2009 26-days Southeast Asia Adventure Holiday
A 26-days exploration of 4 countries, 8 cities/towns/hill resorts in Southeast Asia with Dominic Tan. Singapore - Singapore. Malaysia - Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh, Cameron Highlands & Penang. Thailand - Bangkok & Nong Khai. Laos - Luang Prabang & Vientiane. It is fun to sight-see the cities and towns, observing local ethnic groups interacting in their culture, as well as finding the best places to eat their food. From exotic street hawker fare to fine dining in the top restaurants.
Canada Jan. 4, '09 Depart Vancouver10:30 on Japan Airlines flight 711. Arrive Singapore 00:30.
Singapore Jan. 6-8 First breakfast in Singapore: Ya Kun Kaya Toast - “since 1944”. Set A: Kaya toast, 2 soft boiled eggs and coffee. Check into Fernloft Hostel, River Road location - a cheap and clean shared accomodation in Singapore. Meet Dominic at Tiong Baru MRT at 09:30, proceed to Tiong Baru Market for second breakfast: Greeting Fish, Rice Cakes with Sweet Sambal, Laksa. Lunch at Rendezvouz Restaurant at Rendezvouz Hotel. First-class Nasi Padang lunch with Dominic's sister (Aunti) and nephew (Beng Kee).
Half-day eating tour of Orchard Road shopping centers. Centre Point food stalls just off Cook Road: Al Madinah food stall, open 08:00, roti plata, chicken curry, milk tea. Rest of food stalls open at 10:00. Takashimaya Shopping Centre - largest in Singapore, open at 09:00 with special Japanese greetings to first customers. Food court in basement: 1 bag of Chile Crab Puffs. Old Chang Kee stall outside Takashimaya: 1 original curry puff “Curry 'O”. Wisma Atria - Food Republic: 1 nasi lemak with coffee. Tangs Plaza - basement food court, meet Dominic 12:00. MRT to Little India, walk to Banana Leaf Restaurant for lunch: fish head curry, masala chicken, curry lamb, fried fish eggs, mixed vegetables and biryani rice all on a banana leaf. Eating with hands only.
Sentosa Island Resort half day excursion, MRT to VivoCity “Singapore's Largest Retail and Lifestyle Destination”, Sentosa Express Monorail to Beach Station, free open-bus ride to Siloso Beach, free swimming in the warm Singapore waters off Siloso public beach near 5-star Rasa Sentosa Hotel and watch sunset through palm trees. Evening entertainment: Songs of the Sea, water and pyrotechnics show with captivating music and flame bursts (8 SGD). Dinner at VivoCity Food Republic: Herbal Beef Soup, dessert Ice Kachang.
Meet Dominic 08:00 at Immigration Building Passport Office, near Lavender MRT. Breakfast at Crawford Court hawker center: Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle “We are the one and only - we do not have any other outlets”. “Bak Chor Mee”, a Teo Cheow beef noodle soup, dry version. Stroll down Arab Street on the way to purchase a bus ticket at the Golden Mile Complex to Had Yai, Thailand. Ticket on 21-seater VIP bus from Singapore to Had Yai: 50 SGD (reg. 55). Bus to Outram Park Market for famous Outram Park Fried Kway Teow Mee (with cockles). Sugar cane juice drink from Hup Huat Sugar Cane Juice stall.
Meet 17:30 at Lavender MRT to Grassland Bus Station at Golden Mile Complex for 21:00 bus to Had Yai.
Malaysia Malaysian border-town Bukit Kayu Hitam Sadao Immigration Checkpoint.
Thailand Jan. 9-13 Arrive Had Yai 07:30. Purchase train ticket to Bangkok (600 THB), leave luggage at travel agent. Whole suckling pig lunch at South Thai Bird's Nest Restaurant near Novotel. 2 hour tour of Thai Massage Parlours and Karaoke establishments. Dinner at typical street-side small eating establishment: pork trotters and rice. Catch 18:00 train to Bangkok, “Life in a Train”. Train eating: rice crackers with pork floss, glutinous rice and garlic meat-patties, boiled peanuts, pork rinds, bottled water.
