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

Hotel Review | Mandala Boutique Hotel Vientiane, Laos

3 days planning time.
Absurb.

The hotel that I wanted was not available and I was pretty depress over it especially since I kinda like the sound of its review plus I really wanted a chillax trip with no plan on sightseeing until we arrive Vientiane. With the hotel running full house, it is not helping my then present state.

In the heart of bustling Vientiane stands a remarkable hotel. Built in the early part of the last century, circa 1932, and painstakingly restored to its former imperial glory, the Settha Palace Hotel serves as a testament to the long lost era of classical elegance, gracious service and French colonial charm. 

Once more owned by the same passionate family that ran the hotel in its heyday before the change of regime to Communism in 1975, no stone has been left unturned and no expense spared in the quest to bring this Vientiane landmark back to life.

Yes. I have a fetish for old architecture buildings. I am weird like that.

Lo, and behold!
(Let's just stop at that, creating the element of suspense [konon])

My earlier entry : Pha That Luang & Patuxai In Vientiane, Laos (UNESCO)

Mandala Boutique Hotel. It doesn't sound as impressive but it'll do (since we have 3 days to plan and the hotel I wanted is not available). We secured the room and pack our bag, hoping for the best.

My very first glimpse; so far so good I told myself. Colonial, clean and looks welcoming, now lets hope that the service live up to its first impression. (pray hard).

Vietnamese decor with a tinge of British flare... That's it, love at the first sight. Seriously, I can fall in love with a decor easily, like really easily. And the service? Fantastic!

The front desk was entertaining a guest hence we decide to roam for abit. 

Love. Love. Love.

The reading area, cozy.

Patio.

Out door hang-out area.

I brave myself and sneak upstairs.

Upstairs is where the 'expensive' room is located, it felt abit like Carcosa Sri Negara. Really.

Common balcony.

And then we learn we get to stay at the extension part of the property; the unglamorous part of it. Again, another disappointment. Sigh.... Maybe I should just call this trip the 'The Disappointment Trip' (slapforehead).

Lo, and behold!

(Hehehehehee.....)

It.Is.NICE.

Oh yah! The bathroom, have no door; ONLY curtains. Sexy!

And another thing, note on the moon-roof. (sexy habis!)

Path way to the open air dining area. The only dining area.

(The package from agoda comes with breakfast)

This is my room view, the dining place. I kinda like it :)

Verdict?
Didn't I tell you earlier?
It's fantastic!

Mandala Boutique Hotel

The Mandala Boutique Hotel is located in a small side road away from the busy streets of Vientiane, but within walking distance to the city centre and just a 15-minute drive from the airport ~ From Mandala Boutique Hotel website.

Address :

MANDALA Boutique Hotel
Baan Phiavat
33 Unit 10, Sisattanak District
Vientiane, Laos

Phone: +856 21 214493

** This is not a paid advertisement/review

Pha That Luang & Patuxai In Vientiane, Laos (UNESCO)

Hemmm..... Looks familiar. That was my first thought.

Similar to Arc de Triomphe in Paris right?

This is the weirdest trip I ever made in my whole traveling career plan! I woke up one day, feeling angry, depress, remorse, annoyed, sad and every negative words you can imagine; and what better way but to call your darling friend right?

So, call Anna I did! Asked her what she will be doing just after Christmas and guess what - NOTHING! And the best is she agrees with my wackiest idea - Laos for 3D2N (leaving in 3 days time), to rejuvenate our mind & soul. Well, mine mostly (or at least I think so) hahahahaa...

Just one thing, Do.Not.Ask.Me.The.Flight.Cost. Hahhahhahahahha

The first glimpse, very impressive I must say.

Trying to do a symmetrical shot.

From wikipedia :

Patuxai (Meaning Victory Gate or Gate of Triumph, formerly the Anousavary or Anosavari Monument, known by the French as Monument Aux Morts) is a war monument in the centre of Vientiane, Laos, which was built between 1957 and 1968. The Patuxai is dedicated to those who fought in the struggle for independence from France. In romanising the name from the Laotian language, it is variously transliterated as Patuxai, Patuxay, Patousai and Patusai. It is also called Patuxai Arch or the Arc de Triomphe of Vientiane as it resembles the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. However, it is typically Laotian in design, decorated with mythological creatures such as the kinnari (half-female, half-bird).

Entrance fee : 3,000Kip / USD0.39 / RM1.19 (staircase or lifts to the top floor viewing area)
Opening Hours : 8am-4:30pm on Mondays-Fridays, 8am-5pm on Saturdays & Sundays.

You can walk up to the top but we chose not to, just being lazy for no obvious reason but I do suggest to try and share it with me the pictures.

Do you know what the above is? 
It is a place where the 'photographer' print and frame you pictures to sell. Yup! It's mobile! Creativity at large here heh.

Not only 1 van, but many vans.

So here is how it works, we chartered (pau) the whole tuk-tuk for USD50 to take us to 8+1 places. the +1 being a homemade grocery store where we purchased 12 bottles of them yummy jams (Yeah, we are weird like that). You can take as long as you like at each places and stop anywhere at anytime. We thought it was a good deal, due to communication problem we got the hotel to bargain it for us :)

From Wikipedia

Pha That Luang (Great Stupa) is a gold-covered large Buddhist stupa in the centre of Vientiane, Laos. Since its initial establishment suggested to be in the 3rd century, the stupa has undergone several reconstructions until the 1930s due to foreign invasions to the area. It is generally regarded as the most important national monument in Laos and a national symbol.

