Sunday, August 26, 2012

橙色落叶剂和稀土

重游胡志明市,战争博物馆再一次被编入行程里。

印象最深刻的是残忍的化学战争所带来的后遗症。即使知道橙色落叶剂(Agent Orange)的祸害和破坏力,为了战争的利益,不顾其后果,毅然大量的将它洒在越南的大地上。

这些化学物品就这样毫不留情,破坏了大地和渗入人体里。不计其数的人生,就这样埋送(埋葬)了。馆内墙上一张张特写畸型残障身躯的照片,宣示着橙色落叶剂对这个国家无数的伤害。受害者无辜的眼神,看了让人心酸。

人们(国家)可以为了自身的利益,忘了道德,不择手段。不只是破坏了地球,人类生物也无法幸免。

最近读了关于稀土(Rare Earth Minerals)在中国的开发和提炼,不但牺牲了自然环境,也大大威胁了人们的健康。新的稀土厂即将投入运作,它的危害和代价是人们不敢想象的。

看了越南战争化学武器所带来的破坏,不禁让我联想起了稀土可能对健康及环境所带来的代价。经济繁荣的背后就一定要牺牲自然环境吗?除了人体,地球是最大的受害者。

亚洲稀土的后遗症值得深思。希望后代不会在一座稀土博物馆深思着前辈的悔恨。


受害者无辜的眼神


残障的身躯,却有好学的精神


残酷的历史


植物都被橙色落叶剂摧毁了


中国稀土发展的代价,专家访谈:http://www.sinchew.com.my/node/251710?tid=1


文章&摄影Tsuey Kean
照片摄于胡志明战争博物馆

Sunday, August 19, 2012

A Sail on the Mekong River to Pak Ou


North of Luang Prabang, along the Mekong River, there is a tourist attraction, the Pak Ou cave. The cave is about 1 hour boat trip from Luang Prabang. Every day, from morning, boats offer trip to Pak Ou from Luang Prabang. The ticket can be bought from local tourist agencies or guest houses.

Departure from a small jetty at the river bank, just tens of meters away from the famous Wat Xieng Tong. The small jetty is full with tourists from every corner of the world every morning. Luang Prabang is a miracle place; you will always make new friends and meet them again around the city. The jetty too, is a place of this miracle; you will easily meet your new friend there. This jetty is not only for boats to Pak Ou cave, but also boats to hill tribes trip of Northern Laos.

Trip to Pak Ou included stop and visit to village produces Laos rice wine (is a type of Laos whisky called Lao Lao) and silk. Every boat caters 6 tourists. Jet out from the jetty, the boat will move all the way to the North. During December, cold wind along the river, it is comfortable. Mekong River is a great river. It breeds millions of life a long it path from Tibet in China to Vietnam before flows into South China Sea. Measure at 4000-plus meters long, Mekong River is the most important water source for the Laos people. For generations, they make living from the river. Rode on Mekong River, you can see that the river is very large (never see such large river in Malaysia, no competition at all).








Light mist and chilly wind, grey sky and cold water, this is the late year Mekong River earlier in the morning. December to February every year, Northern Laos is cooler. Along the river, forests and mountains, a great natural. Further to the North, after the Whisky Village, closer to Pak Ou, the sky became crystal clear. No more misty grey sky and chilly wind; replaced by clear blue sky and warming weather. Nice trip!

Small jetty of Whisky Village



Silk stores in Whisky Village. Many of the villagers selling silks in the village.




"Steamer" for Laos Whisky 

Filtered Whisky are store here for sometimes before sold.  


  
Pak Ou Cave view from Mekong River

Small jetty of Pak Ou Cave

There are two caves at Pak Ou, the Lower Cave and the Upper Cave. The mouth of the Lower Cave is a prominent landmark visible from the Mekong River. Paved pathways lead up to this cave as well as to the Upper Cave, which is about 60 meters above the river. There are about 2,500 sculptures of Buddha found in the lower cave.

Steps walk up to lower cave










The entrance of the Upper Cave is enclosed by a carved wooden frieze once supported two massive wooden doors. A sculpture of a disciple Buddha sits on a pedestal beside the entrance. Inside the cave is quite dark, especially at the rear. Inside the cave is also sculptures of Buddha.  





Below are evening view of Mekong River in Luang Prabang.




Written by Chung Yee
Photography by Chung Yee & Tsuey Kean