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669 blog posts found
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Teaching a Man to Fish Posted 02 Sep 2010 by Gabrielle Yetter |
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My colleague, Siratha, asked me last week if I could help him write English captions for the photos he was displaying at the Indigenous People's Day event in Siem Reap. Since I only had 30 minutes before heading out to my language class, I swiftly ran through the photos, asked him about the subjects and wrote brief descriptions for his display board. Siratha smiled broadly. "I could not have done this without you," he said, as I dashed out of the office. It felt good help but, later on, realized there may have been a better way. If I'm not around the next time he needs help, he's on his own. My purpose, and the purpose of this time in Cambodia, is to help people like Siratha so that, next time, he can help himself. It reminded me of the vision of DPA, the organization where I work, -- "To empower and support poor and vulnerable people in rural areas in order to improve their quality of life through sustainable development." "Empower and support" was the phrase which got me and reminded me about my role, since I'm really only here for a limited time and can be using it by passing on ways for my colleagues to write and understand English better once I'm gone. One of my duties, I'm told, is to teach English grammar and report-writing to team leaders at DPA who regularly put together multi-page reports for their donors around the world. I've been having fun editing them and, a couple of times, have cracked up reading some of the sentences I find. For instance, there's probably the longest and most confusing sentence in history which reads: "In June 2010, there were seven active literacy classes with total of 117 students, among whom were 74 women, who conducted the examination and the result was that 108 students or represented 92 percent of total 117 regular attended students out of whom 71 women students had involved in examination and only 99 students of 84 percent among of them 65 were women students had passed the exam successfully." ...more... |
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Nepal Buddhist Posted 02 Sep 2010 by Karchung Lama |
| Situated at the Terai plains of the southern Nepal, Lumbini is the place where Siddhartha Gautam, the Shakya Prince and the ultimate Buddha, the Enlighted One, were born in 623 BC. The sacred place, marked by a stone pillar erected by Emperor Ashoka of India in 249 BC, is listed as one of the World Heritage Sites. Today the holy site is being developed with international support as the supreme Buddhist pilgrimage and a symbol of world peace. The shrines and monasteries that many countries have built or are still building reflect the architectural traditions of the respective countries, and thus giving Lumbini an international feel with a message of universal friendship and brotherhood. About 30km east of Lumbini is the village of Tilaurakot which is believed to have been the location of the Kapilvastu royal palace where the Buddha grew up as the Shakya dynasty prince, until he renounced it at the age of 29 in search of enlightenment. |
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Bird Watching Posted 01 Sep 2010 by Karchung Lama |
| Nepal is indeed a paradise for birds with over 800 species recorded representing 10% of the worlds population in just a tiny fraction of the earths land mass. Just to list a few: eight species of stork, six species of pheasant, 17 species of cuckoo, 3 species of crow, cormorant, egret, black ibis, eagle, falcon, duck, chukar, partridge, sarus crane, lapwing pigeon, bengal green pigeon, dove, parakeet, koel cuckoo, owl, vulture, peafowl, red jungle fowl, swallow, black drong, blue jay, wood pecker, black-headed shrike, common myna, red-vented bulbul, paradise flycatcher, brahminy duck, house sparrow, red mania, and hawk. |
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Heartening News regarding Tiger Poachers Posted 27 Aug 2010 by Aline Dobbie |
 TIGER PROTECTION GROUPDear All This is finally a great news- North’s Veerappan gets 6-yr term for poaching Notorious poacher Sansar Chand, better known as ‘Veerappan of north India’, was on Wednesday sentenced to six years in jail — maximum punishment prescribed under the Wildlife Protection Act — by a trial court in a case relating to seizure of a leopard skin 15 years ago. Additional chief metropolitan magistrate Digvinay Singh, who held Chand guilty of possessing a leopard skin under Section 51 read with Section 49 (punishment for dealing in skins and materials of endangered species) of the Wildlife Protection Act, also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000. This is the fourth conviction for Chand. Presently lodged in a Jaipur jail in connection with another offence, Chand will now have to spend less than a year in jail to complete his sentence. In its 24-page judgment, the court took a stern view of the increasing number of cases of wildlife poaching. ‘‘Despite various steps taken by the governments across the globe, the offences relating to wildlife are refusing to come down... such repeated offenders need to be dealt with iron hands, more particularly when there has been three previous convictions and involvement in other similar offences,’’ ACMM Singh said. While the counsel for the accused sought a lenient view saying that the ‘‘pecuniary’’ value of the skin was ‘‘not more than Rs 50’’ and Chand was lodged in jail since 2005, the court trashed the plea, saying: ‘‘The value of skin is not to be taken into consideration by the court at the time of sentence. Whether the skin was of high value or of low value is immaterial. Unless dealing in those skins is stopped completely, hunting is not going to come down’’. ‘‘The punishment to the convict should not only be commensurate with the offence committed by him, but it should also act as a deterrent, not only to this convict but to others involved in similar offences,’’ ACMM Singh sa...more... |
