Lost in Laos: Part I

This post is quite overdue!

LAOS...a true paradise...an escape from reality...a country lost in time....Perfecto!!
Had been plannin to visit for a long time...mainly for 2 reasons:
1. I really want to cover this entire region before I probably leave singapore....
2. Ever since NY Times listed it as "THE" place to visit for 2008 (read more here)

With the wonderful company of Lehmunade, AyeKay and Juddi....this trip finally materialised!!

Getting there: Not an easy tasks!...with no direct flights from Singapore..we had to make our way to KL..catch the Air Asia flight to Vientiane..the capital of Laos...this itself turned out to be quite an adventure!

Whenever I visit any place..I tend to have my pre-conceptions..and they have generally been spot on! But...Laos..really shattered them all!! The first shock was to find a wonderfully equipped airport at Vientiane! and this was just the beginning....

The Hotel...Mali Namphu was another treasure discovery! (thanks to my OCD research) The french architecture with wonderful courtyard...the sumptuous $1 breakfasts...the location..just too good!!

Courtyard in MaliNamphu

Vientiane is an idyllic..peaceful and quaint towns..It has a charm of its own..the myriad of temples..the artistic french quaters and the wide avenues...a place with true character!

The temples are truly magnificent...especially Pha That Luang, Wat Si Saket, Haw Pha Kaew and the Patuxai which is the Laotian version of the Arc de Triumph...

Golden Stupa of Pha That Luang

Bird Sellers at Pha That Luang

Wat Si Saket after a shower

Hwa Pha Kaew

Patuxai

The city centre is thronged with scandinavian and french bakeries...serving delicious pastries...cakes and baguettes..there are plenty of shops selling unique art pieces and countless number of massage centres...the laotian massages are really cheap and truly relaxing!!

Cafes around city centre

Really enjoyed the time spent in Vientiane..

Next Stop: Luang Prabhang

My pondering....

What will I be doin this time next year????

**The question which is bogglin me for days....

My never ending WIsh list

keeps getting bigger and bigger and bigger....

I blame it purely on Apple!!

My Beijing Bash: Part II

Day 2:
The gem of China and the most breath-taking structure built by mankind ever..is none other but the Great Wall
There are several sections of the wall which can be visited from Beijing...the famous ones being the Badaling section and the Juyongguan Pass...

The Wall at Juyongguan Pass

I visited this pass..it is one of the steepest section of the wall..the climb is really tiring with the sun bearing down upon you...but once you reach the top..it is just amazing...surrounded by hills with the wall running all over....really makes you wonder...how did the ancient Chinese even build this...what it must have been to be a guard on duty..protecting China from the invading Mongols...

Tip: The best way to get to the Wall is to sign up with a tour...the trip includes lunch and visits to a silk and jade factory...

After the wall...it was time to visit the Summer Palace
The Summer palace was built by Empress CiXi after the first one was burnt down during the Opium Wars...the palace is a true exhibition of the glory and rich past of China...but also a reminder of the neglect of the chinese emperors by spending huge amounts on building it instead of looking after their subjects...

Marble Boat for Empress CiXi

In the evening, I went down to Luilichang Hutong...this is the art lane in Beijing with interesting shops selling lot of unique art and memorabilia..got some very interesting posters of slogans during the Cultural Revolution...

Lulichang Hutong

Stay Tuned for Day 3..the visit to the Forbidden City

My Beijing Bash: Part I

Beijing..the ancient city and seat of power of the Qing and Ming dynasties...and today the epicentre of China..only one word comes to mind to describe this great city..Majestic!!

Day 1:
The flight was Shanghai touched down at the new Terminal 3 at Beijing airport...and it is massive...certainly well equipped to handle the Olympics influx..

The Hotel

Made my way to my hotel...Days Inn Forbidden City...the place was too good..and the location even better..just few mins from Tiananmen and the forbidden city...the rooms r good..and to top it all it came with free internet..guys..i really recommend this place...

Neways..first stop was going to be Tiantian...the temple of Heaven!
This complex..houses the several temples..where emperors used to perform rituals for a good harvest...they were considered a direct link between the gods and the common people...

