Cambodian Kukri

The reptile, which has been named the Cambodian Kukri, was found in the southwest Cardamom Mountains, an area under threat from habitat loss, Fauna & Flora International (FFI) said in a statement.

Kukri snakes are so named because their curved rear fangs — designed to puncture eggs — are similar in shape to the Nepalese kukri knife, FFI said.

“Most kukri snakes are dull-coloured,” said Neang Thy, one of the herpetologists who discovered the new species. “But this one is dark red with black and white rings, making it a beautiful snake.”

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Emirates Airlines’ have launched a daily non-stop flight to Ho Ch Minh City, the commercial hub in the south of Vietnam. For many people flying from Europe, this could knock out one more airport stop en route making travel times shorter and less stressful.

Qatari Airways already has flights to Vietnam but they are routed through Bangkok. Airlines reportedly planning to launch a Vietnam route in the next 18 months include Air China, Air Hong Kong, Etihad Airways, Finnair, Jeju Air, Saudi Arabian Airlines and Silk Air.

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This should taunt anyone looking for unspoiled remote places to dive with exceptional seascapes and unspoiled islands!

This pic was taken from the air flying between Sorong in West Papua to Manado on the northern tip of Sulawesi, Indonesia, as we passed over Pulau Waigeo. This is real frontier diving with some of the richest biodiversity counts recorded anywhere!

Next goal would be to kayak around the shoreline to explore the untouched beaches and rainforests. Waigeo is renowned amongst birders for Birds of Paradise.

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On the beautiful Pinisi sailing schooner, the Amira.

Dates:
20 – 31 August 2012 (11 nights), from/to Labuanbajo, Flores
03 – 14 September 2012 (11 Nights), from/to Labuanbajo, Flores
20% discount on both these great trips.

Contact Symbiosis to book.

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What: Scuba diving safari
Where: Komodo National Marine Park, Indonesia
When: 27th october – 3rd november 2012
Offer: 10% discount on the last spaces remaining plus 1 free budget cabin for 5 berths booked and paid
Vessel: MV Mermaid II
Route: Bali – Komodo – Bali
 
Price per pax:
Budget Cabin (2 twin bunks, share bathroom): €1,440 (was €1,600)
Deluxe Cabin (1 double + 1 single bunk, en suite bathroom): € 1,620 (was € 1,800)

National Park / Port fees (payable on board): € 90 / person

Contact Symbiosis now to book.

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A Huli "Wigman" in the Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea.

As part of the coming of age ritual, young Huli men would retreat from society into an all male commune for several months while they grew their hair, carefully watering it every day to ensure it formed a perfect shape. It would then be carefully shaved off and adorned with decorative items including shells and dried flowers, and traditionally with the dried torso of a Bird of Paradise as the centrepiece. It could then be worn as a hat, with different versions for different occasions.

Huli women carry their slung bilum on their foreheads

As modern values seep into the ways of PNG’s highlands, few young men bother with the ritual hair growing nowadays. Instead a small handful of them make it a profession; growing several crops and selling the results to those who “can’t find the time”!

The gent in this pic has the real McCoy on show – the tail spread of a Bird of Paradise… plus a feather in his nose for good measure. Over his shoulder is a Bilum, the traditional ubiquitous string bag used to carry everything from sweet potatoes from their gardens to infant children… in the case of women, who wear the bilum with the strap over their foreheads.

Read more about Papua New Guinea and how you can visit this spectacular and most fascinating of countries.

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Enjoy the Rice Growing Season in Sapa – home to one of Vietnam’s most colourful hill tribe villages!

Come and stay with Topas Eco Lodge, located deep in the Hoang Lien Mountain – these beautiful lodges dotted in a circle around the hills offer breathtaking views across the scenic valleys below. Take this opportunity and enjoy the special promotion of Stay 3 Nights and Pay for 2 nights ONLY!

Rates:
Deluxe Bungalow: USD 272 total for 3 nights for 2 adults
Executive Bungalow $341 total for 3 nights for 2 adults

CONDITIONS:
*The offer is valid for stay during 01 July – 30 Sept 2012
*Reservations are subject to Room Availability
*Applicable for new bookings of at least 3 Consecutive Nights Only
*Plus USD 25 for banking cost

Contact Symbiosis for further information

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Special 30% discount has been offered for Komodo diving cruise on Aurora for departure date of 26th July-03 August 2012.

Hurry, only a few spaces left!

Cruise price: EUR 1,344/per person on double/twin sharing basis

Saved: EUR 576/per person

Extras: EUR 55/per person for park fees

Includes: 8 nights accommodation onboard, full board, all fees, dives

Excludes: International and Domestic flights.

Contact Symbiosis Custom Travel for more information.

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An unique opportunity to ride with Ironman legend Jurgen Zack, a professional triathlete, from Bangkok to Phuket, Thailand, from 8 to 15 September, 2012.

This special road bike tour is designed for cyclists that want to push themselves hard each day and at the same time have an opportunity to ride with a professional triathlete. Spending eight days with Zack they will have intimate time with him to get training tips and to hear some of Zack’s tales of racing against triathlete legends such as Mark Allen, Dave Scott and Greg Welch.

