Monday celebrates International Women's Day. In honor of this, please consider learning more about the International Violence Against Women Act, currently being considered by the U.S. government. Wouldn't it be nice, someday, to not have a special day to celebrate the economic, political and social achievements of half of the world's population as a special occasion?
Violence against women and girls represents a global health, economic development, and human rights problem. At least one out of every three women worldwide are beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime, with rates reaching 70% in some countries. The International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA) is an unprecedented effort by the United States to address violence against women globally. (IRC)
This legislation would make ending violence against women a diplomatic priority for the first time in U.S. history. The bill would require the U.S. government to respond to critical outbreaks of gender-based violence in armed conflict. It would invest in local women's organizations overseas that are successfully reducing violence in their communities. And it would help provide resources for economic opportunities that would help lift women and their families out of poverty. (Amnesty USA)
Please consider learning more about the Act from Amnesty International and consider signing a petition to send to your congresspeople, sponsored by the International Rescue Committee.
Here's an excellent video by Plan International.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Monday, March 1, 2010
Mu Koh Surin
Top Four Reasons Why I Like Traveling With Thai People:
Briefly, I went to Mu Koh Surin last weekend, taking an overnight bus Friday night and returning very early Tuesday morning (fanciest overnight bus ever). Blog post of pictures, because there's really no other way to describe...
Dory: I shall call him Squishy and he shall be mine. Come here Mr. Squishy! Come here little Squishy! Come here dee ba dee ba ba! ZAPP! Ow!
Marlin: Dory! That's a jelly fish!
Dory: Bad Squishy! Bad Squishy!
Marlin: Shoo shoo shoo!
Do you remember what happens next?
- Well, let's go for the obvious first - it's much easier to travel with people who know the language and the region.
- They care as much about skin protection as my mom. I never needed to worry about remembering to reapply sunscreen and got only slightly burned after three straight days in the Thai sun!
- They travel like I do - go to great places, have a great time, for less!
- They always come prepared with snacks and planned meals - some friends brought camping cookers also!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Briefly, I went to Mu Koh Surin last weekend, taking an overnight bus Friday night and returning very early Tuesday morning (fanciest overnight bus ever). Blog post of pictures, because there's really no other way to describe...
At Black Canyon Coffee, in the Southern bus station, waiting for our bus
(P'Boo, Me, Phillipe, Jip, O)
In Phang Nga, on a truck between the bus and boat (Thi, Me, Dr. Mike)
I can't decide whether I'm hot or cold... because it's 5:30 in the morning!
At the marina
My abode for two nights
My view from the tent
Me and the view
Getting ready! (Anchala, P'Boo, Thi and her husband)
On the boat, going snorkeling for the first time (me and Jip)
no photo editing here :)
beautiful water
waiting for the boat to go snorkeling
Nemo!
I think this is a barracuda... if not, I definitely saw a gang of them towards the end of one of our dives. I tried not to move as they passed, then quickly called the boat over!
Shark bait hoo ha ha!
A lobster! (or, at least, its antenna)
A flying lemur (colugo) - I have a video of it flying too! (I'll try to post that soon.)
The spicy noodles they made me try first and laughed at me when I turned bright red. Then they tried some and turned bright red!
The group
Our boat
On the boat
That'd be me
Beautiful yellow fish
Marlin: Dory! That's a jelly fish!
Dory: Bad Squishy! Bad Squishy!
Marlin: Shoo shoo shoo!
Do you remember what happens next?
We got attacked by a swarm of them (what DO you call a mass of jellyfish?) Luckily, we all managed to climb back into the boat without any stings.
Wonderful trip!
Some basic information, taken from a display at the Phang-nga marina:
Background
Mu Koh Surin was designated the 29th national park of Thailand on July 9, 1981. It covers an area of 141.25 sq.km. 77% of the area is marine. The park consists of 5 islands and also includes the nearby two rocks. Between the months of June and November, there are large waves on the seas and heavy rain. Between December and May, the weather is better, with calm seas and clear skies. This season is suitable for tourists to visit the National Park. The tropical forest and coral reefs are regarded as one of the most valuable natural classrooms in Thailand. About 14 km to the east of Mu Koh Surin is the famed SCUBA diving site known as "Richelieu."
