#Italy opens ancient Greek site as lockdown eases

Ahead of the Colosseum and Pompeii, the towering Greek temple complex at Paestum near Naples is the first Italian archaeological site to reopen to tourists after the coronavirus pandemic lockdown.

This ancient Greek colony dating back to the 6th century BC reopened on May 18 with temperature checks at the entrance and other health measures implemented around the site as lockdown eases.

A limited number of people are allowed on the site at the same time, they must disinfect hands and wear masks, and one-way routes have been marked out, said site director Gabriel Zuchtriegel.

"But at the same time we also wanted to give cultural content which does not make visitors experience this situation as a limitation but as a chance to finally return to live with beauty, culture, freedom," said Zuchtriegel.

It has also developed a free app to guide visitors through the sprawling site and send an alert when too many people are gathered in the same place.

Zuchtriegel says the post-lockdown phase with fewer visitors to the three remarkably well-preserved temples in the Doric order should be seen as an opportunity.

"We must focus on another type of tourism, another relationship with visitors, more intense, more 'one to one', and who knows, I think this could be a model for developing 'slow tourism' in the future," he said.

So far visitors to the site have been scarce, but the numbers are expected to pick up when tourists are once more allowed to fly in to Italy from early June.

"After spending two months or even more at home, not going out, you really appreciate this freedom to go outside," said visitor Svetlana.

"You realize you've been postponing things, thinking ’let's go tomorrow, or after tomorrow, or in a month, or not now it's too hot'. No, it's not later, it is now!" she said.

Many Italians remain at home after the over two-month lockdown, including schoolchildren, but teacher Maris has brought her pupils to Paestum via a livestream on her mobile phone.

"I came for the weekend and took the opportunity to take my pupils on a virtual trip, my pupils with whom I’ve been doing distance learning! They were all connected, and I took them to Paestum, and they loved it," she said.

Source - TheJakartaPost

Acropolis in Athens reopens after virus shutdown

Greece reopened the Acropolis in Athens and all open-air archaeological sites in the country to the public on Monday after a two-month closure due to the coronavirus pandemic.

A clutch of tourists and masked reporters gathered at the world-famous site, the most-visited monument in Greece.

"We have never seen so few people at the Acropolis," a Russian visitor accompanied by her husband told AFP

"It's like having a private visit," said the woman, who has lived in Athens for five years.

President Katerina Sakellaropoulou was among the first visitors to the ancient Greek complex that sits on a rocky outcrop overlooking the capital and which had been closed since March 23.

Culture Minister Lina Mendoni, journalists and employees -- many wearing face masks -- attended, as well as a few tourists, with measures to control the virus enforced.

Separation screens have been put up and the sites have been disinfected, the culture ministry said.

Visitors will be encouraged to wear masks -- which will be compulsory for guides at the site -- and guests will be asked to stay 1.5 meters apart.

"Archaeological sites are open from Monday May 18, the first stage in a progressive re-launch of the country's cultural foundations," the culture and sports ministry said in a statement.

'Precious achievement' 

Greece is dotted with dozens of temples, stadiums, theaters and citadels from Antiquity, including the Bronze Age Minoan palace of Knossos on Crete, and Olympus, cradle of the Olympic Games.

The Acropolis saw 2.9 million visitors last year, a 14.2 percent increase on the previous year.

But all museums will not be open until June 15 under the government's plan to gradually lift restriction to halt the spread of COVID-19.

Tourism is a major economic engine for Greece and has been hit hard by confinement measures in place to stem the spread of the virus.

Athens expects the economy to contract nearly five percent this year, partly due to the loss of tourism income from key markets such as Germany, Britain and the United States.

With 163 deaths from the virus, Greece started easing the measures this month after a six-week lockdown with an eye to salvaging the vital tourism season.

The country has suffered less from the pandemic than many other European nations and restaurants are due to resume trading from May 25, a week earlier than originally planned.

Mendoni praised the pandemic response and said it allowed for the gradual reopening of key tourist sites.

"This is a precious achievement, it allows for the resumption of the tourist season which will be extended to make up for" lost time, she said earlier.

Source - TheJakartaPost

#Cambodia - Unesco, ministry vow stronger cooperation

Unesco pledged to continue working closely with the Cambodian Ministry of Tourism to promote the conservation and sustainable development of Cambodia’s ecotourism sector and support government plans to develop tourism sites in Siem Reap province, including the Angkor Archaeological Park.

During a meeting with Thong Khon, the Cambodian Minister of Tourism, Sardar Umar Alam, Unesco’s new representative to Cambodia, said that, under the leadership of the Cambodian government, his organisation is collaborating successfully with the ministries of Tourism and Culture, the Apsara Authority and the World Tourism Organisation.

He promised to deepen this collaboration to make the Angkor Archaeological Park and surrounding areas, including the Tonle Sap and Prek Toal, into top tourist attractions and biodiversity areas in the region.

