Travel at Leisure

Ten tips for surviving solo travel :: Asia/The Pacific :: Rough Guides Travel

2011-10-27T06:25:00.000-07:00

Ten tips for surviving solo travel :: Asia/The Pacific :: Rough Guides Travel

Jenny Chung's (Korean) 30 Hours in Kuala Lumpur Slideshow Slideshow

2011-09-02T18:54:00.000-07:00

Jenny Chung's (Korean) 30 Hours in Kuala Lumpur Slideshow Slideshow: TripAdvisor™ TripWow ★ Jenny Chung's (Korean) 30 Hours in Kuala Lumpur Slideshow Slideshow ★ to Kuala Lumpur. Stunning free travel slideshows on TripAdvisor

Hanoi Slideshow Slideshow

2011-09-02T18:20:00.000-07:00

Hanoi Slideshow Slideshow: TripAdvisor™ TripWow ★ Hanoi Slideshow Slideshow ★ to Hanoi. Stunning free travel slideshows on TripAdvisor

Luang Prabang - Heritage City

2011-02-19T02:16:00.000-08:00

Vang Vieng ~ Backpackers' heaven!

2010-12-05T07:25:00.000-08:00

Vang Vieng, backpackers' heaven

We were in Vang Vieng from 31 Oct to 2 Nov 2010

Vang Vieng (also Vang Viang) is a riverside town Laos

After 2 Nites in chill-out Vientiane, we took a VIP Bus ride (3.5 hours, 170km) to a backpackers town called Vang Vieng.

Vang Vieng still has those unused, airfield runway, used by the Americans during the Vietnam War but now are filled with backpackers.

In Vang Vieng, we watch the Caucasian youth drank cheap Beerlao & Lao Lao (Lao whiskey) while Tubing, Kayaking and Tarzan-ing along the Nam Song River. There are numerous Bars lining the shore of the Nam Song river which are stopovers for Tubers to swing and slide.

We stayed in the Vilayvong Guesthouse for 2 Nites (a simple US$24 Guesthouse) and was fortunate to bump into 60 year old Daniel Bedard from Victoria, Canada as soon as we arrived in Vang Vieng. Daniel, a retired school teacher recommended us the Sanaxay Restaurant in town and we were there almost every meal trying on dishes like grilled fish, stuffed chicken, barbeque pork etc. Beerlao and Tiger beers costs only US$1.25 for a large bottle!! Needless to say, Sanaxay Restaurant was, to us, the best Restaurant in town.

Daniel brought us to a rural school - Phone Ngeun Primary School (60+ students) - about 3.5 km off the main road using a Tuk Tuk. On the way, we made a stop at the Blue Lagoon, a popular picnic place with a nice stream, quiet picnic areas and caves.

Apparently, when Daniel was in Vang Vieng, Phosit, a village elder asked for his help at the village school to help teach the children English . He soon found out that the school was built by the villagers 6 years ago but it has no floor, no windows or doors and when it rains, they have to close the school. Daniel started the English classes from 4pm to 6pm which were attended by 40+ students. Before we visited the school, Felicia and Kenny bought color pencils and stationaries for the children from a local store and Book Haven committed to help Daniel furnish one of the rooms with Cabinets, Tables, Chairs and Books to cater for a mini- Library.
Daniel Bedard is going to be helping at the School till early Mar 2011 and we told Daniel we will get home and think of ways to raise funds and ship stuff over for the children of Phone Ngeun Primary School. Nov and Dec 2010 were going to be quite cold and it was reported in the Vientiane Times that the rural school-going children will be most affected as they lack warm clothes. Schools were told to start at 8.30am or 9.30am instead of 8.00am because of the cold and fog.

I read in the Lonely Planet travel book that in Vang Vieng, the backpackers goes Tubing, Kayaking and Drinking at Nam Song River during the day and watch re-runs of Friends in the many Restaurants/Bars at nite and it was absolutely true!!
Vang Vieng has also many small stalls selling Crepes for US$1.25, the price of a large Cold Beerlao, right late into the nite!!

Backpackers drinking Beerlao at US$1 per large bottle!

Tubing is one of the major activity besides drinking and partying

Overlooking the Nam Song River are nice Boutique Hotels, Restaurants and Limestone Karsts

Barbeque seafood is popular since the town is situated next to a river

One of the few Restaurants serving delicious fare

Barbeque Fish & Chicken are delicius and very popular among tourists

Simmalai, on my right, is a part-time scvhool teacher and waitress in our favorite Sanaxay Restaurant

There are many Street Vendors selling Crepes at 10,000 Kip (US$1.25) each

Phone Ngeun Primary School Buildingwhere the windows &
doors were fixed only recently

Daniel Bedard (left) with Felicia and Kenny Chng, my fellow Travellers

Chilling out in a stream in Blue Lagoon, not far from Phone Ngeun School

Girls wanna have fun.....

in Blue Lagoon................

Blue Lagoon Visitors.............

A little Cafe serving Thai Food near the Phone Ngeun School on the way to Blue Lagoon

At the Lao Farm where the Owner, Mr T, is involved with some Charity Work

The Restaurant at Lao Farm serves Organic Food

One of the many Beer Stops for Tubing Enthusiasts, this one next to the Lao Farm

Organic Food at Lao Farm with Mulberry Wine & Mulberry Shake

One of the largest Beer Stops where there are hosts of activities for Tubers besides loud music and free flow of Beerlao & Lao Lao (Lao Whiskey)

Tuber

Another Tuber - Tubing while drinking is a popular sport with backpackers and sometimes when they drink too much........

Yogyakarta & Borobudur

2010-09-11T18:50:00.000-07:00

At the Ramayana Open Theatre with the
Prabanan Temple in the background

Yogyakarta— despite the official spelling, the name is usually pronounced and not uncommonly written Jogjakarta or just Jogja (JOGH-jah) — is a major tourist destination in Indonesia. It is the capital city of the province of Yogyakarta Special Region which is in the southern part of the Central Java province, Indonesia.

For more info on Yogyakarta
http://wikitravel.org/en/Yogyakarta

Refreshing Bintang Beer at the Ramayana Restaurant
with Prabanan Temple as backdrop

The Valley where the Lava from Gunung Merapi once flows...

Merapi Golf Course, right next to the Merapi Mountain

Standing in front of one of the World's Wonder - Borobudur

With Jack & Man Wai at the Grand Entrance to Borobudur Complex

Jack Stanley talking History next to Buddha Statues at Borobudur

Borobudur Temple, wonder of Asia

Good view of the Stupas from the top of the Borobudur Temple

Jack pointing at the ravine where the lava from Gunung Merapi
(Mount Merapi) once flow....

Rumah Pelangan, nice boutique Hotel where we stayed

Spread of Sundanese Food in Bumbu Desa

Jack & Jeffrey checking out the Ramayana Open Theatre
with Prabanan Temple in the background

The Hindu Temple, Prabanan taken from the spectators' stands
in the Ramayan Theatre

Jack with the pretty Sundanese ladies at Reception Counter
of the famous Sundanese Restaurant - Bumbu Desa

Top: Air Asia landed at Yogyakarta Airport
Below: Nice Italian Dinner at Gadjah Wong Restaurant

Top: At the front entrance of Bumbu Desa, famous Sundanese restaurant
Bottom: Minstrels provide excellent music at Gadjah Wong

Jack standing at the top of the Ramayana Open Theatre

with the grand Prabanan Temple behind him

Jenny Chung's 36 Hours in Kuala Lumpur

2009-10-25T00:14:00.000-07:00

One fateful day, on 18 Sep 2009, we met Jenny Chung at the back of the Bus travelling to Cu Ci Tunnel & Cao Dai Temple, our one-day country-side tour from Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC). Jenny, who is Korean, was travelling alone. Later we found out that she works for the Korean Agricultural Trade Information (KATI) Office in Hong Kong.

Since she has not been to Malaysia, we extended our offer for her to stay with us if she so decide to drop by Kuala Lumpur. We never expect that she'd take up the offer so soon.

Jenny has a packed itinerary to cover Kuala Lumpur from the moment she arrived on Sat, 24 Oct at 6pm till her departure at 6am on Mon, 26 Oct 2009, exactly 36 hours later.

Sat, 24 Oct 2009:

We picked Jenny from KL Sentral at 6.00pm.
1st Stop: Central Market. Jenny visited at least eight Stalls there and picked up some costume jewellery and souvenirs. The only regret she expressed to us later was that she hesitated in getting the batik cloth painting in a frame. If only the salesperson gave her a small discount!!
2nd Stop: Petaling Street & Chinatown. Thirsty, we stopped by the ever popular Longan Drink Stall by the Corner of the intersection of Jalan Petaling & Jalan Hang Lekir. Next, we went to Restaurant Kim Lian Kee (there are at 3 Corners!) to try the famous stir-fried Hokkien Mee (black noodle) and we also ordered the Lor Mee, a kind of starchy noodle.
3rd Stop: SS2. Jenny experienced the 1st taste of durians at Donald's Durians. One Travel Writer wrote "Durians - look like shit, smell like shit & taste like shit". But Jenny loves it!

