise and probably more money than you can carry. A definite disadvantage is the sheer volume of money; you will notice this as a tourist changing $100 US at a time but when buying a motorbike or other large items, locals often need a carrier bag or even a suitcase full of it. This brings in another problem counting your cash takes a while.
Millionaires: I guess this could be seen as an advantage as when you change your money in Laos you have become an instant millionaire. You have reached celebrity status in some countries but not in Laos as most people are millionaires here. When exchanging money the best way to do this is change a little at a time, this will give you enough local currency to pay for small items such as food, drinks, entrance fees and tipping at hotels. It isn’t advisable to change large sums as you will have to carry it around with you all day and it will probably not all fit in your wallet.
Paper Currency: This is a pretty cool advantage they are no coins, which is great, no coins to lose or hear jingling in your pocket as you run for the bus. On the other hand there is plenty of paper with the largest note being equivalent to just five US Dollars
Small change: Have you ever had the problem that you want to buy something small but don’t seem to have any change. This problem doesn’t ever seem to happen in Laos with the biggest note hardly worth that much, it has made buying small items from markets extremely easy.
Colour Co-Ordination: Individual notes are all different colours and easy to distinguish, which is a definite advantage over the US currency and also more original with the US bills all being the same colour and size.
Closed Country: Laos is officially a closed country meaning any left over Kip you have at the end of your trip should not really be taken out of the country all no one will make a fuss, if you did take money out of Laos there would be no use for it as no one would accept an obvious disadvantage. When changing money in Laos; keep the exchange receipt that you obtained from the bank, this makes it easy to change back your unused local currency to $US Dollars without the receipt the bank will not agree to the exchange. If this fails try a local restaurant or shop to see if they will exchange it for you, albeit at a reduced exchange rate.
The last option is to keep it for other uses such as while camping you maybe cold, it would come in handy when starting a fire or if times are desperate it makes good toilet paper. More tips, tour and travel information can be found at http://www.xplore-asia.com
About the Author
After traveling in South East Asia for several years and falling in love with the area in particular Laos. Xplore-Asia was formed with the aim of promoting tours to increase responsible tourism for the local people and show the world the beauty of this area. After setting up operations in South East Asia, Xplore-Asia expanded into the UK and is Directed by Alex Aziz.
Oudom Xay to Louang Phrabang bus trip Laos (Sept 2009)
Dealing with a Snake Person on your Management Team by following the Way of Lao-Tzu
If I were king,
I would walk with Tao and govern according to Tao.
My only fears would be becoming boastful,
Messing things up and
Leading the people astray and losing Tao.
It is not difficult to get right with Tao,
The path is straight and smooth,
Yet people are easily distracted,
They prefer the side roads and sideshows.
In the real world, the courts and their grounds are well kept and well stocked,
But the fields are full of weeds,
And the granaries are empty.
In the real world, kings and queens wear elegant robes,
And carry sharp knives.
They pamper themselves with food and drink.
They live the high life.
They own more than they can ever use.
They are nothing more than thugs and thieves.
This is not Tao.
Lao-Tzu, Verse 16,
Tao Te Ching: The Old Man's Guide to the Virtuous Path
Having a snake for a boss sucks. They will stab you in the back and take credit for what you have done. Having a snake for a co-worker sucks. They will stab you in the back and take credit for what you have done. Having a snake on your management team sucks. They will stab everyone in the back and leave them for dead.
A snake is a snake is a snake and cannot change.
The problem with a snake is that they are so mesmerizing. They are intelligent, and provocative, and charming, and alien and it is easy to lured into a false rapport with this contemplative mystic. The snake knows it's mesmerizing. It knows it is charming. It knows it can lure the weak-willed team members into its intrigue.
And that's when all hell breaks loose.
The snake as an employee is good to have, but not on a team. They need to be put in a glass box so others can see them, admire them, be amazed by their alien ways but the snake cannot interact with them; cannot get to them a work its magic on them.
The snake people are best left alone. They seldom let anyone know what they are truly thinking and are known to be secretive. It is hard to judge a person when they always have ulterior motives. It is hard to trust someone who won't be honest with you. That is why it is important to put them in positions that use their analytical mind, intelligence, their passion for precision and minute details and not in positions that tempt their nature.
Everyone prospers when a snake is kept its place. A snake in the wrong place can only lead to disaster. Making a snake play nicey-nice on a management team where individual achievements take a back seat to the overall achievements of the team invites the snake to show it true self. If you rouse the wrath of a snake and have suffered the horrific consequences of a misplaced snake you quickly learn to arm yourself against them.
It is a natural reaction to want to lash out at any snake once you have been bitten by one. But this is not the way Lao-Tzu teaches us in the Tao Te Ching: the Old Man's Guide to the Virtuous Path to react. Lao-Tzu tells us in verse twelve: Do not think about yourself. Think of others first. Be kind to the good, be kind to the bad, thus kindness multiplies. Be faithful to the faithful, be faithful to the faithless
thus faithfulness multiplies. The world should see you as detached and humble, and often confused. Yet, they will listen because of your child-like innocence.
Our natural impulse to react harshly, violently, only fuels the snake's wrath and compounds the problem. As the team leader, it will serve you well to follow Lao-Tzu's ways. As the team leader you are the king. As the king it falls to you to set the example of how to deal with a snake on the team. You should walk with the Tao, manage, supervise, and lead according to the Tao. Your only fear should be in leading people astray; leading them down a path that is counterintuitive to the Tao. If you have ever dealt with trying to pick up the pieces after a snake has run rampant through a management team you were on it is understandable that you do not want to put yourself in harms way again. But you have to think of others first. Put the needs of the team first. Be kind to them all equally and kindness multiplies. You have to be willing to be bitten again. You have to be willing to suffer to protect your team.
If you walk the path of the Tao, you are upright and virtuous, and the venom of the snake cannot harm you. It is not difficult to get right with Tao, the path is straight and smooth. Lao-Tzu's words are easy to follow. You must diligently study the Tao Te Ching: the Old Man's Guide to the Virtuous Path, to learn the ways of the Tao. You will become the example by which others on your team will follow and things will return to normal on their own.
Lao-Tzu says in verse twenty:
A country can be ruled with rules,
A war can be won with strategy and war-craft,
But everything can be had by doing nothing;
By being free of action and purpose.
How do I know? I know because I know.
The more rules to follow the poorer the people.
The more weapons they have the more unruly they are.
The crazier their thoughts, the weirder the stuff that happens.
The more laws that are passed, the more thugs and thieves arise.
A wise leader does nothing
And the people transform themselves.
A wise leader says nothing
And the people straighten themselves.
A wise leader controls nothing
And the people prosper by themselves.
A wise leader wants for nothing
And the people become simple themselves.
As the team leader it falls to you show the other team members how to carry themselves when under attack from a snake. More importantly, it is up to you to remove the snake from the team so the team can transform, straighten, and be prosperous for themselves without having to second guess their actions.
