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ECC and Lao Tourism Welcome 13 Rescued Elephants
In February this year, an Emirati plane sat on the tarmac at Vientiane’s Wattay International Airport, waiting to board 13 Lao elephants for a flight to Dubai and “Safari Park”. A call from Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith’s office halted the transfer. The outright sale of Lao elephants is illegal, he said. The elephants stay in Laos. The government turned to the Elephant Conservation Centre (ECC), Lao’s only sanctuary that offers an undisturbed natural environment with professional staff (veterinarian, vet assistant, and biologist) and world-class facilities to protect and breed endangered Asian elephants. The ECC also presents a responsible tourism destination, where tourists can observe or interact with Asian elephants, after they take a 2.5-hour van ride from Luang Prabang. ECC books overnight tour programmes to the Sayabouly Province sanctuary online and from its walk-in Luang Prabang office. Luang Prabang-based ECC Hospitality Manager Jozef Coremans said, “The government halting the sale of the 13 elephants is a historic moment for elephant conservation in Laos. Elephants that are illegally trafficked abroad never come back to Laos. They will never be able to contribute to the conservation of their species in their home country.” He added, “The 13 rescued elephants, originally trained to perform degrading circus tricks, are now free from abuse, and out of the hands of ilegal traders.” The elephants, aged five to 47 years, are enjoying life and behaving like elephants among the ECC’s existing herd of 16. However, almost doubling the herd while adding 13 mahouts will cost the center an estimated $57,461 for the first year. “The ECC can commit $30,000,”said ECC Co-Founder Sebastien Duffillot. “We need help for the remaining $27,461 to ensure the elephants have consistent care.” The ECC launched an Indiegogo.com fundraising page in the beginning of May, with a goal of raising $28,000. Within 10 days, the campaign hit the $20,000 mark, and on 15 May, with 11 days to go, 206 backers drove the tally to $23,615, representing 84% of the goal. The ECC broke down the center’s added costs into three categories: medical, food, and hiring 13 local mahouts. Veterinary expenses include tetanus vaccines, tuberculosis test, and the annual deworming plan for the new elephants at a total expense of $3,211. The 13 new elephants eat 3 tonnes of food per day, which places a burden on the ECC’s 106-ha protected forest area, where they graze. To ensure they have enough food during the dry season, the ECC needs to hire three more local farmers for $8,250 per year. Each elephants needs a personal mahout to guide them to new water and food sources, bring them to the hospital for veterinary care, and take them for their daily bath. Hiring 13 full-time local mahouts costs $46,000 per year, which covers their monthly salary, three meals a day, and on-site accommodation. According to the ECC’s website, only some 450 elephants remain in captivity in Laos, most of which are involved in logging. The wild elephant population has dwindled to 300-400 pachyderms. The ECC sits on 530 hectares on the Nam Tien Lake near Sayabouly Town. For an overnight stay, visitors will find bungalows lodging, dining facilities, and a natural swimming pool during their interactive elephant experience. The grounds host an elephant training area, feeding platform, yard and bathing area, hospital, dung paper factory, and mahout school. The center offers three programmes. The 2-day/1-night “Discovery” introduces visitors to the elephants, and teaches about ECC’s conservation work with an overnight stay in a bamboo bungalow overlooking the lake. The 2-night “Exploration” provides a relaxing stay where visitors learn all about Asian elephants and their biology, cultural importance, and the challenges of species conservation. Guests also have the opportunity to interact with the ECC’s elephant herd in its natural habitat. Eco Volunteering (7 Days – 6 nights) presents an in-depth encounter with the elephants. During the week, visitors share the life of the mahouts and learn more about the lifestyle of impact on centuries of Lao culture. Participants also assist in the center’s development by joining in community work projects on the site. For more information on responsible elephant tours to the ECC, click here.
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Building “Recycling” Event Planned in Vientiane on 17 May
Join with volunteers to start ‘recycling’ Vientiane’s old Typing School building into a community art space on International Recycling Day. Khiri Travel is organising an event in Vientiane on 17 May as part of International Recycling Day, established by UNESCO. The activity is also in honour of Khiri Travel’s 25th anniversary. The public are welcome to join. The event is at the Old Typing School, meeting at the Dam Dam Café/Laodi Bar first at 4pm. The aim is to start preparing the old school to become a community art space. Stefan Scheerer, General Manager of Khiri Travel Laos, said: “Open community spaces in Vientiane are important for cultural exchange, sharing creative ideas and enjoying events. Such ‘recycling’ and enhancing of old buildings will hopefully encourage upcoming generations in Vientiane to take pride and participate in their local community.” Ms Gili Back, the Khiri Travel Sustainability Manager and Executive Director of Khiri Reach, says: “Recent environmental studies explore the benefits of ‘recycling’ old buildings through adaptive reuse — giving new life and purpose to old structures. Old buildings preserve local culture by paying tribute to the people and events that created them. They attract tourists and bring people together. Their conservation saves tons of debris from the landfill, making the reuse of an existing building the ultimate form of recycling.” Khiri Travel will be hosting special recycling events, educational seminars and clean ups in seven countries across Asia. The one in Laos is: Historical Building Revival For A Community Art Space Date: 17 May 2018 Start Time: 4:00pm Address: Dam Dam café/Laodi Bar (Mekong Riverfront) Quai Fa Ngum/Rue Sibouaban T-section, 0101 Vientiane, Laos. Introduction – Celebrate International Recycling Day by working together as a community to revitalize and clean up Vientiane’s Historical Typing School Building. Khiri Travel Laos’s Vientiane office will be partnering with Dam Dam cafe (which becomes Laodi Bar in the evening). The plan for the afternoon (followed by drinks) is to clean the grounds and surrounding area, share the vision for the space and to encourage people to participate in Historical Building Recycling – Community Rejuvenation – Urban Rethinking and to make this place safe and liveable again. Please come and join the team to learn more about this very special restoration and clean-up project that aims to benefit the people of Vientiane. Further information in Vientiane: email Stefan@khiri.com. Tel: +856 (0) 21 453 840. Or contact Gili Back, Khiri Travel Sustainability Manager & Executive Director Khiri Reach. Tel: +66 2 968 6828. Email: gili@khirireach.org. Or visit the Khiri Travel Facebook page.
