More than 100 elephants are expected to take part in Laos ' third elephant festival to be held next year, according to organisers ElefantAsia.
The festival will take place on February 14 and 15 next year in Xayaboury town, Xayaboury province.
ElefantAsia Communications Officer, Ms Ingrid Suter, said the organisers loved elephants so much that Valentine's Day seemed like the perfect time to schedule the event.
“The festival will be a celebration of cultural and traditional ties between the local community and elephants, as well as drawing local and international attention to the endangered status of this charismatic species,” Ms Suter said.
“Xayaboury province is a great location because it is very picturesque with beautiful rivers and mountains.”
The festival will feature an elephant procession, mahout demonstrations, elephant bathing, an outdoor elephant museum, a traditional baci ceremony, fruit and flower offerings, monk blessings, live performances from local and foreign artists, and night markets.
A documentary film about elephants will be shown on a large outdoor screen and people will also be able to go for elephant rides in the neighbouring forest.
Organisers will award a motorbike to the mahout whose elephant is the healthiest and best-looking at the festival. The owner of every elephant that takes part in the festival will also receive a first-aid kit to use in the care of their elephant.
Visitors to the festival can choose from a range of accommodation options, including hotels, guesthouses or camping.
“The 2008 festival was held in Paklay district of Xayaboury province and local people made a good income from offering reasonably-priced home-stay for visitors,” Ms Sutor said.
“People in Xayaboury town expect to do the same next year.”
Visitors can fly direct from Vientiane to Xayaboury in about 50 minutes. Travelling via hire car or local bus from Luang Prabang to Xayaboury province takes two to three hours or 10-12 hours from Vientiane .
ElefantAsia is a non-profit organisation which has been operating in Laos since 2001 and aims to protect the Asian elephant.
Ms Suter said there were about 1000 wild and 600 domesticated elephants in Laos .
The 2008 festival featured 70 elephants and attracted more than 50,000 people.
By Phonesavanh Sangsomboun
Vientianetimes
100 elephants expected to stomp to festival in Laos
Better known for its war than its tourist sights, Vietnam is rapidly emerging as one of Asia's most exciting new destinations, with a 'tiger economy' to boot. A peaceful, exotic and friendly country with a long, fascinating history, it's certainly one of the hidden gems in Asia.
What’s Cool
Ancient Hanoi, incredible scenery of Halong Bay and the North, trekking from Sapa hill station, charming Hoi An, friendly locals. Try fresh seafood, local beer and rice wine, sample intriguing history, culture and traditional shows, buy antiques, visit tribal villages near Dalat and Sapa, bask on endless beaches, or take boat trips in Mekong River. The enduring impression of Vietnamese ladies riding bicycles in ao dais (traditional dresses) with conical reed hats is unforgettable.What’s Not
The heat, mad traffic in big cities and the unbearable din of scooter hooters, unreliable bus services, cyclos hustlers, aggressive sellers, nagging beggars, spicy food that causes diarrhea, occasional bird flu!Essential Info
Time: GMT+7Electricity: 220V 50Hz 3-Pin Plug
Money: Baht: 1US$ = 32 Baht
Phone: ICC (+66) Outgoing: 001
Vietnam boasts intriguing hilly scenery, lush green jungles, pristine beaches and the beautiful waters of the Mekong Delta. An array of beautiful architectural wonders with French, Chinese and Vietnamese characteristics offer an enchanting experience alongside the vibrancy of increasingly cosmopolitan cities.
Hanoi is the northerly situated capital, often overshadowed by the country's previous capital and most modern city, Ho Chi Minh City. It offer lakes, temples and even dog meat but largely lacks the quality museums and shopping of its southern rival. Hanoi does make a great launching base for trips to Ha Long Bay, however - a UNESCO protected geological wonder.Travel along the lengthy coast to experience the royal city of Hue, the protected treasure that is Hoi An and Vietnam's ultimate beach resort, Nha Trang, or cool off inland at hill stations such as Dalat in the Central Highlands. Wherever you go, mind your step: Vietnam has almost two times more motorbikes than any other ASEAN nation.
Travel to Vietnam - Getting There
Vietnam has international airports in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Danang. Vietnam Airlines provides international flights from Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Phnom Penh, Siem Riep, Singapore, Osaka and many countries in Europe, with cheap internal flights available at short notice. Buses from Cambodia are also available but the journey is long and can be unreliable. Travellers may also get on a cargo ship to Ho Chi Minh City, Danang and Haiphong from Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore or France while trains travel between Vietnam and its neighboring countries. To get around in Vietnam, mini buses and local buses get you there if you're patient, cars cannot be rented without a driver. You'll never have difficulty flagging down taxis, cyclos and motorcycle taxis.Vietnam Things to Do
Vietnam Travel Guide
A cave explorer stands before an imposing stalagmite made of mineral deposits near an entrance to the Xe Bang Fai River cave in central Laos.
