Wise words...
- Wise words…
Monthly Archives: October 2011
Dine in Style…
Guests staying at the luxurious Amansara in Siem Reap can now experience a once in a lifetime breakfast in one of the most spectacular and unique settings in the world: the Angkor UNESCO World Heritage site. A simple but delicious breakfast of tropical fruits, pastries and freshly brewed coffee will be served in the grounds of a 12th century temple. Meanwhile watch the sky change colour from inky blue to crimson, red and gold as the sun slowly rises revealing silhouettes of sacred temple towers. These historical and spiritual temples are the perfect location to practise the ancient discipline of yoga. Amansara can organise early morning sunrise yoga sessions at the deserted North Gate where you can immerse yourself in the tranquillity of these beautiful temples. Afterwards, head to the Khmer Village House, a wooden dwelling on stilts, and enjoy breakfast overlooking Sra Srang Baray, a shimmering lake over 800 years old. This is followed by a relaxing foot massage.
The temple breakfast and sunrise yoga are available to Amansara guests only, however romantic sunset dinners at the Khmer Village House are available for outside guests, on request and subject to availability.
Khmer village house
Sailing in Halong Bay on your own wooden junk…
Halong Bay, Vietnam
One of our key contacts in North Vietnam has just launched a collection of deluxe wooden junks that are now available for private charters in beautiful Halong Bay in northern Vietnam. These lovely boats are designed with just one bedroom, so that once you set sail, it is just you and your own crew, including an on-board host and chef, for the duration of your cruise.
Specially designed to provide a private and very individual experience, each boat resembles a floating four star hotel room and comes complete with air conditioning, heating, LCD TV and DVD player.
Of course the real charm of Halong Bay can only be experienced by sailing on its calm, clear water and, as all these cruises only operate on a private basis, the itinerary can be fully tailored to your own personal needs and desires. You can enjoy the unique experience of gliding between the awe-inspiring limestone formations and discover first hand, the culture of the local Vietnamese who live in floating villages within this UNESCO world heritage area. You can explore hidden caves, try your hand at kayaking, snorkel in the clear water, or just sit back and relax on the sun deck and bask in glorious sunsets, cocktail in hand. Day cruises and overnight cruises are both available and can be incorporated within more extensive tours within Vietnam, or can also be combined with your travels to Cambodia, Laos, Thailand or elsewhere in the region.
More small steps in Burma…
Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon
Today’s news from the Canadian Friends of Burma tells us that approximately 200 political prisoners including famous comedian Zargana and labour activist Suu Suu Nway – the two Burmese activists honoured in Canada with human rights awards – have been released under an amnesty announced for a total of 6,359 prisoners in Burma. However, the majority of political prisoners including prominent political figures Min Ko Naing and Khun Htun Oo still remain in jail.
Indeed, the Canadian Friends of Burma is pleased to hear news on the release of some political prisoners but expected more. “The reported number of political prisoners – a mere 10% – receiving the amnesty while the vast majority still languishing in prison is still unacceptable”, said Tin Maung Htoo, Executive Director of Canadian Friends of Burma.
More than 2,000 political prisoners are being imprisoned in more than 42 prisons and 107 labour camps across the country. In early this year May, notably right after the current government came into power, the first amnesty took place with the release of a total of 14,578 prisoners; however, a few dozens of political prisoners were included in that number.
“It is important for President Thein Sein to demonstrate that his government is capable of moving forward by taking bold steps. Otherwise, it would be a setback for the accelerated political reform that he himself initiated recently,” added Tin Maung Htoo..
For more details please see: www.cfob.org
Small progress in Burma?
Young monks in Mandalay
The repressive regime in Burma has continued to take small baby steps toward providing their citizens with the freedoms that we take for granted, with the most recent being the unblocking of a number of previously banned foreign news websites, including Youtube, BBC, Reuters, The Bangkok Post, Straits Times, Radio Free Asia, Irrawaddy and Democratic Voice of Burma. While these steps have been welcomed, just a few months ago the internet café regulations had been tightened, so it is clear that the days of a free media are still some way off in the future.
The country remain firmly in the hands of the ruling generals, who have also had the Burmese army step up its military offensive against the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in northern Shan states. The army has also deliberately targeted civilians in the offensive, with reports of killings, torture and sexual violence being committed by Burmese troops. Over 25,000 people have been displaced in the past four months, with many taking shelter in makeshift camps along the Kachin-China border. Unfortunately, little news of this conflict makes its way into the western media, but if you would like to read more details about the events taking place in this beautiful country, please take a look at: http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/lastmonth