Hailing from Germany, Zack holds eight worldwide Ironman titles, with eight top 10 finishes at the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. He won the European Championship five times between 1989 and 1999. In 1999 he set the Ironman bike course record of 4:14:16 in Roth, Germany. Zack currently heads the Triathlon Academy. at Thanyapura Sports and Leisure Club in Phuket, Thailand.

On the Bangkok to Phuket tour cyclists will ride 700 km in six cycling days. The group, which will be limited to 20 participants who have road riding experience, will ride along both the east and the west coast of Thailand and overnight at resorts along the way, with afternoons free to enjoy the beach or the pool.

The tour ends at Nai Yang beach on the resort island of Phuket. Riders have the option to extend their stay to to go swimming and running training at Thanyapura Sports and Leisure Club with Zack.

The Cycle with Ironman legend Jurgen Zack tour cost is US$1,950 and will be fully supported by air conditioned vehicles, with water, sports drinks and snacks provided during the ride and each participant will receive three complimentary Thai massages, a commemorative bike jersey and cap. Riders can bring their own bikes, or rent a Trek 2.1C from for US$200.

To book your space contact Symbiosis Custom Travel now – remember, only 20 participants will be accepted.

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Special offers available for stay at Angel Island Resort on Flores (West of Labuanbajo, which is in the Lesser Sundas province, East of Bali). The following offers are ONLY valid for stay from between 15th June – 31st July 2012.

– Stay 5 nights and pay for 4 nights = EUR 960 (saved EUR 240)
– Stay 6 nights and pay for 5 nights = EUR 1,200 (saved EUR 240)
– Stay 8 nights and pay for 6 nights = EUR 1,440 (saved EUR 400)
– Stay 9 nights and pay for 7 nights = EUR 1,610 (saved EUR 460)
– Stay 10 nights and pay for 8 nights = EUR 1,840 (saved EUR 460)
– Stay 11 nights and pay for 9 nights = EUR 2,070 (saved EUR 460)
– Stay 12 nights and pay for 10 nights = EUR 2,300 (saved EUR 460)

*Rates are based on fullboard for 2 pax on twin/double sharing per room.

To combine dive package with your stay, please contact us for further enquiry.

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10% early booking discount on 2 wonderful river cruises down the mighty Mekong River in Cambodia & Vietnam over Christmas this year.

20 to 27 December 2012: Siem Reap (Angkor Wat) to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam) – 8 days, 7 nights aboard the Toum Tiou I

24 to 23 December 2012: Siem Reap to Phnom Penh – 3 days, 2 nights aboard the Toum Tiou II

These offers won’t last so contact Symbiosis now to reserve your berth.

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A Kelabit lady with traditional long ears

Traditionally the women of the Kelabit tribe of northern Borneo would use heavy brass weights to stretch their earlobes, considered to be highly attractive. Sadly this is another tradition that is fast disappearing. I once met a lady who had had her earlobes surgically removed as she considered them no longer fashionable.

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Penan Headman

The Penan are a shy, hunter-gatherer tribe found in northern Borneo that live symbiotically with the rainforests. Traditionally they only build temporary shelters and spend most of their lives roaming through the jungle. Their way of life and, most probably, their entire existence is now heavily under threat from rampant logging.

In this picture: the headman of the group that I visited in the East Malaysian state of Sarawak shows one concession to modernity – a watch, traded for bush meat with the Kelabit people of Bario.

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The S/Y Fiji Siren, a 40m Pinisi Schooner currently under construction at a shipyard in Bira, South Sulawesi, will be launching in April 2013, and will begin running 7 and 10-night diving safaris in Fiji from October 15th 2013 onwards.

Guests joining the S/Y Fiji Siren can expect the same luxury and exceptional service as with other Siren yachts, with the usual inclusions:-
* Free Aqua Lung rental gear
* Free Nitrox
* Free soft drinks & beer
Poseidon MKVI recreational rebreathers will also be available on board for courses and rental.

Prices will start from EUR 2,350 per person, twin share.

To welcome the S/Y Fiji Siren to the fleet we are offering an introductory charter booking deal of 13 persons booked + 3 FREE for any 7-night or 10-night safari in Fiji.

Charters must be booked and confirmed by 31st July 2012, with deposit received no later that 15th August.

We are also offering a chance for individual guests to join a S/Y Fiji Siren scheduled cruise at a discounted rate. Guests reserved and confirmed by 30th June 2012 will receive a 10% discount on any 7-night or 10-night sailing between October 2013 and April 2014.

Contact Symbiosis Custom Travel for schedules, rates and availability today!

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Bangkok’s main international airport, Suvarnabhumi, has announced that they will be closing one runway for maintenance during the period of 11 June 2012 – 10 August 2012. During this maintenance period, some air traffic congestion may build up occasionally, so airlines are advising passengers to allow a minimum of 80 minutes for any connecting flights in Bangkok. There may also be occasional delays for departure and arrival flights, but no flights are expected to be cancelled and widespread disruption is not envisaged.

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