An expedition in February 2008, co-led by veteran caver John Pollack, comprehensively mapped and photographed the 5.9-mile (9.5-kilometer) length of the little-known cavern for the first time.
The spelunking team encountered some of the largest rooms and most impressive structures of any river cave on Earth, Pollack said.
A river cave is any cave with an active water source flowing through it.
Everything about the cave is big from its towering entrances to its phobia-inducing spiders, which can be 10 inches (25 centimeters) across, Pollack added.
"It's also extremely well decorated with spectacular formations," Pollack said.
MORE PHOTOS:.
Scot Hoffman
—Photograph by Dave Bunnell
Travellers discovered gigantic river cave in Laos !
With exotic culture, fantastic natural scenery and beaches, excellent cuisine and the famous 'Thai smile', Thailand attracts over 10 million visitors a year. Voted as the world's best value destination in a recent poll, it boasts lovely coastal areas, cosmopolitan cities, unspoiled countryside, great shopping and plenty of activities.What’s Cool
Nightlife and shopping in Bangkok, stunning beaches of Phuket and Krabi, history and culture, trekking in the Northern jungle, scuba diving in the Andaman Sea, climbing in Krabi, lots of cheap Thai food, great hotels, friendly people and comfy tourist infrastructure.What’s Not
Bangkok traffic, overly spicy food, hustling tuk-tuk drivers and bar girls, crowded Patong (Phuket), noisy neighbourhoods, the hot season, reckless driving, riptides, corrupt officials and the occasional coup!Visas
US/Can: on-arrival (30 / 15 days)EU: on-arrival (30 / 15 days)
Aus/NZ: on-arrival (30 / 15 days)
Essential Info
Time: GMT+7Electricity: 220V 50Hz
Round 2-Pin Plug
Money: Baht: 1US$ = 34 Baht
Phone: ICC (+66) Outgoing: 001
The 'Big Mango', Bangkok, is a concrete jungle that packs megamalls and cutting-edge nightclubs in among its notorious traffic jams. Bangkok has gleaming temples and palaces and some of the best shopping and nightlife in Asia. The Grand Palace here will take your breath away, as will the ancient ruins upriver at Ayutthaya.
The islands and beaches of southern and eastern Thailand have many popular destinations and most visitors head straight for the beaches of Phuket, Samui or Krabi, yet up-and-coming hotspots like Phi-Phi, Koh Chang and Koh Lanta are new firm favourites. If you don't just want to see what's on land in this nation of spicy papaya salad, you may like to explore the underwater offerings of the remote Similan or Surin islands.Central Thailand is the historical heartland of Thailand with grand historical ruins such as Ayutthaya and Sukhothai, while Northern Thailand is covered with rugged, jungle-clad mountains that are dotted with hill tribe villages which make for spectacular trekking around Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son. The northern city of Chiang Mai offers trekking adventures into hill tribe dotted territory as well as plenty of modern conveniences and is a great launching pad for discovering the smaller tourist spots of Mae Hong Son and Chiang Rai.
Northeastern Thailand is one of the least visited parts of Thailand, which lends it its own down-home Thai-style charm, plus there are some spectacular Khmer-era ruins such as Phi Mai, Phanom Rung and Prasat Khao Phra Wihan to keep things interesting.
Travel To Thailand - Getting There
The new Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport handles 40 million passengers a year and is a major regional hub. Budget flights to all regions of the country are very affordable. A rail network (with sleeper trains) runs south, not quite to Phuket, and also north as far as Chiang Mai, via Ayutthaya and Sukhothai. VIP buses are quicker and cheaper but less comfy for long journeys, and connect every small town. Taxis across Thailand are cheap, but insist on the driver using the meter. Bike hire is also popular for pottering around, but beware of reckless driving. Ferries to the islands run regularly year-round.Thailand Things to Do
Thailand Travel Guide
Planeta.com announces the winner of the 2008 Ecotourism Spotlight Award. For the second year in a row, Ecotourism Laos received the greatest number of votes.
"Thanks to all for supporting the Ecotourism Laos website and other great sites listed this year," said Steven Schipani, Senior Advisor of the Lao National Tourism Administration. "I would also like to thank Planeta for providing a platform to recognize the Lao Government's support for ecotourism and its efforts to conserve the country's rich cultural and natural heritage"
BACKGROUND
Government websites that educate visitors about ecotourism and responsible travel options are eligible to win Planeta.com's annual Ecotourism Spotlight Award. 2008 nominees included Laos, Quito and Bali and Utila.
The award was developed to create incentives for communication, opportunities for conversation and a reward for participation among government leaders working toward ecotourism and responsible travel.
"Many tourism officials are figuring out Web 1.0 principles as locals and visitors are seeking out the Web 2.0 experience," said Planeta.com founder Ron Mader. "The spotlight award helps nudge government leaders forward as we give credit to the websites that are leading the pack."
The winner is announced in celebration of World Tourism Day (September 27) as way of spotlighting best practice in responsible travel and ecotourism.