You can keep telling your teammates to brace themselves for the snake bite or you can take preemptive actions to remove the snake even before the backstabbing can begin. Once your snake has been safely removed, but into an isolation chamber, job duties reassigned that keep the snake busy and alone, the rest of the team can move towards getting things right with the Tao. It takes a great deal of perseverance to out wit, out last, and out smart a snake person on your management team. But by keeping your focus on the Tao and what's best for the team as a whole, the opportunity to remove the snake and reposition them elsewhere in the company will present itself. By following the ancient wisdom of Lao-Tzu, you can follow the Tao and be above reproach when the snake comes after you.
About the Author
Mr. Young is a nationally certified activity director working at his local nursing home. He is currently working towards improving his state's education requirements for becoming a certified activity director. He has completed his master's level advanced coursework for his ACC certification.
He is an ordained minister and holds a MetD degree in metaphysics.
He consults with other nursing homes about how to meet spiritual needs and improve their activity programing.
Any visitor to Chiangrai cannot fail to recognize the richness and obvious affluence that abound in this northern most province. Its proximity to the Golden Triangle has influenced the development of the land and only here does one see fenced-off properties, farmhouses, hedgerows and smooth four-lane highways never in need of repair. There is more to the province than this, of course, with some of the most challenging back roads in Thailand also being here. However, the overriding impression is one of almost a different country. This diversity should, perhaps, be the alternative travelers initial reason for visiting the Golden Far North.
The riches of Chiangrai province can be instantaneously compared when making an excursion into Myanmar at the border crossing of Mae Sai. The poverty on the Myanmar side is all too blatant and far more obvious than at other Myanmar crossings. The cross-border visit does not require a visa, nor is your passport stamped. All that you need are two photocopies of your passport details and a fee, usually five dollars.
From Mae Sai border excursions can be made to the Royal Mountain project at Doi Toong and eastwards to the opium museum at the Golden Triangle itself. Chiang Saen is a small distance beyond this. Westwards is mae Salong and Thaton with its Maekok River Lodge and onwards to Fang and mae Hong Son along some of the least used (you'll find out why) roads in Thailand. There is spectacular scenery all along the way.
Doi Toong is now a fully developed Royal project. Basically a whole mountain range overlooking Burmese territory, it now affords visitors not only grand vistas but also home-grown Thai coffee and tea, soft fruits and temperate vegetables. All have been introduced into hilltribe farming patterns and now contribute greatly to the economies of many villages as a substitute for the declining opium crop farming, which is all but eliminated from Thai soil now. Wat Doi Toong itself, perched like a nest on the final hilltop, is an important pilgrimage center for Thai people and there is day-long temple activity here.
If time allows, and you have a good map, the alternative route via Doi Pa Mi to Doi Toong should be taken from Mae Sai rather than the main highway headed towards Mae Chan. The road hugs the border and is one of the more spectacular routes in the north.
The Golden Triangle is, by now, quite well-frequented by tourists and there is little hope of avoiding crowds at the center point - a plaque depicting the meeting place of the three countries, Thailand, Myanmar and Laos. However, pleasant enough river trips on the mighty Mekong can be taken as well as meals at riverside restaurants (watch for more peaceful locations between the triangle and Chiang Saen). The Imperial Golden Triangle Hotel allows perhaps the best views, especially around breakfast time, with many early movements on the river. Long tailed boats flit from country to country in a flash, adding to the sense of intrigue that lingers at this infamous meeting place.
As well as the well-documented and informative Opium Museum, Chiang Saen, the old river capitol of Lanna, should be visited. Very pleasant afternoons can be spent on the terraced riverside after a market trip.
Further down river from Chiang Saen is the up and coming border point of Chiang Khong. From here, entry to Laos can be made with day river trips to Luang Prabang departing every morning. A longer (slow boat) trip can be made with an overnight stop en route at the village of Pakbeng. Traveling to Chiang Khong gives one a real feeling of being in the backwaters of the country and if that's what you are looking for then take the trip and use it as an entry to Laos. Accommodation, especially with air conditioning, is sparse at Chiang Khong and with boats leaving early, book in advance or leave Chiangrai at 5:30 am. Travelling westwards from Tachilek (now itself an exit point for some internal Myanmar tours) along the Thai side and past Doi Toong, there are the back roads to Mae Salong. This area is like the Scottish Highlands, although without the weather and a little warmer. There are few signposts so take a good map when in Mae Sai or you may find yourself in a "delicate border zone."
If it's daylight, a side excursion to Ban Thoet Thai, formerly Ban Hin Taek, can be made. This is the former outpost home of Khun Sa, head of the Shan State Army. Since his retreat, integration into Thai society of the local Mae Salong valley people has progressed. Still known to Thais as Jiin Haw (galloping Chinese) the occupants of Mae Salong emigrated from China during the 1949 revolution and were part of the fleeing Kuomintang 93rd regiment. This alone makes Mae Salong very different from any other Thai town with its mixture of Akha, Lisu and Meo tribes and Tai Yai (Shan) people. With local corn whisky on sale as a substitute for the eliminated opium crop, other products found include Chinese herb remedies, Khanom Jiin curry and Chinese teas. There is actually a tea factory in the town. Although a paved road now runs to Basang on the main Mae Cahn-Thaton highway, other roads are little more than badly graded dirt tracks. Such is the price of anonymity.
For the real alternative traveler a four-day trek to Chiangrai is possible following hilltribe village trails en route. Here you will find the trekking that existed 20 years ago from a Chiangrai base.
At Thaton, on the Maekok River, stands the Maekok River Village, an upgrade of the former River Lodge. It is the pride and joy of Shane Beary, a 20-year resident of the area. The village is comprised of Thai style bungalows on the riverside with a swimming pool and restaurant, but more importantly, it boasts a field study center for both Thai and overseas students and a Thai cookery center. The knowledge of Shane, his family and staff make the Village an excellent base camp for excursions around the area. Mountain biking and trekking trips can be easily made from this focal point as well as river trips on the Maekok, a tributary of the Mekong.
From Thaton there is a public boat service plying the Maekok River for the 92 km trip to Chiangrai. It's a highly recommended excursion and costs as little as 150 baht.
Onwards to the Chiangrai provincial border are many hot springs and caves with the more well-known ones being at Fang and Ching Dao. The predominant limestone rock of the region gives way to many underground caverns all ubiquitously decorated with religious icons.
Although not within the Chiangrai area, the trip along the border to Pai Mae Rariang through Mae Hong Son is worth considering. The route is scenic and narrow but it has some of the most interesting spots in Thailand including the blind fish caves outside Mae Hong Son and the Padaung "long neck" village on the Pai River. The latter has become somewhat touristy but the long-necked Karen still hold a certain fascination no matter what the circumstances.
Lesser known and less obvious to the naked eye are the Lawa people of this area. In an area of about 500 square kilometers between Hot, Mae Sariang and Mae Hong Son, they still live a largely traditional life although even here the majority have adopted Buddhism and Thai style. It is certain that they have inhabited Thailand for some 800 years and they believe that they migrated from Cambodia, but some archaeologists think their origins lie in Micronesia, perhaps 2,000 years ago.