Sun, 25 Oct 2009:

4th Stop: Village Park Restaurant, Damansara Utama: We have an early breakfast at the popular Chinese Muslim Village Park Restaurant. Jenny wanted to try the popular Malaysian dish called Nasi Lemak. Of course, the Nasi Lemak would not be complete without the Ayam Goreng (Fried Chicken) and Kopi Peng (Ice Coffee)
5th Stop: National Monument, Lake Gardens. We were proud to inform Jenny that the RM10 million National Monument is the largest Bronze Monument in the World. Jenny posed next to the Perak Emblem (Silver State) where I was borned. We also met two Russian Sailors and managed to convince them to take a group shot with the ladies. The Russian Sailors were also doing the touristy thing and Port Klang/Kuala Lumpur would be their last stop before heading home to Vladivostok.
6th Stop: Carcosa Sri Negara. Jenny & Kuen were happy to be able to even view the Room which Queen Elizabeth once stayed but were sad to learn that this once British High Commissioner's Residence turned Luxury Boutique Hotel, were be closing it's doors on 31 Dec 2009 and the Government has taken it back. We hope it will re-open again, grander than before.
7th Stop: Yut Kee Coffee Shop in Jalan Dang Wangi. This very old Coffee Shop is now managed by a Father and Son Team of Ricahrd & Melvyn Lee. Jenny managed to try the Beef Noodles, Local Kopi-O and for another 1st - the Kaya with Roasted Bread. Jenny liked the Kaya so much that she bought a bottle home. We also bought the famous Yut Kee Swiss Rolls.
8th Stop: Selangor Club & Clock Tower at Dataran Merdeka. Jenny was surprised that Kuala Lumpur has such unique Moorish architecture in the Clock Tower, the High Court and the Culture Ministry's Building. We told her that once a year, the Merdeka Parade to celebrate Malaysia's independence from the British in 1957, is held here. Jenny was enlightened by the fact that the Selangor Club used to be the place where the British have their High Tea while watching a game of Cricket at the large field.
9th Stop: KTM (Malayan Railways) HQ & Old Railway Station. The unique architecture and the grand outlook of these two pre-war Buildings stood out. Jenny wanted some photos with these Buildings in the background.
10th Stop: Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia. This is also my 1st Trip to the Museum, so you can say that Jenny made it possible. We spent over one hour admirng the Exhibits especially the Replica of Mosques from all over the World. What a Gem!
11th Stop: Noodles for Dinner at Soo Kee Coffee Shop, Jalan Imbi. This Coffee Shop has been around for over 30 years and served the best Noodles in Kuala Lumpur. Jenny & the American visitors were slurping up the tasty noodles and ice cold beer! Cheers!
12th Stop: Strategic Photo Spot near KLCC. After touring the City, I drove Jenny and friends to a photo spot where we have the amazing Petronas Twin Towers in the background

After that, it was time to say Goodbye and head back to my Apartment as Jenny has to catch the 9am flight the next day. Aladdin, my regular driver to KLIA & LCCT, turned up at 6.00am the next day to fetch Jenny to KLIA. Jenny was so happy to be able to make 11 Stops in 36 hours in Kuala Lumpur.

Jenny promised to make another trip to Kuala Lumpur as she wanted to spend more time in places which we did not have sufficient time ot civer such as Bird Park, Orchid Farm, KLCC Shopping, Selangor Pewter Showroom, Batu Caves & National Museum.

Top 6 Photos: Jenny & Kuen at Central Market, browsing & shopping

Bottom 2 Photos: At Petaling Street & Chinatown - buying roasted chestnuts from a Street Vendor

Top, L-R: Jenny having durian for supper at Donald's Durians in SS2; Jenny & Kuen having a taste of delicious Hokkien Mee & Lor Mee at Petaling Street's famous Kim Lian Kee Restaurant

Top: Sun, 25 Oct 2009: Jenny rise early. It's going to be a long day. This is the 4th Stop - it's hearty breakfast at Village Park Restaurant at Damansara Utama. Jenny Chung tried the local Nasi Lemak (Fragrance Rice), Ayam Goreng (Fried Chicken) and local Kopi Peng (Ice Coffee)

Next 4 Photos: Jenny & Kuen at the National Monument in Lake Gardens, took some photos with some Russian Sailors whose ship was docked at Port Klang. The Russians were making the last stop before docking at Vladivostok

Top: At the grand entrance of the Carcosa Sri Negara

Bottom 2 Photos: Red-carpet steps leading to the Grand Rooms at Carcosa;
Jenny & Kuen sitting at where Queen Elizabeth once sat!

Left: At Yut Kee Coffee Shop (Jalan Dang Wangi) tried the Beef Noodles, Roti Bakar with Kaya and local Kopi-O (black coffee)

Next 2 Photos, L-R: Posing in front of the Selangor Club & Cricket Ground and the Clock Tower where the Merdeka Parade is held annually

Bottom 2 Photos: KTM (Malaysian Railways) Headquarters at Jalan Bangsar; Behind is the Old Railway Station, right opposite KTM HQ, where Nice Buses plying KL-Singapore-KL, has a stop here

                                Bottom Photo: At the Islamic Art Museum

Bottom 2 Photos: With American friends we met at HCMC at Soo Kee Coffee Shop in Jalan Imbi. It was a Farewell Dinner for both Jenny & the American friends as they were on their last leg of their 6-week journey thru South-East-Asia; Four pretty ladies posed in front of our proud KL landmark, the Petronas Twin Towers at 10.00pm!

Across 2 Cities in One Week ~ Phnom Penh

2009-09-21T05:47:00.000-07:00

Phnom Penh Trip: 20 Sep to 23 Sep 2009 (WIP to be completed by 31 Jan 2010)

Sights ~ Bus Trip from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh

2009-09-20T06:46:00.000-07:00

Note: This is a Work-In-Progress. Target Completion Date: 31 Jan 2010

Sun, 20th Oct 2009. Phnom Penh:

At 8.30am we boarded a 45-Seater Bus for what is supposed to be a 6-hour drive to Phnom Penh with one breakfast/lunch stop near the Vietnam/Cambodia border.

The one-way trip cost us only US$10 per head and this Bus was recommended by the friendly staff of the Saigion Mini Hotel 1.

We travelled for 2 hours before we arrived at the 1st Immigration Checkpoint which took approx. 30 mins to clear us. Boarded the Bus agian & arrived at a restaurant near the border where we have another 30 mins stop. Some passengers were having breakfast, some bought foodstuff including maize from the street vendors.

When we board the Bus again, we passed thru quite a number of Casinos built on the Cambodian side. The Vietnamese Government do not issue license for Casinos, so the Casinos were built at the border to attract the Vietnamese Gamblers, after all it's only a 2-hour ride form HCMC!

Jeff Tips: I bought 2 packets of Hersheys for US$4.90 each which actually costs US$10 in the Duty Free shop at Phnom Penh Airport.

Across 2 Cities in One Week ~ Ho Chi Minh City

2009-09-17T06:55:00.000-07:00

Ben Thanh Market - Modern & Charming!

Ho Chi Minh Trip (17 Sep to 20 Sep 2009)
Jeff's Tips on moving around Ho Chi Minh City!
1) Make sure you only get into 2 types of Taxi only - Vina Sun & Mai Linh - if you don't want to be cheated. Fares around town should be approx. US$2 to US$3 (one way). It's safer and cheaper to go into a metered Taxi then a Cyclo.
2) When crossing the road, watch out for Cars and then just walk across. Somehow, the motor-cycles will know how to go around you.
3) If you want to do a Portrait, it's probably the best place. Only costs you US$20 for a One-person portrait on oil
4) Taxi Fares to District 1 (or other District in the City Center) from the Airport should not be more than US$10.
5) Using the US Dollars is better than Dong and get better pricing!
6) Classical Concert & Documentery DVD's are good buys at US$2 per copy. China-made CD's with hardcovers are also good buys at US$2 per copy
7) Street Foods are cheap, clean & tasty and worth exploring. If you have a chance, do what the locals do, take a sit at a stool, order some snacks and Vietnamese draft beer (light and cheap) at US$0.50 per mug!
8) Try the local coffee. You can get them at the Restaurants & Bars or better still at the sidewalk cafes - sit down at the sidewalk, order a cup and watch the daily life in Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh was a Vietnamese Communist Revolutionary Leader and Statesmean and was prime minister (1946–1955) and president (1945–1969) of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam). He was well know for defeating the French in Dien Bien Phu in 1954

After the fall of Saigon in 1975, Saigon was renamed Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) in honor of the leader. HCMC is Vietnam's largest city and the moment you landed and board a Taxi to your Hotel, it would appear that the City is vibrant and chaotic at the same time.
I was told that there are 3 million motor-cycles in HCMC alone! You'd also notice some really expensive new Cars and new Taxis among the sea of motor-cycles, which shows the progress of Vietnam and wealth accummulation.

