The Best of Southeast Asia by UNESCO - 2

Cambodia

Angkor Wat

Angkor, located in Siem Reap Province is one of the most important archaeological sites in South-East Asia. Covering over 400 square kilometer, including forested area. The Angkor Archaeological Park consists of famous Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple and Taprohn. These are standing as huge remains of the various capitals of Khmer Empire from the 8th to the 15th centuries.

Angkor Wat & An Indian travel lover

These are not only the temples and religious sites of Angkor Wat, Bayon, Taprohm, the giant trees rooted into the ancient buildings but also the splendor of the Khmer civilization and its people who have shown their friendliness everywhere in the country.

King Suryavarman II

Faces of Cambodia

Faces of Cambodia

Coconut Juice is available in Angkor Archaeological Park

Cambodia provides the requirements of tourism from both individual and corporations.

Balloon ride is a nice idea to feel the panoramic view of Angkor Archaeological Park

Faces of Cambodia (Cambodian Tour Operators & AATO)

How to get there

Siem Reap is operated an increasing number of international flights from neighboring countries (Thailand, Laos and Vietnam). The most convenience gateway to Cambodia is Bangkok (Thailand) from traveling outside from the region. It is also possible to travel overland crossing border from Thailand, Laos and Vietnam with prior visa approvals.


Ref:-
- Tourism Cambodia
- UNESCO


Phots:-
- My dearest friend Sumit
- KKS


To be continued...

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The Best of Southeast Asia by UNESCO - 1

UNESCO

The United Nations' Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) objected to secure the world natural and cultural and natural sites (World's Heritage Sites) since a decade ago. This great idea was to develop a major framework with international participation for the protection of the world's most greatest cultural, natural and mixed (a particular site combination of cultural and natural) sites.. It is finally transformed into a must see list for tourists and a must do list for tour operators / destination countries.


Southeast Asia as One Destination

Since it has been listed by UNESCO, the list for Southeast Asia Region become a list of "places to be visited" and "the best of the region". These are :-

Cambodia

• Angkorwat (become world heritage site in 1992) (Cultural Site)
  
• Temple of Preah Vihear (become world heritage site in 2008) (Cultural Site)
  

Indonesia

• Borodudur Temple Compounds (become world heritage site in 1991) (Cultural Site)
  
• Komodo National Park (become world heritage site in 1991) (Natural Site)
  
• Prambanan Temple Compounds (become world heritage site in 1991) (Cultural Site)
  
• Ujung Kulon National Park (become world heritage site in 1991) (Natural Site)
  
• Sangiran Early Man Site (become world heritage site in 1996) (Cultural Site)
  
• Lorentz National Park (become world heritage site in 1999) (Natural Site)
  
• Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (become world heritage site in 2004) (Natural Site)
  

Malaysia

• Mulu National Park (become world heritage site in 2000) (Natural Site)
  
• Kinabalu National Park (become world heritage site in 2000) (Natural Site)
  
• Melaka & Georgetown - Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca (become world heritage site in 2008) (Cultural Site)
  

Myanmar
Note: Myanmar is not in the list ??? I am planning to mention in my future posts..


Philippines

• Baroque Churches of Philippines (become world heritage site in 1993) (Cultural Site)
  
• Tubbatah Reef Marine Park (become world heritage site in 1993) (Cultural Site)
  
• Rice Terraces of Philippine Cordilleras (become world heritage site in 1995) (Natural Site)
  
• Historic Town of Vigan (become world heritage site in 1999) (Cultural Site)
  
• Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park (become world heritage site in 1999) (Natural Site)

Thailand

• City of Ayutthaya (become world heritage site in 1991) (Cultural Site)
  
• Sukhothai (become world heritage site in 1991) (Cultural Site)
  
• Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries (become world heritage site in 1991) (Natural Site)
  
• Ban Chiang Archaeological Site (become world heritage site in 1992) (Cultural Site)
  
• Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex (become world heritage site in 2005) (Natural Site)
  

Vietnam

• Hue Monuments (become world heritage site in 1993) (Cultural Site)
  
• Ha Long Bay (become world heritage site in 1994) (Natural Site)
  
• Hoi An Ancient Town (become world heritage site in 1999) (Cultural Site)
  
• My Son Sanctuary (become world heritage site in 1999) (Natural Site)
  
• Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park (become world heritage site in 2003) (Natural Site)
  

To be continued...


