Breakfast at Mekong Riverview Hotel, Luang Prabang

Previously:

Mekong Riverview Hotel, Luang Prabang

This time was our second trip in Luang Prabang.  That's why we only maximised our time exploring the old town especially reminiscing those yummy dishes we had in the past.  So, if you want to know some other things to do beside eating, such as climb up Phousi Hill or visiting outside city like Kuangsi Waterfall Park, you can just simply click on the link for more info.  However, a little bit correction for mala soup in the night market - there is no more food stalls in the market and some of them had moved to a different location which is further down the road. 

We started our day with hotel breakfast (included).  It's an a la carte menu, however you can order as much as you like.  Although, there aren't much choices but it is enough for my morning appetite.  And in Luang Prabang, you shouldn't miss breakfast that this city has to offer.  In my next blog, I'll show you some good cafes and coffee shops around the old town.  

Lao hot coffee

Banana milkshake

Pork noodle soup

Poached egg

With egg dishes, ensure to let them know the sides to come with otherwise they serve eggs on its own.

Omelette with tomato and cheese

Banana pancake with chocolate sauce

Having breakfast with overlooking the rivers, what a wonderful morning!!  As you can see, the water has 2 colors and it always stays like this.  Mekong river has a brown muddy color while Nam Khan river is more like clear greenish color.  

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Luang Prabang:

Prachaniyom Coffee Shop, Luang Prabang

Mekong Riverview Hotel, Luang Prabang

Previously:

Express Train Laos - China

Luang Prabang is a very laid back and peaceful city with lots of activities in relation to cultural and natural to do as well as indulging in delicious coffee both local and Western-influenced one.  Not forget to mention, Luang Prabang delicacy is something to savor too.  For me, I think the food here is much better than Vientiane dishes.  Having to live a slow life here, it makes people in this area very kind and friendly.

We stayed in this Mekong Riverview Hotel for 3 nights.  Just briefly about Luang Prabang city, the center part of city shape is oval, with main rivers, Mekong and Nam Khan, on each side.  The main sightseeing places, like temples, market and food venues happens in the middle part.  There are lots of boutique hotels around there, one of them that we'd stayed before was Lotus Villa Boutique Hotel, which has a superb location.  However, this Mekong Riverview Hotel is located in the end corner of the oval.  But then, the city center itself is not so big, so you still can explore the city on foot easily.  Or otherwise riding a skylab will be pretty handy too.  Back to our hotel, it has their own charms with wooden teak building and furniture, the place where you can get to see the birthplace of two rivers joining, the quiteness and peacefulness, what's more... great service too.  It all add up and made this place a great place to stay.

Hotel lobby

On the rainy day, the restaurant in hotel is closed as it is outdoor.  So that night, we cosily stayed in our hotel room and ordered Grab food.  I didn't remember what was the name of the restaurant but the food was OK and cheap too. 

Garlic pork rice

Chicken basil rice

Pork fried rice

Mekong Riverview Hotel, Luang Prabang

Near Wat Xieng Thong

Mekong Riverside Road, Luang Prabang Old Town

Ph: +856 71 254 900

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Luang Prabang:

Breakfast at Mekong Riverview Hotel, Luang Prabang

Express Train Laos-China

    

Time for another journey..  This time is somewhere nearby, our neighborhood, Luang Prabang.  As some of you might have known that there is a new express train line from Vientiane (Laos) to Kunming (China) that only very recently runs.  However, as the border between Laos and China is still close, in current time the last stop is Boten (Laos) - the border city.  

From Bangkok, we flew directly to Vientiane that took only about 1 hour flight.  Then from there, we caught this train to Luang Prabang.  If you're driving up there, it will normally take around 10 hours.  However, with this speed train, it merely takes 2 hours.  The train will only make one stop around half way, at Vang Vieng. 

There are two classes of seat type: standard or VIP.  We booked for the VIP one for many benefits although the price is double than the standard one.  You will see 'why' soon... 

The train station is so huge and clean too.  FYI, this train line was built and sponsored by China.  You can glimpse easily from the design. 

As many Laotian are using this line to travel too, therefore, tickets are sold very quick.  I heard that some people didn't get theirs and need to come back the next day.  What I can suggest is, if you're staying for a night in Vientiane, purchase your train ticket one day in advance to avoid disappointment.  So far as I know, you still cannot book ticket online, you can only buy them through counter.  Or some re-sellers that will charge a lot more expensive.  Luckily, we knew someone who lives here and they reserved tickets for us.  For VIP seat, one way ticket costs 715,000 LAK or equal to 1,430 Baht/person.

For VIP ticket holder, once they scanned your bag and ticket, you can then wait in the VIP lounge until the train about to depart.  There isn't much space though, only seating area with a clean bathroom as well.  Another advantage is you get to depart after everyone else got in.  So, you won't have to wait too long in the carriage until the train starts moving.  

VIP carrier is the last carriage number 8, only 1 carriage.  So, abit of walk there.  From outside, the train is look like shinkansen or Japan high-speed train.  Wait until you see the inside....

Ta... da.... The seat is like in the first class airplane seat.  There are only 18 seats in one carriage.  And the seat can be 180 degree flattened

Complimentary drink

Luang Prabang station

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Luang Prabang:

Mekong Riverview Hotel, Luang Prabang

Central Cafe and Lenu Noodle Bar - Resort World Sentosa

Previously:

Toast Box - Resort World Sentosa

We've been dying to try this noodle shop.  Their menus and pictures of food look really appetising.  We had them for lunch but take away, to be enjoyed in our hotel room while kids're sleeping.  

We got three serves of noodle: braised beef combination noodle, crispy chicken cutlet noodle and pork wonton in chilli vinaigrette dry noodle.  When we opened the container lid, the smell was just escaping and went straight to our nostril.  Smells incredibly mouth-watering.  

The braised beef noodle and fried chicken were delicious.  However, that spicy and sour pork wonton noodle was dissaponting.  And unfortunately, it was mine.  At first I was expecting something like Din Tai Fung's chilli vinaigrette wonton but it was nothing near it.  The spiciness and sourness are very light, when combined into noodle, there wasn't enough sauce and left the noodle to dull and flavorless.  On the other hand, that chilli oil is surely my saviour.

On our last breakfast in Sentosa, we had Hongkong food at Central cafe, which is also located in the ground floor, next to that noodle bar from earlier.  For me, the food we tried on that morning were below standard compared to any food we had in this Resort World Sentosa.  

Their coffee was too bitter also beef noodle that we had from Lenu was much better.  Mainly, that fried chicken rice was terrible.  The chicken was coated on a very thick batter, made it very hard and dry.  So, yeah..... Fortunately, we had our little dessert afterward, McFlurry ovaltine from McDonald and it made my day.  Thank you all for following my Singapore trip til the end.  I'll see you all soon to wherever the wind takes me.  Octie Appetie....