Its good for you

"Dear Cyril Gardiner; Maybe you have changed my life. After living for years in air-conditioned Singapore, used to enter lift cabins pressing the “shut-the-door”-button before anything else, landing at the Galle Face Hotel was a relief from the hectic day-to-day life of the Lion City.“Why don’t you walk up the stairs?” Cyril asked me. “It’s good for your health!” You have made this a principle of this hotel, and wooden boards still display your philosophy on each floor of the hotel, cleverly placed next to the lift doors"

Andreas Augustin (Still taking the stairs)
http://www.famoushotels.org/hotels/270

Anouska Hempel

"Anouska Hempel, director of the first Sri Lankan Biennale to be held in Colombo in September, is a fine artist, interior designer, and yoga practitioner. A woman who likes to trailblaze new ideas – and always in unique, spiritual spots – she has a natural affinity for the arts and in particular the teaching of yoga; which she does on her spiritual trips known as ‘Journeys to Nirvana’.

Aimed at yoga lovers, these one- and two-week tours take in both known and relatively unknown sacred sites of Sri Lanka. Yoga and meditation are practiced daily at all the spiritual places visited, which include the beautiful Arankale – an ancient Buddhist temple with meditation walk leading to a purification tank; Ritigala – another centuries-old Buddhist monastery set in the jungle and surrounded by ancient ruins; a meditation cave in Sigiriya; Polonnaruwa; Kandy; and the littleknown Nalanda Gedige (20km south of Dambulla), where a small temple, also of great antiquity, marks the very centre of the island.

The mystical Ramboda Falls, one of the many tour highlights, is within the locale of the Hanuman temple, where rituals – rich with drumming, chanting, and incense – are performed daily to the Shiva Lingam (sacred Hindu phallic stone). The yoga trip finishes at Adam’s Peak (Sri Pada, or Samanala Kanda), where climbers must start at 2 am to ensure that the summit is reached in time for the spectacular sunrise. Anouska Hempel moved with her family from England to Sri Lanka’s Galle Fort seven years ago, where she opened the first Fort art gallery. In December 2004, when Galle was ravaged by the Boxing Day tsunami, the building became headquarters for PG’05, a year-long relief operation which gave help to over 10,000 Sri Lankans in need. Shortly afterward, Anouska moved to Colombo for her children’s education, and combined studying yoga with launching the arts initiative ‘Imagining Peace’, with the aim of creating the very first Sri Lankan Art Biennale (September 10-14).

Anouska says: “It’s not only about showcasing Sri Lankan art; this is a project with a vision.” She feels that CAB’09 ‘Imagining Peace’ will be a groundbreaking event that will not only mark and herald this historic and long-awaited time of peace in Sri Lanka but will inspire, and act as a launch pad for a celebrated, internationally recognized biannual presentation of Sri Lankan expressive creativity."

Published in Serendip Magazine | July 2009

Perahera

The spell of Sri Lanka

My friend Jessica just found an old coffee table photo book in their local thrift shop - serendipitous! - an enormous old tome published in the early 70s of photos by Roloff Beny with epilogue by Arthur C Clark.

He writes " ...if you have read this far you may already be doomed - my conscience will not allow me to close without a warning. I came to Ceylon in 1956, intending to stay for six months to write one book about the exploration of the island's coastal waters. Fourteen years and twenty books later, I am still here, and hope to remain for the rest of my life."

Manampitiya Flag

"The above photograph shows the Manampitiya Banner from the private collection of Mrs. M. G. Fernando, the author of the book ''Sri Lanka Flags - Unique Memorials of Heraldry", 1980. The banner has been faithfully reproduced from the original found in Manampitiya, by a local artist A. Albert Appuhamy."

