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Sailing on the Ha Long Bay
Sailing on the Ha Long Bay after 11 years felt the same, and yet different. Things were a lot easier back then. The pace somehow felt a lot more relaxed. The boat may have been motorised, but the sails were very much old style, like the junk boats you see in picture perfect snapshots of Ha Long Bay. And it didn’t feel so crowded. But hey, that was a long time ago. This is now. We walked into the first travel agency that looked like it wouldn’t fleece us, The Sinh Tourist in the Old Quarter (there are several branches all over the city). Here, we booked an overnight package…
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Give me my bowl of pho
If there’s one dish I can have for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Vietnam, then pho it is for me. A bowl of pho After all that walking around the Old Quarter in Hanoi, dodging motorists on their mopeds and bikes, and generally making sure you’ve crossed onto the other side of the road safely, why not stop by and indulge with a portion of pho. Preparing a bowl of pho If there’s one dish I can have for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Vietnam, then pho it is for me. Pronounced as fe (like in fern), it’s a soup with broth, noodles, herbs and chunks of meat. Hungry eyes…
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The old man by the river
The centre of Luang Prabang is small. It has got just four main roads. So when you think you are up for a change and ready to walk to the other side of the bamboo bridge, go ahead and do it. You may be surprised as to whom you come across. Meet the locals on the other side of the bamboo bridge Easily covered by foot, one of these roads leads you to a small gated park, which is also a good vantage point to click photographs. Look carefully, and you’ll see a pathway leading to the bank of the Nam Khan River. There’s a lady sitting there who’ll collect…
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Sunset over Luang Prabang
There are sunsets. And then there are sunsets from the top of hills and mountains. Specifically, from the Phu Si Hill in Luang Prabang, Laos. Luang Prabang town with the mountains in the background A few days in Luang Prabang and you get a little used to the slow pace of life. With its quiet streets and relaxed lifestyle, all you can think of is lazing around at your favourite restaurant with views of the Mekong river and a drink in hand. As the sun sets, so the landscape, and your mood. That is when you promise yourself that you are going to see a sunset from the hills at…
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Kuang Si Falls: Luang Prabang’s hidden gem
About an hour’s drive from from Luang Prabang is a three-levelled cascading waterfall and is unlike anything I have seen before. This is Kuang Si Falls. Soak in the beauty of Kuang Si Falls I’m surprised that I never heard of this place when i first visited Luang Prabang in 2007. This time however, upon the recommendation of a fellow traveller, I wasn’t going to miss up opportunity to see and experience its magical beauty first-hand. Take a dip in the refreshing waters Kuang Si Falls, also known as Tat Kuang Si Waterfalls, is about 30 odd kilometers from Luang Prabang, depending on road and traffic conditions. While it may…
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Laos visa on arrival
Applying for a visa on arrival at any Lao port of entry has has got to be one of the easiest and smoothest process I’ve gone through. Views of the Mekong river from up in the sky I landed at Luang Prabang on my month-long tour of Indo-China. Immediately after you enter the airport terminal from the tarmac, there’s a special booth straight in front of the entrance that you must head to. You’ll figure out which one it as there’s a queue of people standing in line, waiting their turn. Luang Prabang Airport As easy as it gets Fill in the application form along with the immigration card and…