The women are most distinguishable with their hair tied in a turban and it is usual for them to smoke tobacco from a wooden pipe. Most Lawa speak Thai, but the Lawa language, related to that of the Wa tribe of Burma, is still spoken in many of the villages. Altogether, Northern Thailand and especially Chiangrai province is distinct in many ways from the rest of the country. Traditionally called "Lan-na," it has for most of its history been a separate kingdom and holds that quality to this day.
About the Author
Tom Aikins is a Bangkok-based journalist who runs an Online Marketing Excellence business at http://www.seosoutheastasia.com and does IT consulting at http://www.seosoutheastasia.com
Good Morning from Luang Prabang with Love - Part II
yes, those are contacts. guess I should get clear contacts than or wear some really cute glasses that fit my facial structure than XD lol to the comment about the "Over the head shot" no im not hiding anything, i'd want people to focus on my face and nothing else <.<
OMG You're soo lucky you're mixed!!! I would love to be like that since all the mixed people I know have like super unique faces and they're super pretty, like you!! :) I would have never thought you were asian though cuz for some reason I thought you looked kinda Caucasian! LOLz
Great Lao Rock Music, Great pictures. All Lao N Thai will enjoy this video
The apparent movement of the Sun from one zodiac sign into another is called Sankranti. When the transition of the Sun from Dhanu rashi to Makara rashi occurs, Makar Sankaranti is celebrated. It is one of the few Hindu Indian festivals which are celebrated on a fixed date i.e. 14th January every year. While the traditional Indian Calendar is based on lunar positions, Sankranti is a solar event. So while dates of all Hindu festivals keep changing as per the gregorian calendar, the date of Makar Sankranti remains constant. The day on which the sun begins its journey northwards is referred to as Makar Sankranti. (“Sankramana” means "to commence movement"). In other countries too Makar Sanaranti is celebrated under different names and in different ways. In Nepal it is known as Maghe Sankranti, in Thailand as Songkran, in Laos as Pi Ma Lao and in Myanmar as Thingyan.
Astrologically, Sun enters the house of Shani, who is the lord of Makar Rashi. Although Sun and Saturn are considered as inimical planets, in spite of any difference between each other, the Lord Sun makes it a point to meet his son on this day. This day therefore symbolizes the importance of special relationships that can start building from this date in many people’s life, especially if you are unmarried. Despite all the problems in the chart, the period in itself can bring forth an auspicious moment in your life when you can eagerly await arrival of your life partner in your life.
It is also believed that it was on this day Lord Vishnu ended the ever increasing terrorism of the Asuras by finishing them off and burying their heads under the Mandar Parvat. So this occasion also represents the end of negativities in the life of human beings. There is another spiritually symbolic aspect to Makara Sankranti. The 60,000 cursed son of Maharaj Sagar represent our thoughts, which become dull until this Makara Sankranti. Since Redemption of the cursed sons took place by the waters of Gangaji, brought down ‘to’ & later ‘from’ the Himalayas by the great tapasya Bhagiratha, Makar Sankranti, is also regarded as the beginning of a very auspicious phase which can remove the dullness in the career/business of individuals. This can mean a bright career/business and future.
Makar Sankranti marks the end of an inauspicious phase which according to the Hindu calendar begins around mid-December. Since it is the festival of Sun God and Sun is regarded as the symbol divinity and wisdom, the festival brings forth the best in you and make things happen to you. Things which have been delayed for long can start happening after Makara Sankranti. Makara Sankranti identifies a period of enlightenment, peace, prosperity and happiness. Makar Sankranti marks the beginning of many auspicious events in one’s life. If you would like to know what auspicious events await you in this Makar Sankranti in 2010, you can find the answer by posing this question to me under Ask a Question service.
In the Service of Lord Ganesha and through His blessings.
Jyothish Ratna R.sakuntala blends tradition with technology in her astrological reports which are very lucid and written in a user friendly style. Her Current Focus Areas are Education, career/business, marriage, wealth report, stock market reports
Mekong River International Multi-Sport ITU Asian Cup 2010 (2009 hi-light)
places to visit in laos="places to visit in laos" looking for travel tips and places to visit while in thai vietnam cambodia and laos..?
travelling tips? I'm cambo and i've been to cambo about 4 times.
Preparation: Get some injections for Malaria, Hepatitis etc. Ask your doctor for details Learn some of their language, trust me those guys have awful english...
What to bring: Insect Repellent, if your like me you can score about 12 mosquito bites in like 2 days >< Sunscreen (a little obvious) Extra money, you will find a lot of beggars, especially any place with lots of tourists. A face mask, it's very dusty, especially when your on a bike
Tips: When your travelling around Asia, especially Thai, Cambo and Viet. The best way is to get motorbike, cars get stuck in travel HEAPS and its normally the motorbikes that mange to weave through. Otherwise you can get a "thounk thounk" (sorry) it's like a horse carriage except you it's a motorbike at the front.
DONT eat the food off the streets, it can be really unhygienic sometimes. You'll find people shoving food into your faces to eat but just kindly reject it
Keep your bags with you at all times. I've seen bag snatchers, it's very common...
Be careful with what you wear, unless you're like western. If your asian you wear revealing stuff and heaps of make-up, they mistake you for a prostitute.
As bad as this sounds, you can bribe police >< yeah i know but it's true
Don't go to brothels, please I'm so against child sex tourism and it's illegal in cambodia. You have no idea how hard it is for the girls and you'll have a very high chance of getting HIV
Places to visit: Angkor Wat: it's located in Siem Reap and the place it beautiful. There are a heck of a lot of tourists there. It's a lot more cleaner than Phnom Penh and you'll learn a lot about cambodian culture
Koh Kong: it's a good place to visit and i've heard that it's really nice there but the road there is dangerous. Around last year a cambodian famous actor died because the bus capsized.
Battambang: I heard this place is good for a nightlife, well at least according to my dad who loves karaoke
Sihanouk Ville: Locals in Cambodia will still call it Kampong Som. Highly recommended!!! Beaches are sparkling, there are lots of tourists around and it's quite safe to walk around at night. There are lots of international restaurants too. Visit the snake house while your there, it's excellent, there are lots of scary snakes and you can even dine there. Also, if you do get a chance, go to one of the nearby islands, the water is even more beautiful.
Phnom Penh: Yeah, thats the capital. It's dusty, dirty and filled with busy traffic. There are some beautiful places. The royal palace has a lot of culture ad history, unfortunately some of the antiques were stolen. It's called "Viang" by cambodians are it's located near the river.
Sorya (Phnom Penh): This is probably the closest thing you'll find to western shops, they have a Lucky Market that sells some western food. Try Swesens (an american ice cream brand) its really good and try the Pizza Company. It's italian food and it tastes soo good and the place is real clean.
Just a word of advice though: Cambodia and Thai are going through war so it may be hard to get from Thai to Cambodia.
vietnam laos tours="vietnam laos tours" Travelling to South East Asian with $3000. Can it be done?
Next month Ill be travelling to Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia n Thailand.. Spending 2 weeks in each country
Ive got $3000 as spending money Ill use for accomodation, tours, food etc etc... Do you think itll be enough? BAH! I meant South East Asia..