Ref:
- UNESCO official site
- UNESCO bkk
- Wikipedia (the free online encyclopedia)
- David Bowden (Travel Author / Journalist)
- Personal notes

*Photo - Logo of UNESCO World Heritage Sites

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Birds, Nature & Me - 2 (Hlawga)

Last a few years ago, one fine and pleasant day in Yangon, we planned a birding trip to Hlawga Wildlife Park, just about 50 km from the city but it took us almost 2 hours to reach there. I went there for quiet a couple of times with different friends and different meeting points. It is a bit blurred for me now to remember everything in order. But I always remember that I have got good moments with my friends and mates for every trip there.

On the way to there, I was sitting close to Ko Thaung Htut (Operations Manager, A & K Myanmar) and everyone was shouting each other on the car (in fact they were trying to make a conversation but there were big noise from the car driving). Anyway we were happy and eager for the trip. It was just normal trip by car (if I am not mistaken, the car is light truck modified with roof and seats at the back).


Hlawga Wildlife Park
Established 0n 30 September 1982, Hlawga Wildlife Park is 1540 acres in total including, wildlife park (818 acres), buffer zone (660 acres) and mini zoo (62 acres). It is located in Mingalardon Township, Yangon Division just on the west of Yangon - Pyay Highway Road. The vegetation types there are Semi-evergreen forests type, Swamp forests type and Mixed deciduous forests types.

The wildlife there are mainly for Golden Thamin (Cervus eldi) which is endemic to Myanmar, hog deer, barking deer, sambar deer, rhesus monkey, boa, Burmese Pythons, pangolin and mythun are in nature spread in the park.. The management said they could not even count how many of pythons are there since the local people free these very often for the sake of astrological belief. (A staff from the park said a couple saw a python preying and swallowing a big deer, behind the bushes). Now the management do not allow to free the pythons there anymore for ecosystem and nature balance.

There is a bird museum where various models of resident and migrate birds are displayed. It is major study site for local birders. Occasionally, birding courses are opened for everyone which is conducted by Myanmar Bird & Nature Society (MBNS), eventually in conjunction with foreign experts like Mr. Joost Van Der Ven.

Birdwatching
A few hours in the park for trekking and following to the attracted birds. Since the park is slightly thick forest, it was cool and charm, definitely a small world of nature. There are abundant of resident and migrate birds inside the park, preying at the meadows, flying through the clovers, swimming in the lake, singing on the trees, hiding in the bushes. The specialties comprising:- Jungle fowl (Gallusgallus), Red-vented bulbul (Pycronotus cafer), lesser tree duck (Dedrocygna Javanica), Asian Open-billed Stork (Anastonmus oscitans) and nocturnal animals such as owls, black-crowned night herons (Nycticonax nycticorax) and white-throated babbler (Turdoides gularis).

Below is my list of birds spotted in Hlawga National Wildlife Park (perhaps it could be varied with others' as I usually see very obvious ones and as well as someone points on it).