The architecture and the scale of this place is unbelievable...certainly a must see!!

Parks Around Tiantian

wat is also fascinating about beijing is its park life...there is so much activity..ppl sipping tea..playing checkers...singing and performing concerts..gives a very unique flavor to the city...was walking around the park in Tiantian..and came across this wonderful troupe...

From Tiantian..took a time travel to the futuristic Birds Nest Olympics stadium..the steel structure looks complex..and intricate..but at the same time very modern and chic...lot of work goin around in the area so couldnt really get very close...

The sun was on the horizon..and it was perfect time to make way to Tiananmen square for the flag lowering ceremony...now this is wat is a real square..it is freaking huge..can accommodate around a million people if needed...with the Great Hall of the people...and Mao's mausoleum..and the People's museum surrounding the 3 sides..and the entrance to Forbidden city on the forth side....and to top it all statues and murals of the Long leap all around...now tis is truly impressive..and makes a powerful statement...this is the People's republic!!

The Great Hall of the People

The Long Leap

Countdown!

Finally dinner was rather interesting..went to a Hakka restaurant...and sure had difficulty with the menu...but managed to get some lovely mushroom veggie..and some "lovely" KFC popcorn chicken imitation...(alas turned out to be fried chk cartilage)

Day 1 sure was a fascinating...stay tuned for Day 2 and the adventure to the one and only...Great wall

My China Chronicles...

Shanghai...the city has grown and grown...and somehow has still managed to retain some of its old world charm..especially 'The Bund'...its an area along the river with magnificent imperial buildings...you can just picture old chinese bird merchants bringing their birds to market up along the misty river...
But now to add to the contrast..the oppposite bank is nothing but tall scapers and towers of thriving Pudong district..some with very unique architecture..like the Oriental Pearl Tower...
One of must visit markets is Nanjing road..it is full pedestrian belt..with big signages and big stores...but then there are small alleys..with small stores...selling anything you can think of..for one-tenth the price..fake obviously...Rolex..Iphone...LV...Armani..cheap cheap!!
But be prepared to be surrounded by locals...drawing them to their stores..."Want some cheap cheap goods? Grade 1 quality!!"..."Hi can I practise my English with you"...and the best of all.."Hi I am a struggling artist..do you want to see my work and buy some stunning art"
People's square..the name says it all..in the People's republic..tis is the headquarters of the communist party in shanghai..the centre of power...


Some more glimpses of Shanghai:

Even the Road Signs are interesting!

Kung-Fu Fast Food

Pudong Airport

overall Shanghai is an interesting place..with great energy..constant bustle..
Just loved the atmosphere!!

My escape to the cradle of culture

CHINA
to me...it has always been a mysterious place...with a long profound history shrouded with myth and tales of emperors and dynasties....
it is also the place of a strong revolution...with people sprouting new ideology and defining the land that is today..the People's Republic of China....
and now...in the 21st century...it has made great strides as a powerful economy..and definitely showing some muscle on the world stage...

yup...this is where I was over the past week...in Shanghai and then in Beijing...and it was an experience I shall never forget....

The China Chronicles shall continue....

My Spanish Vibe

So..the blog renovation is almost complete...let me know wat u guys think...

Spanish music is so energetic..so lively..it lifts my spirits any time..any day...
Check out the updates in 'My Broken Record'...it sure will draw u to the dance floor!!!

My Makeover

okk..this blog is under going some serious renovation....stay tuned!!!

My silence

so back in singapore olredi!!

had a wonderful trip to the mystical land of arabia....write more on that later...

but seriously i am so strapped of time..but stay tuned..this blog seriously requires a CPR!!

My voyage to the Homeland

yup..it was long overdue...and finally I am back in India..back to the Maximum city...back to my Mumbai...

Coming back home after a long time...does raise your expectations to a new level..u wonder how has the city changed? wat is the latest craze? which is the new happening hotspot?

