Vientiane – Charming Sleeping City

Vientiane, the French version of the Lao Viangchan, is the capital city of the Lao People's Democratic Republic. It is on a sweeping curve in the Mekong River, right on the Thai border. You may find a charming collection of lovely temples, old French colonial buildings, ramshackle riverbank wooden homes and pretty yellow two-storey Indochinese shop houses. Tourists will notice that the city's architecture is largely low-rise.

For those who have been to Vientiane long ago and now, they likely will say that this Laos’ city is changing. For example, where there were once hundreds of bicycles, there are now motor bikes and cars. Whatever it is, Vientiane is marked by a fountain named Nam Phou Place, and almost all of Vientiane's important sights are located within walking distance from here.

The gate of That Luang and its stupa at sunset

Like other tourists, you may find it hard to believe you are in a capital city, i.e. the pace of life is so gentle. You will often meet with small groups of Buddhist monks in orange or rust-coloured robes, and sporting umbrellas against the sun seems to invite you to visit their temples and to practise their English on you!

What are the not to be missed places to see and places to visit in this charming city?

The Mekong River – watch water buffalo as they graze peacefully, you will notice that they barely looking up as you pass, at the same time the farmers are growing vegetables on the banks of Mekong.

Wat Si Saket - Vientiane’s oldest temple. Wat Si Saket was built in 1818 under King Anouvong. Many said it displays the Siamese rather than Lao style of Buddhist architecture. I believe the architecture as well as its surrounding terrace and ornate five-tiered roof, is to keep it safe during the Siamese invasion. Its cloister wall has more than 2,000 ceramic and silver representations of Buddha, and houses a museum as well.

The Great Stupa/Pha That Luang - is an important Buddhist temple built in the sixteenth century by King Setthathirat. I understand that the relics of Buddha are said to be contained here. In fact, the stupa was destroyed by the Thai invasion in the nineteenth century, but was later rebuilt to its original design. Some even said that The Black Stupa (That Dam) is inhabited by a seven-headed dragon which tried to protect them from the Siamese army invasion.

Patuxai (Victory Gate) - this was built in the 1960s to commemorate those who fought in the struggle for independence from France. From what I see, it is quite resembles the Arc de Triomphe, but the style is definitely Laotian, with its numerous kinnari figures, i.e. half woman, half bird.

Talat Sao – is a colourful morning market. Over here, you can find the best of Lao weaving, i.e. glorious silks, cottons and ethnic textiles, both old and new.


Do you think Vientiane is a sleepy city that is full of charm?

Komodo National Park - Largest Dragon Lizard

Do you or your kids like to see the world's largest lizard? Or perhaps like to enjoy some of the world’s best marine life?

If so, then have a guided tour to Komodo National Park located in the centre of the Indonesian archipelago, a country in South-East Asia...read more

Komodo Dragon

The welcome signboard

Bangkok – City of Angels

Those who have been to Bangkok will usually said that the more time you spend in Bangkok, the more you will enjoy yourself. Why so? One of the reasons that I can think of is that it seems impossible to get bored, i.e. there are so many monuments, museums, exhibitions, restaurants, clubs, bars, shops and markets, which means there's always somewhere new to go, something else for you to try in those places of interest, places to see and places to visit in Bangkok.

The Grand Palace

What follows are some words of mouth that you probably want to know about:

1. The Grand Palace and the Temple of Emerald Buddha site as well as the Wat Po (i.e. Reclining Buddha) should be on everyone's Bangkok itinerary.
   
   
2. Bangkok with its Thai name as Krungthep (meaning City of Angels), is truly magical. If you stay on the river, It's a respite from the frenzy. You may want to know that Bangkok full Thai name is Krungthep mahanakhon bowon rattanakosin mahintara ayuthaya mahadilok popnopparat ratchatani burirom udonratchaniwet mahasatham amonpiman avatansathir sakkathatitya visnukamprasit, what a long yet interesting name!
   
   
3. One of the favourite things that tourists will enjoy is to hire a longtail boat just before sunset and work their way upriver towards the Grand Palace to see it lit up at night. They usually can stop at Wat Arun (also known as the Temple of the Dawn) and/or the Royal Barges on the way up during daylight assuming they are still open, and wander the little canals as well on their way up and back.
   
   
4. Taxis are cheap and air conditioned for tourists to visit those tourist attractions spots, and that street food ubiquitous and delicious.
   