"The banner shows a mounted Elephant as the principal device with emblems of the Sun, Moon and Stars, the fish, a monstrance, a Pyx and very specially a crucifix. The flag has belonged to members of the Karava caste, long settled in the area Manampitiya, in the District of Tamankaduwa. The families have fled from the maritime provinces of Negombo, to avoid persecution by the Dutch. The flag itself may have originated in Portuguese times or much earlier. On conversion to Christianity the symbol of the cross and the Pyx have been added. Over a century later the families that settled in Manampitiya adopted the Hindu religion."

http://www.defonseka.com/k25.htm

Faces of Buddha by Bill Bevan

Bill Bevan is a photographer, writer and archaeologist.

He specialises in visualising and writing about archaeological and historical sites from around the world. "My aim is to evoke the sense of place and people's engagement with a site as well as its historical importance"

http://billbevan.photium.com/portfolio51655.html

Sihigiri

"Hail! It is certain that those who go to Sihigiri, remembering it, will go there again. Even though other things should be forgotten, wherefore should this not be remembered?"

Early engraving in Sinhala verse.

http://www.srilankainstyle.com/sri_lanka_experience_page.php?expid=17

Peradeniya Botanical Gardens

Originally created in the reign of the Sinhalese King Wickramabahu III during the 14th century, these gardens were improved by his successors and later by the English after their conquest of Kandy.

Marianne North in 1876 during her visit to the island befriended and wrote about the then director, Dr G. H. K. Thwaites, who with his great acquirements and steady devotion to science, gave a world wide reputation to the Gardens during his tenure of office from 1849 to 1880. “He had planted half the trees himself, and had seldom been out of it for forty years, steadily refusing to cut vistas, or make riband-borders and other inventions of the modern gardener”, she remarked with astonishment. The trees were massed together most picturesquely, with creepers growing over them on a natural and enchanting tangle.

Here is a great gallery by Alex Meeres: http://www.pbase.com/alexjet/garden

Thai Matchbox Museum

"There's a thin line between passion and obsession. In a dusty shophouse on Wong Sawang Road, picture frames are piled on tables and hung on walls, and miscellaneous items are placed on the floor and poke out from a glass cupboard. Only the sign outside, written in Thai, indicates that this is a matchbox museum.

"I wish others to learn more about matchboxes here," said Chuan Sunthranan, the 81-year-old owner and enthusiastic matchbox collector."

http://www.bangkokpost.com/070608_Outlook/07Jun2008_out001.php

Night Theft

In the News: Australian Woman Arrested for "Night Theft" in Phuket

"Further adding to the exotic reputation of Thailand, A.S, an Australian woman, was arrested for stealing a bar mat and charged with “night theft". There is actually no specific “offense” in Thailand termed as “night theft.” There is, however, aggravated theft, which is a theft case that is considered more serious based on a number of factors, one of which is having the theft occur at night time."

If you intend to steal something do it on a bright shinny day!

http://thailawforum.com/blog/in-the-news-australian-woman-arrested-for-night-theft-in-phuket.html

Sophal Ear

TED Fellow Sophal Ear shares the compelling story of his family's escape from Cambodia under the rule of the Khmer Rouge. He recounts his mother's cunning and determination to save her children.

Scorpion Wine

"Cambodians rarely eat scorpions, but often preserve them in sra sor, or rice wine. Drinking the wine relieves aches and pains. My experience is that, if you drink enough scorpion wine, it can be very effective, at least in the short term. However, the aches and pains often reappear with greater severity the next morning. Maybe you need to actually eat the scorpion after emptying the bottle"

http://becambodia.com/

South East Asia with Nicolas Pascarel

"Nicolas Pascarel was born in Paris in 1966 and worked as a photographic reporter for over twenty years. Since the early 90’s, he has been spending most of his time in Naples and Havana, but now has decided to return to his first passion – South East Asia – with the intention of remaining to work in the region for years to come. Nicolas did numerous photo workshops for the Royal Academy of the Fine Arts School in Phnom Penh, in the city of Chiang Rai in Northern Thailand and Bangkok; as well as Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. He often collaborates with a Cambodian NGO taking care of street children in Phnom Penh. He has exhibited his works in galleries and photo international festival across France, Italy, Germany, Holland, Spain, Cuba, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and China. He also created a documentary about Cambodia called “Durant la Pluie”. Fotoasia is a cultural organization that promotes exchanges between European and Asian photographers. The purpose of Fotoasia is to promote and present exhibitions of young Asian photographers in Europe."

