The Bamboo Train

Located in the west of Cambodia, Battambang is a major commercial hub connecting Phnom Penh and Thailand and is well known for being the leading rice-producing province of the country. It was believed in the past that the product of rice from Battambang can afford the whole people in the country. Under the French colonization, Battambang is a home to some of the best preserved French colonial architecture in the country and this has become an attractive bonus of the city as well. Nowadays Battambang is also one of attractive tourism destinations in Cambodia. In addition to its beautiful view of natures and wonderful historical sites of the city, Bamboo Train also contributes to the increase of the numbers of tourists in the province as well. What is the Bamboo Train actually? Isn’t a train made from bamboo?

                                  Battambang, Cambodia

Last year I went to Cambodia during my winter vacation here and one of my Norwegian friends visited me in Battambang, my hometown. I has remembered that I recommended him some famous places in Battambang except the bamboo train. He did not seem to be interested in those places and suddenly asked me back about the bamboo train in Battambang. I was extremely surprised and said I did not know what the bamboo train is and where it could be found. He took out his guide book and showed me the place and I realized bamboo train is one of the famous tourist places in Battambang recommended in the guide book.

                                          The Bamboo Train

The bamboo train is generally an improvised rail vehicle from Cambodia. It was operated after the railways were in a dilapidated state and all services had been suspended due to neglect and damage from civil war during the half of the 20th century.

                               The Bamboo Train on the way

The bamboo trains have low fares, are frequent and relatively fast, so they are popular despite their design, lack of brakes, the state of the rails and lack of formal operating regime. The bamboo trains can be removed easily from the track. If two bamboo trains meet each other on the line, the one with the lighter load is unloaded, lifted and carried round the other, and at the end of the line the vehicle is lifted and turned. The Bamboo train construction is a cottage industry conducted in trackside villages. A bamboo train has a steel frame overlaid with bamboo slats resting on wheels taken from abandoned tanks, and it takes around four days to be constructed. Originally propelled by hand using punt poles, power is now provided by small motorcycle or tractor engines with belt drive direct to the rear axle, delivering top speeds of 40km/h or more. Fuel is bought from village along the route, supplied in glass jars and the flat-bedded vehicles will carry any load that will fit, including people, livestock, motorcycles and rice.

                               The Bamboo Train’s Structure

Nowadays the bamboo train is the only train being operated around the Battambang area, which can be observed by the completely overgrown tracks passing through the city. On the outskirts a tourist service operates for $5 per person to a village that has a brick factory. This is overseen by the local tourist police. Now the railways are currently being rehabilitated by the Government and the project will be completed soon. When the time arrives, the bamboo train will be banned to be operated on the rail track as well and there will be no more bamboo train for tourists in Battambang Province. In my own perspective, even after the railways are fully rehabilitated, the government should create another short railway to operate the bamboo train service so that Battambang still has this kind of popular tourist attraction for the good future of Cambodia in tourist field.

                            The Future of Bamboo Train
References
http://www.peaceofangkor.com/custom-tours.html
http://globetrottergirls.com/2012/08/bamboo-train-battambang-cambodia/ http://gavingough.photoshelter.com/image/I0000x3.w3Dz6M.8
http://www.weather-forecast.com/locations/Battambang

Real Touch Korea Season 1. Seoul Tour !

It’s another awesome tour. “The Real Touch Korea Season 1. Seoul Tour” was organized by Buzz Korea in order to give a chance for I buzz members to experience Korea. Buzz Korea is an online community site where bloggers share vivid stories of first-hand experience in Korea. “The Real Touch Korea Season 1. Seoul Tour” is basically divided into 3 parts – experiencing Samulnori, tasting Ssam and visiting Bukchon Hanok Village.

All of us in front of KTO



Samulnori – the world’s most dynamic music

After meeting up and got some instructions for the tour in the conference hall at KTO building, we were first driven to KwangHwaMun cultural center to learn and experience Samulnori. Everyone seemed to be new to Samulnori including me. Actually, I have been seen Samulnori a few times when I am in Korea but I haven’t had a chance to practice playing Samulnori by my own hands until that day.  First we were taught how to hold the instruments and how to use those instruments. Then, we were taught the basic rhythm of Korea and started to follow our Samulnori teacher. It’s very interesting to experience Samulnori. I really enjoyed so much. After that we were taught to perform the mask dance. First we were asked to see our teacher’s dance and follow. It looked quite funny. Anyway, I was really satisfied with this part. 

