Sam Po Tong, Ipoh

"Ipoh has breathtaking views" - that was my conclusion at the end of the excursion. Take Sam Po Tong (三宝洞) for example (Left), I was there a few weeks back and was pleasantly surprised by the beautiful landscape. The temple is unique because it is build into a limestone cave.

At the entrance of the temple, I was greeted by a fine looking pond (Bottom Right).

Luang Prabang Map and Omellette Snack

So far I have been sharing my experiences in Luang Prabang without giving much descriptions of the location of those places. Therefore, I have tried to sketch out a rudiment map of Luang Prabang town to give a clearer picture (Bottom).
Click to enlarge.

Laos Day 05-06 In and Around Vientianne

Patuxay Vientianne

The last three days of our trip were spent in Vientianne, although I did not consider the last day as a sightseeing day because our flight back to KL was early. When we arrived on Sunday, it was already late afternoon. Unlike Luang Prabang which is further north and closer to nature, the heat in Vientianne is suffocating. The very first thing we did was to check into the hotel. We stayed in Ramayana hotel @ LanXang Avenue, which is a fantastic hotel although initially we did have some hiccups because Airasia did not notify our booking to them. However, they were kind enough to let us check-in before sorting things out. Thumbs up to them there! Besides, not to be biased, the hotel is definitely one of the better hotels in Vientianne.

Laos Day 04 Tree of Life and Watermelon Temple

What has a tree and a watermelon have in common in Luang Prabang?

They are both related to the two most important Wats in Luang Prabang. Wat Xie Thong (1st bottom) which is the grandest and Wat Visoun (2nd bottom) which is the oldest.

Laos Day 03 Pak Ou Caves & French Cuisine Delights

My next journey will be an interesting one. I'll be visiting a place where the infamous giant catfish calls it home. These giants are known to grow to a mammoth size of 2.5m in length, thus earning them the title of the biggest freshwater fish. Coincidentally, they also share this very same place with the world's biggest stingrays, with the heaviest recorded being close to 450kgs, that's equivalent to the weight of 5 adult men! If that is not enough, it is also a place where many other giants roam including the giant river carp and giant Siamese carp, each able to grow to a size of 1.5m and 2m long respectively.

Now, how's that for a portfolio? If you think this is still not good enough, then what about this...

Quickie: Cut Already?

Cut Already!

Its been a long time since I have heard such a hilarious radio ad but P1 Wimax has done it very nicely.

Click on the link below and listen and you'll understand why...

I, too, have cut already hehe...

Laos Day 02 Kuangsi Waterfall & Lao Cooking Class



Breakfast at hotel

We woke up late the next morning due to the tiredness from the activities we did the day before. Nevertheless, we helped ourselves to a hearty breakfast and my breakfast comprised of a baguette, scrambled eggs and hams (Left). 

After breakfast, we explored the other parts of town that we have missed earlier. However by noon, we hired a tuk-tuk to bring us to another attraction that is Kuangsi Waterfall which is located 45mins away from town.

Laos Day 01 Sunset at Mt. Phousi & Dinner at Night Market

Luang Prabang is so "photogenic", I'm not even sure where to begin. One fine place to start would be its main attraction, Mt. Phousi. Located at the heart of the city, the peak gives a commanding view of the city and the picturesque surroundings including the Mekong River. However, scaling up the peak is no easy feat and it does not come cheap either at 20,000 kips a person. Nevertheless, the view is well worth it and sunsets will not get any better than up here.

Laos Day 01 Luang Prabang & First Meal

Luang Prabang (LP) is really beautiful and contradictory. The place is a collision of strict Buddhist lifestyle and chic French culture. Where else in the world would you get stalls selling baguettes in front of a Wat? (Wat = Indochinese temple)

Laos Day 01 Vattay Airport

Conveyor Belt in Vattay Airport

After close to 3 hours of flight time from KL on Airasia, I was so glad that I have touched down at Vattay airport, Laos. The first impression of the airport was good. The interior of the aiport looks clean and well kept.

Malacca - UNESCO 1 Year Anniversary

We are all familiar with the exterior designs of Malacca's heritage buildings, which are unique and beautiful. However, it can be such a joy as well to wander into the quiet alleys and inner areas of the courtyards to explore the more subtle art.

Quickie: "Danger Du Mort!"

"Danger du Mort!"

I thought I just heard something.

"Danger du Mort!"

There, I heard it again.

Tilting my head downwards from the top of a flight of stairs, I saw a lady at the bottom pointing at my T-shirt and then she said it again "Danger du Mort!" in a heavy french accent.

I blushed. Here we are in Pak Ou caves in Luang Prabang, Laos soaking in the sights & sounds, a french lady is busy pointing at my shirt. I pulled the chest area of my shirt outwards to scrutinise the print. Yes, I remember vividly that it is printed as danger de mort. I nodded and smiled back politely, in a slight dismissing manner.

Then the lady asked,"Do you know francais..?". "Nope," I said.

Then she followed,"It means you're dangerous..grrr".

Oh Merci. What an awkward surprise to know this. I'm beginning to love this place even more now.

Journey Back from Lake Kenyir

In this third and final write-up on the KB wedding trip, I would like to share our journey from Lake Kenyir to Kuala Lumpur. The route we took started from the coastal road of Terengganu through the East-West highway and onwards to the Karak highway and eventually home. A thick fog came to greet us on our last morning in Kenyir (Left). 

Lake Kenyir Resort and Spa

The photos below are in chronological order of how I have enjoyed Lake Kenyir.
At the the lobby of Lake Kenyir Resort and Spa during dusk which provides a stunning view of Lake Kenyir.

Kota Bahru, Kelantan

Back in November 2008, I attended my friend, Tiong's wedding in Kota Bahru (KB), Kelantan. Prior to this, I have only been in KB once so this would make it the second time that I have been to KB. However, this would mark the first time I have driven up to Kelantan and I must say, the furthest I have driven thus far!

Quickie: Swine Flu

Swine Flu? What Swine Flu?

Looking at the photo below, you probably would not have guess that swine flu is a concern here.

hmm...I know I'm suppose to say something now...hmmm...Oh yeah! By the way, those people went all the way to Taiping to just rub their lottery tickets on the wild boar's back to get lucky.

Interesting? You betcha!

Bamiyan Buddhas

Last week was Wesak day, a day to commerate the birth, enlightening and death of Lord Buddha. This year also happens to be the 8th year that the two Bamiyan Buddha statues were bombed and destroyed by Taleban in Afghanistan, due to fanaticism and intolerance. The monumental statues were carved out from a sandstone cliff in the beautifully stunning Bamiyan Valley and its still a shocker to see the huge voids that the statues once stood for more than 1500 years. Funny enough though, Bamiyan still has enough precious ruins to make it into the Unesco heritage list but now has losts its marvel without its most significant wonder. The valley is located along the silk route, drawings its heritage from the ancient west Asia and China.

The Hype That is Garbage Enzyme

Lately, there has been an increased of news regarding the miraculous usage of the Garbage Enzyme. Since reading it in the Star newspaper not too long ago, I have been trying to understand the science behind the forming of this enzyme.

Quickie

Tick Tock Tick Tock Tick Tock
Time is almost up to fill your income tax form.
Have you done yours yet?

Earth Hour 2009 and the Way Forward

So how did you spend your Earth Hour? Did you contribute anything?

Click on the link for cities at different location in the world contibuting to this wonder cause during Earth Hour. Its captivating. Link to Earth Hour.