http://www.pascarel.com/workshop.html

Bolaven Plateau

"The Bolaven Plateau in southern Laos is a poor, but fertile agricultural area known for its coffee plantations and spectacular waterfalls. Various coffee growing co-operatives are now established growing the coffee beans for domestic Cafe Lao and export abroad.The main ethnic group living in the Bolaven Plateau are the Laven people - Bolaven literally means the "home of the Laven".The Bolaven Plateau was heavily bombed during the Vietnam War and unexploded ordinance (UXO) is still being found and diffused. The French first introduced coffee to the area when Laos fell under French colonial rule in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.An area of fantastic, natural beauty the Bolaven Plateau is slowly escaping its grinding poverty with the help of fair trade initiatives and a nascent tourist industry."

Laos: Plain of Jarres

Chami Jotisalikorn

http://www.chami-j.com/

Koh Samui Flash Map

Thaiwijit Poengkasemsomboon

"Thaiwijit Poengkasemsomboon is considered Thailand's foremost abstract artists. He creates works in a variety of media, and often works with abstractions that stimulate the viewer's emotions. Thaiwijit perceives himself as an ordinary person and his paintings are a reflection of an ordinary human's life."

http://www.rama9art.org/thaiwijit/index.html

Galare Chiang Mai

http://www.galare.com/

The owner of Galare Guest House, Ajarn Poonsak, is a retired professor from Chiang Mai University. Inspired after spending time in the United States, he decided to turn the family's business motel into Galare Guest House. Cheap and cheerful...

Villa Savanh

The Villa Savanh has opened in Luang Prabang adding another option to the boutique property scene. Located on the main street in downtown, Villa Savanh gives off a true ‘home away from home’ vibe by offering only three duplexes for guests in a converted French villa. Each of the large duplexes features a large sitting room, private bathroom and garden views.

Bo Klua

Making this remote part of Nan Province more accessible for visitors is Bo Klua View, nestled in the foothills of Doi Phu Kha. Overlooking the Mang River and the ancient salt well village of Bo Luang.

http://www.bokluaview.com/

Doi Suthep

Baan Kingkaew

"Happy faces comes from loving careat Baan Kingkaew Wiboolsanti Orphanage. Since “Baan Kingkaew” opened in 1966, the home has worked continuously to improve and develop living conditions and the quality of care it provides for poor and otherwise homeless orphans.

Today, Baan Kingkaew provides a home for 50 children aged between 3 months to 6 years old. In their important early childhood years, we strive to ensure them a good quality of life in a loving, caring environment. Qualified and experienced carers including nannies, kindergarten teachers and a healthcare team drawn from relevant medical & health science faculties of Chiang Mai University, ensure the children are looked after around the clock."

http://www.baan-kingkaew-orphanage.org/

Dao Anh Khanh

"Located to the east of Hanoi, close to the Red River, is the home of artist Dao Anh Khanh. Comprising of a charming traditional stilt house filled with paintings and surrounded by landscaped gardens, decorated with various sculptures and installations, this home / studio has become known in Vietnam as a centre for installation and performance art. Anh Khanh has traveled the world extensively, primarily in the US, exhibiting his artwork and giving live, eclectic performances to pleasing crowds."

http://www.daoanhkhanh.com/

Artist Mai Kien’s

"Located in the Old Quarter of Hanoi, Artist Mai Kien’s studio and gallery is tucked away in a tiny alley next to a sewing shop. The first impression from the outside may not be very appealing but once inside, the beauty of her painting takes you to ‘a world of arts’. The studio opened in May 1990 and Mai Kien has been creating her distinctive contemporary lacquer ware artworks. She is one of the first Vietnamese artists to use lacquer in contemporary art. A visit to her gallery is not just about buying her paintings, as she is very happy to take you on a tour of the gallery and show the painstaking process of her labour of love."

