According to an article from the Guardian website, the WWF has announced that 208 new species were discovered in Southeast Asia’s Greater Mekong area in 2010. Discoveries included a new kind of monkey in Burma’s remote Kachin state, a rainbow gecko in Vietnam, and new species of carnivorous plants too.
Archive for the ‘Cambodia’ Category
Top 10 unusual foods you might encounter in Southeast Asia
21 October 2011 by Lyria Eastley
Southeast Asia quite rightly has a reputation for some of the world’s most delicious food: in the Experience Travel office the virtues of Thai Food are regularly extolled and we’re still looking for a Thai restaurant in London that can offer the same standard of culinary experience that you can get in Thailand (any suggestions are welcome).
However, Southeast Asia can also offer the western visitor some of the world’s strangest (well, strange to a western palette anyway) delicacies. At Experience Travel we’ve all been there, done that, and some of us even have the t-shirt when it comes to sampling unusual dishes. In this article I run down the top 10 most unusual foods you might encounter, and which 5 I would recommend giving a try (provided you’re up for such an experience!) and which I think it’s best to avoid. Of course, it’s all a matter of personal taste… (more…)
Echoes of a lost decade of Khmer rock n roll
11 October 2011 by Lyria Eastley
Khmer/American psychedelic rock n roll group Dengue Fever last week announced that they’ll be touring to Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam in November of this year.
Dengue Fever are a unique ensemble formed of 5 musicians: Khmer singer Chhom Nimol, who left Cambodia to live in the USA, brothers Ethan and Zac Holtzman, Senon Williams, Paul Smith and David Ralicke. Their style is a groovy and upbeat combination of haunting lyrics in Khmer language with upbeat psychedelic rock and jazz sounds.
Khmer artist Vann Nath in a coma
30 August 2011 by Lyria Eastley
Vann Nath stands at the entrance to his gallery, 2008
Renowned Khmer artist Vann Nath, one of only seven survivors of the notorious Tuol Sleng S-21 prison fell into a coma on Friday from which doctors say he may not recover.
Vann Nath survived the Khmer Rouge torture prison where he was taken in 1977, but escaped execution as his skill as an artist meant that
in 1978 he was commissioned to paint the portraits of the guards there. Since the fall of the Democratic Kampuchea regime, Vann Nath painted his memories of his time at Tuol Sleng which have since served as a powerful visual account of the brutality suffered by those imprisoned there. (more…)
Orion Cruises in Southeast Asia
25 July 2011 by Lyria Eastley
Orion cruises in Southeast Asia Orion Cruises are now offering discerning clientele the opportunity to experience some of the most exciting and exotic parts of Southeast Asia in true comfort and style – until now no other cruise company has come close to offering the same insight into the region as that offered by the Orion Cruises.
The whole idea behind Orion Cruises is to allow their passengers to have truly extraordinary and genuine experiences in isolated parts of the world . The ships themselves are incredibly luxurious offering 5* facilities and great service with a high staff-to-crew ratio, but actually the focus is on the outside world and the experience to be had on shore. (more…)
Songsaa Island Resort – the most romantic place in Cambodia
14 July 2011 by Lyria Eastley
A new island resort and the first of its kind in Cambodia is set to be opening soon, offering holidaymakers a new and luxurious beach experience. Song-Saa Private Island is a super exclusive resort built in the pristine Koh Rong archipelago covering two islands connected by a footbridge and surrounded by a marine reserve.
The name ‘Song saa’ itself means ‘lovers’ in Khmer, as the two islands Koh Bong and Koh Oun fondly refer to the pet names that Cambodian couples give each other: ‘Koh meaning island, ‘Bong’ meaning boyfriend (literally ‘older one’) and ‘Oun meaning girlfriend (literally ‘little one’). The name of the resort thus clearly places itself as one of Cambodia’s best destinations for honeymooners and couples alike. (more…)
Sus’dei Chnam Thmei- Happy New Year!
13 April 2011 by Lyria Eastley
Happy Thai, Khmer, Lao and Burmese New Year from all at Experience Travel! (more…)
Cycling Cambodia & Vietnam: Daily Blog: Day 9: Final Day
8 February 2011 by Anthony Douglas
As I leave Cambodia, Thai and Cambodian troops are fighting across the border at Preah Vihear, another stunning temple site. In 1962, the International Court of Justice ruled that the area is inside Cambodia, but politics is rarely rational. Buddhist monks on both sides of the border have condemned the fighting and the UN may send in peacekeepers. Yesterday, the Cambodian Appeal Court heard the appeal of 4 ex Khmer Rouge cadres convicted of murdering a Mines Advisory Group (MAG) de-miner, Chris Howes in 1996.
The appeal was based upon an alleged blanket pardon given earlier to Khmer Rouge fighters. Howes local co-worker, Houn Hourth, was also murdered, and his family is seeking compensation. A verdict is expected by the end of February. The Khmer Rouge tribunal, established under the auspices of the UN, remains $20 million short of its core funding for this year, although the Japanese government has just pledged $11.7 million, to continue to bring those responsible for the 1975-9 genocide to justice. (more…)
Cycling Cambodia & Vietnam: Daily Blog: Day 8
Siam Reap is a great city, mixing the old and new Orient, and old and new backpackers. The Siam Reap river flows through the city like warm khaki blood through silted up veins. All human life is in or on the banks of the river. It is literally teeming. We have raised over 100,000 pounds for the victims of landmine clearance. Some of the intrepid de-miners are amputees who, fitted with plastic prosthetics, want to make the ground safer for others than it was for them. Some amputees move about in specially adapted bikes but most stay out of sight, as disability is mostly hidden away in Cambodia. Apart from some charity given our through the temples, support services are non-existent. As the sun sets, we eat fish amok at the Cafe Indochine, and are back in touch with fun-loving hustling and bustling Cambodia, which is never more than a street or a glance away. (more…)
Cycling Cambodia & Vietnam: Daily Blog: Day 7
7 February 2011 by Anthony Douglas
We rightly associate Angkor Wat with rich cultural history, and buildings and sculptures ahead of their time. But it also has a present tense. Today I met some children who are being raised by Buddhist monks in Angkor. They play the most amazing music. I also went to an orphanage just outside Siam Reap called Santepheap (Hope), where the children perform Khmer dances. And another charity, Honour Village Cambodia, whose logo is a lotus flower, who are working tirelessly to improve the lives of disadvantaged Cambodian children. Most NGO and charity workers are here living on a shoestring, to find a meaning in their own lives through supporting people. Many I have met in the last few days are from all corners of the developed world, and not just gap year kids. 45 year olds taking a gap year, and recently retired people starting out on a new life. Westerns in transition hepling Cambodians in transition. (more…)
