Songkran Day In Vientiane

Previously:
Short Trip To Vientiane, Laos

Songkran morning in Vientiane for us was rather religious and peaceful in a way to celebrate this festive day with family.  We went to a few temples in the area, pay respect to the ancestors, bath the monk statues and pray for prosperous life in a year ahead.  Then when afternoon came around, that's the time we had party party.

First, because it was the exact day with my boy's birthday so we had a little gathering things to blow a cake for him.  Then we spent the rest of the afternoon with friends.  Having a wet party!!!!  Water splashing everywhere!!!  We were standing in the corner of the road, ready to take some revenge to any passerby who splash the water to us.  But sometimes we the one who started the fight as well.  It is a happy day so although you are dressed nicely that day about to go some meeting or so, and you get the water thrown at you, still you can't be angry at them.  That's the rule!!!!  

In the mean time the kids were having fun too.  Play in the pop-up open-air pool.  A pool party for kids. 

And on the table there were lots of yummy food like roasted pork, papaya salad and some other Laotian dishes.  We tried to cover up the food from time to time but of course we cannot totally avoid whenever the water came splashing.  So to be truthful, it wasn't so hygienic, but so what!!!  We just give it a missed for a day.  I won't die because of that though.   

The next day, after the big party day, we went chilling out for some lunch at water-float restaurant.  The dining area is very unusual.  Its consists of separate huts floating on the water.  Each group of diners get their own hut.  Very private!!!  You can even close the curtain to be even more private.  You are also allowed to bring your own radio or speaker, so you can have like a your-own-juke-box.  Very chill and cool place.  Talking about food. they were delicious too.  But this time I didn't pay much attention on the food just enjoy the ambiance. (My apologize that there are any food pictures)  What I could remember is the 'jumping' shrimp dish.  Little shrimps was still very alive and jumping for their life when they got sprayed by juice of lime.  Cruel but.

Laying down mode-on with a nice river breeze

Iced taro milk drink and coconut frappe

Our next meal is this famous naem neuong dishes (Vietnamese style grilled pork skewers).  The grilled pork is served with rice paper roll, rice noodle and heaps of fresh vegetables and hers.  There are fresh spring roll and deep fried spring roll as well in the house.  For me, their deep fried spring roll was the winner.

See you next time Vientiane

Hope you guys enjoy my short blog about Vientiane and see you soon on my next trip somewher on earth.  Octie Appetie....

Ps.  Just wondering is there anyone out there actually love or hate my blog?  If yes, you can leave any comments below (any suggestions, feedback or just simply nice compliments would be greatly appreciated).  Thank you so much readers.


Vieng Naem Neuong
Beung Kha-nyoung, Vientiane
Ph: +856 21 353 626

Short Trip To Vientiane, Laos

Only one hour flight direct from Bangkok to Vientiane.  It is a quite and very laid back city.  Unlike Bangkok, this city has much smaller population and less crowded.  People are still very traditional and you hardly find any tall skyscraper buildings.  Locals live in very humble way.

This short trip purpose is specially for celebrating Songkran Festivals, so we didn't visit much tourist places in the area. But local food is still on our A-Must try list.

Vientiane baguette

Pork baguette

This shop is recommended by my sister-in-law who is originally born here in Vientiane.  This place is loved by locals.  Not only the baguette is great but the price is reasonable as well.  The bread itself is crisp on the outside and still soft in the inside.  For the fillings, as you can see from the picture, they are loaded.  There are 3 types of pork combined, BBQ pork, ham and pork floss.  The baguette is balanced with fresh and crunchy cucumber, pickles and spring onions.  Finally, pate and chili sauce act as flavor-enhancers. 

Made a quick stop at Patuxay

Wat Sisaket

Some sweets and drinks from Joma Bakery & Cafe

Joma Bakery and Cafe is one of the famous franchise coffee shop.  It is always nice to include this place in your list while you were here.   Not only locals but foreigners do visit this cafe too.  I especially love their Chai latte.  Smell divine with spices aroma and it tastes delicious, their milk froth is very smooth and full body.  It is definitely a great coffee.  They also have a great range of cakes and savory dishes.  Their coconut cake and carrot cake are wonderful.  Previously, we tried they savory croissant in Luang Prabang, it was delicious too.  Never disappoint us. 

Chai latte and carrot cake from Joma

For dinner, my sis-in-law took us to the very very famous fried chicken shop in Vientiane.  Besides, this is the "KFC" of Lao people.  There is no actual KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) in Laos as yet but they have their version of KFC, which is Kuvieng Fried Chicken. 

We arrived pretty early, to avoid the dinner peak hour.  However, the shop was still packed with hungry customers.  And there were lots of them buying for take away.  All the workers are women but they all are very consistent.  The frying lady aka the owner, fry and look after those golden chickens nonstop.  Her fingers are nearly fully coated with flour as she moves quickly from picking up the coated chickens onto the hot oil and ensuring that those chicken pieces are cooked to perfection.