Voting took place from July 15-August 30. More than 100 people participated.
Source: http://www.planeta.com/planeta/08/0809spotlightaward.html
Ecotourism Laos Wins 2008 Ecotourism Spotlight Award !
Better known by its former name, Burma, this once thriving British colony of teak forests is now a pariah state which has been under strict military junta control for four decades. That doesn't hide the fact that it has an incredible cultural legacy which attracts a small flow of tourists.What’s Cool
Multiethnic make up of the country, Yangon's Shwedagon Paya pagoda, Mandalay's historic attractions, the traditional lifestyle in Shan State, Bagan's hundreds of chedis, Bago's pagodas, handicrafts in Pathein.What’s Not
The human rights record of the junta, widespread poverty, areas off-limits to tourists, poor infrastructure, hot season temperatures, beggars and petty thieves, inadequate medical facilities, poor food hygiene and tropical diseases.When to Go
Best: November-FebruaryHigh season: November to February
Low season: May to September
Essential Info
Time: GMT+6 1/2Electricity: 230V 50Hz
Most 3-flat plugs (UK)
Money: Myanmar kyat
1US$ = 6.6 kyat (1,200 black market)
Phone: ICC (+95) Outgoing: 00
The people are welcoming, if somewhat subdued, and it's safe to travel here provided you stick to the government prescribed routes, don't talk politics to the locals and spend your overpriced foreign exchange certificates. Despite the depressing human rights situation and sheer poverty from isolation, the desperate locals will appreciate your visit.
Yangon is no longer the nation's capital, with the generals having moved politics to a more secretive location, yet it houses some of its greatest wonders - namely the She Pagoda. This sacred religious site is steeped in legend and a favorite with pilgrims. More Buddhist treasures can be admired at Bagan, with its sea of pagodas, and Mandalay, home to dozens of temples and a reconstructed royal palace.Myanmar is a country with contradictions both strange and sad. It’s blessed with huge amounts of natural resources and stunning beauty, but its population toils in poverty; its rich history and fabulous temples are a natural draw for millions of tourist dollars, yet it sees only a trickle of that potential.
If you do decide to go, and are prepared to deal with the risks and restrictions, Myanmar can be a breathtakingly beautiful country, with friendly people and endless splendor. One only hopes that the situation will improve, and the country will eventually be able to take advantage of all it has to offer.
Note: Many think that visiting Myanmar only provides a revenue stream that the government uses to continue repressing its citizens, while others say that visiting is an important way to support the locals by spending money at non-government businesses. It’s complicated, and serious research should precede any visit.
Travel to Myanmar - Getting There
Going to Myanmar is quite a challenging task for those who are only used to luxury. The most realistic means of reaching Yangon is from Bangkok, but flights also arrived from East India and Bangladesh, China, Malaysia and Singapre. You can also fly to Myanmar from Chiang Mai in Thailand. Yangon Airways provides domestic flights to key attractions around the country. Driving overland from India or Thailand is unrealistic due to restrictions and safety. A rail service will get you North to Mandalay with modest comfort and reliability. Trishaws, taxis and pick-up trucks can be flagged down anywhere in the country to take you places, they are run down but cheap..Myanmar Things to Do
Myanmar Travel Guide
What’s Cool
Lavish seven-star hotels, amazing mosques, the royal palace of Istana Nurul Iman, water sports, low crime rate, excellent medical services, idyllic beaches.What’s Not
Hot and humid weather year round, alcohol is illegal, lack of budget hotels, severe punishment for offences, risk of tropical diseases.Visas
US/Can: on-arrival (90 / 14 days)EU/UK: on-arrival (14 / 30 days)
Aus/NZ: on-arrival (14 / 30 days)
Essential Info
Time: GMT+8Electricity: 220-240V 50Hz
3-square Pin Plug
Money: Brunei Dollar
1US$ = 1.46 B$
Phone: ICC (+673) Outgoing: 00
Once a British colony, Brunei is today a unique tourist destination where you can rub shoulders with ex-pat oil workers and orangutans. Located on the island of Borneo and bordering the Malaysian state of Sarawak, this city-sized country boasts a long-recorded history and unique culture.
A number of parks, lakes and countless architectural wonders including the gleaming gold dome of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque all add an interesting tourist spin to Brunei. The capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, has more than just beautiful mosques, however. It features a lively amusement park on its western outskirts and acts as a gateway to the port town of Muara and the oil towns of Seria and Kuala Belait.It is not the cities and towns that visitors come here for but the Temburong eco-tours and longhouse stays. Rainforest covers Belalong National Park, and here visitors can walk among the trees on the canopy walk before learning more about the huge insects and other wildlife that call the forest home at the research center.
If you've never been to Brunei then a good introduction is our Brunei Tourism page which gives an introduction to the country and an overview of all the essential travel, visa, health, safety and itinerary information needed by first-time travelers.
Brunei Travel Guide
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