Before I arrived, I have the perception that HCMC is a massive city and would be difficult to get around unlike Hanoi & it's wonderful Old Quarters. However, when we set foot on the Hotel and begin to explore the sounds, sights and streets of HCMC, it has some of the elements of Hanoi's Old Quarters with a few uniqueness of it's own.
We would be walking along small roads with double-story shops selling DVD's & CD's, Luggage & Bags, Books, Cafes, Restaurants, Barber, Massage, Art shops, shops selling coffee, spices, silks, baskets, not forgetting the teeming markets which sells just about anything and the many street vendors along the sidewalks. And, almost suddenly, you would find yourself in a major intersection with wide roads and big, tall buildings. Five Star Hotels, international
Restaurants and high-end Boutiques.

Yes, HCMC has it's hidden charms. And HCMC is affordable. HCMC has everything you want
at a reasonable price. From a hair cut, massage to the famous Pho (Vietnamese Noodles).
From DVD's or CD's to one of those Made-In Vietnam Luggage or Bags. From hats, silks and local T-Shirts at the Ben Thanh Market to branded wears at the Saigon Square.

You can have coffee in the front of one of the 5 Star Hotel at one moment and the next, you can be sitting on stool in a walkway having the coffee and chatting with the locals who seem to enjoy their morning, day and evening coffee and watching the world go by!
Now, I know why the foreigners and Vietnamese immigrants keep coming back and made the City swell! I would say HCMC is among the liveliest cities in Asia!

HCMC is a city which has the present....for the new rich and wealthy and the past for those who were around during the fall of Saigon. HCMC has the majority young people in the 20's & 30's who were not around during the Vietnam War and who wants a good life, a good future and would welcome Visitors whether they are from Asia, Europe and even USA.
I can see that the older generation who has experienced the hardship and turmoil of the 15 years War will preserve the past.
After a few days in Vietnam having the best meals, the nice walks to check out the sidewalk shops, the friendly people who would smile, back if you smile at them, I told myself I'll be back!

Top: Inside the Ben Thanh market
L to R & Bottom: The famous Food Chain - Pho 24; Delicious Pho (Noodles) at the Pho24

HCMC's Street Vendors (not as many as in Hanoi)

Cao Dai Temple, the priests and disciples

At the entrance to Cu Ci Tunnel, a group photo with American English Teachers (Stacy, Nick and Gang) who has completed a one-year Korea stint, and now on a 6-weeks tour of SEA and also a Korean lady (Jenny) who was travelling alone

Top-to-Bottom: At Cu Ci Tunnel - Tapioca, staple food during the Vietnam War; our knowledgeable guide, Hai, giving us a run-down; Me & my AK-47, Russia's famous Assault Rifle; bullet studs from the AK-47 or M-16 fired at the Firing Range

At the Lemon Grass Restaurant - highly recommended!

Common scenes on sidewalks - sitting on small stools having a bite!

The Entrance of the famous War Remnants Museum

Weapons of War - Howitzers

L-to-R: Some Exhibits in the War Museum; A Victim of War

Top to Bottom: The Grand Palace also known as Reunification Palace; Our guide, Nuong, giving us an introduction before the 1-Hour Tour; One of the State Rooms with various color schemes

Top to Bottom: Quan An Ngon (Meal at the Square) started in Ho Chi Minh and has a branch in Hanoi. Ngon, in short, is street foods put together in one place. Walk around and try to make a note of what is available. Perhaps, you would want to use your Digital Camera to help you by taking a photo of the name and the dish and you can then order from the Menu later by showing the photo. Delicious!

Saigon Square...popular among Locals & Expat, better quality than Ben Thanh market

Food:
1) Quan An Ngon, 138 D, Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, 825 7179
Excellent selection of Vietnamese street foods, cooks at different stations, wide Menu
(Walking distant from War Remnants Museum)

2) Lemon Grass, 4D, Nguyen Thiep, 822 0496
In the City Center, nice ambience, delicious food, even a lady playing traditional music

3) Pho 24, 271D, Pham Ngu Lao http://www.pho24.com.vn
Famous Pho (Noodles), fresh spring rolls, extensive range of juices and Vietnamese coffee.
There is also a simple Noodle Joint - Pho2000 - which is next to the Ben Thanh market. It
claimed that President Bill Clinton tatsed it's noodle on a visit to HCMC.

Shopping:

1) Saigon Square, very popular with the locals and expats, near the Dong Khoi area, walking
distance from the Ben Thanh market

2) Ben Thanh Market, sells just about anything. You can shop and eat here.
Mainly locals shop here. In the evenings, a bazaar of clothes stall and food stall
surround the big market

Class of 82 ~ Trip to Maxwell Hill, Taiping & USM, Penang

2009-08-21T01:11:00.000-07:00

Ten of us started the journey from KL at 8am on Fri, 21 Aug and in approx. 90 minutes, we reached Bidor, our 1st Food Stop at Pun Chun Restaurant to eat Duck Noodle & Yam Cake.
Not up to standard, will skip next time.

Food Stop:The Food Court at Taiping Lake Gardens was not so fantastic either but I had a good cup of Kopi O Ice!

Let's go up the Maxwell Hill;

Where people & time almost stood still;

Never mind the weather, as long as we are together;

Let's go up the Maxwell Hill

(sing to the tune of "The Wild West Show)

Maxwell Hill, Taiping. 1,250 meter above sea-level. The British high-ranking officials used Maxwell Hill as a rest & recreation centre since 1884. It was renamed Bukit Larut in 1979. Before 1948, there was no tarred road and access was mainly by sedan chairs!

We reached the base of Maxwell Hill (Bukit Larut) at 2.30pm in time for the exciitng, undulating Land Rover Ride up to 1,200 meters at 3pm. Along the way, we see a Tea Garden which is due to open later this year and what a view!!

Maxwell Hill was cool, peaceful & tranquil!

The ladies were so excited that they did the Moulin Rouge!

We have Hi Tea at the Terrace of Kencana Hut. We took 3 family room & 2 doubles and the rates were US$43 (Nett) and US$23 (Nett)- simple rooms but comfortable with Hot Water & Fan.

Post Card Scenery

Kedai Kopi Taman Emas - nice Char Koay Teow!

Food Stop: 1st meal in Penang for lunch - Char Koay Teo lah, what else?

Moon Leng celebrated her Big 5 "O" at Rumah Perut Nyonya Restaurant

Waiting eagerly to check in at the E & O Hotel with large rooms, huge walk-in wardobe and living area, bathroom to accommodate 2 person at a go. E & O Hotel have a promo rate of US$160Nett (incluidng breakfasts fro 2) for Singapore & Malaysian residents

Breakfast by the Sea at E & O Hotel......nice!

Food Stop: Swatow Lane - Enjoying all kinds of hawker fare

Swatow Lane's famous Rojak & Ice Kachang!

Shop where we bought the famous Ipoh Salted Chicken!

At US$4.50 per chicken, it must be selling thousands of chickens per day!!

Hua Hin~Bangkok Golf Trip (WIP)

2009-07-24T19:57:00.000-07:00

Above: top to bottom: Really afraid of H1N1; MAS serving Satay on board

Hua Hin/Bangkok Trip ~ 24 Jul to 27 Jul 2009 (Hua Hin Blog is still under WIP)

Our 1st great Seafood Lunch at Hua Hin - at Platoo Restaurant, a short walk from Courtyard Marriot

Activities at the beach at Cha Am, very near Courtyard Marriot

View of Courtyard Marriot; Cozy Room & View from 21st Floor of Courtyard Marriot

Hua Hin by Nite: Hua Hin Shopping Complex;Nite Bazaar; King Pub at Pub Street

Wonderful Golf at infamous Black Mountain Golf Club

Nice Golf at Palm Hills

Delicious Ice Cuppucino for US$1!

Great seafood at Lek Seafood Restaurant

T he Heritage Hotel in Bangkok is a nice boutique Hotel with clean, modern room, Wifi, decent breakfast & swimming pool on upper deck

Hanoi ~ Dragon City

2009-05-17T02:04:00.000-07:00

National Geographic Traveller Magazine in Apr 2009 issue interviewed Paul Theroux, writer with 50 books to his credit, a prolific, incisive observer and the ultimate traveller.