When traveling in South East Asia any amount of money could be in excess or dangerously small . I'll make myself more clear: if you have a good travel insurance, which covers all kind of accidents ( the ones occurred while driving a rented vehicle or motorbike, for instance, or practicing "dangerous sports" or trekking) , which pays the medical expenses ON THE SPOT and covers an eventual bail bond and med-evac, 3000 bucks are more than enough, provided they are in traveler cheques, which are fully refundable if lost or stolen. Pickpocketing, theft and burglary are still common in the region. A 4-days motorbike crash treatment in a decent Thai hospital can cost you as much as 4,000 dollars, and med-evac ( depends by where is your home country) starts from 10,000 bucks. That's why you need an insurance. A good one, fully comprehensive, costs around 150 USD per month of traveling. Best bet is to get an Insurance in Thailand, valid for all the ASEAN countries. Or use Bupa Insurance :have a look to their websites : http://www.bupa.com/countryindicator
hotels in laos_2="hotels in laos" Traveling in Laos? Advise? Things to see/do?
I need help with an itenary for Laos, I am going in March 2008. What should I see/do? What are some good restruants? Hotels?
Vientiane and Luang Prabang are the main tourist attractions so if you go there, plenty of co-travellers, guest house receptionists and tour companies can tell where to go, what to see & do.
If you want to explore more independently, then you should head to Champassak -- you got to see Si Phan Don, the waterfall on Mekong, and the pink freshwater dolphins.
Phonsavan and the Plain of Jars are interesting, but not a must.
Two provinces that I haven't visited in years are Khammuan and Sekong. Their natural beauty is breathtaking, but getting around is not easy as the road network is pretty basic.
Facts About Thailand For Those Who Dream Of Going There
Thailand is one of the most beautiful and culturally diverse areas in Southeast Asia. Because it was never colonized, it retains much of its original culture.
The people of Thailand are very friendly and hospitable. There is no language barrier because the staff speaks English and other European languages in most of the hotels, restaurants and tourist places. There are many different modes of transportation in Thailand. Tourists can hire a taxi, take a bus, ride on a train, rent a car or motorcycle or hike on foot through the beautiful countryside. The most interesting ride is the Tuk-Tuk, a three wheel bike, which provides a fantastic open air ride around any city.
Thailand means "the land of the free", and is blessed with three seasons. Summers runs from February to May. The rainy season extends from June to October. The cold season lasts from November to January. Many people vacation in Thailand during December and January to get away from the cold in their countries over Christmas and New Year's. Thailand has vacationers from all over the world.
Thailand has a very diverse geography. Tropical islands are found in the southern peninsula. There are many beautiful beaches surrounded by clear, blue waters on one side and tropical jungle on the other. The people here are involved in rubber cultivation, tin mining, and fishing. In the central part of Thailand are paddy fields, farms and many varieties of edible fruits. Here, too, are the ancient ruins of Ayuthaya, the royal capital of the kingdom of Siam, and Sukhothai. The mountains and forests of Thailand are in the north. Many different tribes are located in the mountains. Tourists can visit them from boats or by crossing the rail road lines over the famous river Kwai. They can also see unusual native handicrafts and multicolored orchids. The northeast plateau is famous for its rich archaeological and anthropological findings.
Thailand is the perfect vacation spot for those seeking a romantic getaway or who want to shop. Gourmets will love the many varieties of sea food. Many travelers also come here for an adventurous vacation. Thailand offers aquatic sports for all ages, including scuba diving, snorkeling, wind-surfing and water-skiing. Afterwards, tourists can relax on the beautiful beaches, sipping their favorite cool drink in good company.
Thailand offers something to every traveler:
Phuket is known for its exotic islands and beautiful beaches. Tourists can sunbathe on the beach, relax around a hotel pool or go on a number of popular excursions. Phuket's nightlife is very lively. The multi-cuisine restaurants and bars are always filled with tourists.
Chiang Mai is a combination of modern city life and old village charm. Tourists can visit a working elephant camp, the Mae Sa Waterfall and an Orchid Farm. There are temples which are close to 700 years old. The Doi Suthep monastery sits on the top of a mountain 3500 feet above sea level, overlooking the fertile valley embracing Chiang Mai. The monastery is famous for its many holy relics of the Lord Buddha. Chiang Mai's night bazaar is a favorite shopping place of tourists. Almost anything can be bought there at bargain prices.
In Chiang Rai, tourists can see the local hill tribe villages of the Akha and Yao. They can also see the ruins of Chiang Saen, Mae Sai and the Golden Triangle. The triangle is where the borders of Burma, Thailand and Laos meet. Together with Chiang Mai, the city sits in one of the artistic and religious centers in Thailand.
Bangkok is the capital of Thailand. The name means "city of angels." Bangkok is a centre of commercial, industrial and cultural activities. The Grand Palace; Wat Phra Keo, which houses the Emerald Buddha; and Dusit Maha Prasat Hall are three of Bangkok's largest attractions. Here tourists can see large, gleaming golden spires, soaring roofs, intricate paintings and ornate statues.
The age-old traditions of the Red Dao people, a hill tribe known for its medicinal culture and expert herbalists, infuse an all natural spa in the mountains.
After a long day of hiking the steep hills and terraced rice paddies of the mountains around Sapa, an all-natural herbal steam bath was just what my aching muscles needed.
At Red Dao Spa, I was led into a small bath full of fragrant steam wafting from the large wooden tub. First, I washed down with some herb-infused water, a dark reddish color, and then sat in the warm water for a 20 minute soak.
The Red Dao people in Sapa are known as the best herbalists in the area thanks to a vibrant medicinal culture centered on herbal remedies. Living near thick forests, Red Dao communities have taken advantage of the rich source of medicine to keep them healthy and full of energy. The Red Dao use herbs to treat everything from flu to skin diseases and muscle problems.
For generations, the Red Dao people have used traditional herbal spas to treat a variety of ailments. Their baths include ten different kinds of herbs collected fresh from the forest before each soak.
The leaves, some fresh but some dried, are boiled for 3-4 hours. Then they are mixed with fresh water at 30-37oC. The bathtub, put in a small room to keep the steam and fragrance of the herbs, is usually made from fir or another aromatic wood.
Therapy
Red Dao Spa is run by Sapa local Ly Lao Lo in Ta Chai Village, Ta Phin Commune, around 12 kilometers from the center of the town.
The spa is small and sparsely furnished, but welcoming and comfortable. I visited after a Sapa woman suggested the place.
Once I arrived, I was briefed about the history of the herbal therapies I would be given and the properties of each herb.
Then I had my soak. Sitting in the warm, red water, I felt all my senses tingle and my muscles eased and relaxed. A soothing feeling crept up and down my body. After 20 minutes, I was thoroughly relaxed.
Goldmine
The only problem with Sapa’s new Red Dao-style spas is that there are a lot of them and it’s not easy to tell which ones are authentic.
“The thing that worries me is if people sell the service when they don’t really understand it and do not use the herbs properly,” said Lo.
“It also saddens me to see villagers working very hard to collect the herbs when the spas don’t pay them very well.”
With help from doctors at the Hanoi University of Pharmacy, Lo has also established a small company producing soap with traditional Red Dao herbs and leaves. To make the product, which can be found in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Lo has hired some 40 families in his village to grow the herbs themselves.