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Fiji Me with Moon Fiji Posted 26 Aug 2010 by David Stanley |
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Avalon Travel Publishing has released the 8th edition of Moon Fiji, the original travel guide to the 322-island Fiji archipelago. Since 1985, Moon Fiji has been the leading travel guidebook to Fiji. Author David Stanley began writing about the South Pacific in 1979, and over the years tens of thousands of Pacific travelers have used his guides to Fiji, Tahiti, Tonga, Samoa, Micronesia, and the South Pacific. In this 8th edition, the introductory material has been moved into Background and Essentials chapters at the back of the book. Background was updated with an account of the recent military coup in Fiji, and there’s now a “Tips for Travelers” section in Essentials with information for those with special interests or needs. A new “blue section” in the front of Moon Fiji includes a five-page Discover Fiji essay with color photos. Then there’s “The Lay of the Land” with summaries of Fiji’s nine regions, “Planning Your Trip” with advice on when to go and what to take, and “Explore Fiji” with two specific 14-day itineraries titled “The Best of Fiji” and “Island-Hopper Special”. Details of sports and recreation, nature reserves, and culture are also included in the blue section. Unlike the maps in other guidebooks which contain confusing numbered keys, the 52 maps in Moon Fiji are clearly labeled. To allow for detail, three street maps of Fiji's capital Suva are included, and two of the gateway city Nadi. A map of Denarau Island has been added in this edition. All of the practical information throughout the book has been re-researched and rewritten. New resorts in the Mamanuca Group such as Funky Fish Beach, Walu Beach, Likuliku Lagoon, and Amunuca Island are included for the first time, and the Marriott and InterContinental projects south of Nadi are discussed. Internet and email addresses are embedded in the listings for ease of reference. Rob Kay of FijiGuide.com has this to say about Moon Fiji: "Packed with great maps it also has resources such as ...more... |
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Tahiti Travel Guide Posted 26 Aug 2010 by David Stanley |
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Avalon Travel Publishing has released the 6th edition of Moon Tahiti, the leading travel guidebook to French Polynesia. Author David Stanley wrote the first South Pacific Handbook in 1979. Ten years later the handbook’s French Polynesia chapter was spun off as a separate guide and Moon Tahiti continues to draw on Stanley's three decades of experience in the region. Moon Tahiti’s 330 pages include dozens of photos, line drawings, and charts, plus a bibliography, glossary, vocabularies, and index. The 54 maps are clearly labeled without the confusing map keys found in other guides. Four maps of the capital Papeete are provided, and this edition contains new town plans of Hauru (Moorea) and Hakahau (Ua Pou) and island maps of Fakarava and Tikehau. The book’s presentation has been entirely revamped with much of the introductory material moved to Background and Essentials chapters at the back of the book. In Essentials there’s now a Tips for Travelers section with specific advice for those interested in work or study, travelers with disabilities or children, and others with special needs. A new “blue section” in the front of Moon Tahiti features a five-page “Discover Tahiti and French Polynesia” essay with original color photos. Then comes “The Lay of the Land” with introductions to Tahiti, Moorea, and the Leeward, Austral, Tuamotu, Gambier, and Marquesas islands. “Planning Your Trip” in the blue section gives advice on when to go and what to take, while “Explore Tahiti and French Polynesia” offers precise day-by-day itineraries titled “The Best of French Polynesia,” “Underwater in the Tuamotu Islands,” “The Australs: Off the Beaten Track,” and “The Magnificent Marquesas.” “Romance on the South Seas” explores French Polynesia’s sensual pleasures, while “The Life Aquatic” is devoted to scuba diving, snorkeling, and surfing. All of the practical information in Moon Tahiti has been re-researched and rewritten, and the internet and email addresses are now embedde...more... |
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Free the beaches Posted 24 Aug 2010 by Justin Francis |
 Private clubs are taking over Italy's coastline charging up to GBP 68 per day for access to PUBLICLY owned beach front. http://m.guardian.co.uk/?id=102202&story=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/22/italy-beach-berlusconi-rossi-zuccheroThis has made me so furious I am starting a free the beaches campaign. I respect private ownership, but in this case - as in many around the world - the beach is owned by the community, who are effectively being forced off their beaches to make way for a wealthy elite. In return they are, according to this article, getting just tiny tax revenues. Not only do they loose access to their beaches (cannot afford it) they face all the costs of tourism - water, transport, sanitation provision etc - paid from their taxes. This happens all over the world. Unless privately owned beachfronts should be for everyone's use. Wealthy developers don't like the idea of locals mixing with their rich clients, and find ways to deter them - sometimes legally sometimes not. Its time to draw a line in the sand over this. Churchill comes to mind 'we'll fight them on the beaches..' |
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What you should not miss while visiting Vietnam in October Posted 24 Aug 2010 by David Nguyen |