What surprised you?
The forgiveness in Vietnam. After we dropped over seven million tons of bombs, 13 million gallons of Agent Orange, and killed millions of their people, Americans are greeted politely, welcomed, urged to have some noodles (pho). It's a great lesson to anyone familiar with other wars and atrocities.
This is how my tales of 2 the most interesting cities in Asia begins.
In 1991, when I was travelling to United States, on my way there I was sitting next to a South Vietnamese who has migrated to Los Angeles since the last days of the fall of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh). He told me his Uncle was a Captain in the South Vietnamese army & during that fateful day, he managed to get into the helicopter with the Vietcongs shooting at them. And, to be able to hold the people on the board the aircraft carriers, the Americans were pushing the planes & copters into the sea. How humane!
And in the same trip, on the way back from US, I sat with another South Vietnamese, who was in the army. He has great stories of how he escape from the invading North soldiers and the Vietcongs.
Despite all these, 15 years after the fall Saigon in 1975, I can say that Vietnam has embraced the World. And people from all over the World has "invaded" this Archipelago once again! Of course, this time they bring along money and not arms.

Meal at the Square (Quan An Ngon) Ly Thai To, founder of Vietnam

Above: Top to bottom: Lunch in the boat in Halong Bay; Halong Bay the Heritage Site

Ho Hoan Kiem at Sunset; and at Sunrise as early as 6.30am!

What we enjoy the most: Tea time on tiny stools at one of the many stalls on 5-foot way. Nice cold bia (beer) coupled with some delicious tofu, cuttlefish & cold cuts.

Rows of shops on one road selling "cheap & good" shoes & sandals. A pair Nike & Adidas sports shoes for as low as US$17!

Group Photo with students from KOTO (Know One, Teach One) "chefs" after a sumptious lunch at the KOTO Restaurant!

Don Xuan Market - Lots of foodstuffs

Coffee anyone? The Vietnamese enjoy their coffee besides the bia

Hanoi Street Vendors

2009-05-07T09:15:00.000-07:00

Ballad of Hanoi Street Vendors

They are up before the sun rises,
carrying, peddling, offering their goods for sale;
they are almost all ladies, no surprises,
they are the famous Hanoi street vendors, and it's not a fairy-tale!

Pineapples, tapioca, oranges & potatoes,
Baquette, flowers, toys & mangoes;
we salute these hardworking & resourceful ladies,
plodding day & nite, just to make some Dong to feed their "babies"!

Hanoi Trip:
1 May to 4 May 2009

Penang ~ Pearl of the Orient in 24 hours

2009-04-05T08:08:00.001-07:00

Jack Stanley, US historian, with Statue of Captain Francis Light in Fort Cornwalis and we also discover the grave of the Founder of Penang

Captain Francis Light was having dinner in his favorite Nyonya Restaurant and there was this new curry chicken dish which he was unfamiliar. So, he asked the smartly-dressed waiter

"What is this?" The waiter stood at attention, saluted and retorted "Curry, Kapitan!" (Kapitan being the Malay word for Captain). So, true till today, one of the more famous curry dish in Penang is the all-time popular chicken curry dish call "Curry Kapitan"

Penang Trip: 21 Feb to 22 Feb 2009
Food Stop #1: Penang Road Coffee-shop
This Coffee-shop proves to be the favorite for most of us with the best of Penang Hawker fares viz. Cendol, Char Koay Teow, Assam Laksa and the ever uniquely Penang's Lorbak.

Jack Stanley, historian, enjoying his Char Koay Teow...goes well with Coke!

Food Stop #2: Rumah Perut

We had probably one of the best Nyonya Food in Penang. Rumah Perut is housed in a bungalow along Jalan Kwlawai right behind Evergreen Hotel. With good ambience, good food and nice desserts, this place should be a "must visit" food itinerary!

(Above Top) Inche Kabin (Fried Chicken) & (Above Bottom) Ju Hu Char (Turnips) with popular Curry Kapitan

(Above) Lor Bak

Food Stop #3: Swatow Lane

The famous Majestic Penang Rojak is found in thgis corner Coffee-Shop between Northam Road and Burmah Road.
Here you can also taste some of Penang's favorites hawker fare such as Char Koay Teow, Char Koay Kark (Carrot Cake), Hokkien Mee (Har Mee or Prawn Mee), Assam Laksa, Lorbak and Ice Kacang.

Bangkok ~ Mai Pen Rai means Never Mind!

2009-02-24T08:00:00.000-08:00

Bangkok, my favorite city in SE Asia. Have been in Bangkok over a dozen times but this is my first Trip since the brand new Suvarnabhumi Airport opened 3 years ago!

Bangkok, still as vibrant, interesting, exciting, mysterious and friendly. You'll never be bored in Bangkok as there is always something to do from morning till nite...shopping, walking, eating, getting a massage, eating one more time, people watching, eating again and partying.

Bangkok Short Breaks: 27 Jan to 30 Jan 2009

Moving around Bangkok

Besides the many efficient Taxis (quite new Toyota Vios), Bangkok has an effective transport system in the form of MRT & BTS Skytrain which complements each other in destinations.
For shoppers, who needs to get to the popular Bangkok Shopping Malls listed below, there is the Skywalk at Central World which opens from 6am to 12 midnight. You can walk from Chidlom BTS Station all the way to Siam BTS Station (approx. 15 mins). Then, from Siam BTS Station, you can take another 15 mins walk to MBK Center or CentralWorld Shopping Complex on the other ends. This walk will let you visit the whole shopping belt of Central Chidlom, MBK Center, Siam Paragon, CentralWorld Shopping Plaza, Gaysorn & Amarin Plaza .
It is a nice walk because the bridge is wide and spacious and is sheltered.

Shopping

Siam Paragon (www.siamparangon.co.th)
Located next to Siam Discovery Center and Siam Center, with the BTS Skytrain & SkyWalk next to it, D this shopping mall was opened in late 2005. It is a very large mall with a impressive number of shops (selling; electronics, sports equipment, clothes, household equipment, books, toys etc.) and a huge supermarket, called Gourmet Market, at the ground level. You will also find a bowling alley, karaoke rooms, a concert hall and Siam Ocean World, one of the largest aquariums in Asia. It is probably one of the largest Mall in Bangkok with flagship, Paragon Shopping Center and over 250 famed international & local brands.

MBK Center (www.mbk-center.com/en/)
Approx 15 mins from Siam Square (via the SkyWalk) is the popular MBK Center (Mah Boon Krong) reputed to be the most visited Mall in Bangkok, with 7 Floors of 2,000 shops! This is where the local Thais shop and you can get almost anything esp. luggage, ladies & mens wear, shoes, Thai snacks, cell phones, electronic gazettes, arts etc.
The Tokyu Department Store, occupyng 4 Floors, should not be missed.

Central Department Store (www.central.co.th)
Also about 15 mins from Siam Square (via SkyWalk) at the other end is Central Department Store (Chidlom). Nice place to shop and you can get good quality "Made in Thailand under License" product at good prices. It has 7 Floors of shopping space.

CentralWorld Shopping Complex (www.central.co.th)
The largest shopping center in Thailand and South-East Asia with an amazing floor area measuring more than 500,000 square meters. It was renovated and reopened in 2006. Originally the name was "World Trade Center", but because of 9-11 the name had to be changed. The shopping mall attracts the middle and upper class in Bangkok and is a department store, but you will also find hundreds of retail shops in Central World. This Complex house the Isetan Department Store & ZEN.

A short walk and you'll get to the famous Erawan Shrine where you'll local & tourists come to pray for luck & wealth. They even sell the Thai Lottery outside the gate!

Opposite CentralWorld, you'll find the Gaysorn Plaza (www.gaysorn.com) with designer labels such as LV, Gucci, Hugo Boss & Prada.
You'll come across Amarin Plaza (www.amarinplaza.com).
The stylish Amarin Plaza is linked to Erawan Bangkok via a skybridge. The five-storey shopping plaza has an almost festive aura to it, drawing in a mixed crowd - from affluent Thais to expats and business travellers - with highly desirable brand names such as Guy Laroche, Valentino and Crocodile, to name but a few.

The Emporium (www.emporiumthailand.com)
A department store and a very exclusive shopping complex in one. If you are into luxury brands, fashion and quality goods, there is no problem to find your Chanel dress, Louis Vuitton handbag, Montblanc pen or Rolex watch here in the small boutiques. The Emporium is located on Sukhumvit Road, Soi 24, next to Benjasiri Park.

Around Siam Square area & the Novotel, there are many small shops & small restaurants (over a hundred) fruit drink bars, coffee shops. But Siam Square is best known for its apparel and fashion (mostly local Thai produce) outlets, that are very popular with Thai youngsters. Hard Rock Cafe is located on Siam Square Soi 11.