Try the true Dao’s spa at:
Red Dao Spa: Ta Chai Village, Ta Phin Commune, Sa Pa District, Lao Cai Province
ACTIVETRAVEL ASIA (ATA) offers a wide selection of Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar adventure tours, including hiking and trekking, biking, motorcycling, overland touring and family travel packages.
Fall Quarter Battle 2010: Judge Showcase (Seton Chiang, Brian Lao; Vince Ngo)
The better known religions are of course Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Catholicism, and Hinduism. However there are many more, for example, The Amish, The Brethren, Children of God, Christadelphians, Christian Science, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), Community of Christ, Eastern Orthodox churches, The Family, Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Polygynists, Jehovah's Witnesses, LDS Restorationists. Messianic Judaism, The Process, Progressive Christianity, Quakers, Community of Christ, Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Unification Church, Unitarian-Universalism, United Pentecostal Church International, Unity School of Christianity, Urantia Book, Worldwide Church of God, The Way International, to name just a few!
Which one do YOU follow?... The one that you were born into and brainwashed with of course! I am now, as of this writing, seventy five years old. I was brought up as a Jew and was forced by my mother to go to the synagogue every Saturday. I was also sent to a Jewish school. As a child I tended to have a very logical mind and found it very difficult to accept something that could not be convincingly demonstrated to me. I was badgered with “God punishes the bad and rewards the good,” yet in real life this just didn’t seem to happen. The straw that broke the camel’s back occurred when I was about thirteen years old. A young cousin of mine was knocked off his bicycle and killed. The whole family gathered for his funeral as the local rabbi began his spiel. “And if we ask God and we have no right to ask God,” he began. “Why he took this little boy. Perhaps he needed an innocent lamb by his side in heaven?” “What a load of cobbler’s,” I remembered thinking. “There are zillions of innocent lambs available!” I walked away from the funeral and from religion.
SO WHICH SYSTEM IS THE CORRECT ONE?
Christians believe that Jesus was the son of God. Jews and Muslims don't believe that at all Catholics worship the Virgin Mary...Jews don't Christians can eat pork Jews cannot eat pork, crab, shrimp, oysters, snails, rabbits etc Muslims believe that Muhammad was God's messenger Catholics cannot eat meat on Friday Hindus consider the cow holy and cannot kill or eat one Jews have to install a special little Hebrew scroll on every doorpost in their home and the men have to pray with one in a little box strapped onto their heads Christians believe that Jesus is going to return to earth Muslims cannot eat pork Christians have to kneel to pray Jews have to keep all plates and cutlery used to serve meat separate for any others Muslims have to bow down and face Mecca Muslims and Jews have to have their animals killed a special way before eating them Jews have to cover their heads Catholics can confess their sins to their priest and have them forgiven If a dog licks a Muslim, he has to wash seven times Jewish and Muslim men have to be circumcised
Each religion of course believes that theirs is the correct one and non believers will not go to heaven. Throughout history they have always slaughtered anyone who disagrees with them.
RELIGIOUS HYPOCRISY
Seen those pretty sketches of Adam and Eve in biblical books? If they had existed at all, they would have looked very much like apes. However, consider this: here we have Adam and Eve who had two sons. Where did the next generation come from? Did Eve have sex with one of the sons? Did Adam and Eve have a daughter who then had sex with Adam or one of the sons? However you look at it, it was incest. What a great way to start the human race. No wonder there are so many idiots in the world!
Christianity and Islam teach "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Do you see any examples of them following this credo?
Christianity, Islam and Judaism teach "Thou shall not kill." What a joke!" They seem to do very little else!
All the major religions teach "Love thy neighbour." You could have fooled me!
As there is no evidence of the existence of any gods, the faithful will grab at any straw so that they can claim to have seen a sign or a miracle...The face of Jesus on a piece of toast or a rusty refrigerator: the image of the Virgin Mary on a griddle: a light which is reflected from a church chandelier and moves across the wall etc etc. They are so gullible that they will follow anyone proclaiming that they are in touch with some divine entity, however outrageous the claim or how crooked the claimant is.
EVANGELISTS. The only bigger idiots than evangelists are those who send money to them! Here are a few examples of where your money goes.
A probe into the finances of six televangelists who preach a "prosperity gospel reported lavish lifestyles by televangelists including: fleets of Rolls Royces, huge palatial mansions, private jets and other excesses. These luxuries were purportedly paid for by television viewers who donate due to the ministry's requests for tithes. The six under investigation were Kenneth Copeland and Gloria Copeland of Kenneth Copeland Ministries of Newark, Texas; Creflo Dollar and Taffi Dollar of World Changers Church International and Creflo Dollar Ministries of College Park, Ga; Benny Hinn of World Healing Center Church Inc. and Benny Hinn Ministries of Grapevine, Texas; Eddie L. Long of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church and Bishop Eddie Long Ministries of Lithonia, Ga; Joyce Meyer and David Meyer of Joyce Meyer Ministries of Fenton, Mo; Randy White and Paula White of the multiracial Without Walls International Church and Paula White Ministries of Tampa. Here are some other bible thumpers, charged with sexual, violent and financial crimes: Tony Alamo, Matthew F. Hale, Warren Jeffs, Luc Jouret, Jung Myung Seok, WilliamKamm, Ervil LeBaron, Alice Lenshina, Jeffrey Lundgren, Charles Manson, Shukri Mustafa, Fred Phelps, Douglas Porte, Swami Premananda, Jacques Robidoux, Paul Schäfe, Roch Thériault, Yahweh Ben Yahweh, Dwight York, Jim Bakker, Hogen Fukunaga, Mary Sue Hubbard, Henry Lyons, Sun Myung Moon, Edward Morrissey, Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh – later called Osho, L. Ron Hubbard. So don’t forget to keep up your donations!
MIRACLES. There are no miracles from God! Let’s take Lourdes as an example. Out of the thousands of miracles claimed, the church has decided that around 67 were in fact miracles, basically because they cannot come up with any other explanation. Some of the purported cures were later reversed. An interesting fact here is that the fourteen year old girl who started the Lourdes nonsense suffered from asthma which stayed with her until her death! I personally performed hypnosis for many years and I am very aware of the power of the mind over the body. When I was a young boy, my sister developed a tumor on the brain. One of the top surgeons in the UK was ready to operate of her and stated that he would have to remove the optic nerve in the process, making her blind. Father refused surgery. A few months later, the tumor dissipated and sister regained her health. That was sixty years ago and she is still going strong. If we had been in Lourdes, it would have been called a miracle! What about the millions of sick people who travel there every single year looking for a cure from their “loving and benevolent god,.” only to return home in the same sick condition? Do you hear of anyone going to Lourdes with one arm and returning home with two? Now THAT would be a real miracle!
“JESUS LOVES CHILDREN.”…Yeah Right! Here are a few examples of divine love for children within just a few months:
STATISTICS SHOW THAT WORDWIDE 1.8 MILLION PEOPLE DIE FROM DIARRHEA RELATED DISEASES WITH CHILDREN CONSTITUTING 90 PERCENT. THIS MEANS THAT EVERY 20 SECONDS A CHILD DIES FROM THIS!
