Travel Tips | Halal Restaurants in Vientiane, Laos

Failing to first research on my trip resulted to me eating maggi in my hotel room for 3 meals since there wasn't any halal restaurant on the street we have been walking the past 2 days. On the last night, us both thought of being "smart" (Yeah! We do wacky things on and off to avoid boredom) and decided to change our normal route and use the back way (tetiba nak adventurous lah tuh, konon). The main reason for this was that the back way is nearer to the night market that we missed the night before but slightly the road is dark tho, still we braved ourselves and head there. And the journey to this night market was nothing but scary and boring.

1. We bumped into halal mobile roti pisang seller (similar to those in Thailand)
2. We saw 2 pharmacies where Anna bought her sleeping pills for long haul flights
3. Found a beautiful park where the locals enjoy their night taichi and pocho-pocho dance (line dancing tuh)
4. Noticed that their excercise equipment are all well taken care of, not broken nor stolen
5. Street food along the way to the night market (non halal tau)

I guess being a little bit adventurous benefited us (Macam lah adveturous sangat, actually dekat je.... I propa je lebih-lebih).

We decided to fill up out stomach with food before heading to the pasar malam (night market) and guest what we saw? 3 halal restaurant facing the night market! Oh.... kat sini rupanya..... Cis! OkThxBye!

#UNESCO | Mak Yong Theatre ”Kesaktian Anak Raja Gondang”

 A rare opportunity.

A rare performance.

Mak Yong.

UNESCO "Masterpiece Of The Oral And Intangible Heritage Of Humanity"

Another UNESCO tick on my list.

Speechless.
Being invited to a Mak Yong Theatre ”Kesaktian Anak Raja Gondang” in Istana Budaya was simply....... *still speechless*. My ultimate dream would be seeing it performing live in Kelantan, sneaking in at the backstage, taking those classic black and white shots of performers getting ready and interviewing the performers themselves.

In 2005, Malaysia's Mak Yong theatre was awarded with "Masterpiece Of The Oral And Intangible Heritage Of Humanity", a prestige recognition by UNESCO body. I feel there is an urgent need to develop and educate the younger generation on this lost art; Mak Yong. Reluctant to undergo long hour of rigorous apprenticeship and with less then 10 veterans performers; there is a great concern that this country might just lose its biggest intangible heritage - Mak Yong.

From Wikipedia :
Mak yong is considered the most authentic and representative of Malay performing arts because it is mostly untouched by external sources. Although most traditional Malay dances were influenced by India, Java and other parts of Southeast Asia, mak yong's singing and musical repertoire are unique. Of the major stories performed in mak yong, most are derived from Kelantan-Pattani mythology. Some of those obtained from outside the Malayan-Thai region have now died out elsewhere such as Anak Raja Gondang, a story originally from the Jataka tales but now almost unknown in India.

From UNESCO
Mak Yong has been preserved until the present day thanks largely to oral transmission, which requires long years of training. In today’s society, few young people are willing to commit to such rigorous apprenticeships. As a result this important tradition is undergoing steady decline, as attested by reduced dramatic and musical repertories and a shortage of seasoned performers.

*All photos was taken with iPhone 4.

BIG BAD WOLF BOOK SALE | 6-15 December 2013

Perlu ke tulis panjang-panjang? Tak yah kot, dalam BM and sebaris ni pun dah memadaikan...

Jumpa di SANA!!!!!!

PS : Nak cari buku travel DK Eyewitness!

Poster cliche.

Ho Phra Keo Museum & Si Saket Museum In Vientiane, Laos

Rest and Relax.

The best way to travel with bestie.

I can always count on my dear friend Anna and it only took me one phone call to tell her my mood swing and the need to rendezvous out of Malaysia. The next thing we both know, we were boarding an airplane to Vientiane, Laos. Our silly adventure begin.

More stories on Laos here :
Pha That Luang & Patuxai In Vientiane, Laos (UNESCO) 
Hotel Review | Mandala Boutique Hotel Vientiane, Laos

When you have 2 girls on an ad-hoc trip, it will head to the extreme direction; either too many shopping excursions or spending long hours in the room (playing games or Social Media-ing). Us, the later. Definitely.