   
5. If you want some peace go to the Suan Phakkard Palace and admire the five traditional wooden houses, which are filled with wonderful antiques and artworks.
   
   
6. Taking an express boat trip in Chao Praya River is an excellent way of seeing Bangkok, even allow you to stopping off to see the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and even Wat Po, containing the largest reclining Buddha in Thailand and perhaps also enjoy a traditional Thai massage there. Who knows you may also want to enjoy a cool drink on the terrace of the famous Oriental Hotel!
   
   
7. Bangkok is not a city to walk about as it is too hot and too busy. 

Whatever it is Bangkok can at first seem rather overwhelming to many, for example, the city is simply full with people, the roads are jammed with traffic, and the motorbikes can be seen carry the entire families, yet none of them wear helmets. Further the humidity and noise is exhausting, and the smell is a potent combination of drains, exhaust fumes and fabulous food. Well can we say that Bangkok is an exciting, ultra-modern and yet an absolutely traditional tourist attractions place?

Some close views of The Grand Palace

Other tourist attractions, interesting places and places to see, and places to visit that you might not want to miss are:

• Lumphini Park; 
• Chatuchak Market; 
• Chinatown and Pahurat, the Indian district; and  
• The National Museum.

Before I forget, choose your dishes wisely. If you can’t take spicy food, then learn to order dishes or say mai phet (meaning not spicy, and phet means spicy). Also ask for dishes without the nam pla if you're on a low-sodium diet, as this fish sauce is commonly used instead of salt.

Do enjoy yourself while in those places of interest in Bangkok and don’t be put off by its immensity, just go with the flow and you will find innumerable treasures and pleasures there!

Hanoi - and French Connection

What is there so special about Hanoi? Was it to see Ho Chi Minh's embalmed body in his imposing Lenin-style mausoleum?

Hanoi, being the most influential city in Vietnam for the past thousand years, is in fact Vietnam's cultural centre, as every Dynasty has left its Mark there. Further, with a host of interesting monuments and cultural sites, i.e. including over 600 temples and pagodas, and with French colonial style of architecture to be seen everywhere, I am sure is a must places to visit, places to see in every travelers’ mind.

Do you know that Hanoi is also labeled by some as 'Hanoi Hilton'? This as I know was because American prisoners were kept in those notorious old French prisons during the Vietnam War. Unfortunately these tourist attractions are now largely demolished but with part remaining as a museum.

One-Pillar Pagoda

You may want to know that Vietnam was invaded by the Chinese in the 15th century and the French in the 19th, and Americans were ejected from South Vietnam in the 1970s following violent insurgencies, and all of them have left their mark, especially the French. That I think is the reason why in particularly the French has influenced the character of modern Hanoi, with their colonial style of architecture to be seen everywhere, in particular the grand colonnaded opera house, St Joseph's Cathedral, the Hanoi University, Vietnam State Bank building, the Presidential Palace, the Hotel Sofitel Metropole and elegant boulevards like Phan Dinh Phung Street.

What are the not to be missed places of interest or tourist attractions? Besides those interesting museums like the National History Museum, National Museum of Fine Arts and the Revolution Museum, you may want to consider:

• Hoan Kiem Lake - Hanoi’ landmark, is close by and there are regular day and night markets;
  
  
• Flag Tower - Hanoi's famous, think was built in 1812 (if I am right). The Flag Tower was used as a French military post then, but now proudly flies the Vietnamese flag;
  
  
• The wonderful Hanoi Citadel - dating from the time of the Ly Dynasty (1009-1225);
  
  
• The large West Lake - a popular area for people to relax away from the Hanoi’s hustle and bustle. I suggest you to hire a rowing boat to really enjoy yourself there;
  
  
• Temple of Literature - this historic was founded in 1070 as a Confucian temple and is the site of one of the world's earliest universities; and
  
  
• One-Pillar Pagoda - one of the finest wooden pagodas in Hanoi and is on stilts over a lake.

When to go to those places to see and places to visit? I think winter (from November -April) for Hanoi’s cool temperatures, partly also not much rain is the best as summers are hot and wet there.

However, beware of the traffic as crossing the street in Vietnam is always dangerous because traffic lights including red lights are often ignored and one-way streets are trickled with traffic flowing the wrong direction. I think the concept of traffic and lanes still raw in Vietnamese although traffic lights are all over Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.