AS OF 2004, 108 ISRAELI AND 821 PALESTINIAN CHILDREN HAD BEEN KILLED IN THE MIDDLE EAST SO-CALLED” HOLY LAND” CONFLICT.
Mar.16th 08 In Hong Kong a 7 year old boy and a 3 year old girl died form bird flu. In this month there have been 18 confirmed outbreaks, 106 suspected ones and 837 people affected. Mar.14th 08 500,000 young students were ordered to stay home from school in Hong Kong after 2 students died from flu.
Mar13.08 In Pakistan Two women and two children were killed by United Stated artillery shells.
Mar.15th. 08 A bomb in Yala, Thailand seriously injured five children, the oldest aged 7 years.
Mar.17th.08. An 11 year old boy died from bird flu in Vietnam, the 52nd victim of the disease.
Mar. 22.nd 08 Benny Susetyo, a Catholic priest writing in the Jakarta post claims that if Catholics pray more, then God will reduce the number of disasters. Didn’t do much for the Muslims of Indonesia who pray five times a day!
EVERY YEAR ABOUT 10 MILLION CHILDREN DIE FROM DISEASES AND STARVATION
Mar.1st 08 . In the West Bank, Israeli soldiers shot dead a stone throwing 14 year old Palestinian boy. NICE WORK FOR GOD’S “CHOSEN PEOPLE”
IN YOGYAKARTA, INDONESIA IT IS ESTIMATED THAT OVER 1000 CHILDREN, 175 OF THEM UNDER FIVE YEARS OF AGE, ARE LIVING ON THE STREETS.
Since September, 20 Chicago Public Schools students have been killed, 18 by gunfire. Last school year, 24 of the more than 30 students killed were shot to death, compared with between 10 and 15 fatal shootings in the years before
Mar.13th.08 In West Sumatra, Indonesia 29 year old Yarnawati and her three children aged 5, 3 and 1 were killed in a landslide….the fifth in the region since 2006.
Apr 16th 08 In Western India at least 40 school children were killed when their bus plunged off a bridge into a canal.
Apr 16th 08 In Uganda an overnight fire in a school dormitory killed 19 students between the ages of 7 and 10.
Apr 17th 08 Two boys on a bicycle were killed by a shell fired by the Israeli army in Gaza
DURING THE VIETNAM WAR, THAT WONDERFUL CHRISTIAN COUNTRY KNOWN AS THE USA, DROPPED ABOUT 260 MILLION CLUSTER BOMBS ON LAOS. MILLIONS OF UNEXPLODED BOMBS LITTER THE COUNTRY STILL AND REGULARLY KILL LITTLE CHILDREN WHO FIND THEM.
Apr 19th 08 In Quito Ecuador 15 young people died and 35 were badly injured when a fire swept through a night club
IN THE MAY 2008 7.9 EATHQUAKE IN CHINA WHICH KILLED MORE THAN 40,000, CHILDREN WERE HEARD CRYING FOR HELP UNDER A FLATTENED SCHOOL IN YINGXIU, AS PEOPLE TRIED TO DIG WITH THEIR BARE HANDS.
Apr 20th 08 Two Palestinian teenagers Ahmed Najar, 17 and Bilal Deheini, 16 died of wounds caused by Israeli military action.
IN THE MAY 2008 EARHQUAKE IN CHINA, THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN DIED WHEN THEIR SCHOOLS COLLAPSED
Apr 21st 08 In Putrajaya Malaysia, a 17 year old girl died when she fell while attempting to climb out of her apartment window to visit a friend below.
In France serial killer Michael Fourinet managed to kill 9 young women and girls before he was caught.
Malaria kills about 1.3 million every year, most of them children under 5 years of age.
In Tangerang regency Indonesia there are about 2,895 annual cases of infant malnutrition and an annual estimate of 2,900 infant deaths before their first birthday.
529,000 WOMEN DIE ANUALLY FROM PREGNANCY RELATED COMPLICATIONS.
Mar.14th 08 Artillery shells fired by US forces in Afghanistan hit a house in Pakistan killing two women and two children. Also Responsible is “BORN AGAIN” Christian George Bush who “reads the bible every day for inspiration”…What utter hypocrisy!
Apr 14th 08 In Bima Indonesia, Lola, 3, Nur Saidah, 11 and Maesa, 9, died in a diarrhea epidemic.
Apr 08 In the Indonesian province that includes Koa village on Rote Island, seven children under the age of five died from starvation while fifty other very young children died from malnutrition.
Apr 1st 08 In Indonesia in the last week a 15 year old boy and a 12 year old girl died from bird flu bringing the country total of deaths to 107.
April 2008. Texas authorities said on Thursday they identified 25 more mothers below age 18 among those removed from a polygamist compound, raising to about 460 the number of minors at the heart of a huge abuse probe. The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints regards plural marriage as ordained by God and the sect’s followers have tended to keep to themselves in isolated corners of Arizona, Utah and elsewhere. The compound is linked to a breakaway Mormon sect and is run by followers of jailed polygamist leader Warren Jeffs. Texas welfare and law enforcement officials say they have uncovered evidence of widespread child abuse on the grounds, with adolescent girls being forced into unions with much older men
Apr 23rd 08 In Rajasthan India 24 people including 9 women and 5 children in a wedding party were killed when their van collided with a truck.
THE UN ESTIMATES THAT 2.5 MILLION PEOPLE ARE VICTIMS OF FORCED LABOUR AND SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND THAT 1.2 MILLION OF THEM ARE CHILDREN.
Apr 28th 08 In Israel, the military killed fours children aged one to five and their mother by firing a tank shell into their home.
Apr 29th 08 A 73 year old Austrian man, Josef Fritzi imprisoned his daughter in the cellar of his home for 24 years and had 7 children with her while he carried on a normal married life upstairs
Apr 30th 08 In Central Jave Indonesia, a 3 year old boy died from bird flu bringing the county’s toll to 108.
CHINA HAS 15 MILLION CHILD SMOKERS
April 2008 In Kampala Uganda, an overnight fire destroyed a primary school dormitory leaving 19 schoolgirls and two teachers dead. “Help me, oh God help me,” wailed Jaqueline Bakoba as she looked for her missing daughter Betty.
May 3rd 08 Doctors in China are trying to contain the spread of an intestinal virus which has infected 3,000 children, killing 21 of them so far.
May 5th In Narathiwat Thailand, a bomb blast seriously wounded three girls aged 11, 13 and 14 who were visiting a fair.
May 8th 08 In southern Philippines, a mother and her two children were seriously wounded when a bomb placed by Muslim separatists exploded in a passenger van.
IN THE MAY 2008 EARTHQUAKE IN CHINA, IT IS ESTIMATED THAT 7,000 CHILDREN DIED AND 16,000 WERE INJURED AS WELL AS 7,000 CLASSROOMS DESTROYED
May 8th 08 In Padang Indonesia a 2 year old boy was killed when he fell from the second floor of the city hall.
May 9th 08 To date, enterovirus 71 has infected 25,000 children in China, killing 34 of them.
IN 2008 IT WAS ANNOUNCED IN INDONESIA THAT ABOUT 13 MILLION CHILDREN THERE SUFFER FROM MALNUTRITION.