Suam Lum Nite Bazaar (www.suanlum-nitebazaar.com)
Of course, if you feel like doing some Nite Shopping (most Department Stores closed by 10pm), you can take a cab or MRT Subway to Lumpini Station and a short walk to the Suan Lum Nite Bazaar where local entrepreneurs display their wares & items from creative gifts, trendy home items, clothing/jewellery boutique shops by local designers, packaged dried fruits, quite a few stalls selling the usual market CD's/clothing. The Bazaar opens at 6pm & close at midnite everyday. There is also a huge open air Beer Garden, Food Court and Concert Stage where they serve International & local Thai fare with nitely entertainment by local bands. Nice way to relax with some Thai noodles, dessert and a Singha beer after a long, stop-look-ask-bargain-buy outing in the VIP Suam Lum Nite Bazaar. Of course, there are also a few Massage Centers that offer Thai Massage to soothe your tired legs or body.

Chatuchak Weekend Market (www.jjmarketplace.com)
Note: info extracted from www.bangkok.com
Covering 70 rai (35 acres) of land with over 15,000 stalls and more than 200,000 visitors every Saturday and Sunday, Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok is the mother of all markets - and possibly the biggest weekend markets in the world. If bargain-hunting gives you an adrenalin rush, get ready for a head-spinning, earth-moving experience. Conquering this massive market is no easy feat though. The reward for taking a lot of patience along - together with a bottle of water - is that you can find pretty much anything here.

How to get there: Take the skytrain (BTS) to Mo Chit station and exit down the right-hand stairs, follow the crowd for a five-minute walk, and you're there. Another option is to take the subway (MRT) to Chatuchak Park station, and follow thesignage directives. For the plant and flower section, get off at Kampheng Phet MRT station

What they sell: Clothing, jewellery, handicrafts, antiques, ceramics, pets, vintage magazines/stamps/coins, collector's items, knick-knacks and just about anything and everything else one could want from a Thai market, or any market. And then some!
Open: 08:00 - 18:00 on weekends.

Brands Recommendations:
For Ladies - handbags, purse, lingerie, nitegowns and shoes by Guy Laroche
(made in Thailand under license). Of course, I have seen lots of ladies crowded around Wacoal underwear (heard it is much cheaper). There are many other local products which I think the ladies can make better judgement.

For Men - underwear, socks, wallets, belts, shorts, shirts, t-shirts, jackets, pajamas by Guy Laroche & Arrow. Guy Laroche's underwear, socks and belts are3 my favorites as they are of high quality & last a long time. Sometimes, I opted for Jockey underwear and Arrow socks.
I bought a couple of Arrow shirts at about THB700 each (discounted 70%) at Paragon Shopping Center which is made of Cotton & Thai silk (Cottasilk) - very comfortable but need dry cleaning. For Office Attire, I would go for Excellency (a higher brand of Arrow) which looks smart, very comfortable & durable.
In fact, Arrow has a range of Black Tie shirts, blazers & suits.

For Children, I understand there is a good local brand called Puppet plus others.

Bangkok Malls: MBK Center - good value for money

Bangkok Malls: Siam Paragon - the newest & the greatest

Bangkok Malls: CentralWorld & Amarin Plaza

VIP Shopping: Suan Lum Nite Bazaar - Opens Everyday from 6pm to mid-nite.

Chatuchak Weekend Market: It's so huge that you can get lost. Don't even attempt to cover every nook and corner..it's organized chaos but it's fun.
Food

To really enjoy the local Thai delicacies, we'd recommend the Food Courts that are found either on the basement or the top floor of most Department Stores. Of course, to enjoy good ambience, you can opt for some of the local Thai Restaurants.

Food Courts:

The best Food Center is located on the 6th Fooor of MBK Center. There are over 50 stalls which serves Thai delicacies & desserts from all over the Country. You are spoilt for choice & to really taste most of the food, you'd have to come back a few times. On the 5th Floor, there is a slightly upmarket International Food Court which serves food in a restaurant environment.

We discovered another highly recommended Food Court in Amarin Plaza (2nd Floor) near Grand Hyatt Erawan and Erawan Shrine. Though less than half the size of the MBK's, the Amarin Plaza Food Court is very clean & quiet.

The Food Plaza at the Emporium is also very popular among the Elite Class and Expats of Bangkok, though it is very designer & quite pricey.

Ymmy Food: At MBK's popular Food Center on 6thy Floor with over 50 stalls; my all time favorite Thai Egg Noodle- Pad Thai

Food: Clean & Comfortable in Amarin Plaza; Delicious Beef Noodles

Ban Khun Mae Thai Restaurant, opposite Novotel on Siam Square, serves great authentic Thai dishes (http://www.bankhunmae.com/)

Great Eats: Authentic Thai Restaurant, Ban Khun Mae at the background
Good Food, Great Company: Dining at Ban Khun Mae with Ian Grant & wife Nusara

Great Thai Food: Top to Bottom, L to R:
Appetizer - Tapioca Ball and Steamed Pancake Stuffed with Sweet Pork and Peanut, Suam Tum (Spicy Papaya Salad), Baked Prawan with Glass Noodle, Wok, Tom Yum Kung, Marinated Chicken in Pandan Leaf, Deep fried Mushroom with Crispy Garlic, Chicken Green Curry, Fish Cake and Mango with Sticky Rice

Macau Short Break with hop over to Zhuhai

2009-01-07T08:26:00.000-08:00

Clockwise from Top Left: Sofitel at Ponte 16; Cozy & comfortable bath and room; A splendid view from the Room 1513

Final Day! Going Home! We boarded a taxi to the Macau Airport and we were chatting with this 60 year old Taxi Driver. We asked him "As a matter of statistics, out of ten gamblers, how many would have lost their money?" He said "Eleven!" without hesitation! "Eleven? How is it!!?". "You see, the 10th gambler even lost his wife's money!?" He definitely drove home a point! The man in the street can NEVER win money in the Casinos. He may win once, twice or even many times, but one day, they will get him! Good advice from someone who started gambling since he was 17. Unfortunately, I met him at the end of the trip. Otherwise, I would not have contributed to the likes of Stanley Ho, Sheldon Adelson or Steve Wynn!

Have been to Hong Kong over a dozen times but each time, I miss Macau....somehow.......so, my bed partner and I decided to experience New Year's Countdown in Macau!! This is my 1st time in Macau & my 61st destination!
We were there for 3 Nites & 4 full days and weather was nice & cool (11C to 16C).

Air Asia was on time (both ways) so I can't complaint.
The Sofitel at Ponte 16 is just 3 months old, so it's nice. I just love new Hotels! The Sofitel has what most tourists would love ie. the 3 L's - Large rooms (35 sq mtr), LCD TV & L' Occitane toiletries! And most important of all, the service-oriented & efficient Front Office staff upgraded us from one of City View to one of River View, so we enjoyed nice views of the river, boats & sunset!

Macau-Zhuhai Trip was from 31 Dec 2008 to 3 Jan 2009

Jeff's Hot Spots!

1) Hang around at Senado Square, saviour some local specialties including the famous Chewy Peanut Candy from Koi Kei Bakery, Portuguese Egg Tarts & the Crepe in all flavors! Walk to the ruins of St. Paul's to take nice photos.

At Senado Square & Ruins of St Paul

2) Dine at a local Portuguese Restaurant such as O Porto or A Lorcha Restaurante

3) Go Casino Hopping - free transportation are provided by almost all the famous Casinos. From the Ferry Terminal, take a bus to the Sands Casino, then take another bus to the Venetian, which will also cover Plaza Casino (Four Seasons). You may alos want to get to Wynn, then walk over to Grand Lisboa & MGM. All these famous Casinos have free shows & entertainment. Wynn even has a Musical Fountain. You can have lunch at the Food Court in the Venetian and walk around the shops or even ride one of the Gondolas.

Casino Grand Lisboa & inside the Venetian Shopping Mall

4) Stroll from the Ferry Terminal to Macau's Fisherman's Wharf, which features restaurants, souvenir shops, an amusement park, a disco, a playground, a man-made volcano and more, nestled in a village-like setting along the waterfront. A new Victorian-designed called the Rock Hotel would make a pleasant stay.

Volcano behind us & breakfast at Enzo Cafe at Fisherman Wharf

5) Watch the Sun Set from Macau Tower: This 220m-high (732 ft) "Space Needle" looks outstanding in little Macau but you can't beat it for its views: 55km (about 35 miles) on clear days. Have a drink in its lounge or dinner in its revolving restaurant.
Note: We did not explore Macau Tower, instead the Sunset photos & towering Sofitel were taken from the 6th Floor Swimming Pool area.

Sunset View & towering Sofitel from 6th Floor swimming pools area

Eating Places
We had some reasonably good meals in Macau. Of course, we told ourselves, we have to visit some popular Portuguese Restaurants in Macau (though we do have Portuguese food in Malaysia too).

O Porto Interior Restaurante (Tel: 2896 7770)
Come highly recommended, this restaurante is located along Rua do Almirante, very near the Maritime Museum. Portion are reasonably good proportion and we paid MOP344 (US$45) for the 3 dishes, rice & water!