My first impression...yup..the city has definitely changed!
Every street corner you will probably find a new mall..some new restaurants...new multiplexes..new inspiring architecture in new sprawling office complexes...
but instead of admiring this great development..your attention is drawn to the lack of infrastructure development....the ever-growing traffic (I think soon we might end up with traffic problems like in Bangkok) and the constant honking!!

But finally..you forget all these things...and enjoy the city buzz..the energetic vibe and the adrenalin-rushing atmosphere...cause it is my Mumbai!

Stay tuned for more Indian adventures....

iWant

The list of desires continues to grow...and the latest addition is the new Macbook Air

Apple sure knows how to make products...just look at the design..the simplicity..the beauty!!
and to match it..a very powerful technology!!

Comes with Leopard...Remote Install..and Multi-touch trackpad



Somebody get me one!!!

My Travel Planner for 2008

Thanks to NY Times..

here's a list of must-visit places in 2008..one for every week of the year..

Wow!! Wouldn't you just love to do that!!

Laos is on top of the list...and it is high time I paid a visit to this jewel in the Indochine...

My lack of Updates

Wow..Nov has gone by without a single entry..Sorry guys..but was caught up with lot of things...

Neways..the holiday season approaches and the festive atmosphere is building up..which gives me inspiration to write once more...

So watch out for new posts!

My Flight to Cuba

Cuba Libre in Clarke Quay is a great escape to Latin America..with great food...wonderful refreshing Mojitos...and to top it all the lovely live band with some great Latin numbers...

Here is of my favorites 'Guantanamera'

Guys...do check it out..its awesome!!

My Escape to Hong Kong: Day II

It feels so good to wake up...and realise tat u r no longer in Singapore..but in fabulous Hongkong!!!

"A good Dim sum brunch for the day keeps the hungry ghosts away": Old Chinese Proverb

Who are we to judge the wise knowledge passed on for centuries...so off we went to Times Square in causeway bay to this great place called Heichinrou...for some lovely dimsum with jasmine tea...now tis is wat i call 'Heaven'...guys..this place is really good...do try the Ha Gao and the Sui Mai...

After "The Brunch" we went back to Central..to take the bus to Ocean World!!! absolutely great place..sittin on the hills hugging the south china sea...with adrenaline-rushin rides..just wonderful!!

The scariest turned out to be the Abyss..which is a free fall over the ocean...pure 10 secs of terror...got a flash of my entire 25 yrs in these few secs...now that is wat i call..Theory of Relativity!!!

and who can forget the cute pandas...An An, Jia Jia, Ying Ying and Le Le...how i wish I could take one home with me...

well..after such a fun-packed day..it was obviously time to relax..enjoy some cocktails at The Cavern in Lan kwai fong (LKF)...this place is truly recommended by Packan..for its lovely atmosphere..the awesome band...and the sheer high energy!!

LKF is serioursly hands down the best nite-life area ever...and definitely beats Singapore any day!!


To sum up..day 2 was simply exhilarating fun!!!

Stay tuned for Day 3...

My Latest Song Syndrome

Hi Guys..this song is just awesome and is No. 1 on Packan's charts for nearly 2 weeks now...

Here it is...1234 by Feist

My Escape to Hongkong: Day I

So now that I have uploaded my snaps from my awesome new camera..let me teleport you back to Hongkong and share some of those wonderful moments spent there...

Friday was a bit free-n-easy..

Took the Airport Express to Central..easiest and most comfortable way to get to the heart of the city!!

Had a nice lunch at Pret a Manger...then just roamed around through the streets in Central..which reminds me so much of lower Manhattan...seriously Hong kong is like an Asian New york..bustling with people..buzzing with activity..and a strong energy floating in the air..


In the evening went to the Peak with Lehmunade..luckily it was a clear nite and got some wonderful shots of the Hongkong skyline...

after that is was time for some exotic Lebanese at Marouche in Soho...the food here is fabulous!!..remember to try the pita with hummus n goat cheese...

Stay tuned for Day 2!!

I LOVE Hongkong

Reporting from waiting lounge of Hongkong Airport:

Spent four fabulous days in HKG n I am so in love with tis place..

Thanks Lehmunade for all the great time in this great city...

Stay Tuned for the hkg logs....