Entrance fee : 5,000Kip / USD0.65 / RM2.00
Opening Hours : 8am-noon and 1pm-4pm from Tuesday-Sunday

I tried googling about this and guess what I found, it is on UNESCO tentatively. OK, so it is a UNESCO declared site as yet but still... I went before it gotten it's 'approval/certification'. For UNESCO hunter like me, I have to say that I am contented.

I have only one MUST DO list and that is to catch the monks' alms procession.

It my mind, I've painted that my pictures going to be so fantatstic and the talk of the town (I know, I know, dream much!?). Here is what I imagine :- at the break of dawn; all the monk in their bright orange robe collecting alms from locals and tourist. And what I plan to do is edit it in black and white except for the orange robe, can you visualise how awesome my pictures will be?

Oh yah! I failed to wake up early both morning. Hahhahah.... so much for my MUST DO list heh! Maximum. Epic. Failure.

But worry not, I did manage to get what I want but at noon instead :)

This is however not and alm possesion but good enough for me to get the feel, and best of all; it's at Pha That Luang Temple, thus making my trip perfect. Saya happy.

Classic.

Next entry will be how we got con at Friendship Bridge.

For more pictures, please view it at Globetrotter Facebook Page HERE.

My Forbidden Love Story

Yes, it's a forbidden love story. Is it mine? Well.... you just need to read and figure it out. 

For those who know me well, maaaaaaaybe..... just maaaaaaaaaaybe you would have guessed. But for those who don't.....

Here goes....

This happened a couple of months back during Tourism Selangor Trip to Tanjung Sepat (Yeah, it's pretty recent, thus it still hurts). For those who are curious, Tourism Selangor organizes monthly activities around Selangor (obviously) via TS Day Out (#TSDO), announcements/invitations are done via Facebook and Twitter (sempat lagi mention tuh). OK, back to my love story....

As some of you might know, there is this famous bridge in Tanjung Sepat known as The Lovers Bridge. Little did I know, this bridge became significant to me on that given day. This is the start and end of my forbidden love (yeah, of all the days.... sigh).

Everything went on well earlier the day, candy floss clouds, clear blue sky, great new company, fabulous organizer, I mean; what else can go wrong right? (eye rolling).

Prior to this trip, we have heard the local tales of this famous bridge. Tale of girlfriends and wives waiting patiently for their love ones to come home from their fishing trip. Bowing to mother nature, not knowing their fate. Hence, the name Lovers Bridge.

And my Lovers Bridge story? My forbidden love story? Simple.

Love formed based on difference of culture, background, upbringing, status even origin. And the obvious happened. Love ended briefly. Heart crushed badly. Trip ended awkwardly. 

I learnt the hard way, one should never go against nature. I have memories now... beautiful memories of us.

Us! The forbidden love between the a crab and a prawn! HAHHAHAHHAHHAHAHA....
  

Gotcha! Hahhahahhaha....... (Ketam & udang memang tak ler!!!! Hahhahahah..... What were you thinking heh???)

Globetrotting with My Selangor Story 2013

When I was told about this contest I wasn't really sure if I wanted to participate. Then I thought why not - since I was born in Assunta Hospital & I grew up in Petaling Jaya I shouldn't have much problems writing about Selangor right?

ATV in Kemensah

Tet!!!! Wrong. Very wrong.

Because you see, when I tried to think about what were the things that I loved about Selangor, I couldn't. Because there were many. And I didn't know where to start.

So to make things easy for myself, I started with the fondest memories I had of Selangor. And that was Mimaland.

Sekincan paddy field

My father always took us there when I was a little girl. It was the earliest themepark in Malaysia before all your Sunway Lagoons, and it remained to be the only place in Malaysia that dinasours had been spotted roaming. Sadly the place has been closed down.

Then that memory made me think of Raju's Restaurant. It had THE BEST roti canai in Selangor & KL then and it still is now. I got to know from my geek brother that even Too Phat (I just found out Malique is from that band) mentioned about Raju's in one of their songs. That's when I started liking banana leaf Indian food. It's like Gardenia but roti canai, so good you can even eat it on its own. And the fried chickens and squid - HOMAIGOD. But my favourite is the coconut paste chudney paste & sambal. Mix it with dhal & curry and you will eat like you're at KFC, licking your fingers and all.

Rawang steam fish

Nearby to Raju's (which is in PJ), is AmCorp Mall which hosts the only proper & authentic flea market in Selangor/KL, not like the fakes ones in OneUtama or Mont Kiara hehehe you can find all sorts of cool stuff (or crap) there. Seriously, like old typewriters and vinyls and TVs and stuff.

Just opposite this AmCorp building there the largest A&W you'll find in peninsula Malaysia (kot. I think so lah) This A&W was the only place where we had a drive-in (not drive thru tau? Got difference! This one we park in the compound and the staff will come out & serve us in the car! So cool!) We always went there for dinner after my father picked us up from school. Sekarang dah takde dah. Sedih :(

Little India in Klang

Now I'm thinking - actually kan, there are soooo many nice & lovely things about Selangor tau? Like the Kelip-kelip in Kuala Selangor, or the sumptous (pergghhh I'm using a BIG word! Pat on my back) Satay Kajang in Kajang (takkan in Gombak kot), the Murni & Williams in PJ where you'll find some of the most yummy Asian fusion food (trust me, but you must fast for 2 days before going), the Lala Chongs and so many other places to eat. Then you have the Bukit Cherakah, Bukit Melawati, the OneUtama shopping mall (apparently it's the 4th biggest mall in the world. Seriously?) and so many other lah!

Lover Bridge in Tangjung Sepat

You just go an explore. What I realized I've just started doing.