Clockwise from top left: Pork Balicao, Sea Bass Porto, Mango Pudding & Clams

Restaurante A Lorcha (Tel: 2831 3193/2831 3195)
Also along Rua do Almirante road, a few doors from O Porto, this restaurant is very popular with tourists. Please make your bookings as as this Restaurant comes highly recommended by most Hotels Concierge. Food price is almost similar to O Porto Interior and perhaps just as delicious judging by how busy it is during Dinner time.

Crepe Stall
In one of the lane along Senado Square, we came across a Crepe Stall which sells delicious Creap in all sort of flavors. We tried the unorthodox Crepe with ham and paid 7 MOP (or US$1) which was really delicious. At 7 MOP it is the same price as one of those tiny Portuguese Egg Tarts but it certainly has better value for money.

Crepe Stall

Sumptous Seafood at Seafood Restaurant along Rua do Almirante (100 meters from O Porto)
We had a sumptous and delicious meal at a Seafood restaurant which seems to cater to the locals. The dishes were huge (sufficient for 4 persons) & very reasonable. We paid MOP120 (US$17) for 3 large servings of a Pork Dish, Vegetables & a Soup. Check it out!

Food, glorious food!

Children of Asia ~ Siem Reap, Cambodia

2008-12-20T22:05:00.001-08:00

Siem Reap Photos Courtesy of Photographer & Traveller - Henry Choo

For Siem Reap Hotels, click to:

http://www.wutravel.com/hotels/cambodia/siem_reap/?a_aid=baf259d0

Children of Asia ~ Chiangmai, Thailand

2008-12-20T01:49:00.000-08:00

Akha Child

Hmong Children
Karen Children

Akha Children

Children of Asia ~ Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia

2008-12-19T23:02:00.000-08:00

Children at play in Manado, North Sulawesi - Aren't they sweet & innocent?

Manado Photos courtesy of Henry Choo ~ avid Photographer & seasoned Traveller

Children of Asia ~ Nias Island, West Sumatra, Indonesia

2008-12-19T22:43:00.000-08:00

Children of Nias Island, West Coast fo Sumatra, Indonesia

Photos Courtesy of avid Photographer, Traveller & Friend - Henry Choo

Children of Asia ~ Bali, Indonesia

2008-12-19T22:26:00.000-08:00

Bali Photos Courtesy of Photographer & Traveller - Henry Choo

For Bali Hotels, click to:

http://www.wutravel.com/hotels/indonesia/bali/?a_aid=baf259d0

Children of Asia ~ Silk Road, China

2008-12-14T00:08:00.000-08:00

China: Above: Children of the Silk Road - Happy & Smiling
~ Silk Road Photos courtesy of semi-pro: Lau KP ~

Hanoi Food Haven

2008-11-29T21:47:00.000-08:00

Where to Eat: Above Top to Bottom: Quan An Ngon ladies busy preparing meals for hungry Customers; A shot with Restaurant Owner, Celebrity Chef - Bobby Chinn himself at his restaurant.

~~ ~Hanoi Photos courtesy of avid Photographer Henry Choo~
Street Food: Above Clockwise: Street Vendors having a break; Street Vendor at a sidewalk, very common in Hanoi; Pretty Vietnamese lady busy sms while riding a bike.

Hanoi Steets Transportation: Left to Right: Trishaw rides for tourists; Food Vendor on the go; Motorcycles at traffic light raring to go!

I was in Hanoi for the 1st time in Apr 2008 on business & all I could savour was some good Vietnamese Cuisine & thick Coffee. I quite like the Old Quarters of Hanoi which will take you back to a feel of Kuala Lumpur, perhaps 15 years ago or one of the small towns in Malaysia. Small dainty shops that sells just about anything, the small streets are filled with motorcycles, trishaws, bicycles and of course the street stalls all over!!

But the Hanoi I grew to love are it's great restaurants & it's excellent food!
In the 3 days I was there, I managed to try visit some of the restaurants & I recommend you to try........

Where to Eat in Hanoi?

Quan An Ngon
"taking the street out of street food"
Located at No 18, Phan Boi Chau Street, Hanoi

Quan An Ngon (Quán Ăn Ngon) is popular with the local Vietnamese coz it serves a wide variety of traditional Vietnamese dishes in a cozy setting of a shaded coutyard.

The concept was to assemble the ‘best of street food’ in a setting more conducive to enjoying quick lunches and nice evening meals. Older food-vendors were transplanted from Hanoi streets into a bustling food market, dressed up in tunics and manning rustic stalls around the perimeter of the courtyard. Guests can dine in the lush courtyard among trees under a large canvas marquee or in one of the large dining rooms or on the balcony in the adjoining villa.
After being seated by Quan An Ngon’s cheerful servers, guests walk around and peruse the stalls, but ordering is done at the table from a broad (English and Vietnamese) menu reflecting some of Vietnam’s best-known regional specialities. A veritable army of young waiters & waitresses scuttle around assembling orders from the little stalls, and somehow the system seems to be fairly efficient.

Sample some nice dishes which include:-

- Banh hoi chao tom cuon banh trang, resembling a chicken drumstick formed by ground shrimp packed around peeled sugarcane. Two pieces are served with sliced star fruit, lettuce and cucumber.

- Banh cuon, a North Vietnamese speciality common at breakfast stalls around town. Resembling Chinese jian jiao dumplings, banh cuon is ground pork and mushrooms wrapped and steamed in rice-flour crepes, sprinkled with fried shallots and mint, and accompanied by a bowl of the ubiquitous fish sauce.

- Bo nuong muoi, grilled beef - was cubed and barbecued to medium-rare, served with chilli salt and lime, and bordering on perfection.

- Nem cua be - mixed crab and pork fried spring rolls.

- Bun bo Hue, a Hue-style beef noodles from central Vietnam. Thick noodles were served in a huge bowl of beef broth and thin slices of beef, the slight sweetness of which was offset by a side of extra-pungent cilantro, and a mound of ground chilli.

- Muc nuong - grilled squid with chili sauce

- Bun cha gio - rice vermicelli topped with fresh herbs and crispy spring rolls

Quan An Ngon is the perfect place to introduce yourself or a newcomer to a wide range of wonderful Vietnamese food in an elegant, comfortable setting, without the hassles of negotiating passage around unfamiliar streets and food stands in search of elusive delicacies.

Restaurant Bobby Chinn
"nice romantic settings, excellent food"
Located in No 1, Ba Trieu St., Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

Overlooking the enchanted waters of Hoan Kiem Lake in the heart of Hanoi, Restaurant Bobby Chinn sets the standard for international elegance in a city long known for culinary adventure. A vibrant international hotspot, Restaurant Bobby Chinn offers a luxurious setting for an unforgettable evening of delights.
Frequented by expats, you won't get the couldn't-care-less service that's typical in Hanoi and food wise expect modern fusion combining organic Vietnamese ingredients with modern touches Sit by the windows for great views over Hoan Kiem Lake.

For more info on Restaurant, visit
http://www.bobbychinn.com/

For more info on Bobby Chin, Chef Celebrity, visit
http://www.pilotguides.com/tv_shows/world_cafe_asia/bobby_chinn.php

Tara Cafe & Restaurant
"old-fashioned charm enchants"
3A Ngo Quyen St., Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

At Tara Cafe and Restaurant, diners can have a beautifully prepared meal in a setting that evokes classic, old-world Hanoi. a few minutes walk to 5 star Sofitel Metropole, in Hoan Kiem District, this is an old world Eatery.

Tara Cafe and Restaurant is housed in a old colonial building and presents classical & traditional Vietnamese and Western dishes. en framed windows with modern flashiness or slowly brewed coffee with instant.
Inside, the staff, food and ambience are unassuming, unpretentious, and quietly graceful.
The food is suitable for both locals & foreign visitors.
We had a buffet lunch & it's agood spread of food & desserts with stations thta you can fill your plates with made to order pastas, freshly grilled meats and seafood and various traditional Vietnamese noodle soups.

