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| Tourism is booming in Cambodia, with a 20% jump last year to over 2 million visitors. Expect 3 million by 2010, making its greatest temples ever-more difficult to view in solitude. Consequently, we say visit NOW, before it changes beyond recognition. This destination of a lifetime is truly a gobsmaking experience, right up there with the Taj Mahal, Parthenon, and Great Pyramids. (Matter of fact, Angkor Wat contains as many stones as Cheops' Egyptian tomb!) |
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| Tourism today brings Cambodia over $1 billion annually and supports a quarter million jobs. In trying to spread the wealth, Globetrotting Gourmet® ensures our tourist dollars go to local training projects, such as sustainable agriculture and hotel training school scholarships. In the past we have sponsored a year's training scholarship at Hotel Dubrule hotel school in Siem Reap, plus Sala Bai hotel and restaurant training program, plus Shinta Mani. Proceeds from our next tour are again allocated to at-risk youth. Lao donations go to the Stay Another Day project, while Khmer money goes to Mith Samlanh -- simply translated as "Friends." We feel privileged to visit this part of the world, and are grateful to Southeast Asian communities for welcoming us to their lands. We reciprocate by helping their future generations. |
| We are also delighted to read about Cambodian and Lao conservation efforts for the endangered Irrawaddy dolphin. The Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) is named after a Burmese river, but also thrives in the deep waters of the Mekong between Laos and Cambodia, and Thailand. Alarmingly, it is at risk. According to local mythology, the Irrawaddy Dolphin is a fair maiden with the body of a fish. She was forced by her parents to marry a magical python, but rejected her suitor by casting herself into the Mekong. Magically, she was transformed, and consequently the dolphin is regarded as a sacred animal by both Khmer and Lao. It is rarely hunted nor consumed as food by local people, yet these fish often get entangled in fishing nets, and are also vulnerable to dams and other infrastructure development in the area. Population in Laos and Cambodia is now estimated at a mere 70-100, and continues to decrease at an alarming speed. |
| The good news is that the Cambodian government initiated dolphin watching in Kratie province, near the historical temple of Angkor Wat. If the plan works well, the economic incomes from tourists will protect the last remaining and precarious population of the river dolphin, before it is simply too late. But that is only half the battle, with the other relying on good behavior by tourists. Guidelines for responsible tourism have been developed in association with the Cambodian Department of Fisheries, the Mekong River Dolphin Research and Conservation Program and the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, WDCS. Check out the code of conduct for Mekong dolphin watching: www.mekong-dolphin.com/dolphin-info.htm |
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| When visiting, tourists are encouraged to follow the guidelines listed below, ensuring the Irrawaddy dolphins are able to conduct their daily activities without harm or stress or harassment. |
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Tourists and operators must ensure that they respect the dolphin-watching bode of conduct. This will ensure that dolphins are not disturbed in Kampi Pool -- the most important dry season refuse in the Mekong River. |
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The price per boat to view the dolphins in Kampi Pool is fixed by the provincial authorities. |
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Please follow these guidelines to help save the Mekong River dolphins. |
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Irrawaddy dolphins are shy dolphins. They will generally not approach boats and certainly will not bow-ride -- please do not ask your boat driver to chase or harass the dolphins! The driver knows best and will give you a good view of the dolphins -- without harassing them. |
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Dolphins are highly intelligent animals, sensitive to disturbance and can be hit by vessels, including their propellers. When watching, always leet them decide what happens. |
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When watching Irrawaddy dolphins, please follow these simple guidelines: |
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ALL dolphin-watching boats must be fitted with a propeller guard. |
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Turn off the motor once upstream of the dolphin group and then float downstream. |
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Never turn on the motor when dolphins are within 500m of the boat. |
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Never drive head on to, or move between, scatter or separate dolphins. |
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Always drive slowly and at the edges of the pool when using the motor. |
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Special care must be taken with mothers and young. Remember that mothers will be protective of their young, so always give them extra space and consideration. |
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Never try to swim with the dolphins, for your safety and theirs. |
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Do not dispose of any rubbish, litter or contaminants in the river. |
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