The Intersection

Over 200 New Species Found in SE Asia

A psychedelic gecko and a monkey with an "Elvis" hairdo are among 208 new species described last year by scientists in the Mekong River region of Southeast Asia.

The region is home to some of the world's most endangered species, including tigers, Asian elephants, Mekong dolphins and Mekong giant catfish, the group said.

The Mekong flows through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.

In October, WWF announced Vietnam has lost its last Javan rhinoceros, making the 40 to 60 Javan rhinos living in Indonesia the last remaining members of their species.

Some photos of the newly discovered species...

A new psychedelic gecko is seen in Vietnam. 

It was discovered in Hon Khoai island, Ca Mau province, in southern Vietnam.

A limestone leaf warbler (Phylloscopus Calciatilis), so-called because it breeds in limestone karsts in Laos and has a loud, unique call.

A vibrantly-spotted newt (Tylototriton notialis) discovered in Laos. 

A self-cloning lizard (Leiolepis ngovantrii).

A monkey with "Elvis" hairdo is seen. It was discovered in Myanmar.

[source]

MEET OUR NEW SONGBIRD: The Bare-Faced Bulbul

Ha! Our good neighbor Laos has revealed yet another new specie of song birds -- this is the Bare-Faced Bulbul -- only found among the tower-like limestones of the jungles of Savannakhet Province. It is the only known "bald" song birds in Mainland Asia.

It was discovered by Aussie scientists in December 2008 and published in Forktail in July 2009. These birds were noisily foraging around the camp, obviously haven't seen humans before.

How can a very odd creature with distinct features evade humans for centuries? Amazing! Well, maybe because the BFB's habitat is legally protected in Laos and is mainly harsh and inhabitable.

The Bare-Faced Bulbul's official name is Pycnonotus hualon. It is the 138th addition of the world's 137 listed species of Bulbuls. Bulbul maybe derived from the Turkish word "bulbul" which means "nightingale". And no, the Filipino word for "pubic hair" is of a different spelling so don't go smart a** with me =). Ha!

Although our region is faced with seemingly hopeless, endless string of endangered species; BISEAN cheer and celebrate this new discovery!

Thank you, Laos.

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WORLD'S TOP FRENCH RAPPER IS LAOTIAN!

His name is BOLO.

I first heard of him sorting through CDs at FNAC Madrid while waiting for mom to emerge from a day spa. He's really, really good! I am sincerely proud of this talented Laotian bro. Listen to his music here...*quite an old video though, but hey!*

Hoo-Ha! Coooool!

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REVISITED: Ananda Everingham | อนันดา เอเวอริ่งแฮม

 Hypnotic as ever. 

CRUSH Magazine's May 2008 Edition photo spread of Lao-Australian super-dude Ananda Everingham -- previously featured as BISEAN's Perfect Specimen on 26 June 2007.


Ananda's hotness here...





Ananda -- Still one of the region's HOTTEST dude ever!

**ขอบคุณมากนะครับ CRUSH Magazine Thailand for the photos. More of Ananda here .

TALAT SAO | Vientiane's Morning Market

Just like any of our capital cities, Vientiane has its own “central market” -- Markets that serves as a “landmark” aside from the usual “local-style” shopping. The most important "gift" that these markets can offer us is the opportunity to have a glimpse of the local life on grassroot level.

Bangkok has the world-famous Chatuchak, KL has the touristy Central Market, Manila has the pleasingly “air-conditioned” Divisoria, Phnom Penh has the magnificent Phsar Thmei, and Singapore has…uhm…Orchard Road? LOL

Compared to the central markets mentioned above, Talat Sao of Vientiane isn’t like any of it. It is simple, modest, uncrowded and curiously quiet. This is how Vientiane used to be 5-10 years ago. Not very “market-like” you say? Think again…

Talat Sao has many things on sale that are NOT displayed.

Aside from the permanent stalls inside the building that sells the usual local stuffs like Lao silk, silver, gold, clothes, electronics, textiles, local crafts…AND watch out for peddlers and hawkers around the building.