If you’re looking for good drinks as well as delicious food, you can enjoy the full bar while sitting contently under black and white photographs of early 20th century Hanoi streets.
Aside from the calming atmosphere, the food is also one of the best breakfast and lunch buffet bargains in town. Traditional Hanoi street food specialities such as pho (beef or chicken noodle soup), banh cuon (thin and delicate steamed rice cakes), bun rieu (crab and tofu noodle soup) and nem cuon (fresh spring rolls) are present in the morning and afternoon to ensure a fresh quality. You can choose from a variety of nom (thinly shredded salads of papaya, banana flowers, or lotus stems) and steamed dishes wrapped in banana leaves.
Dedicated chef Pham Thanh Long has created a tantalising menu with such plates as Tara salad (crab and avocado salad with grapefruit segments and red pepper dressing), grilled beef tenderloin with assorted mushrooms from Sa Pa with black pepper from Phu Quoc, or ca vuoc (bass) wrapped in lotus leaves with Tara sauce. The quality and variety offer something tasty for everyone in the family.
Evening diners are presented with delicacies refined from Western dishes such as fried beef with red wine, fried beef with black pepper, pasta, red wine reduced stews, pates, bread, cheeses and an array of exquisite French desserts for after dinner.
For that special romantic night out, be sure to reserve a table on weekends because the Tara garden blooms with the peaceful live music of renowned violists, flutists and guitarists, and seats are hard to find. The fresh and fine ingredients that are pure soul food will leave you in the mood for more romance under the balmy, charming Ha Noi night.
With all these offerings, you will be hard pressed to find a better deal downtown that offers so much authenticity and Hanoi old world charm.
(some info extracted from Hanoi News Service web site)

For bookings of Hanoi Hotels:
http://www.wutravel.com/hotels/vietnam/hanoi/?a_aid=baf259d0

Chiang Mai Rose of the North

2008-11-22T07:58:00.000-08:00

Popular means of tranport - Tuk Tuk

Chiang Mai Journey: 14 to 18 Mar 2007

Chiang Mai, rose of the North, is 700 km north of Bangkok. Unlike the hotter & busy capital city of Thailand, this hub of Thailand has nice cool weather at certain times of the year and offers a range of value-for-money services including Hotels, Food & Handicrafts.

The flowers of Chiang Mai are celebrated in the Flower Festival, held each February. The city air is perfumed by the many floral parades and flower exhibitions

There are a couple of interesting & enjoyable one-day tours:

Tour No 1: Chiang Dao Elephant Camp - Elephant Ride, Bamboo Raft & Ox Cart Ride

This tour starts in the morning at about 8.30am. You are picked up from your hotel by your guide. Drive north of Chiang Mai to Chiang Dao (approx. 1 1/2 hr) to the elephant camp. At the elephant camp you will see the elephants taking their morning bath and demonstrating some of their skills. Afterwards take an elephant ride for approx. 1 hr to a Lisu hilltribe village. The ride takes you through some of the lovely forest scenery and along the river. After lunch take a bamboo raft trip down the river for approx. 30 min, admire the scenery and absorb the tranquility as you float down the river. Then, you will reach the land again to take a slow Ox Cart ride to a Restaurant wher you'd have a simple buffet lunch.

After that, the van will drive you back to Chiang Mai in the afternoon.

Elephant Ride ~ a unique experience

Tour No 2: Karen "Long Neck" Village

Start with the Orchid & Butterfly farm then go north to Chiang Dao Cave. After that, to Karen Village where we will also pass the Akha Hilltribe village, which is next to each other.

On the way back we visited the Hmong tribe.

Visitors should take some time and visit the wonderful people of the Karen "Long Neck" tribe in Chiang Mai. They live near the border of Burma, and the time taken to reach their village would be about 3 to 4 hours or so from town. Do NOT liken seeing these indigeneous people as seeing the animals in the zoo. Traditionally the women who could afford it would start wearing brass coils on their necks, arms and legs from the time they're 5 years old. The coils would be polished daily so that'd they'd have a high sheen. They'll upgrade their coils whenever they can afford it. The average weight of a coil on an adult woman's neck is about 3 - 5 kg!!! You can buy nice hand-woven cloth at the village. It'll help improve their way of life.The Akha village is situated right next to the Karen's. The Akhas are known for thier toolwork and you can buy wood carvings and silverware at their village.

Akha Children happily enjoying Ice Cream

Sweet Karen girl weaving....

Cheeky Hmong girl posing....

Click this link for Chiang Mai Hotels

http://www.wutravel.com/hotels/thailand/chiang_mai/?a_aid=baf259d0

More Chiangmai Photos at

http://picasaweb.google.com/jeffmachoman/ChiangmaiWayUpNorth#

Phuket Fantasy

2008-11-22T00:26:00.000-08:00

Top to bottom, left to right: Posing with Club Med GO's; Making New Friends at Club Med; Boy selling "petai" at Patong beach; Mission Hills Golf Club before T-Off; Famous 10 Hole at Phuket Golf & Country Club; Patong Beach ~ back in action after 2004 Tsunami; Open Air Seafood near "action place" Soi Bangla.

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=> Phuket Trips on 16 Feb 2006 (Club Med) & 26 Jun 2008 (Golf Trip)

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Phuket ~ Fun for Everyone!

When you think of Phuket, what strikes you first was the Tsunami. Well Phuket is the "Tsunami" that can sweep you off your feet once you get there!

Phuket has everything for everyone!

The beautiful Beaches of Patong, Karon, Kata & Kamala facing the well known Andaman Sea. The scenic & challenging Golf Courses from the popular Mission Hills to the one of the World's best Blue Canyon Golf Club. Yes, the Spa Resorts which are world class with authentic Thai aromatherapy treatment & massages. The wonderful Thai People whio are ever smiling & ever so friendly that makes your stay a pleasant one. The tasty Thai Seafood which can be found in Open Air restaurants or 5-star Hotels. Of course not forgetting, the myriad of Open Air Bars & Discos at Soi Bangla & elsewhere where the entertainment starts in the early evening & pours into the street after 1am in the morning!

The young ones will enjoy the Go Kart, Shooting Range, Bungee Jumps and the Nite Discos, the adventurous ones can go to Phi Phi Island for sunbathing & snorkelling and Phang Nga (or James Bond Island) for sighseeing. The rich folks can have their peaceful & relaxing holidays at the famous Club Med or the Laguna & Banyan Tree Resort.

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* Phuket Must Do *

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1. Phuket Fantasea - Theme Park & Cultural Show!

2. Banyan Tree Resort - Nice & Relaxing, if you can afford it!

3. Phi Phi Island - Sun, Sand & Sea!

4. Rock Hard Cafe -Entertaining Pole Dancers!

5. Tai Pan & Banana Discos - Hot & Lively!

6. Simon Cabaret Transvestite Show - World Famous!

7. Massages - Thai, Swedish, Aromatherapy - try it!

8. Blue Canyon - must for Golfers!

9. Shooting Range - Real Guns, Real Bullets!

10. Paint Ball - Jungle & Guerilla Type!

11. Baan Rim Pa - Romantic & Excellent Food

12. Parasailing - Feel like Flying!

Click this link for Phuket Hotels http://www.wutravel.com/hotels/thailand/phuket/?_aid=baf259d0

A Tale of Two Khmer Cities

2008-11-07T23:26:00.000-08:00

Mystical Cambodia: From Top, Left to Right: Wedding Couple with friends in front of Angkor Wat; Posing at Ta Prom Temple; Khmer people in Traditional Costume at Angkor Wat; Motorcycle Taxi (Motodop) in Phnom Penh (Central Market at background); Dinner at the Sissowath Quay; Lunch at the famous FCC; Boat Ride from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap

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=> Mystical Trip was from 20 Mar to 24 Mar 2008
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Visiting Cambodia for the first time open up our eyes no matter how much we heard about the Country. The Cambodians are friendly people, despite a difficult history where many people suffered & there were senseless killings. Most Cambodians are poor, but they speak good English - I was told that the UN's long presence in the Country was partly responsible for this - and are always ready to flash you a smile.

What I like about Cambodia besides it's wonderful people?

1) Market in Phnom Penh - got a good deal for a Mont Blanc spectacle frame

2) Food - Nice & reasonable

3) Massage - cheap

4) FCC - Foreign Correspondents Club - good food & ambience

5) Hotels - good value for money

6) Charity Work - plenty, depends on your interests

7) Angkor Wat - plenty of history unless you get temple fatigue

Phnom Penh has at least 3 big markets where you buy all kinds of value-for- money products. Of course, Siem Reap is famous for Angkor Wat & the Temples.

Are you into Charity? Come to Cambodia - there are plenty to do here!!

Click this link for Phnom Penh Hotels
http://www.wutravel.com/hotels/cambodia/phnom_penh/?a_aid=baf259d0

Click this link for Siem Reap Hotels

http://www.wutravel.com/hotels/cambodia/siem_reap/?a_aid=baf259d0

Bandung Shopping Haven

2008-11-06T22:03:00.001-08:00

Left to Right: Background is the Tangkruban Perahu Volcano Crater; Tea Time at famous JCO Donuts at Paris Van Java Mall; Group Photo at Ciater Hot Spring.

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=> Shopping Trip from 27 Jan to 31 Jan 2008
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Bandung Factory Outlets

Bandung has over 40 factory outlets where you get brands from LV, Levis, Dockers, Tommy Hilfinger, Hugo Boss, Giorgio Armani, Emporio Armani, CK, Polo, Crocodile, Banana Republic, Hermes etc, all at 10% or 20% of the original price. Some may be rejects but a lot of them are new. For ladies, it's dresses, clothes, handbags, shoes, textiles etc. For guys, we can get pants, jeans, shirts & jackets etc.