Ho Phra Keo - a Buddhist Museum
Built in 1565, Ho Phra Keo or Haw Phra Kaew is a Buddhist museum as well as a place of worship.

The temple was destroyed 3 times, once was in 1778 when seized by Thailand, again by the Thais when King Annouvong attempt to regain independence. The 3rd time was rebuilt by French in 1936 to 1942, when French colanize Indochina region.

Ho Phra Keo means ‘Altar of the Emerald Buddha’ describing "an altar remained when the statue was removed" - this is referring to the sacred jade statue reclaimed by Thailand back in 1778 and now resides in Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok, Thailand.

You can stroll as there's a few sightseeing places along this street, alternatively take a cab or tuk-tuk from any part of the city, as for us, we chartered the whole tuk-tuk for the whole day to get us around Vientiane (kiasu I call us girls).

There wasn't anything silly we did here but I did run around to take pictures as I like their walkway, convinced Anna to be my prop model and she willingly oblige, sweet heh. We managed to cover the whole area in 30 minutes while eavesdropping at the same time (to tour guides explaining the history at their respective group).

Address : Setthathirat Road, Vientiane, Laos 
Cost : 5,000 kip 
Hours : Daily 8:00am - 12:00pm, 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Si Saket Museum - a Buddhist Temple
Dated since 1818, Wat Si Saket too was built under the orders of King Anouvong (Sethathirath V.). Having a Thai architecture have kept it safe during the Thai invasion as the Thai armies uses it as their headquarters. This temple was restored by the Fench during its colonization, once in 1924 and again in 1930. There are over 2000 ceramics and Buddha images being housed here at Wat Si Saket.

This is when I realised that you can easily get postcards and stamps at the entrance of most sightseeing places (and not just at the post office which was no where in sight). Aside from that, most of the sightseeing places in Vientiane are clean, in fact its very clean and there are also signages everywhere forbiding public to smoke at these compound. 

There wasn't any paid guide available at the entrance for us to engage, however brochures and boards detailing and describing the history are made available for travelers.

Wat Si Saket also known to hold over 6000 Buddha statues of all sizes dated as far as 15th to 19th centuries ago.

The other highlights here is the mural paintings which once covered the wat's interior walls are now destroyed by the test of time, faded remains can still be seen. The wooden ceiling and doors of Wat Si Saket are all carved with intricate detailing are still intact. There are also a wooden library storing palm-leaf manuscripts which can be visited by public.

Address : Setthathirat Road, Vientiane, Laos 
Cost : 5,000 kip 
Hours : Daily 8:00am - 12:00pm, 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Things To Do in Yangoon, #Myanmar

Saint Mary's Cathedral
The largest cathedral in Myanmar. It was designed by Dutch architect Jos Cuypers and located on located on Bo Aung Kyaw Street.

Public Phone
The most unique public phone is this side of Asia. mobile and it can be relocated anywhere in the city.

Local buildings
Unique architecture left during British empire, take a stroll to enjoy the local scene occupying these buildings, colorful both in it's facade and characters.

Independence Monument 
Located inside Mahabandoola Garden, it have great views surrounding colonial buildings of the British empire and the City Hall. Fytche Square was the old name given in honour of Chief Commissioner of British Burma, Albert Fytche.

The Yangon City Hall
The City Hall building was built by the British, preserving its colonial architecture with Burmese ornamentation. There is a Burmese peacock seal at the entrance.

The Supreme Court
One of Yangon City heritage list, the High Court building was constructed from 1905 to 1911. Famous for its Queen Anne architecture style -red bricks exterior and a clock tower.

Emmanuel Baptist Church
Built by an American Missionary back in 1885 but was destroyed during World War II and rebuilt in 1952. One of the oldest churches in Yangon.

Sule Pagoda Roundabout
Another Yangoon landmark; the 2,000 years old Sule Pagoda Roundabout. Small shops occupying the ground floor offering services such as astrologists, palmists and etc.

The Shwedagon Pagoda
The famous 2,500 years old Shwedagon Pagoda. It can be seen from anywhere in the city, the landmark of Yangoon. Read here...