Hlawga Park 29th April (Sunday) 2006

1. Black Drongo
2. Open Bill
3. Common Ioa
4. Puff-throated Babbler
5. Olive back Sunbird
6. Scaly-breasted Munia
7. White-rumped Shama
8. Black-crested Bulbul
9. Red-whiskered Bulbul
10. Black-naped Oriole
11. Common Tailorbird
12. Dark-necked Tailorbird
13. Black-headed Bulbul
14. Red-vented Bulbul
15. Pied Kingfisher
16. Cormorant
17. Little Egret
18. Cattle Egret
19. White-throated Kingfisher
20. Greater racket tail Drongo
21. Lesser Whistling Duck
22. Red Wattlet Capwing
23. Common Myna
24. Plain Tive Cuckoo
25. Green Billed Malkoha
26. Green Peafowl
27. Green Bee Eater
28. Barn Swallow
29. Asian Palm Swift
30. Large Billed Crow
31. Ashy Wood Swallow
32. Racket tailed Treepie

* the tallest guy from the last row is AATO

We had a nice rest at the rest house of the lake. We took some pictures which make unforgettable memories.


Ref:
- Wildlife Department / Ministry of Forestry
- Wikipedia

*Photos courtesy of MBNS

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Birds, Nature & Me

Despite I am always facing computer and busy with paperworks talking on phone, I am thinking of the forest, animals and birds. I do not know why but especially in these days. I am working nearby KLCC (the Kuala Lumpur City Center) where the tall buildings and world's famous Petronas Twin Towers are located. Everyday I need to be in the modern lifestyle and dealing with the people from the various parts of the world due to the nature of my work.

However, I always imagine the green forest, village people and wild animals in harmony with mother nature. Dating back to last a few years, I used to have that opportunity to travel around the country and appreciate natural beauties and of course making friendship with local community. That was as part of my profession and I was very happy to do so. I occasionally participate the activities of birds and nature groups as well as the Myanmar Birds & Nature Society. Sometime I am alone myself roaming around the suburban areas of Yangon.

In a way, my concept is "the people who love nature and animals are kind and tolerant". Basically, since they treat kindly to the animal, for sure they would not cruel to human being. Therefore I like them and I love them. In general, I believe they have less cruel minded than normal people at least.

I have many things in my mind and I would like to write part by part..

*Photo by MMMS (MBNS)

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Myanmar - the Best Birding Site in Southeast Asia Countries

The north-western part of Myanmar (comprising Kachin State, Chin State and upper part of Sagaing Division) lies in the Himalayan Region and the southern part of Myanmar (Tanintharyi Division, lower parts of Mon State and Kayin State) lies in Malayan Region. Myanmar, therefore, enrich the biodiversity of all over the world.

There are 9672 bird species in the world and 1225 species are in South-East Asia Region. According to the birders records, 1069 bird species are in Myanmar which is 10 percent of the entire total birds of the world as well as 90 percent of the Southeast Asia Region.

In Europe, there are more than 500 bird species, in Indian Continent (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Maldives) more than 1300 species, in Malaysia 725 species, in Thailand 915 species, in Singapore 335 species. Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand are located in Malayan Region it is therefore the Malayan bird species could be found in these countries. Myanmar’s birds and biodiversity are obviously richer than any other countries in Indo-China Peninsular.

The Himalayan Birds or Mountain Birds are not only found in northern part of Myanmar (which locate in Eastern Himalayan Region), the Malayan Birds are also found in Myanmar. It is therefore, visit to Myanmar, the birders would be able to enjoy the birding tours which would be covered for the birds from the two regions in the same time.

Moreover Myanmar has un-spoilt forests, environments and natures where nobody has arrived yet for discovery and research or all different observations. Especially, many bird species and biodiversities can be extending without record in those areas and hidden jungles. So Myanmar is an ideal place for bird watching: if you are lucky enough, you could record a new bird species on your own.