They sell bottles of rice wines with cobras & critters in it! I was particularly interested with the guy that sells baby parrots…

…my friends had to practically remove me from the guy’s face because I was pissing him off!

I kept giving a mean look to anyone who shows interest of buying those poor baby parrots! I wanted to smack the guy’s face but I can’t do that – I’m allergic to policemen nowadays.

Don’t let the name confuse you – the Morning Market isn’t open in the morning. Well, not officially. Other stalls are open but not “entirely” (depending on sections). Everything will start to swing just after lunch and would stop swinging just before 5pm.

It is quite easy to find the Morning Market -- Practically everybody knows where it is. It is the city’s “Meeting and Drop Off Point”; the center of it all. Vintage Mercedes Benz taxis are just outside the grounds and Tuktuks would be eager to show you around.

Don’t forget to explore this place on your visit to Vientiane. You’ll never know what you’ll find…highly recommended. And I almost forgot to say – please do not confuse this place to the modern mall next-door.

Happy shopping! Enjoy exploring!

-- Pisanu in Vientiane
27 Jun 2008

OUR ICONS: The Patuxai | Laos' Middle Finger

Some say it looks curiously similar to the one in Paris. Well, maybe because the one in France is famous all over and it is the only point of comparison for description.

Patuxai is very Laotian, that’s for sure. It is Southeast Asia’s only structure of its kind and no other country in our region has actually imitated it because Vientiane had it first.

Believe it or not, Patuxai is one of the highest points of Vientiane. You can climb the top and have a 360 degree view of the city. This makes Patuxai a tourist-must-see. Very daunting, very majestic.

Notice the intricate designs of the structure. Kinnari figures all over! Very Laotian, very Southeast Asian!

The Kinnari (half-woman, half-bird mythical creature), by the way, is the only iconic figure that connects almost all of Southeast Asia – from Siam to LanXang (Laos), from Khmer Empire (Cambodia) to Surigao (Philippines), from Java to Burma. Our ancient people have Kinnaris in their cultures one way or another.

Patuxai means “Gate of Victory” in Laotian. It was built in 1968 and was first called the Anousavari Monument dedicated to those who fought in the struggle for independence from France.

This is a good place to meet local yuppies and youngsters on weekends and practice your Laotian (or practice THEIR English!).

To those calling Patuxai the “Vertical Runway” in an attempt to be sarcastic – piss off! In reference to America giving the funds to Laos to build an airport but built a monument instead…shut your faces!

Do you even know how much bombs America dropped on Laos in the Vietnam War? Laos wasn’t even in that war! Even if America pays $10 Billion a month to Laos for 20 years, it won’t be enough payment for the damage America cost the Laotians. There, take that!

The Patuxai is one big middle finger aimed at America.

The Patuxai – Pride of Laos, Treasure of Southeast Asia.

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--Pisanu in Vientiane
27 Jun 2008

Note: Patuxai is pronounced as /Pa-‘too-‘sai/

OUR CULINARY GEMS: Sien Savanh | Lao Beef Jerky

This dish is very common in Laos. It is found in just about every corner and restaurants because it’s easy to prepare and has a long shelf-time.

Sien Savanh is similar to Dendeng of Indonesia, Bakkwa in Singapore (but its pork), Thit Bo Kho in Vietnam, Tapa of the Philippines and Neua Dej Diao in Thailand. [thanks to Pisanu for the local terms]

Alors! As I said, it’s easy to make! Try it tonight, sun-dry it tomorrow morning and have it for lunch or dinner tomorrow and impress your friends with this exotic dish.

Find the recipe here…


Ingredients

1 lb Beef flank steak (thinly sliced into strips)
3 cloves Garlic (minced)
1 tbsp Ginger (chopped and minced)
1 tbsp Soy sauce
2 tbsp Sesame seed
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
5 cups vegetable oil

Directions

1. Put the beef strips in a large bowl.

2. Add garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sesame seed, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Mix well and marinate for at least 2 hours.

3. Then put the beef strips on a tray and dry in the sun for an entire day, turning the strips occasionally to make sure both sides are dried.