Arrive Bangkok 13:30. Book cheap and clean (Lonely Planet - “good to excellent”) and secure Hostel Soi 25 Sukhomvit for 3 nights (1000 THB/night). Visit Chatuchak weekend market, extremely large and jam-packed full of hawkers, shoppers and gawkers. Dinner at Royal Dragon Seafood Restaurant, one-time recipient of “Largest Restaurant in the World” awarded by Guiness Book of World Records: Seafood Tom Yum Soup, Mantis Prawns fried with garlic, Sweet & Sour Sea Bass, Pad Thai, Deep Fried Snake Head Fish, Spicy Herb Salad, Stir Fried Morning Glory.
Morning BTS and walking tour of Bangkok on the way to Bangkok Oriental Hotel for lunch. Hotel ferry from hotel-side of Chaopraya River. Sala Rim Nam Thai Restaurant buffet lunch: absolutely the best Thai food in Thailand. Afternoon excursion to Mabunkrong Shopping Mall (MBK Center est. 1985) 8 stories high with over 2,000 shops, over 150 eating establishments and a cinema.
Half-day trip to Damnernsaduak Floating Market. Taxi to Southern Bus Terminal - Sai Tai Taling Chan. Buses #515 or #549 to the floating market every 1/2 hour from 06:00 49 THB one-way.. 1 1/2 hour boat ride through the market. Floating market snacking: pomello, banana fritters, chiku fruit, glutinous rice and mango, wafer wrap with shredded coconut and cream, bananas. Floating market shopping: packs of assorted spices and curries, unique change purses with elephant embroidered, hand-bags, chopsticks in cloth holders. The floating market is a must-do experience when visiting Bangkok... if you have missed the Floating Market you have missed Bangkok. Public bus transport (bus #78 or #99, the blue bus) back into Bangkok city - itself an adventure travel while sightseeing the local populace amidst their everyday environment, architecture and cuisine. While at Mochit Bus Terminal purchase overnight VIP-bus tickets (700 THB) to NongKai for embarkation into Laos.
Evening outing to Bangkok's Chinatown (Yaowarat). By MRT cross the bridge at Hua Lum Phong Station and walk 300 metres to the Commemorative Arch where Yarowat Road and Charoenkrung Roads start. Dinner at best Chinese restaurant in Bangkok - Tang Jai Yoo Restaurant: Deep Fried Crab Rolls, Sauted Prawns w/ Fresh Bamboo Shoot, Steamed Plum Flavor Pomfret, Teochew Style Seafood Kway Teow. After dinner strolling along Chinatown streets observing Bangkok nightlife and diners partaking of endless variety of hawker and restaurant fare. Bird's Nest Soup for dessert from hawker stall.
1-day Chaopraya River Tour. Chao Praya River Express 150 THB for 1-day unlimited number of trips. Boat station at Sathorn (Central) Pier connected to Saphan Taksin BTS Station. First stop: Maharaj Pier - Grand Palace and Temple of Emerald Buddha walking tour. Second stop: Ratchawongse Pier - Lunch Chinatown (Yaowarat) at Tang Jai Yoo Restaurant for whole suckling pig lunch. Third stop: Wang Lang (Siriraj) Pier - walking tour of Thai market observing the local culture and absorbing the local environment. Depart Mor Chit Northern Bus Terminal on overnight VIP-bus 20:25 for Nong Khai and Thailand/Lao border crossing. Arrive Nong Khai 05:30. Ignoring bus station touts asking for the sale of a tuk tuk or motorcycle taxi ride to the Thailand/Lao border, just in time to observe morning market in the cold, dark and early environment of the locals looking for hot drinks and warm food to start another day. Breakfast food and coffee drinks with sweetened condensed milk, Thai donuts, soya bean milk hot drink fresh as can be.
