Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Passage Migrants and Winter Visitors


Recent strolls in Hanoi (Bai Da Song Hong/ Xuan Phuong and Thanh Tri district) produced some nice songbirds. Some winter visitors like Siberian Rubythroat, Bluethroat or Black-faced Bunting, but also some early spring migrants like Hainan Blue Flycatcher. Spring is definitely here, temperatures are rising and it's the perfect time to get outdoors in search of migrants!  

Le Viet Tuan Hoang



Dusky Warbler

Verditer Flycatcher

Hainan Blue Flycatcher (m)

Siberian Rubythroat (m)

Black-faced Bunting (f)

Daurian Redstart (f)


Bluethroat
Source : vietnambirdnews[dot]blogspot[dot]com
post from sitemap

Monday, March 16, 2015

45 Baby Names that Mean Music

For some parents, the definition of a name is just as important as the sound. Music is universal and names with musical definitions make great choices for your little ones. Musical names come from many countries and heritages. They have simple and creative spellings and various sound options. Let's take a look at the great name options that have musical definitions.

(1) Shira: (female) Shira is Hebrew for song. I love the sound of Shira!

(2) Apollo: (male) Meaning God of music and poetry, this Greek name is a strong choice for a baby boy.

(3) Ranit: (male or female) Hebrew for song, Ranit is a great choice for a little boy or girl.

(4) Nazim: (male) Nazim is Indian for song and has a great sound. Naz is a great nickname as well.

(5) Alahya: (female) This Indian name means musical tone or color. It's so beautiful and I love the spelling.

(6) Lirit: (female) This Hebrew name means lyrical and has a great simple sound. It's like a better Merrit.

(7) Dewon: (male) Dewon is Irish for song and fits right into the popular sound for boys names today.

(8) Melody: (female) Melody is of Greek origin and is a wonderful choice. The melody is the most important part of a song!

(9) Roni: (male or female) Hebrew for song, Roni could work on a little boy or girl.

(10) Saron: (male or female) Meaning his song in Hebrew, Saron has a wonderful sound to it.

(11) Aria: (female) This English name means gentle music. It's more of an obvious choice musically speaking, but still beautiful.

(12) Philomela: (female) This Greek name means lover of music. It is a bit of a mouthful, but fits right in with Gabriella or Isabella.

(13) Leron: (male) The Arabic meaning of Leron means the song is mine. It's a wonderful definition for your child and has a great, modern sound.

(14) Sora: (female) Sora is Native American for chirping songbird. It's a softer Zora and has such a pretty sound.

(15) Brage: (male) This is the Norwegian name for the god of music. It has a really cool sound.

(16) Rina: (female) Rina is Hebrew for joyous song. It's beautiful and is a great choice for parents who don't like nicknames.

(17) Alima: (female) Alima is an Arabic name that means learned in dance or music. It has a simple spelling and a pretty sound to it.

(18) Lark: (male or female) The American meaning of Lark is songbird. I think it could work on a boy or girl.

(19) Ranim: (male or female) Arabic for reciting in a sing song voice, Ranim is a wonderful choice for your baby boy or girl.

(20) Cadence: (female) This American name means musical beat. It another choice that is a bit more obvious, but has such a great sound and energy to it.

(21) Philyra: (female) Like Philomela, Philyra means lover of music. It is a simpler spelling, so much more relate-able for modern parents.

(22) Chantal: (female) From the French verb to sing, Chantal is a beautiful name with many alternate spelling choices.

(23) Binali: (female) With the cute nickname Nali, the Hindi name Binali is a beautiful choice. It means musical instrument.

(24) Piper: (male or female) Piper literally means a flute player. It's gender bending, so you can consider it for your baby boy or girl.

(25) Lyric: (female) Lyric is Greek for melodic word. While it is obvious, I love this name!

(26) Aika: (male or female) Aika means love song in Japanese. It has such a great definition and a very unique sound.

(27) Ruana: (female) This Hindi name means musical instrument and the nickname Ru is absolutely adorable.

(28) Musetta: (female) Musetta is French for a song. It is a really pretty name and frilly as well. I like Muse and Etta as nicknames.

(29) Bethany: (female) This is a recognizable name that means house of music in Hebrew. It's a great way to honor music and your daughter, without the name being that out there.

(30) Charmaine: (female) In Latin, Charmaine means to sing. It has a pretty sound and is definitely a bold choice.

(31) Harper: (male or female) This name literally means harp player. It's gaining popularity and can be used on a little boy or girl.

(32) Carol: (female) The French meaning of Carol is melody and song. You could also do Carolyn, Caroline, or Carollie.

(33) Daina: (female) Daina means song in Lithuania. It's a cooler spelling then Dana, and is easy to say.

(34) Jaron: (male) Meaning to shout and sing in Hebrew, Jaron is a really cool choice for your baby boy. It is much cooler than Jayden!