May 11th 08 In Algiers Algeria, floods swept away two brothers aged 8 and 9, as they walked home from school.
May 13th 08 In Mojoagung village Indonesia, students Rohaniyah and Taryanto, both 15, died after eating corn mixed with rice.
IN 1989 UP TO 246 PEOPLE IN LAMPUNG VILLAGE, INDONESIA WERE KILLED BY THE INDONESIAN MILITARY. THE DEAD WERE ATTEMPTING TO FORM A MORE RELIGIOUS ISLAMIC STATE.
Jun 1st 08 In France, 5 children died when the bus in which they were traveling was hit by a train.
Jun 2nd 08 In Mongolia 14 children were among the 52 killed in a severe snowstorm.
Jun 3rd 08 In south Thailand, militants killed a 15 year old boy and injured his 4 year old sister.
THE INDONESIAN ASSOCIATION OF PEDIATRICIANS REPORTS THAT 36 INFANTS OUT OF EACH 1,000 BIRTHS DIE AND THAT 50 PERCENT OF CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN 1 AND 4 YEARS DIE FROM DISEASES SUCH AS DENGUE FEVER, TUBERCULOSIS, DIARRHEA AND MALNUTRITION.
Jun 5th 08 Outside of Quetta Pakistan, tribal rebels blew up a bridge which then fell on a house killing a 9 year old girl and a 5 year old boy.
Jun 9th 08 In BATU DISTRICT Indonesia a bus caught fire killing 2 kindergartner children
Jun 9th 08 In Pondok Labu Indonesia, 5 kindergarten-aged children were hospitalized after eating chocolate candy.
IN JUNE 2008 UNICEF ANNOUNCED THAT BETWEEN JANUARY AND JUNE, OVER 50 CHILDREN HAD BEEN KIDNAPPED IN HAITI, MANY OF THEM BEING TORTURED AND RAPED AND IN THE CONGO, THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN HAD BEEN ROUNDED UP AND USED AS CHILDS SOLDIERS OR SEX SLAVES.
Jun 21st 08 In Mimika Indonesia, 14 children died and 974 are infected from an outbreak of diarrhea.
Jun 21st 08 In Jayapura, Indonesia, 65 children under the age of five are infected with the AIDS virus.
ABOUT 5 MILLION PEOPLE HAVE LUPUS WHICH KILLS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM. 15% OF THEM ARE CHILDREN
So there you are. I’m sorry to inform you that there is no God, no heaven, no hell. No future after death, not that it will make any difference to your life because once you are brainwashed with this rubbish it will stay with you forever.
About the Author
I am from Sheffield in the UK and have lived in several other countries including France, Canada, USA, Bahamas, Jamaica and Colombia. I am now living in Indonesia which I personally believe is the best of the bunch. I am married to a much younger girl and we are so happy together that we started a webpage to introduce Western men to Indonesian women www.indonesian-wife.com Email exbrit69@yahoo.com Yahoo Messenger ID is exbrit69
"Slowboat to Laos" Curtis.melissa's photos around Chiang Khong, Thailand (riverside village asia)
lao recipes="lao recipes" Atheists may be correct in not having blind faith in a religious text, but how many have actually..?
followed the advice of a good sage, for example, Lao Tzu, or Sidharta, Socrates,even Jesus' path in Matthews.
if you haven't, what's your reason not to believe their teachings can lead to where they say it does?
isn't that like saying the cake won't rise by only reading the recipe and not trying to bake it? have you ever wondered what life might be like without a head full of memes?
I was raised christian.
Became a buddhist for about a decade.
I am now atheist, but still live by the teachings of both jesus and buddha.
capital of laos="capital of laos" What is the capital of these countries?
Albania Belarus Chad Dominica Eritria Finland Georgia Hungary Ireland Jordan kiribati Laos Mali Niger Oman Peru Qatar Rwanda Samoa Tanzania Uzbekistan Vietnam Yemen Zambia One country from each alphabet. The highest answer will be getting the best answer.
Albania - Tirane Belarus - Minsk Chad - N'Djamena Dominica - Roseau Eritria - Asmara Finland - Helsinki Georgia - Tbilisi Hungary - Budapest Ireland - Dublin Jordan - Amman Kiribati - Tarawa Atoll Laos - Vientiane Mali - Bamako Niger - Niamey Oman - Muscat Peru - Lima Qatar - Doha Rwanda - Kigali Samoa - Apia Tanzania - Dodoma Uzbekistan - Tashkent Vietnam - Hanoi Yemen - Sanaa Zambia - Lusaka
"Capital of Laos - Vientiane" Laytonandjana's photos around Vientiane, Lao Peoples Dem Rep
laos car hire="laos car hire" International drivers license Thailand?
Is there much point to me getting my international drivers license if im going to Cambodia, Laos and Thailand. Are there places to hire cars, whats the deal with renting cars to travel aound these countries? Any details appreciated.
Best advice is not to drive if you don't have too. Rules of the road are not the same or followed in these countries. Also roads in Cambodia and Laos are not that great to put it nicely. However cheap transportation is available all over.
"Day 17 - Luang Prabang" Al_fey's photos around Luang Prabang, Lao Peoples Dem Rep
Where and how to meet minorities in Southeast Asia
But how do you ensure that while visiting, you don't cause unintended damage or offence? You can show your respect for a culture by being educated about its ways, beliefs and taboos. Here are a few general guidelines:
1. Always ask permission before taking photos of tribespeople.
2. Don't touch totems at village entrances or sacred items hanging from trees.
3. Avoid cultivating a tradition of begging, especially among children.
4. Avoid public nudity and don't undress near an open window.
5. Don't flirt with members of the opposite sex.
6. Don't drink or do drugs with the villagers.
7. Smile at villagers even if they stare.
8. Ask your guide how to say ‘hello'.
9. Avoid public displays of affection, which might be viewed as offensive to the spirit world.
10. Don't interact with the villagers' livestock; avoid interacting with jungle animals, which might be viewed as visiting spirits.
11. Don't step on the threshold of a house, prop your feet up against the fire or wear your shoes inside.
Where to meet Southeast Asia's minority cultures
If you want to meet minority cultures, you'll often have to get away from popular tourist centres; how far you'll have to go depends very much on the country and how popular it is with visitors.
The trekking industry in Thailand is very developed and a minority visit can be a disappointment for some, but much depends on the operator organising the trip. Northern Vietnam and the Xishuangbannà region of Yúnnán have emerged as popular places to experience minority cultures. Laos is really taking off as a destination to meet minority groups, partly due to its ethnically diverse population and in part due to the relatively small numbers of visitors venturing off the beaten path.
Cambodia and the Central Highlands of Vietnam provide a home to some minority groups in the northeast, but as they dress like lowland Khmer or Vietnamese, they have been less exposed to mass tourism than elsewhere. As for the effects of trekking on the host tribes, many agree that individuals within the village might financially benefit when the trekking companies purchase supplies and lodging, but the overall pluses and minuses are considered to be minimal compared to other larger institutional forces.