Myanmar Endemic Species

* White-throated Babbler
* Hooded Treepie
* Rusty-capped Fulvetta
* White-browned Nuthatch
* Burmese Bushlark (Myanmar Bilone)

"Myanmar Endanger Species"

Breeding Birds

* Nicobar Scrubfowl
* Pale-capped Pigeon
* Pallas's Fish-Eagle
* Pink-headed Duck
* Plain-pouched Hornbill
* Rufous-necked Hornbill
* Sclater's Monal
* Short-tailed Parrotbill
* Straw-headed Bulbul
* Wallace's Hawk-Eagle
* Hooded Treepie
* Indian Skimmer
* Jerdon's Babbler
* Lesser Adjutant
* Malayan Peacock-Pheasant
* Masked Finfoot
* Mrs. Hume's Pheasant
* Nicobar Scrubfowl
* Pale-capped Pigeon
* Pallas's Fish-Eagle
* Pink-headed Duck
* Plain-pouched Hornbill
* Rufous-necked Hornbill
* Sclater's Monal
* Short-tailed Parrotbill
* Straw-headed Bulbul
* Wallace's Hawk-Eagle
* Andaman Crake
* Beautiful Nuthatch
* Black-bellied Tern
* Blyth's Kingfisher
* Blyth's Tragopan
* Brown-capped Laughingthrush
* Crested Fireback
* Giant Nuthatch
* Greater Adjutant
* Green Peafowl
* Gurney's Pitta


Non-breeding Birds

* Lesser Kestrel
* Noordman's Greenshank
* Oriental Stork
* Scaly-sided Merganser
* Spoonbill Sandpiper
* Spot-billed Pelican
* Wood Snipe
* Baer's Pochard
* Black-necked Crane
* Christmas Island Frigatebird
* Ferruginous Pochard
* Greater Spotted Eagle
* Grey-sided Thrush

Some Specialty Birds of Myanmar

* Brown-capped Laughingthrush
* Chinese Babax
* Collared Myna
* Cutia
* Fire-tailed Sunbird
* Sultan Tit
* White-bellied Minivet
* White-rumped Falcon
* White-tailed Stonechat
* Giant Nuthatch
* Gould's Sunbird
* Great Thick-knee
* Grey-sided Thrush
* Hume's Pheasant
* Baer's Pochard
* Black-bibbed Tit
* Black-breasted Thrush
* Black-naped Pitta
* Blythe's Tragopan
* Red-tailed Minla
* Rufous-necked Hornbill
* Scarlet Finch
* Silver-eared Mesia
* Striped Laughingthrush
* Jerdon's Bushchat
* Moustached Laughingthrush
* Pale-capped Pigeon
* Red-faced Liocichla

*Middle guy with gray shirt is Ko Thet Zaw Naing

Ref:

- Ko Thet Zaw Naing (MBNS)

- Dr. Htin Hla (BANCA)

*Photos from Google / MBNS

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Steam Boat (A mail from Tour Operator)

Dear Thomas,

The clients Mr. Eladio Carrilho x02,arrived this weekend very happy from Malaysia. Once again thank you for the support and help on the lost luggage! Your guide was great on getting them a refund from MH for the delay!

One small notice about the program in Borneo.

When you read about the Sabah Adventure tour, on the day 03 - it's included a lunch and a steamboat dinner. When we translate to Portuguese, on the day 03 it's included a lunch, and a Dinner on a Steam Boat! Seems logical except if you know personally the place. And that Steamboat it's a way of cooking your dinner :-)

So the clients were quite surprised when they cooked their dinner at the hotel on a steam pot as they were expecting a steam boat ride with a dinner.

They asked the owner of the hotel about the name, and he said 'it's called steamboat'. Clear as water now.

Thanks once again for the whole support.

Best regards

Mario

*Photos from Google

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A Trip to Taman Negara "National Park" 2

In the evening we went to another motorized boat ride to the catarcts of Lata Berkoh, a beautiful waterfall. However we could not stay there longer as there were some work places of busy bees. We spent about 2 hours for back and forth. My client point me out a hornbill flew from onside to another. (I will post the bird list separately later).