Laos Jan. 14-19 Do-it-yourself border crossing arriving in Vientianne to purchase shared mini-van ticket (500 THB) to Luang Prabang. On-the-go lunch roasted pork and glutinous rice delicious mini-feast from roadside hawker stall. Beautiful ride through Lao country heading up into the mountains for a twisting, turning up and down ride into peaceful and relaxing Luang Prabang. Arrive 21:00 in Luang Prabang. Book 1 night Say Nam Khan Guesthouse along the banks of Mekong River.
Morning walk from guesthouse along scenic Luang Prabang streets to money exchanger and food. Breakfast grilled pork and glutinous rice at the Morning Market fish, chicken and pork bbq'ers in front of Lao Telecom building on Settathirath Road near the river. Continue morning walk through local food market to Talaat Dalar market and booking next night at Sysomphone Guesthouse - an experience of Lao homestay lodgings. Lunch of Kao Soi, local noodle soup specialty. Wat Visoun old stupa and temple grounds of Wat Aham. Charter motorcycle taxi with side-carriage for 1 hour tour of Luang Prabang.
Evening dinner of grilled fish and chicken with glutinous rice at food stalls adjacent to Night Market. Luang Prabang Ethnic Craft Night Market between Tourist Office and Lao/American Enterprise Building on Sisavangvong Road. Rows of temporary tenting housing local women young and old selling Lao silk, silver and handicrafts of local variety and craftsmanship.
Morning walk to local market, take breakfast along the way Lao coffee with sweetened condensed milk, Khao Phun red curry noodle soup. Grilled fish breakfast at morning food market. Charter sarmlaw taxi for 1-day, 4-village self-guided tour around town of Luang Prabang: Ban Donkiew, Ban Phanom (including Wat Phanom), Ock Pop Tok Weaving Centre, Hmong Weaving Village, Ban Khoun. A village tour to see the sights and observe the local economy and culture at work as well as witnessing the various ethnic types amongst their typical rural settings and simple lifestyle. Book final night at P.P. Guesthouse; a budget and very clean lodgings near Wat Manorum.
Evening dinner of grilled fish and chicken with glutinous rice. Evening stroll through the Night Market. Self-book flight from Vientianne, Laos to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia online via Air Asia.com, “Now Everyone Can Fly” (107USD).
VIP bus from Luang Prabang to Vientianne 09:00 - 19:00. Shared jumbo samlaw into Vientianne city from bus station, staying overnight at Khuen Kan Hotel - one night only. Next 2 nights at New Lao Paris Hotel; a dream of an accomodation with clean room, budget price and excellent front-desk service in former colonial French Vientianne. Dinner: Kao Niau Gee, Hor Mock Pa, Lab.
Morning market breakfast: fried rice & fish soup. 1-day walking and tuk tuk tour of Vientianne. That Luang ancient temple most famous in Vientianne.. Patuxai Victory Monument with spectacular view of the city from the top. Mekong River walk with dinner at riverside restaurant: bbq catfish, Luang Prabang Sausage, glutinous rice.
Eggs, baguette and coffee breakfast at hotel. Half-day market tour: walk to Khoua Din Market, tuk tuk to Thongkankham Market and Chinese/Lao Market. Visit Chinatown in Vientianne between Quai Fa Ngum/Rue Setthathirath and Boulevard Khounboulom/Rue Nokeo Kummane. Lunch: Chinatown Patthai from street side hawker. 1 hour traditional Lao massage in Chinatown area, best value for money massage in Vientianne. Phatoke Laoderm Lao Cultural Show and Dinner: experience of the traditional Lao culture through folkloric dance stage-presentation and a taste of authentic Lao food.
Eggs, baguette and coffee breakfast at hotel. Taxi ride to airport to catch Air Asia flight “Now Everyone Can Fly“ to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Depart Vientianne 10:05 arrive K.L. 13:40.
