[Diary]: First Time in Laos

This is going to be a long post with bunches of pictures!

Never in my life I would imagine to visit Laos. Not even once. But I went! I was working and having a great holiday. I'm totally so grateful to be part of the company and always being pampered :p

Departed from Udon Thani for Vientiane

So after Khanongphra, we went off to Udon Thani for CIQ and refuel. Just a quick one. Staffs over there are efficient, but it wasn't easy to get their contacts. Went thru waiting and waiting via phone calls before the flight.

Then we departed for Vientiane, Laos! Adios Thailand! It was a short journey, less than 30-min. The ground handling received us well, but I should be proud that we provide better service :)
Was a lil' bit stuck in airport due to VIP flight, but all good.

Arrive in Vientiane

Vientiane was super duper extremely hot! I really couldn't stand the heat, it's way too hot. I became more tan. -__- I stayed in Don Chan Palace, the hotel is facing Mekong River and I can see Thailand! And surprisingly (not sure if it's a surprise or my lack of knowledge), Laos is left seat driving!

Can't bear the hotness - iWearUmbrella

I saw the awesome Sunset of Mekong River. It's really beautiful.

Sunset View - when the sun was about to set

 Mekong River Sunset - do you know that's Thailand across the river? 

Morning View 

For dinner we went to Krua Lao, they served traditional Lao food. I really can't explain the food taste, it's like chinese food but it has fresh fresh taste like Thai and Vietnamese cuisine. I do love the food there.

Le boss, John and wife :) 

Pork Sausage - extremely good! 

I really forgot what's the name of this dish, but it's one of authentic Lao dish

The shop closed super early! 9 pm and all shops were closed except for bars, restaurants, cafes. There was a night market, but I didn't go there. They said the night market in Luang Prabang is more happening. So, I just went back to hotel and rest, enjoying single room by myself :)

Traditional Dessert in Coconut

Letter Box

Next morning, had breakfast, left hotel and ready for departure to Luang Prabang. Didn't have pleasant experience in airport when I left Vientiane.

Reached Luang Prabang. What could I say? It was a totally a breathtaking view!!! While on the way there, I was enjoying the scenery, the hills, Mekong river along the way, etc. I guess pictures always explains beyond words.

DA42 landed! 

Beautiful Mekong River between hills

Arrive in Luang Prabang Airport

Can you see the runway? :)

Selfie :)

Awesome view? 

Weather in Luang Prabang was super duper awesome. Unfortunately the day we arrived and departed, it was gloomy and rainy day. But the weather is chill. I checked online, the temperature was about 13  degree Celcius in the night! During the day it was about 18-20 which is fine and I really fell in love with the perfect weather. It's so lovely.

Historical view 

Grateful to be offered a seat from Vientiane to Luang Prabang 

We had lunch too on the riverside restaurant. The restaurant serves quite good food, which actually we preferred the ambience more.

The group :)

Chicken :) 

Duck 

We stayed in a villa facing Mekong River called Mekong Estate. The villa was simply awesome. It's just so quiet, totally like in Kampung area. Which all of us did enjoy it so much. Pity I didn't take much picture of the villa.

Where should we eat?

Then we had good rest, I went for swimming in the cold weather and rain, ended up after I swim, I sneezed like crazy. :( Jega offered me whiskey, I took it. LOL.


 We had dinner at Coconut … I forgot what's the name!! We planned to have dinner in Tamarind but it was fully booked!!! :( Tamarind is one of the recommended restaurants. Boss went there before and he said the food was awesome.

 Luang Prabang

1st night in Luang Prabang, I slept super well without air-con and with mosquito net. I still remember the feeling. The relax, slow and comfortable it was. Until…. There was electric disruption in our villa! Can you imagine the light bulb was getting dimmer then bright.. Dim.. Bright.. And the worst part, the air-con was beeping like crazy. I tried to off it, tried to do what I could do. But :( :( :( :(
I gave up and I just took my laptop and online in the morning with super chilled weather.

After all the hectic in the morning, which all of us experienced the unpleasant disruption. Finally we had a good breakfast. I love the croissant and baguette.

Private breakfast arranged for our group 

Le boss took picture from his room balcony

First day breakfast with good weather

And I played golf for first time in my life! I was so bad with this, thankfully Jega was really nice. He taught me how to play :') Until the hole 9. I felt good, but hole 10 to hole 18. Goodness, it was really tiring until I couldn't focus. And I literally walk with the ball because I wasn't strong enough to hit the ball.

Taught by Sifu

Awesome view in Par 17

Par 17

Par 17

In conclusion, we finished 18 hole from 1030 am to 430 pm with break for 45 minutes for lunch. Since it was nobody, so we enjoyed the golf course really well. :)

Back to hotel, my body was aching like mad. How lah. First time played golf and 18 hole. Insane. But everyone was appraising me. LOL. Including my boss, he was amazed with my stamina. Well I guess it's because I'm still young…. ? 

Then we had dinner at Blue Lagoon, I believe this restaurant is either owned by Dutch or Swiss guy. At first they didn't allow us to combine the table outside, well some of us was mad. There was small debate until finally the owner offered us to sit inside with combine square table. Thank you! It would be great if you could give the idea earlier and we didn't need to debate and angry with you!

Overall the food was very nice. They serve western food and of course with affordable price that suits the local price. What can I say, the last dinner was awesome.

Complimentary Basil Soup - yummy!

I forgot the name of this dish! But it's a beef roulade and super yummy!

Not too sweet Panna Cotta - love it !

The night market is located near museum and I only bought few scarfs, for colleagues and mum. She loves scarfs. And actually it's cheap, don't buy with the stall that's outside, go inside the market and you could get cheaper price. Buy in bulk, you get even cheaper price!

Group :) 

Lily is the winner for Golf Challenge! 

Museum

It is one of the trip that I enjoyed the most for 2013. My last trip in 2013 yet it was the most awesome, superb, relax, etc. Can't describe my feelings with words. So, enjoy the pictures! :)

Adios Luang Prabang! Hope to see you again soon!

XOXO, Jess

New Hair for 2014

Yesterday, well 2 days ago I decided I would like to get a hair cut. And I did it yesterday! 

Adios long hair! 

I went to Shunji Matsuo located in Ngee Ann City. I get to know about this salon thru google, the best salon in Singapore. Since it has a very good review, I was curious to try it. I don't mind to spend a little bit more to get something better especially for my hair. My hair was screwed on beginning of this year by one of hairstylist in Jakarta. My cousin used him and seems alright. But it wasn't alright for me! 

I didnt make any appointment, I just walked-in and the receptionist was very friendly and helpful. Since it was my first time, I asked him to recommend me the hairstylist. So he recommended International Director from Japan. Her name is Chie-San. 

Then he took my particulars, seated me and offered drinks. They serve coffees, teas, and water. 

And Chie-San came. She asked me how I would like to cut my hair. I just said short, above shoulder. She was hesitant at first, I guess. Then she showed me how it looks like from magazine. And I said yes. 

There was a lady whom washed my hair. As usual, people always commented that my hair is thick and healthy. Thank you :') 

She washed really good, I really enjoyed it. Reminds me of good salons back on Indonesia. Btw, do you know that you could spend only about 6-8 dollars to get a hair wash and blow in Indonesia? Pretty awesome huh. 

Chie-San chopped my hair. She looks so professional. Of course. She really knows best how to trick my hair. So actually she layered my hair so it won't look so thick. But the layer wasn't obvious. Overall, I'm really satisfied with the hair cut and for sure I will go back there again. :) 

Short hair 

More details of pricing, you could visit the website shunjimatsuo.com.sg 

XOXO,

Jess