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.
Matts most recent trip to Vietnam – an overview
9 December 2011 by mattbrazier
For those not in the know about Vietnam, or have no idea about the different places to visit, or what’s on offer, then read below and this gives a very general overview of my recent 2 week trip , and idea of what to expect from all the ‘must see’s of Vietnam’. I journeyed north to south, so that I could finish in the warm weather of the south, but just personal preference – I love a bit of sun (and humidity!)
Sampling Pho in Sapa market
Hanoi
A hectic buzzing, horn beeping, confusing warren of streets and a serious introduction to the Vietnamese life. Having been here before, it’s not so much of a shock, but my advice is to be brave, head out to the streets and really experience local life. Get lost in the old quarter, and shop to your hearts content. Although I didn’t get to stay at the Sofitel Legend Metropole, I did go for afternoon tea, this is definitely something I would recommend to any client, and follow with a walk around the more modern, moneyed French quarter. My favourite hotel in the Masion D’hanoi – with its great location, and beautifully designed rooms, it definitely falls into the boutique category, and the service is top notch.
Vietnamese Rhino Extinct
8 December 2011 by Tom Armstrong
Sad news from Vietnam, where the WWF and other wildlife and conservation organisations have announced that they believe the last remaining Vietnamese Rhino has been poached. The Javan Rhino had been on the critically endangered list for some time, but now it appears the battle for its survival has been lost. Once prevalent from Indonesia to India, the Javan Rhino was thought to only exist in Vietnam and Indonesia.
WWF Manager for Vietnam Simon Cox added: “The single most important action to conserve Vietnam’s endangered species is protecting their natural habitat and deterring poaching and illegal wildlife trade. The report shows that these actions were inadequate to save the Javan rhino in Vietnam and this continued situation will no doubt lead to the extinction of many more species from Vietnam. Vietnam’s protected areas need more rangers, better training and monitoring, and more accountability.”
I personally recall visitting National Parks in Vietnam and not seeing a single bird or animal, only insects. There was a sanctuary at the entrance to one of the parks where various primates that had been rescued from poachers were housed. Safe behind wire fences, it seemed somewhat tragic that they were not safer in their natural habitat which surrounded them.
With their proximity to China, whose demand for exotic creatures appears to remain unchanged, and their own passion for hunted meats, it appears the battle for species conservation in Vietnam will be long and tough. Some sources suggest that a kilo of Rhino horn will fetch as much as 30.000 us dollars in China.
Tigers, elephants, crocodiles and a variety of monkeys are still on Vietnam’s endangered list. Let’s hope we can report more positive news in the battle for their preservation in due course.
It is thought there are between 15 and 60 remaining Javan Rhinos in Indonesia, some footage of which can be seen below. For Rhino conservation see www.rhinoconservation.org.
Lao Airlines expands routes and fleet
7 December 2011 by Tom Armstrong
Lao Airlines new Airbus
Lao Airlines has announced a new route between Vientiane and Singapore – the first time the airline has operated a direct flight to this regional hub. The service will operate three times a week in each direction.
The Airline has also added the first of two, brand new, A320 aircraft from Airbus. The new modern craft will operate on the routes to Bangkok, Kunming, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, as well as on domestic services linking Vientiane to Luang Prabang and Pakse.
This is a further welcome development in Lao tourism and makes this mountainous, landlocked country much easier and less arduous to get to.
For holidays to Laos in 2012 please visit our main website.
Impressions of Burma
2 December 2011 by Lyria Eastley
Cart taxi, Mandalay
Now that I’ve sat down here to write about Burma, I suddenly find that the mix of emotions and all the passion, wonder and intrigue I feel about the place have come pouring out onto the screen and I’ve actually found it hard to know when to stop writing!
The thing is, Burma is just such a complicated place: historically, culturally, politically, and there’s just too much to say about it. It’s impossible to talk about Burma in simple terms. With a history spanning more than 13,000 years and a population made up of a huge variety of different ethnic groups, it is an endlessly fascinating, complex and beautiful country. The country itself is stunning with an immensely varied topography. Mountains clad in thick jungle surround central lowlands and extensive rice plains and snow-capped mountains in the north reach heights of over 5,800 meters. The Mekong river that is the main artery for all of Southeast Asia also enters Burma from China’s Yunnan province, although the lifeblood of Burma is the Irrawaddy (Ayewaddy), a vast expanse of water that runs right through the centre of the country linking north to south. (more…)