Malaysia Jan 20-26 Arrive Kuala Lumpur 13:40. Air Asia airport shuttle to KL Sentral, major city hub for Light Rail, KTM Komuter train, Rapid KL buses, Express Rail, Monorail and taxis. Monorail to Bukit Bintang monorail station to book accomodation at Hotel Agora, 2 nights. Dinner at Restoran Seri Malayu. First class Malay food from amazing and original buffet. Cultural show following dinner highlighting ethnic groups in Malaysia past and present. Evening stroll along Bintang Walk viewing locals enjoying the climate and environment, free and entertaining enjoyment of “people watching people”.
Breakfast nasi lemak & fresh tropical fruit. Half day tour of Genting Highlands “City of Entertainment”; with 2006 World's Largest Hotel (Guiness Book of World Records). Muthu Fish Head Curry lunch. Walking tour of resort complex and Skyway cable car ride to bottom of mountain for exit back into Kuala Lumpur. Afternoon and evening outing at Petaling Street, famous street in K.L. for eating and brand-name shopping. Dinner: Famous black sauce noodle from longtime standing Hockien noodle stall off Petaling Street, Chinese Herbal Jelly at Koong Woh Tong. Shopping for brand name goods from street stalls and walking salesmen, cheap and good - shop 'till you drop on Petaling Street.
Central Market, famous shopping plaza in K.L as one-stop shopping Malaysian products and cuisine. Breakfast at Central Market Old Town Kopitiam, Kopi Si, Chicken Rendang Nasi Lemak (sultan's nasi lemak). VIP bus to Ipoh. Hotel Excelsior, close to famous Ipoh restoran's. Lou Wong Restoran famous Ipoh Hor Fun, preserved lemon drink. Restoran Ong Kee famous Ipoh Hor Fun, char siu, barley water drink. Evening strolling along hawker strip and local outdoor food court. Fruit-ice dessert from Gerai Minuman 41 along hawker strip.
Ipoh. 1 day trip to Cameron Highlands, “Malaysia's biggest hill resort”. Bus from Old Bus Station in Ipoh to scenic Cameron Highlands. Indian food lunch with “best roti plata” fresh made by scratch and baked in hollow charcoal oven. Half day mini-van tour of Flower/Cactus Gardens, Cameron Highlands Strawberry Garden, Bee Farm and Boh Tea Plantation. Amazing modern strawberry-growing methods and picking of fresh, clean strawberries for afternoon eating, fried strawberry ice cream, butter lettuce drink. Boh Tea Plantation “Best of Highlands” 1929 to present- amazingly beautiful sight of rows and rows of tea bushes up the rolling and undulating highland hills to the tea processing factory & retail outlet. Purchase Boh Cameronian tea for afternoon sipping, enjoying and relaxing on the veranda of tea plantation premises overlooking world-class stunning natural and man-made environment. Bus back to Ipoh, eating bbq sweet corn at road-side market before boarding bus. Another excellent Ipoh dinner at On Kee Restoran: dry Hor Fun, barley water drink.
Express charter VIP bus to Penang 09:00 - Butterworth 14:00, extra bus running due to Chinese New Year busy travelling season. Ferry to Penang Island, taxi to 4-star Sunway Hotel. This hotel is close to McAllister Street and New Lane hawker centre, very famous eating streets in Penang. Rice porridge with bbq pig intestine, spring rolls, squid dish, oyster omelette. Half-day excursion to Penang Hill. Public bus to Air Itam and Bukit Bendera stop at base of Penang Hill. Ride Swiss-made funicular train up the hill enjoying semi-panoramic views of Penang City. Spectacular Asian sunset behind Hindu temple and Moslem mosque and night-time viewing of Penang “jewel city” from Bellevue Hotel. Mid-night snack at McAllister Rd. hawker center by Sunway Hotel: Penang kwae teow, sotong kangkong.