(35) Gita: (female) Gita is Hindi for song and has such a cute energy and sound.

(36) Kotone: (male) Kotone means harp sound in Japanese. I really like the cool sound to this name. It's very strong.

(37) Mavis: (female) This name has a very unique sound, but is super easy to spell. It is the name of a bird that means song thrush.

(38) Carmen: (female) The Latin and Spanish definition of Carmen is song. It's also the name of a beautiful opera.

(39) Riya: (female) Riya means singer in Hindi. It can also be spelled Ria, but I really love it with the "y."

(40) Zamir: (male) Hebrew for songbird, Zamir is an awesome choice for your baby boy. I love Z names, and this is a great way to take a departure from Zachary.

(41) Chyna: (female) Chyna means musical instrument. If you are a music lover who loves place names, this could be your top choice.

(42) Harmony: (female) Another obvious choice, Harmony is a great option for parents who want a recognizable musical choice.

(43) Kousan: (male) In Armenian, Kousan means singer. I really love the sound of this name, and think it should be on any music lovers list of possiblities.

(44) Zimri: (male) Zimri means my music in Hebrew. It has a really cool, unique sound and would make a great choice!

(45) Calliope: (female) Meaning beautiful voice in Greek, Calliope has such a cool sound and a great nickname in Calli.

Saturday, March 14, 2015

Spring passerine migration has started!


12th March 2015 - This Hainan Blue Flycatcher made a stopover at Hanoi during its northward journey
Low-light conditions- I snapped away, the camera set to 3200 ISO and I was still only getting about 1/100 ! 70 photos taken, most of which were blurry, very blurry... except 2 LOL!

So that's it - passerine migration has begun. Interesting times ahead in the few remaining Hanoi's wooded patches!
Source : vietnambirdnews[dot]blogspot[dot]com
post from sitemap

Phu Quoc named world's 8th best honeymoon spot

PHU QUOC (VNS) — Phu Quoc Island has been ranked eighth in a list of 20 best honeymoon destinations by Rough Guides, a leading British publisher of travel and reference information.

It has been slotted behind Treasure Beach (Jamaica), Santorini (Greece), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Kwazulu-Natal (South Africa), Venice (Italy), The Great Ocean Road (Australia), and Kerala (India).

"Asia is full of honeymoon-worthy islands, but Phu Quoc remains one of the most appealing," the website said.

"Though it has undeniably been ‘discovered' now, the level of development here is still relatively low key, enabling you to really kick back and enjoy the palm-backed soft-sand beaches and warm waters.

"Phu Quoc is also a starting point for tours to the unspoilt An Thoi Islands, the water around which are ideal for snorkelling." — VNS



Source : vietnamnews[dot]vn
post from sitemap

Tourism route links up VN, Laos and Thailand

QUANG BINH (VNS) — A tourism trail connecting Viet Nam's Quang Binh Province, Laos's Kham Muon Province, and Thailand's Nakhon Phanom and Sakon Nakhon provinces has been inaugurated.

It is among the efforts by the three countries to jointly exploit their tourism strengths.

Quang Binh authorities said at the opening ceremony that provincial leaders should persuade transport and tourism companies to co-operate and use the new route often. — VNS



Source : vietnamnews[dot]vn
post from sitemap

Hoi An's new tourism festival gets fishy

DA NANG (VNS) — Hoi An City will organise for the first time a new tourism festival at Lang Beach in Cham Isle today.

Dem Cu Lao (Isle Night) will feature cultural activities and other entertainment like contests to mend fishing nets and packing banh it (three-cornered patty), a food market with seafood dishes and local specialties like sim (tomentose rose myrtle), and cha la (date palm). — VNS



Source : vietnamnews[dot]vn
post from sitemap

Hoi An to develop carpentry village

The city will set up groups that provide tourism information, tourist guides, and eatery and homestay services, and showcase the work of carpenters for tourists. — Photo baotinnhanh

HOI AN (VNS) — The Hoi An City People's Committee has approved a plan to develop craft and tourism in Kim Bong carpentry village, which is famous for its skilled carpenters and beautiful carpentry products.

The city will set up groups that provide tourism information, tourist guides, and eatery and homestay services, and showcase the work of carpenters for tourists.

The city will also create new tours, including one that enables visitors to see Kim Bong artisans in action and allow homestay at the village.

Located in the downstream area of the Thu Bon River in Cam Kim Commune, Kim Bong's carpentry focuses on ancient architecture, wooden furniture, and shipbuilding.

It is considered a combination of the carpentry styles of the Cham, Chinese and Japanese.

Carpentry in the village began in the 15th century and developed in late 16th century before peaking in the 18th century, thanks to the growth of Hoi An Port.

In recent years the city People's Committee has developed infrastructure in the village, building the village gate, roads, a wharf and a product exhibition house to attract tourists. — VNS

Source : vietnamnews[dot]vn
post from sitemap