One portion consists of one piece of fried chicken that comes with a few pieces of chips.  The batter is very crispy and flavorsome and chicken is tender.  But from all, I fell in love with their chips.  It is made from real potatoes, chunky cuts and really really superb flavor.  Do not expect a crunchy fries, as it is soft yet very delicious.  I'm so addicted to it. 


Baguette shop
In the Rue Dongpalane, Vientiane

Joma Bakery and Cafe
There are a few branches across Vientiane
Joma Bakery Cafe Nam Phou
Rue Setthathilath
Ph: +856 21 215 265

Joma Bakery Cafe Phonthan
Dongpaina Road
Ph: +856 21 454 663

Joma Bakery Cafe That Luang
Nongbone Road
Ph: +856 21 453 618

Kuvieng Fried Chicken

on the Boulevard Khouvieng, Vientiane
Ph: +856 21 314 514

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Vientiane:

Le Banneton Cafe, Luang Prabang

Previously:

Tamarind Restaurant, Luang Prabang

Today is our last day in Luang Prabang.  We spent our time in the city and relaxed sitting down at the one busy cafe that we had an eye of since day one.  In the morning as breakfast is included so we went for the authentic fresh spring rolls and noodle soup.  Then around mid-morning, we went straight to Le Banneton Cafe on the Sakhalin Road, not too far from our hotel.  I really can't miss this cafe, they seem always busy with customers. 

Pistachio raspberry tart and chocolate eclair

grilled chicken baguette with fresh salad on the side

hot chocolate

Their drinks were superb, especially that hot chocolate.  For their sweets, it was a good combination of pistachio and sour raspberry tart.  Chocolate eclair is pretty average.  But, that grilled chicken taste wonderful although the bread is a little to hard and chewy.  I didn't manage to try their croissant as much as I want it but my tummy was extremely full by then.
 

Le Banneton Cafe, Luang Prabang
03/46 Sakhalin Road, Ban Killy Luang Prabang
Ph: +856 30 57 88 340

Tamarind Restaurant, Luang Prabang

Previously:

Kuangsi Waterfall Park, Luang Prabang

We like the food in Tamarind Restaurant until we came back for the second round in just a matter of three days in Luang Prabang.  The food in here is a fine and authentic Luang Prabang style food, ranges from khai pen, ok lam, and lemongrass chicken.  For the second time, they still never disappointed us.  Then after lunch, we just sat in the one nice cafe over looking the Mekong river and sipping the cold iced coffee.  What a pleasure afternoon to spend on the beautiful day like that day.

dinner at nearby restaurant

Stay tuned for the next blog in Luang Prabang:
Le Banneton Cafe, Luang Prabang

Kuangsi Waterfall Park, Luang Prabang

Previously:

Kuangsi Waterfall Park, Luang Prabang

For breakfast, we had Lao style pho accompanied with some western omelette and croissants.  Their breakfast are outstanding.  After that, we went to Kuangsi waterfall park.  It is located outside the city, about one hour drive.  Therefore, we booked the private van to go there.

Once you enter the park area, you will see the bear conservation.  The original idea of this conservation is purely for protecting the bears.  The bears there have a good life.  They are all just lazily sleeping on the woods.

From the bears park, you need to walk for another a few kilometers until you reach the magnificent greenish waterfall. Very tranquil and clear.  I'm not too sure whether you can actually jump down in the waterfall area.  However, there is one big nature pool on the foot of the waterfall, some people do swimming in there.  My husband did but he said the water is absolutely freezing cold.  And there are little fish that will bite and poke around your skin.  It is not hurt just ticklish and little annoying.  But overall, it was a nice experience.

Variety of grilled food, such as fish, pork and chicken

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Luang Prabang:
Tamarind Restaurant, Luang Prabang

Tim Papaya Salad, Luang Prabang

Previously:

Joma Bakery Cafe, Luang Prabang

This Tim papaya salad (som tum) shop is highly recommended, for those who want to try authentic Luang Prabang dishes.  Not so much offered from their menu lists but all the dishes are super delicious and full of flavors.  Som tum or papaya salad is at their best when eating with sticky rice and some other meaty companions.

Grilled chicken with jeow (spicy dipping sauce)

Luang Prabang style som tum

Luang Prabang style of papaya salad is slightly different from Vientianne.  In here, green papaya is thinly sliced and they add fermented fish sauce (pla ra) as well.  The salad is very aromatic, pungent and above all is so yummyyyyyy.

Grilled sour pork

Deep-fried sundried pork

traditional way of making sundried pork

Another chill out walk at the night market.  And for dinner we just picked some random restaurant nearby.  We tried their noodle soup and deep-fried sundried pork.  It was alright but not so great.  Therefore, it's no point to mention about the name and location of this shop.  I need to give it a miss.

Tim Papaya Salad
Khounxoa Road
(Near Ammata Hotel)


Stay tuned for the next blog still in Luang Prabang:
Kuangsi Waterfall Park, Luang Prabang