Samulnori




What’s Samulnori?


Samulnori is the world’s most dynamic music created by the kkwaenggwari (small flat gong), the janggu (traditional drum with hourglass-shaped body), the buk(barrel drm) and the jing(large gong).  Korea overflows with samulnori, with its ever-changing and cheerful beat, exciting performances, and nori(play) culture.




Mask Dance


Ssam- a taste of Korean cuisine


After having an exciting experience with Samulnori, we were driven to Koean restaurant serving the famous food called Ssam. It was my first time to try Ssam. I did like it so much. While eating, we also played some games. Fortunately enough, my team got some gifts from the program since we were winner for the competition. I did have a lot of fun there.

In local Korean restaurant 



What’s Ssam?

Ssam is rice and condiments wrapped in leaves of lettuce, cabbage, sesame, or other greens. The harmonious taste of several layers of fresh, delicious ingredients is the best. 


Ssam

-         How to eat Ssam

1.     Spread a leaf of your choice wide on your palm.
2.     Put a small scoop of rice on top with Ssamjang sauce.
3.     Choose condiments you would like and them on the leaf as well.
4.     Wrap the Ssam and indulge in the beautiful taste of Korea.
    

Wow ! So delicious ! :)

Bukchon Hanok Village - recommended Seoul dating course

After having a great lunch with Ssam, everyone looked so energetic. And now it’s time to explore Bukchon Hanok Village. Unfortunately, it’s raining and everyone used umbrellas and raincoats to walk outside. Anyway, we still could manage to have a good trip there and take a lot of great pictures. It’s also my first time to be there. First we followed the guide to one high school which one of the senses shot in the very famous drama “Winter Sonata”.  And then we walked around in the village to see Korean traditional house and nice view of the village. 

In Hanok Village


What’s Bukchon Hanok Village?

Bukchon Hanok Village is a unique historical part of Seoul, where traditional houses from Joseon dynasty and modern art galleries and cafes are clustered around the winding alleyways. The name “Bukchon,” which means “northern village,” comes from the village’s location north to Cheonggyecheon and jongno. Surrounding Bukchon are the palaces Gyeongbokgung and Changdoekgung and the royal shrine of Jongmyo.    





What’s Hanok?

Hanok is the Korean traditional house, characterized by beautifully curving tiled roofs and “ondol.” Ondol is the Korean traditional heating system, where heated aire from the stove flows through an empty space beneath the floors before heading out through the chimney. Because both the continental and oceanic climates exist in Kroea, Hanok was constructed to accommodate both the cold and heat that alternately visit the land.



Hanok, where the scene of "Personal Taste" was shot ! 


Korean Style



After walking around the Hanok village about 2 hours, we were driven to the KTO Building where we met up from the beginning of the tour. Now the tour finished but everyone still keep in touch via their own blogs. I met a lot of nice people there. We did have a lot of fun time during this tour and really enjoyed so much. I hope to be part of the tour again, maybe Season 2. :)


My Passport ^^
Finally, completed my passport ! :)



Wanna see more photos of this awesome tour ! Real Touch Korea Season 1. Seoul Tour

My Another Favorite Song from BTOB ! WOW

Winter Snowboard Trip !








Suwon Camping


It’s a very first camping after becoming a member of World Students in Korea. It’s a one night camping to Suwon city nearby Seoul. There were a lot of friends who are also member of World Students in Korea 5th batch. They are very nice people. We departed from Seoul at about 9 am and arrived there about 9:30 am. It took only 2 hours to reach our destination. After arriving Suwon, we went to many places and involved in many interesting activities. I really enjoyed it so much. Hope to have such a camping again in the near future. Here are some pictures !


 one kind of plant which is used to make blue color



 Hanbuk Trying
 Kimchi Making



Toilet House