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Hanoi is preparing to celebrate its millennial birthday, take a look to activities to celebrate 1000th Thang Long – Hanoi anniversary, Vietnam 1. Opening day (October 1) * The opening ceremony will be held by the Hanoi authorities and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism at the Ly Thai To statue, Dinh Tien Hoang road and the space around the Hoan Kiem Lake in the morning of October 1. * The exhibition of economic and social achievements of Vietnam and Hanoi will open in the afternoon October 1 at the Giang Vo Exhibition Centre. * The exhibition of literary works of Vietnam through various periods at the Cultural and Art Exhibition Centre, 2 Hoa Lu, Hanoi. * A general cultural and art performance organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in Hanoi in the evening on October 1. The show will have the contribution of foreign experts. 2. Activities from October 2, 2010 a. Cultural and art activities: * Cultural exchange festival for ethnic groups in Vietnam to celebrate the 1000th Thang Long – Hanoi anniversary in Hanoi * A week for historical films in Hanoi * “Thang Long impetus and the song for the country” music show at the Hanoi Opera House * Performance of selected new songs to celebrate the 1000th Thang Long – Hanoi anniversary at the Ba Kieu Temple stage * Street festival and cultural-art programme of young Hanoians at various places in Hanoi * The first international festival for young bands in Vietnam at the My Dinh National Convention Hall b. Tourism activities * A tourism festival in Hanoi * An exhibition of antiques, documents and objects about Thang Long – Hanoi in the Thang Long ancient citadel, Hanoi * Exhibition of ornamental trees and flowers in the Thang Long ancient citadel * Festival for craft villages in Hanoi 3. Other activities to celebrate the 1000th Thang Long – Hanoi anniversary in Hanoi from October 1, 2010 * A special circus show entitled “Hanoi – The city for peace” at Thien Quang Lake, Dong Kin...more... |
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Australia’s not supposed to be this cold in winter. Posted 20 Aug 2010 by Julia |
 Back in Bali we never thought about how cold we were going to be.Australia’s not supposed to be this cold in winter. Bali was lovely and hot and a bit humid when we got to Ubud, we settled nicely in to our own little private temple with amazing door and window surrounds and carvings to match. We made our way cautiously toward the monkey forest, paid our entry fee and entered. Monkeys were everywhere, on the ground, up the trees, sitting on walls, scratching themselves, and each other, looking at people, and us. We wandered through the forest acting like we didn’t care and luckily we got through without being attacked by the evils. Monkeys, pah. After a couple of days in Ubud we made our way to Australia via Singapore and after 2 hours in Darwin flew to Cairns and set about finding our van. Frank, as we affectionately call our 1997 Ford Econovan is doing alright; he has got us from Cairns to near Newcastle so far without any dramas apart from when I broke a spark plug in Hicksville being over enthusiastic with our tool kit. Sunday morning and a chance encounter with a man in the Mazda garage who gave me 2 spark plugs, we arrived at Granite Gorge. I have never seen Julia like this before, one look at the Rock Wallabies and she was all over the place nearly wetting herself every 2 seconds as she encountered the small marsupials, like miniature kangaroo’s these little buggers can run, nay hop, up near vertical rocks hence the name of course, and sitting on the rocks at the top of the gorge at sunset with Rock Wallabies sat all around munching on pre-bought wallaby food we met Gail and Jim, had a glass of wine together and watched the sunset, Gail and Jim of course being aussies had been travelling round Australia most of their lives amongst other places around the world we swapped travelling stories like proper hippies. Next stop at Marreeba we gave Frank a long overdue service and headed south to spend a couple of nights at Bramston Beach, every...more... |
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Altitude: 5-day trek and village houses in Valbona and Thethi Posted 19 Aug 2010 by lieke van leeuwen |
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Despite their extreme isolation (or maybe because of it) the northernmost villages of Albania are growing in popularity. This region is well worth the hours of rocky commute required to get there. The landscape is a three dimensional postcard of jagged alpine peaks, thickly vegetated valleys, and the idyllic wood-shingled dwellings of the scant population. Because of the travel time involved in reaching this remote area, there’s no fast way to do it. Outdoor Albania’s five-day trek (http://www.shkoder-albanian-alps.com/Local_village_house_trekking) is great span of time to see enough of the region and even absorb some its local culture and flavor. The first day was dedicated to reaching Valbona via a furgon (minibus) to the ferry that passes through the dramatic Drin canyon. Accommodations were welcoming village guesthouses, where a local family cooked simple, traditional dishes using the fresh ingredients from the land. The next three days were all strenuous days of mountain trekking. The group of 9 followed shepards’ paths through alpine meadows carpeted with wildflowers. Day three was the on-foot passage from Valbona to Thethi, with mountain horses to carry our packs. Day four was spent in and around Thethi, where a well-marked riverside path leads to a gushing waterfall. Day five was spent in transit from Thethi back to Tirana via Shkoder, a northern city with a lunch stop at Tradita restaurant. Trip highlight: the hammock at the Carku guesthouse in Thethi, where the family’s kids thought it was fun for some reason to rock me as I relaxed after three days of serious hiking. |
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