4. When the beef strips are dried to your preference, then heat the oil over medium heat and deep fry the beef strips until lightly crispy to crispy (according to your preference)

5. Best served sticky rice and fresh cucumber. Or great with beer as finger food!

Bon appetite!

PRELUDE TO 2008 LAOS ADVENTURE

SABAI DEE! When I and my friends wanted some peace and quiet without the sands in our Speedos, we head to Laos. If we feel a little nostalgic and wanted to live a simple life, this is the place to go to.

I have seen Laos evolved in 3 stages: From the “unfamiliar” country to the “newest” Southeast Asian destination to the “most-sought-after” exotic paradise. And they did it within 5 years!

Laos would still remain the most exclusive travel destination in our region. Although there was a "backpacker's invasion" in recent years, still not too many people come or have the balls to visit. Even though most of the people I know travel extensively, I never fail to amaze them with my Laotian adventures.

Morgan, Sofia, Tommy and I flew from Hanoi to Vientiane on Vietnam Airlines flight 825 yesterday. Arrived at Wattay International Airport around 5pm. Only 7 airlines serve flights to the capital – Bangkok, Thai, EVA, Vietnam, China Southern, China Eastern and of course, Lao Airlines.

We’re going to meet some more BISEANers from Malaysia (Farah & Rhys), Indonesia (Xtian) and the Philippines (Francine & Michael) here in Vientiane, stay a couple of days; shake some money in Dan Savanh Casino, head to Luang Phrabang and the World’s Largest Waterfalls – all in 10 days.

I can’t wait to get out of my hotel room onto my bicycle! Woohoo!

Watch out for my posts!

--Pisanu in Vientiane
21 Jul 2008

OUR TREASURES: The Plain Of Jars

One of the most mysterious and curious places in Southeast Asia is the Plain of Jars in Xieng Khuang Province in Laos. These are not just ordinary pots and broken vases but huge, ancient, creepy stone jars (as tall as 5 ft each) scattered over an area of 500 sq miles!

The kicker is… nobody knows where it came from or who made ‘em and nobody even knows their purpose. The Plain of Jars is Southeast Asia's version of the Easter Island and scientists said that these jars are more than 2,000 years old *Collectors of antiquity…stay out!*

I can’t help but theorize what these ancient jars are for…could these urns were used by ancient Laotians to store ashes of their dead relatives? Yeah, I could be right. But there are no historical records that they burn their deads in those times, is there?

Could they have used it to collect rain for drinking water? Or to make lots of fermented fish (like Trasi, Belacan, Prahok or Bagoong)? Could these be ancient prison cells for bad-ass citizens? The possibilities are endless!

My father used to say that there are things better left alone – unexplained, undisturbed, undiscovered. This “exclusivity” propel these curious wonders into eternity and the Plain of Jars of Laos is no exception.

This ancient site will soon be a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And BISEAN recommends a visit to this ancient, puzzling destination. Include it on your next visit to Laos. It is only a few hours away from Vientiane and make sure you book the trip through your hotel concierge only.

Hmm…what are these ancient jars for?

I’d like to know what you think.


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OUR CULINARY GEMS: Som Tam / Green Papaya Salad | ส้มตำ, ส้มตำลาว

Ahhh…*deep sigh* that heavenly Som Tam. Nothing in this world is quite like it.


For those aren’t familiar… either because they’ve been to Jupiter for the past 200 years or just outright jealous that Thailand (and Laos!) has such heavenly gift…a Som Tam is a strong-spicy salad made with green papaya. It is sweet, it is salty, it is sour, it is healthy and most of all, it is hot… all mixed together is perfect harmony.

There are many kinds of it – the most famous are these 3 -- from different regions and alternates one ingredient. Som Tam Thai is from Central Thailand which uses dried shrimps and peanuts, Som Tam Lao from Laos which uses fermented fish sauce (like Trasi, Belacan, Prahok or Bagoong) and Som Tam Khoong from Northeast Thailand and Laos which uses preserved fresh-water crabs.