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Mr Umar Alam also provided suggestions on improving the conservation of the Tonle Sap, Kulen Mountain, Preah Vihear Temple, Koh Ker, Beng Mealea, and Sambor Prei Kuk, which, he said, can be added to travel packages that include ecotourism sites in the country’s southwest and northeast.

Mr Umar Alam said his organisation will continue to organise programmes to promote the development of Cambodia’s ecotourism and culture sectors, while supporting the Integrated Development Master Plan in Siem Reap, Angkor and surrounding areas.

Source - Khmer Times

Authentic Ayutthaya comes to life at Japanese Village’s Virtual Reality Street Museum

                             Smart technology enriches history, offering unforgettable, immersive experiences in celebration of 130th anniversary of Thai-Japanese diplomatic relations.

Thailand and Japan are celebrating the 130^th anniversary of official diplomatic relations with a Virtual Reality Street Museum, located at the Japanese Village in Ayutthaya province.  

Created as an integral part of the permanent exhibition and multimedia of “Yamada Nagamasa (Okya Senabhimuk) and Thaothongkeepma” in the exhibition hall next to the Chao Phraya River, the Virtual Reality Street Museum features an innovative experiential showcase and is complemented by historic information about the former capital of Ayutthaya, the roles of the Japanese Village, and the international fabric of society at the height of the Ayutthaya period. 

Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said, 

“Ayutthaya is one of Thailand’s most visited destinations, with both Thais and international guests appreciating the rich tapestry of Thai heritage that is brought to life in the area. The Virtual Reality Street Museum at the Japanese Village will be a valuable addition to this, by bringing history into the 21^st century.” 

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The newly-opened Virtual Reality Street Museum provides visitors with an immersive VR Theatre equipped with the latest VR Scope Technology, offering a spectacular 360-degree view of historic Ayutthaya, which was considered one of the most important trading posts connecting the East and the West by facilitating the exchange of trade, culture, politics and diplomacy.  

With Ayutthaya and the Japanese Village at the heart of the exhibition showcase, the advanced technology portrays an engaging story through 96-million-pixel resolution computer graphics, which depict the naval trade journey of Yamada Nagamasa that established the relationship with the 17^th century Siamese Kingdom, and set the foundations for the flourishing relationship today.  

Through the Street Museum’s technology, visitors can scan a QR code with their handheld devices; such as, smartphones and tablets to enjoy the vast landscape of the Japanese Village both today and from the 17^th century through virtual reality on their screens, with audio guides available in three languages: Thai, Japanese and English.   

TAT is also supporting the VR Street Museum by providing a glimpse into the Ayutthaya way of life. Experiential market life is on display inviting visitors to enjoy an Ayutthaya culinary experience inspired by recipes of the renowned Thaothongkeepma (Marie Guimar) – who was a cook in the court of King Narai the Great; such as, Thong Yip, Thong Yot, and Foi Thong.  

With the Virtual Reality Street Museum now open for visitors, tourists can easily add this immersive technological experience to their historic Ayutthaya itinerary.

Source - TheNation

#China - Duoye, traditional celebration of Dong ethnic group

Women of Dong ethnic group attend Duoye, a traditional celebrating activity, in Congjiang county, Southwest China's Guizhou province, Feb 19, 2018. Duoye is a traditional celebration of Dong ethnic group, during which people gather around in a circle to sing for praying. 

Source - ChinaDaily

#Indonesia - Baduy Dalam celebrates harvest, closed for three months

Those interested in learning more about the Baduy Dalam tribe, which resides in Leuwidamar district, Lebak regency, Banten, may want to schedule a visit outside of February, March and April.

"There are limitations and rules concerning visitors to Baduy Dalam. During the month of Kawalu between February and April, the three kampungs of Baduy Dalam, namely Cibeo, Cikartawana and Cikeusik, are closed to visitors," one of the tribe's figures, Ayah Mursid, told KompasTravel at the cultural village on Saturday. 

Home to natural attractions and well-preserved local traditions, the Baduy village or also known as Kanekes village, is divided into two parts. One is where the Baduy Luar tribe lives, and the other is home to the Baduy Dalam people.

During the Kawalu month, which is the harvest season, the people of Baduy Dalam will conduct a series of rituals. 

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"The Kawalu rituals begun in February and end in April. It's like Idul Fitri in Islam," said Ayah.

In Baduy Dalam, people are also not allowed to cross the yard, bathe using soap or take pictures.

During Kawalu and other times, foreigners are prohibited from entering the areas of Baduy Dalam. They are only allowed to explore Baduy Luar. 

The Baduy Luar village is always open to both domestic and foreign tourists throughout the year, including between February and April.

The two tribes wear different types of clothing. The people of Baduy Dalam usually don a black and white outfit, a fabric known as samping, and a white headband.

Meanwhile, the Baduy Luar villagers usually wear a black top and blue batik. The latter is usually used as a samping and headband as well.

Source - TheJakartaPost