Third Day:
I was eager to experience the world's longest suspension bridge in the jungle of Taman Negara. Before I went to the resort outlet where the breakfast is serving, I enjoyed the early morning songs of lovely birds near my room. Breakfast was really nice like the day before. The guide was ready and proceed to the Canopy Walkway. He highlighted rich flora and fauna en-route however my memory is not suitable to remember the names of flowers and plants. We cross the 40 meters high and 530 meters long Canopy Walkway and experience the existence of the rainforest from a very different perspective. We continued to Teresek Hill. We went back the same way afterwards.


In the afternoon. We went for another boat ride in a strong current river for 45 minutes.

The Last Day:
After breakfast, we went back to the Kuala Lumpur through same way. You think it was boring? "No" it was another beautiful way that with full of environmental concerns in my mind.

***

My bird list for Taman Negara

1. Red Junglefowl
*I soptted after we came back from the Tesik Hill

2. Great Argus
*An Indian lady docter & a Chinese lady avocate who I met in Mutiara (with their binoculars) encouraged me to sopt it but unfortunately i could not make it since the trip is not completely (my personal birding trip).

3. Spotted Dove
*I have even spotted near by my house ^_^

4. Peaceful Dove
I believe it is very common too.

5. Pink-necked Green Pigeon
They are my neighbors as well. (I have never seen in my country).

6. Asian Koel
The singer of the Kuala Lumpur City Center

7. Greater Coucal
In the first morning of our stay in Mutiara Taman Negara , my colleague told me he saw a big brown bird at the backyard of our rooms. Then I spotted it.

8. Common Kingfisher
Yes, they are really common.

9. Black-nape Kingfisher
On the way to Kuala Tahan

10. Collared Kinggisher
I saw while we made white water rafting.

11.Blu-tailed Bee-eater
common

12. Great Hornbill
I am not sure it just flew throu from one to another side of the river from the tree top high. (later my friend told me it is most likely Great Hornbill)

13.Banded Woodpeacker

14. Common Flameback Black

15. Black and Yellow Broadbill

16. Ashy Minivet

17. Straw-headed Bulbul

18.Cream-vented Bulbul

19.Oriental Magpie Robin

20.Scarlet-backed Flowerpeacker
common

21.Java Munia

22. Black-headed Munia

23. Scaly-breasted Munia

24. Eurasian Tree Sparrow

25. Asian Glossy Starling
Common

26. Common Myna
Common

27. Jungle Myna
Common

28. White-vented Myna
common

29.Black-naped Oriole
common

30. Black Drongo
Common

31. Large-billed Crow
white water rafting

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A Trip to Taman Negara "the National Park"

"Brief Touristic Description about Taman Negara"

Jungle Trekking, river cruises and visiting to the aboriginal settlement are the most popular activities in Taman Negara. Taman Negara is one of the oldest tropical rainforests in the world, existed over 130 million years back. Canopy walk is a must-do activity in Taman Negara to observe the fascinating views of the rainforest which is built 30 meters above ground and 480 meters long. There are great opportunities to observe resident animals and ecosystem in well kept nature. Cave exploration by boat or by foot is available in Taman Negara.
Note: 90 words

* I was composing for MICE and Incentive Magazine Malaysia 2008 - 2009 with below photo.

*Two colleagues of mine in the picture, guess who are they and where they from.

I was selling Taman Negara as our preferable product since for long time. However my first trip to there was with my colleague and two clients from Italy.

First Day:
We leave by coach at 0845 from lower lobby of Crowne Plaza Hotel. A Chinese lady guide made a running commentary about Taman Negara. There was about 4 hours trip to Kuala Tembeling after 10 minuets stop on the highway. Lunch at local Malay restaurant in Kuala Tembeling after we registered at guest registration counter. It was a nice boat ride for 3 hours on the motorized longboat where I viewed local villages and lush tropical rainforest. I spotted Blue-naped Kingfisher on the way flew over the Sg Tembling River. Monitor lizards are preying in the water next to the jungle side under the big shady tropic trees. We arrived at the Kuala Tahan in the late evening about 1800hrs. Check in at the Mutiara Taman Negara Resort which is the best resort in that area. All receptionists are very friendly and helpful while we were checking in. They introduced a Local Guide for our fist activities of "Night Jungle Walk" for that night. He came over at 2030hrs and gave a brief orientation for about 10 minutes and we lead to 130 million years old tropical jungle to experience the nightlife of flower and fauna. We saw Samber-deers liking salty ground through the torches.