If you are buying from a street peddler… she will prepare it in front of you and don’t be surprised if the Som Tam lady reached out to you with her huge spoon... it means that you have to try it before she bags it for you. Which goes to show that this dish is “to taste" – you want it sweeter, more salty or whatever.

Please remember that the decision of making it hot, hotter or “hell” comes BEFORE the whole preparation. So make sure to tell her “mai phet” (not spicy) before she starts pounding like a bunny.

Imaginative tourists call it “Papaya Pok-pok” because it is prepared by pounding the ingredients together with a special wooden mortar – *“pok-pok-pok”, get it?* and this actually poses as a problem if we want to make the authentic version at home. But nevertheless, let us improvise if the wooden mortar isn’t available.

Here’s how to make the Thai version...

Preparation Time 10 mins
Cooking Time *hello! It’s a salad. Duh!*
Serving 1

Ingredients

¼ kl unripe green papaya, peeled and grated into long, thin strips
2 cherry tomatoes, quartered
2 strands long beans or French beans, cut into 2cm/ 1/2in pieces

1 clove garlic, peeled
4 green bird's-eye chilies
2tbsp palm sugar
3tbsp fish sauce
3tbsp fresh lemon or lime juice

3 tbsp dried shrimps
3 tbsp roasted peanuts

Directions

1. In a mortar (or a large hard plastic bowl), roughly pound the garlic and chilies. Add the beans and pound. Then the shrimps and pound again until crushed.

2. Add the sugar, fish sauce and lemon juice and stir together. Add the tomatoes
and press with the pestle.

3. Add the peanuts and the papaya and stir until well mixed in.

Best serve with sticky rice and barbecue chicken!

Enjoy!

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*Thanks to Koost and Adactio for the photos =)

OUR ICONS: BeerLao

Aside from the fact that this is the only beer brewed in Laos; and its cultural significance to the Laotians (and backpackers, of course)… this liquid amber *that didn't sound right lol* is surprisingly very good! Clean taste, a hint of grass/wheat and a light finish. I just can’t pinpoint the other odd undertone is has but I’ll let you know soon.

BeerLao has been winning medals since 2003 in the international beer circuit. The most recent was in Paris. It is also named as the “Best Beer in Asia” by Time Magazine in 2004. Who would imagine a world-class beer coming out of Laos? Well, don’t bother…it’s already here.

Beerlao was first produce in 1995 by the only brewery in the country, the Lao Brewery Company in Vientiane. LBC has been producing other beer brands since 1971.

Beerlao is made from local jasmine rice, Pilsner malt imported from France, Hallertauer Magnum hops and dry yeast from Germany, and spring water. They are now taking beer-making seriously. It is now exported in Australia, America, Canada, Cambodia, France, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland, Thailand, Vietnam, and the UK.

It comes in 3 variants: the Beerlao Original with 5% Alc./Vol., Beerlao Light with 2.9% and the divine Beerlao Dark with 6.5% party points. A regular bottle costs 5,500 Kip (US$0.50/ 21 Baht / 2 Ringgit).

When you come to Laos, try this beer. So when it’s time to leave, it would be your magic carpet. With just one bottle, you will be transported back to the streets of Vientiane or Luang Phrabang, enjoying on the banks of the Mekong River watching the sunset.

BeerLao – Treasure of Southeast Asia.

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*Photo courtesy of Peter Garnhum

PERFECT SPECIMEN: Araya A. Hargate

Hot innocence.

Araya Hargate (สาวเต็มตัว สวยเต็มตา) is an actress, a model and a famous telly personality in Thailand. She was born Araya Alberta Hargate on 28 June 1981 to an English father and a Laotian mother.

Araya was raised and educated in Bangkok. She is more famously known as “Chompoo” in the Thai entertainment industry. Almost all of the top photographers has worked with her and she has grace the covers of the most prestigious magazines in Thailand.

Here's more of Araya...




Eurasians are the hottest people on Earth.


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*Thanks to Image, Lips and Maxim Thailand magazines.
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