http://buimaihienart.com/default.asp

Commuters in Hanoi

Commuters in Hanoi II

Mount Fasipan

Fansipan or Fan Si Pan (Phan Xi Păng in Vietnamese pronunciation (help·info)) is a mountain in Vietnam, the highest in Indochina, at 3 143 m. It is located in the Lào Cai province in Northwest Vietnam, 9 km southwest of Sa Pa Township in the Hoang Lien Son Mountain Range. Fansipan is dubbed "the Roof of Indochina"

Art Vietnam Gallery

"The story of Art Vietnam Gallery and its Director, Suzanne Lecht, is as dramatic and transformative as the recent history of Vietnam itself.When Art Vietnam opened its first gallery in a traditional Vietnamese "tube house" in Hanoi's ancient quarter of "36 Streets," it blended the old with the new and quickly established an international reputation as the authoritative source for contemporary art in Vietnam.

With a track record of identifying and developing exceptional new talent, Art Vietnam became a destination for art tours of the world's leading cultural institutions, private collectors and diplomatic visits.Having outgrown the original gallery, Art Vietnam recently moved from its "tube house" on Hang Than to just around the corner at 7 Nguyen Khac Nhu. Visitors to the new space will find that the evolution of Art Vietnam's style mirrors the breathtaking pace of change of Vietnam itself-- a country steeped in tradition which stands poised on the leading edge of the international art world.

Now housed in a large contemporary space, Art Vietnam Gallery has three floors of video, photography, painting and sculpture, a piano bar and a large outdoor terrace. With international tours and invitations, Art Vietnam Gallery is recognized both in Vietnam and abroad as an avant-garde voice of Vietnam today."

http://www.artvietnamgallery.com/

54 Traditions

"54 Traditions Gallery is the only gallery in Vietnam focusing on the antiques, artifacts and art of Vietnam's 53 minority groups and the Kinh majority people. We have over 1000 objects on display and objects from our collection have been exhibited in museums in Hanoi. We focus on the cultures of Viet Nam’s 53 minority peoples-the things they make and the things they use.What we offer can be called antiques, art, or material culture.

We have a room dedicated to each of the following categories: The Central Highlands, Tribal Textiles, The Shamanic Tradition, Functional Objects and Water Puppets, Older Things.Our approach is “anthropological”- we believe that the value and appreciation of an object is increased when we know what it is , when and why it was made and who made it, who used it, why it looks the way it does.

We also offer select objects from the Viets (the Kinh), the majority culture of Viet Nam, including objects from the recent past and also from the distant past"

http://www.54traditions.com.vn/

The PURE essence of travel..

"Travel in 2009 and beyond is no longer about simply going away, indulging in "bling" holidays and coming home relaxed. It is now about participating in life enriching experiences and returning home transformed. It is about fulfilling the next and very final level of Maslow's hierarchy of needs, self-actualistion. Self actualisation is characterised not by a willingness to consume prestige goods or services for the sake of upgrading oneself socially but, by a quest to find one's own true happiness through connections with loved ones or with the world. This is the PURE essence of the true travel experience."

Serge Dive, PURE Life Experiences.

Old Bangkok

Connections Vietnam

Travellers are constantly seeking a genuine cultural experience, but are often thwarted by the next bus load of tourists. Connections Vietnam aim to bring the real flavor of Saigon through meeting, eating, cooking, and learning activities. Through Cook, Dine, Learn and Meet, you can get a real perspective on the city, something that for most visitors would be totally out of reach.

http://www.connectionsvietnam.com/

Mekong: Milton Osborne

A popular account of some of the historical highlights of exploration and development along the Mekong, Milton Osborne's offering is as much travelogue as history. For the more recent material he draws on forty years personal involvement with Southeast Asia, focusing on development issues; for the earlier period he is most fascinated by the history of European exploration. The result is episodic and personal, but also readable and informative.

http://www.amazon.com/Mekong-Turbulent-Past-Uncertain-Future/dp/0802138020

The morning stroll around Luang Prabang

Why I love the Tea Country

The tea country is wonderful. This is the area of Sri Lanka I know best. I love waking up early in the morning and going on a long 5 or 6 hour walk through an endless maze of trails surrounded by lush fields of tea. I love to cross rivers, climb mountains, reach villages, talk to a planters I meet along the way and then return to the bungalow for a well-earned lunch, a swim in the pool, a massage or a herbal bath. And at the end of the day, I love to sit around the fire in the evening with friends and fellow travelers, playing games, playing the guitar and telling travel stories.