Second Day:
Wake up with beautiful songs of various birds in the early morning to have a healthy breakfast at the resort. Our guide is ready to "Rock n' Roll" then we move to Bat Cave.. What a challenging experience!!! It was about 1 hour in the cave to reach another exist. The cave is also known as "Ear Cave" which is very similar to a tunnel of a human being's ear. It is completely not suitable for old ages and fat people (sorry to mention this but that's the truth). Basically the resident hosts are mainly hundreds of bats (our guide said these are lesser spider-eaters; I am not quiet sure), cave toads, cave snakes and of course insects. We conquered the cave within 45 minutes (I realized that my slim and swift body helps me to make it successfully). It was not raining in the cave but my colleague was like just came up from a lake with his cloth. Thereafter we visited to the Orang Asli Village (Orang = Man / Human, Asli = Original), in fact that was a settlement of aboriginal (the place of indigenous people). Straightaway, we went back to the resort by boat afterwards at the lunch time.

*The Indigenous People

To be continued..

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Environment & Tourism

Barrack Obamam, the President of United States of America, was quoted saying, "Global warming is not just the greatest environmental challenge facing our planet - it is one of our greatest challenge of any kind." Yes. I completely agree it. We are facing the climate crisis which is deepening and giving rise to a threat to global phenomenon of artificial natural disasters.

There is only one question in this case "How to preserve the environment?" But there are hundreds of working processes of it..

Environment Vs Tourism or Environment & Tourism

Environmental tourism, nature tourism or preferably ecotourism provides an opportunity to vist and experience the undisturbed or untouched natural areas, scenic vistas, and observe plants and wildlife of the particular destination. It is encouraged to share their natural environments with visitors by the respective government. However while maximizing the economic, environmental and social benefits from ecotourism, the local environment must be protected.


"In fact, nature tourism is the travel through and enjoyment of the natural world, its seasonal cycles and events, carried out in a manner that promotes the protection of natural and human communities and consideration for those who will inherit our world."



To be continued..

Ref:
-WDFD

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Malaysia Truly Asia

I have traveled around the Southeast Asia countries and met many people, experienced many destinations. I strongly believed Southeast Asia countries are the best destinations for those who love exotic culture & nature. Among these, I really need to start from Malaysia for the sake of my occupation. It is fair, anyway it is the truth.

I love Malaysia which is a country of fascinating insights and attractions. Enchantment of Malaysia has been legendary especially with the colorful contrasts of its rich charm offers varieties and always fulfills the impression of the each visitor. A real paradise, Malaysia has the unspoilt beaches and islands, the world's oldest tropical rainforests with hidden lime caves.

Wonderful mountains also offers the richest ecodiversity of flowers and fauna among the region. A perfect mixture of the people peacefully dwell together under the same shelter consist of Malay, Chinese, Indian and the indigenous ethnic groups make the nation really colorful.

Numerous visitors explored the treasures of Malaysia however it still remains different attractions.



As part MICE, Malaysia has numerous international standard convention centers, exhibition halls and hotels which proudly offer meetings and events facilities. Various parts of Malaysia, especially in the international standard hotels (international hotel chains) of the major destinations, they have such kind of facilities with different atmospheres.

MICE in Malaysia become popular for its modern facilities, extensive planning and demanding clients. I cordially invite you to experience the exciting tours or organize MICE or a special event here in Malaysia.

Malaysia welcomes you!!!
Salamat datang ke Malaysia


Truly Asia !!!!!


*Photos - Courtesy of Tourism Malaysia

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