North Surin Island
Tourist bungalow and the restaurant are located at the Park Headquarters on North Surin Island. The hire of snorkeling equipment and long-tailed boats is also available here. The beaches of North Surin Island are rather small, but the island boasts several picturesque peaceful bays. The most popular spot for swimming and camping is Ao (bay) Chong Khad. This bay is also the most scenic location for observing the sunset.
A new campsite has recently opened at Ao Mai Ngam, where a park restaurant and bathrooms are available (this is where I stayed). Tourists can relax, swim, and camp in this huge newly developed area, which is not only the best site for vacationing tourists but also remains very rich in natural diversity. Visitors can reach the bay by long-tailed boat or by following the nature trail from the park's HQ.
South Surin Island
South Surin Island has several interesting sites, though it is necessary to take a boat from North Surin Island to reach them. Ao Satok and Ao pak Kad are very beautiful, while Ao Tao is the site where turtles are most often seen.
Ecosystem
Mu Koh Surin National Park is an invaluable site of natural heritage, not just the destination for tourists to exploit for their own pleasure. The area boasts a rich biodiversity that ranges from the largest fish in the world, the whale shark, to rare birds such as the Beach Thick-Knee and the Nicobar Pigeon. Mammals such as the Malayan Flying Lemur can also be easily seen.
Travel Information
The park is located in Phang-nga Province and is about 720 km from Bangkok. Take any bus from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai) that passes Amphur Khura Buri. Get off and catch a taxi. The park is open from mid-November to mid-May. There is a daily ferry service from Khura Buri Pier to Mu Koh Surin at 9am and takes approximately 2 hours. The return journey leaves the island at 13:30pm daily.
Mu Koh Surin was designated the 29th national park of Thailand on July 9, 1981. It covers an area of 141.25 sq.km. 77% of the area is marine. The park consists of 5 islands and also includes the nearby two rocks. Between the months of June and November, there are large waves on the seas and heavy rain. Between December and May, the weather is better, with calm seas and clear skies. This season is suitable for tourists to visit the National Park. The tropical forest and coral reefs are regarded as one of the most valuable natural classrooms in Thailand. About 14 km to the east of Mu Koh Surin is the famed SCUBA diving site known as "Richelieu."
North Surin Island
Tourist bungalow and the restaurant are located at the Park Headquarters on North Surin Island. The hire of snorkeling equipment and long-tailed boats is also available here. The beaches of North Surin Island are rather small, but the island boasts several picturesque peaceful bays. The most popular spot for swimming and camping is Ao (bay) Chong Khad. This bay is also the most scenic location for observing the sunset.
A new campsite has recently opened at Ao Mai Ngam, where a park restaurant and bathrooms are available (this is where I stayed). Tourists can relax, swim, and camp in this huge newly developed area, which is not only the best site for vacationing tourists but also remains very rich in natural diversity. Visitors can reach the bay by long-tailed boat or by following the nature trail from the park's HQ.
South Surin Island
South Surin Island has several interesting sites, though it is necessary to take a boat from North Surin Island to reach them. Ao Satok and Ao pak Kad are very beautiful, while Ao Tao is the site where turtles are most often seen.
Ecosystem
Mu Koh Surin National Park is an invaluable site of natural heritage, not just the destination for tourists to exploit for their own pleasure. The area boasts a rich biodiversity that ranges from the largest fish in the world, the whale shark, to rare birds such as the Beach Thick-Knee and the Nicobar Pigeon. Mammals such as the Malayan Flying Lemur can also be easily seen.
Travel Information
The park is located in Phang-nga Province and is about 720 km from Bangkok. Take any bus from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai) that passes Amphur Khura Buri. Get off and catch a taxi. The park is open from mid-November to mid-May. There is a daily ferry service from Khura Buri Pier to Mu Koh Surin at 9am and takes approximately 2 hours. The return journey leaves the island at 13:30pm daily.
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