The Norwood Estate, Hatton, Sri Lanka, 2003

The wheather in Thailand

Lao Air Connections

Sri Lanka's Barefoot Act

The government is considering a proposal to usher in a new ‘barefoot revolution’ in Sri Lanka as part of its philosophy to revive ancient Sinhala traditions.

This will see the systematic phasing out of footwear use in all government offices, and other places where politicians and officials are present. The practice will be first introduced in Parliament, as well as offices of the President and Prime Minister, and later extended to cover all government offices.

“Wearing shoes and slippers is a recent habit introduced to our people by western colonialists,” says Emeritus Professor Amaradasa Gunasekera, originator of the idea. “The ancient Sinhalese knew that we living in a tropical country do not need to cover our feet. In our current quest to revitalise indigenous knowledge and traditional Sinhala Buddhist culture, we want to restore this excellent practice.”

Professor Gunasekera, who is Presidential Advisor (No 223) for reviving ancient traditions, has drafted a policy paper on transforming Sri Lanka’s public sector into a ‘barefoot zone’. When introduced, this will require visitors to all public places in local, provincial and central governments to remove their footwear and leave them in a secure place at the entrance.

“We don’t anticipate a problem in public cooperation,” says Professor Gunasekera. “After all, we all do it willingly when entering temples and kovils. So why not extend this good practice to our ‘temples of public service’?”

He was emphatic that this should not be seen as a ban. “Bans are another decadent concept of the crumbling west. We in the east do everything voluntarily through enlightened public consensus. Barefoot Nation will be introduced on this basis.”

Asked whether public officials themselves will be allowed to move around inside their offices with footwear, he said the matter was still under discussion. “We have to tread carefully on this one,” he said, intending no pun. “We don’t want any retrogressive public official petitioning Supreme Court on his fundamental rights being violated.”

Creating barefoot public offices is to be the first step in transforming Sri Lanka into a fully-fledged barefoot nation under the prevailing chinthana. The Health Ministry is to send a top level delegation of officials to study China’s barefoot doctors programme, with a view to emulating it here.

Meanwhile, a defence ministry source denied that this new national policy had anything to do with fears of disgruntled members of the public throwing shoes, sandals or slippers at politicians or senior officials.

Ethnic Minority Music of Southern Laos

This is a collection of landmark recordings by Laurent Jeanneau documenting music created by the Harak and various Brao ethnic groups in Southern Laos. Here you can hear the true historic roots of Molam music (now a venerable popular music style in Laos and Thailand) played on the Khaen along with vocal styles from this region. Also featured here are Gong ensembles, various stringed instruments, cymbals, drums, and sung poetry all captured live on location with the ambient sounds of the surrounding villages. These recordings were made in Xekong, Champasak and Attapeu provinces and because much of this music is unknown, this is probably the first time recordings have ever been released of indigenous music from these remote areas of Southern Laos.


http://www.sublimefrequencies.com/item.asp?Item_id=39&t=Ethnic-Minority-Music-of-Southern-Laos

SUBLIME FREQUENCIES is a collective of explorers dedicated to acquiring and exposing obscure sights and sounds from modern and traditional urban and rural frontiers via film and video, field recordings, radio and short wave transmissions, international folk and pop music, sound anomalies, and other forms of human and natural expression not documented sufficiently through all channels of academic research, the modern recording industry, media, or corporate foundations. SUBLIME FREQUENCIES is focused on an aesthetic of extra-geography and soulful experience inspired by music and culture, world travel, research, and pioneering recording labels.