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New & Cool in Luang Prabang: The Mekong’s Other Side
Board a ferry behind the National Museum and cruise across the Mekong to Ban Xieng Maen Village in Chomphet. You’ll find the Four Temple Tour, Pottery Village, Green Jungle Flight at legendary Hoi Khua (100 Families Waterfall), and Pha Tad Ke Botanical Gardens with a café and shop. The Four Temple Tour Start your Four Temple Tour upon landing in Ban Xieng Maen with a short walk up the main road to the 123 steps that climb to the tiny, no-frills Vat Chomphet. The temple sits in a forest on a hill, and looks over the Mekong and Luang Prabang Peninsula, a view that few see. The Thais built the modest temple in 1888, and besides the unique panorama, it is best known for its stupas that house bones of the wives of former kings. Next, take the main road southwest for a few hundred metres to Vat Xieng Maen set in Chomphet’s hillside forest overlooking the Mekong. The temple was built in the 16th century, and modelled after the famous Vat Xieng Thong in Luang Prabang town. The entrance has lost some lustre, but still displays its golden ornamentation. In the 19th century, the floor was covered with black, grey, and white French tiles. Next to the temple, a smaller temple stands locked, protecting more than 200 valuable Buddha, with one dating to the 13th century. Continue along the main road for a few hundred metres to 18th-century Vat Long Khoun, and explore its grounds and many structures with long sloping roofs and golden entrances. The temple is known as a place of meditation for Lao princes, who are about to take the throne. Inside the main temple, observe the 10 murals depicting the different lives of Buddha. One graphic scene shows giant fish eating villagers. According to local lore, Chinese troops stayed in Vat Long Khoun in 1890, but couldn’t sleep due to the temple’s spirits. So, they painted the walls to protect themselves, which allowed them to sleep. A path from here delivers you to a short stairway that climbs to a rock terrace lined by a balustrade and flanked by two large, crumbling spirit houses. Here a stone-block archway marks the entrance to Vat Tham Sakkarin (Sakkarin Cave) and the 100-metre tunnel to a small white stupa housing the remains of a former king. The royal family once meditated in the cave, which also features a lower level with an eagle-shaped rock formation. Locals believe that if water drops from the cave’s ceiling and lands on your head, you’ll have good luck. To return to Ban Xieng Maen, take the main road back, or follow the river path. Pottery Village A look around Luang Prabang reveals loads of beautiful clay lamps and pots. Do you want to see who makes them? Head to “Pottery Village”, about 4 km from the Chompet Pier. The people in Ban Chan Village have been pumping out pottery for centuries, and still use their traditional methods. According to legend, the first Lao King held a huge celebration after winning a 16th century battle. He asked various villages to deliver different items to the party, and requested Ban Chan bring clay pots. Today, you can watch the descendants of these historic pot throwers create beautiful vessels, and even take lessons and make your own clay pot. You can reach Ban Chan by bike from the pier, private boat from Luang Prabang, or organised tour that comes with a pottery lesson. Green Jungle Flight Dive into an adventure at Lao Green, a 20-hectare nature park and recreation area in Chompet that centres on Hoi Khua Waterfalls. Thrill seekers can tackle an aerial obstacle course that presents a 1-km stretch of zip line with 12 tree-top stations, suspended rope-and-net bridges and swinging walkways, all of which meet international safety standards. Or, you can stroll along a nature trail through a flower garden and the jungle to a swimming area, restaurant, and campgrounds for a picnic or overnight stay. You can also venture to the base of Hoi Khua falls, or take a challenging three-hour hike to the top with exhilarating views. Several local tour operators offer Hoi Khua itineraries. Legendary Hoi Khua Waterfall Hoi Khua Waterfalls avoids the tourist hordes as it tumbles 100 metres down a rocky hillside jungle, while offering plenty of swimming holes along the way. Lao Green presents a picnic area next to the falls with small open-air huts, and you’ll find a flower park after a short walk. According to local legend, years ago, soldiers occupied a village near Hoi Khua (100 Families Waterfalls). Fearing the soldiers, local people hid inside a cave behind the falls. After many days, the soldiers started hearing voices in the cave, so they found a large boulder and blocked the entrance, leaving 100 families to die. The cave and its entrance remains a mystery to this day, and no one ever found the remains of the 100 families for who the falls are named. Pha Tad Ke Botanical Gardens Discover the diverse flora of Laos and learn how Lao people use plants in their everyday lives at Chompet’s Pha Tad Ke Botanical Garden, reached by a 15-minute Mekong River boat ride from Luang Prabang. The 40-hectare garden showcases some 1,500 different plants such as cycads and tree ferns suited for their unique limestone karst environment. On a half or full-day getaway, you can enjoy a 35-minute hike around the base of the mountain to Pha Tad Ke Cave, and learn about biodiversity conservation and sustainable agriculture. The gardens also offer free activities, including bamboo handicrafts, local tea tasting, and talks about history and orchids given by local experts. Pha Tad Ke also presents a café and shop by a lotus pond, where you can enjoy a tasty menu and healthy shakes.