The most popular shopping outlet, Rumah Mode, along Jl Setiabudi, has all kinds of everything!

For Women & Mens’ Clothes:
1) Jl Dago - Blossom, Episode, Island, Uptown Factory, Jetset, Glamour, Happening, Grande
2) Jl Riau - Heritage, Cascade, Secret (New), Stamp, The Summit, ForMen
3) Jl Setiabudi - Mode Plus, Natural, Rumah Gazebo, FOS Clothing

For Handbags & Shoes:
1) Toko Diaz, Jl Sederhana – good quality, slightly more expensive
2) Terminal Tas, Jl Riau – cheap but poor quality
3) Donatello, Jl Setiabudi

For Jeans & T-Shirts: (Optional)
Jl Cihampelas, where you will find gigantic Cartoon characters eg Rambo, Superman, Ultraman, Incredible Hulk, Tarzan etc.

Shopping Mall:
1) Visit Paris Van Java, a very modern Mall and you can also have Lunch or Hi Tea here. They have the famous JCo Donuts.
2) Braga City Walk, adjacent to Aston Hotel (you can walk thru). There is also a supermarket in Braga City Walk & when you walk outside via Braga Walk, you can find shops that have restaurants & also a 7-Eleven.

Bandung Food & Eating Places

Then there are nice Eating Places especially excellent Sundanese Restaurants including Kampung Daun & Sambara.

Located on the hills of Dago Pakar, there is The Valley - nice food, nice view, nice ambience. Also, drop by Sierra Cafe & Lounge.

For Indonesian food
1) Kedai Nyonya Rumah, Jl Naripan
2) DapurKu – local cuisine
3) Blackpepper Resto & Café, Jl Maulana Yusuf No 10, Dago area (Serves Western & Indonesian). Try the blackpepper jeng tutut (snails) & oysters (Tel: 62-22-4206147)

For Seafood
1) Mustika Jaya Sari, Jl Ciumbuliet No 39 (Tel:62-22-203 8539)
Try the Es Sekoteng Bongsu, grated ice cube with avocado, young coconut, and kolang-kaling (local preserved fruit). Also, try the Teh Botol!

Bandung Specialty - Kukus Brownies:
1) Kartika Sari, diagonal to Uptown Factory, Jl Dago – they have 6 stores,famous for Pisang
Molen & Kukus Brownies (Steam Brownies with chocolate inside)
2) Brownies Kukus Amanda, Jl Ranchabolang, Jl Lodaya & Jln Purwakarta

Places to Visit

Besides shopping, one of the most interesting places to visit is Tangkuban Perahu. Tangkuban Perahu in local Sundanese dialect means ‘upturned boat’. According to my guide, you can see the shape of the ‘upturned boat’ from Bandung. Tangkuban Perahu, 30 km away from Bandung, is an active volcano where you can see fumes coming out from the crater. According to the guide, the crater at the peak is not accessible because it’s emitting poisonous fumes. We had to hike down for about 30 minutes to another crater where we are allowed to experiment with the hot water coming out from the volcano by boiling eggs or just dipping your feet in the hot water.Since one can only dip their feet in the craters in Tangkuban Perahu, there are some hot springs around this area.

One of the recommended hot springs is Ciater Hot Spring where you can swim in the sulphurized water which is known to be good for healing skin problems and rheumatism
For meal, try the the local Sundanese cuisine - Sapu Lidi. The food is delicious & the setting is tranquil, in the middle of a padi field.
From historical perspective, Bandung is the birth place for the Non-Align Movement (NAM) in 1957. There is a street in Bandung known as Jalan Asia-Africa which is dedicated to the NAM movement. The street starts from Savoy Homann Hotel to Merdeka Building. This is the street where the leaders who started NAM in 1952 took a historic walk to commemorate the inaugural NAM meeting.

Click this link for Bandung Hotels
http://www.wutravel.com/hotels/indonesia/bandung/?a_aid=baf259d0

Book Review - Don't Let the World Pass You By!

2008-11-02T23:01:00.000-08:00

Don't Let the World Pass You By!

52 Reasons to Have a Passport
Various authors

(Lonely Planet, 2005)

This chirpy, optimistic handbook is in some ways, a piece of propaganda. It is published by Lonely Planet, a guidebook empire that is based in Australia, but counts the United States as its biggest sales market. Imagine the number of guidebooks they could sell if the number of U.S. passport holders increased from the current 22 percent to, say, 30, 40, or 50 percent!

Despite the not-so-hidden agenda (this book is aimed solely at U.S. buyers) most travelers will find themselves nodding in agreement as they read the many reasons why everyone should have a passport. Several times, I entertained the idea of buying multiple copies of this book just to have on hand the next time someone tells me they don't feel a need to go abroad.
(Though in all fairness, we all know plenty of people we would rather just stay home - so they won't bring our country's reputation down even more!) It would make a great gift for a college senior or someone just making plans to go abroad for the first time.The title is written by ten different contributors, with Sarah Benson being the coordinating author.

The most worthy reason to own a passport is spelled out in the introduction by Lonely Planet founder Tony Wheeler, who says, "It's through travel, first and foremost, that we meet and understand the outside world. We can read all about other countries in papers and magazines or see them on television, but it's remarkable how different places turn out to be when you actually visit them."

If only our elected leaders, who only use their passport for whirlwind state visits, would take this to heart, the world would probably be a more peaceful place.The book starts with a history of the passport, reminding us that it really hasn't been around that long in its present form. In the U.S., the first one issued by the State Department came out in 1856, but the requirement to have one to travel in and out of the country has only been in place since 1952. Residents of other developing countries probably began to pooh-pooh the low percentage of U.S. passport holders soon after and never stopped. There's been a big loophole of course, one that most international criticizers don't think about. Many Americans don't have a passport because we have agreements that allow us to go a whole lot of places without one, such as (for now): Canada, Mexico, and quite a few islands in the Caribbean. Add in Hawaii and Alaska and you can cover a lot of real estate with just a birth certificate copy - a whole continent and then some.

You need a passport to go beyond though, and there are plenty of good reasons.

#3 Exercise Your Rights
As I wrote this review, Palestinians in Gaza were finally able to legally leave their country for the first time since 1967. North Koreans, Burmese, and Cubans still can't. In many Middle Eastern countries, the men can travel, but the women can't without a husband. What's stopping you?

#6 C'mon, Live a Little
Pioneers and explorers founded America. How did we get so fat and lazy? "Now that jet travel has evaporated distances and economy class is luxurious compared to Calistoga wagon trains, isn't it time to reclaim our gypsy beginnings?"

#7 It's Not Such Risky Business
The book lists the 10 Safest Countries. The U.S. ranks 27th, right after Armenia.

#15 Ship Out and Shape Up
Travel has got to be the most interesting and least painless ways to lose weight and get in shape. (See Travel Diets: The Backpacker Weight Loss Plan)

#26 Stay Awake in Class
One of my favorite justifications for travel: you learn far more than you ever will in a classroom. History and geography are actually interesting, instead of nap-inducing.

#27 Visit Other Lands of Liberty
Yes, the USA may be called the land of the free, but civil society sure does require the surrendering of a lot of freedoms. Go abroad to experience legal vices, beer and smokes that aren't taxed to the hilt, topless beaches, the lack of open container laws, and bars with no last call.

And #28 probably sums it up best when it talks about the numbing day-to-day routine we allow our working stiff selves to fall into. Breaking out of that is reason enough on its own. Only one life to live, and all that.

Picking a few examples is difficult since nearly every one of the 52 reasons is a valid one. Lots of fun charts and factoids are sprinkled throughout. One notes that in the time it takes to drive from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, you could fly to Costa Rica. Or that in the time it takes to drive from Miami to Disney World, you could fly to Peru. A "Top-10 Cinematic Settings" list tells you where famous movies were filmed. Another list has "Top-10 Things You Can't Find in Your Own Backyard."If you're already an avid traveler, this is a bit of preaching to the choir, but it's still worth having on your shelf. If nothing else, it'll provide an endless list of talking points when Aunt Millie starts asking why you've quit your job (again) and are heading overseas (again). Or you could buy her a copy and say you won't answer any more questions until she reads it. Or hand a copy to your old boss along with your resignation letter. Maybe he'll read it while you're gone and will start to understand.

Review by Perceptive Travel Book Reviews Jan 2006

Why Travel?

2008-11-01T22:35:00.000-07:00

Travelling is Fun: Top to Bottom: Chiangmai Elephant Ride; Shenzhen Windows to the World; Bangkok Cowboy Show at Safari World

There are many reasons why you travel, besides........

Escape your daily routine
Improve your resume
See the wonders of the world
Feel the thrill of adventure
Tickle your taste buds
Make new friends PLUS a thousand other reasons

Need to book Hotels for your travels? Check this out............

http://www.wutravel.com/?a_aid=baf259d0