Lonely Planet has a suggestion of the top 5 spots for a genuine interaction with a minority culture in Southeast Asia:
1. Cambodia: Ratanakiri 2. Laos: Muang Sing 3. Thailand: Chiang Rai 4. Vietnam: Sapa 5. Yúnnán: Xishuangbannà
But there are many other important minority groups in the region, some rendered stateless by the conflicts of the past, others recent migrants to the region, including the many hill tribes.
Cham
The Cham people originally occupied the kingdom of Champa in southcentral Vietnam and their beautiful brick towers dot the landscape from Danang to Phan Rang. Victims of a historical squeeze between Cambodia and Vietnam, their territory was eventually annexed by the expansionist Vietnamese. Originally Hindu, they converted to Islam in the 16th and 17th centuries and many migrated south to Cambodia. Today there are small numbers of Cham in Vietnam and as many as half a million in Cambodia, all of whom continue to practise a flexible form of Islam. Over the centuries, there has been considerable intermarriage between Cham and Malay traders.
Hmong
The Hmong are one of the largest hill tribes in the Mekong region, spread through much of northern Laos, northern Vietnam, Thailand and Yúnnán.Hmong groups are usually classified by their colourful clothing, including Black Hmong, White Hmong, Red Hmong and so on. The brightest group is the Flower Hmong of northwest Vietnam, living in villages around Bac Ha. The Hmong are known for their embroidered indigo-dyed clothing and their ornate silver jewellery. There may be as many as one million Hmong in the Mekong region, half of them living in the mountains of Vietnam.
Jarai
The Jarai are the most populous minority in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, northeast Cambodia and southern Laos. Villages are often named for a nearby river, stream or tribal chief, and a nha-Rong (communal house) is usually found in the centre. Jarai women typically propose marriage to the men through a matchmaker, who delivers the prospective groom a copper bracelet. Animistic beliefs and rituals still abound, and the Jarai pay respect to their ancestors and nature through a host or yang (genie). The Jarai construct elaborate cemeteries for their dead, which include carved effigies of the deceased. These totems can be found in the forests around villages, but sadly many are being snapped up by culturally insensitive collectors.
Dzao
The Dzao (also known as Yao or Dao) are one of the largest and most colourful ethnic groups in Vietnam and are also found in Laos, Thailand and Yúnnán. The Dzao practise ancestor worship of spirits, or ban ho (no relation to Uncle Ho), and hold elaborate rituals with sacrifices of pigs and chickens. The Dzao are famous for their elaborate dress. Women's clothing typically features intricate weaving and silver-coloured beads and coins – the wealth of a woman is said to be in the weight of the coins she carries. Their long flowing hair, shaved above the forehead, is tied up into a large red or embroidered turban, a sort of skinhead-meets-silk combination.
Source : lonelyplanet
About the Author
ACTIVETRAVEL ASIA (ATA) offers a wide selection of Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar adventure tours, including hiking and trekking, biking, motorcycling, overland touring and family travel packages.
Hmong protest being forced back to Laos -23 June 08
vientiane times laos_2="vientiane times laos" Vientiane to Luang Prabang?
Hi, I am a female from Singapore and I am intending to travel up ALONE to Vientiane and Luang Prabang soon for a backpacking trip. This is my first time travelling on my own and I would like to know-
1) if the 10-hr bus ride from Vientiane to Luang Prabang is safe and how often do they stop for a break?
2) Is it generally safe in Laos?
3) What are the things I should be wary of over there?
Thank you!
Yes, I did this trip recently. It's safe but the roads are windy and the trip is long. If you want to break it up you can stop at Vang Viang (spelling?) which is about halfway and quite pretty. There are so many guesthouses there as well as internet cafes etc. There are many tourists traveling this particular route so you won't be alone.
The bus might stop every few hours for a toilet break but this involves running behind some trees or for guys just peeing on the side of the road...it's quite an adventure.
Explore the Stunning Landscapes and Cultural Heritage of Thailand on a Mekong River Boat Cruise
The confluence between the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar known as the Golden Triangle famous throughout the world not only for its stunning scenery, but also its notoriety as haven of opium smugglers and turbulent political history. The illicit activities that once plagued the region have today been reduced to no more than a historical footnote upon which the region's tourist industry capitalizes. However, the many natural, historical and cultural charms still draw travellers to the area by the thousands.
One of the ways to best take in the montage of diverse landscapes and sightseeing offerings near and around the Golden Triangle, and the countryside of Thailand at large, is by going on a boat-cruise down the Mekong River. One of the primary irrigation arteries of Southeast Asia, the Mekong River is the longest of its kind in its geographic region, flowing down from the Chinese Tibetan mountains to create a natural border between the countries of Laos and Thailand and running through both Vietnam and Cambodia before finally spilling into the South China Sea. Although the upper part of the river is famously treacherous, with its swift rapids and steep inclines, the southern end around Louang Phrabang in Laos is popular for its idyllic cruising.
Most Mekong River routes through Thailand encompass the country's capital of Bangkok, with its wealth of Thai temples and associated art and culture, especially in the ancient kingdom of Ayutthaya. Northwards from here the cruise boats may dock at Chiang Rai, the most recommended base for a tourist's exploration of the Golden Triangle.
Cross over to the Laotian border into the town of Huay Xay and get a taste of northern Laos with its hill-tribe villages and quaint Buddhist temples. The highlight here is Luang Prabang, the capital of Laos in its days of ancient royalty. Today, this city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site noted as one of the most picturesque old settlements in the whole of Southeast Asia. Guided city tours will take you through famous Wats such as Xieng Thong, Khili and Sene as well as the vibrant Hmong night market.
One may also encounter the stunning Kuang Si falls along the shores of Mekong as well as the nearby elephant camp. Discover the small Buddha idols secreted inside the caverns of Pak Ou and the delightful flora and fauna of the unspoilt forests lining the Laotian shores of the mighty Mekong. Unravel the origin of the massive stone urns in Xieng Khouang, or Plain of Jars, one of the mind-boggling archaeological mysteries of the world.
The further downstream one travels, the more wild and impressive the landscape becomes, with its hills blanketed by lush vegetation, enormous outcrops of rock and an unpredictable ride of fast currents and periods of placidity. All through, you will pass through a montage of not only hill, dell and forest but also tranquil villages in the hum-drum pace of rural life as well as bustling urban centres. The final destination of Vientiane, with its graceful boulevards and serene temples prove a fitting finish to this action-packed adventure traversing one of the world's most untamed rivers.
Depending on where you embark and which tour you select, travellers have range of boat cruises to choose from, which may stretch anywhere from three to seven days journey. The charter is of course, subject to changing weather and river conditions and the crew necessarily reserves the right to change the itinerary without warning in the interests of safety.
The Golden Triangle is one of the best places to either dock or disembark, or simply spend the day on solid ground. Chiang Rai is the natural base here, being the commercial centre of the area. Those looking for a Chiang Rai resort, in which to find accommodation while exploring the many marvels along the Mekong, are directed to the Anantara Golden Triangle, Thailand, one of the most luxurious Chiang Rai hotels that makes the natural beauty of its environs into its own brand of enchantment.
About the Author
Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.
Vientiane Guesthouses
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