Articles from this Category
14 September 2008
Above: The Chinese-made Xian MA60 aircraft. I travel from Xieng Khouang to Luang Prabang today. It was was meant to be a half-hour direct flight departing at 1340. But it turned out be two flights and a 2h20 transit in Vientiane (totalling over 3h30). Because I had booked about 6 months in advance, the airlines’ […]
13 September 2008
Today I took an excursion with several others to the three Jar sites which have been opened up and are safe … meaning no mines within the marked paths. While on the road, our English member pointed out this large fruit … she described it as looking like a melon on the outside with a […]
12 September 2008
Today I left Vientiane at 1340 flying Lao Airlines to Xieng Khouang (Phonsavan). Coming in to land 30 mins later was interesting. The countryside with pock-marked by craters, some filled with water. This is the most-bombed province in the most-bombed country in the world (says the Mines Action Group information. The US bombarded the area […]
11 September 2008
It is my last night here in Vientiane and my last night with my Couchsurfing host Patrick. We hit town for a nice dinner by the Mekong, looking over at Thailand on the other side. Then to a roof top bar for a few beers and margaritas. He has been most hospitable … his maid […]
10 September 2008
Today, I continued my exploration of Vientiane, which means City of Sandalwood. It was a hot and sweaty affair.
9 September 2008
I woke early for my 0905 flight from Kuala Lumpur to Vientiane before taking the bus to the airport. The Air Asia hub at KL’s low-cost carrier terminal was abuzz with activity … the departures board overflowed with flights. It is interesting to see that their brand is well-recognised amongst some Ozzies now with some […]
8 September 2008
Just before noon, I flew to Malaysia’s “big smoke” and capital Kuala Lumpur. Air Asia’s sister-company, had amazing deals with rooms at MYR35 (about USD10). The room and stylish ensuite itself was only about USD3 but you pay for your air-conditioning by buying credits which was another USD3 … plus I loaned a towel for […]
5 September 2008
Mooncakes are my favourite Chinese sweet apart from oni (a concoction of mashed taro/yam with lard and sugar). They are eaten during the eighth lunar month in the lead-up to the Moon Cake Festival (aka Mid-Autumn Festival) … supposedly secret messages passed in these cakes helped overthrow an oppressive regime. And then there was something about […]
4 September 2008
Above: Bunga kantan or torch ginger flower. A fragrant addition to some Malaysian dishes. Today we celebrated Mum’s birthday again. It felt like only weeks ago that we did this on a bigger scale but that was 9 months ago … when we celebrated it on her passport date-of-birth … but now we’re doing it […]
3 September 2008
My time in Kuching coincides with Ramadhan. The downside is that good Malay food is hard to find during the day … but the night markets come alive before sunset as people break their fast. Unfortunately I didn’t have time to patronise the goodies at the night markets due to other commitments and rainy nights. […]