Breakfast at New Lane hawker stalls: fish head Bee Hun, barley water, kopi see. Half-day outing to Batu Ferringhi for beach experience and ocean swimming. Public bus there and back from Komtar Bus Station. Use public beach facilities of Rasa Sayang, Shangri-La 5-star hotel to enjoy a time of beach enjoyment. Lunch from Nyonya Breeze Restaurant. Closed for Chinese New Year's Eve, take-out only: Inche Kabin, Nyonya Sausage Fried Rolls, Sambal Fried Prawns. Chinese New Year's Eve dinner at Goh Swee Kee Teochew Restaurant. Teochew Style Steamed Pomfret, Sea Cucumber, Heh Chow braised cabbage, Teochew Oyster. Trishaw ride back to Sunway Hotel.
Day trip to Butterworth and its tourist attraction: Penang Bird Park. #704 Public bus from Komtar Station across Penang Bridge (Jambatan Pulau Pinang) into Butterworth. #703 bus to bird park “burong tempat”. Nasi Kandar lunch behind MegaMall at Restoran Mega Pinang: black sauce chicken, deep-fried fish roe, sotong, fish curry, shrimp curry, pigeon curry, deep fried fish, dry lamb in spices. Ferry back to Georgetown. Dinner at Gurney Drive hawker center: Nyonya fried roll-cup, Sotong Kangkong w/ 100 year egg, Nyonya otah, Penang laksa, Mata Kucing drink, Manay satay chicken, beef and lamb, sotong bakar, Penang rojak all topped off with cendol dessert. Evening stroll along Gurney Drive promenade “people watching people” free and easy entertainment and enjoyment of life in Asia.
Breakfast at New Lane restaurant, sugar-toast, char kwae teow, almond drink and surprise Lion Dance. 08:45 pickup by minivan at hotel for 5 hour travel to Had Yai.
Thailand Jan 27-30 Arrive Had Yai 14:30. Book minivan to Phuket. Book 24-seater VIP bus to Phukhet. Lunch at Had Yai restaurant: pork trotters, pork shin, rice, chrysanthemum drink. Minivan to Phuket 6 hours. Book an apartment at Phuket Central Apartment.
Breakfast of Thai nasi lemak from food vendor near apartment. Purchase ticket to Had Yai from operator near the public bus station. Public bus to Patong Beach. A fantastic, out-of-this-world, world-class white sand beach, blue ocean waters, miles of beach chairs and umbrellas with thousands of tourists all enjoying the relaxing beach scenery and ambience. Lounging and relaxing this beach environment with ice-cold Coca Cola, coconut juice and 1-hour massage.
Evening dinner and entertainment at world-class theme park Phuket Fantasea. Pre-dinner white tigers exhibit. Thai buffet dinner in Golden Kinnaree Buffet Restaurant grand dining hall. Outdoor stage-show “Bangkok” with Chinese dancers and Lion Dance. Fantasea cultural theme park evening show featuring Thai traditional dancing, pyrotechnics, aerial acrobatics, shadow puppets and trained elephants. Amazing Thailand!
1-day James Bond Island boat tour. Featuring Bat Caves at Phang Nga, Sea Kayaking at Hong Island and James Bond Island. Thai buffet lunch served on board: whole grilled fish, bbq chicken, tom yum soup.
Dinner at Ya Family Restaurant at seafood restaurant row in Phuket. Rows of seafood restaurants side-by-side ready to cook for hungry patrons. Ya Restaurant dinner: Thai Style Chile Sauce Crayfish, Black Pepper Mantis Prawns, Steamed Flower Crab, Teochew Style Squid, Lemon Steamed Whole Red Snapper served on charcoal burning pot keeping the dish hot until the very last bite. Evening entertainment: Simon Cabaret transvestite show and extravaganza. Sheer entertainment in exclusive and luxurious theater with entertainers and costumes that push the boundaries of creative imagination and entertainment value.
Singapore Jan 30 Goodbye Amazing Thailand! Bus to Had Yai. Overnight VIP bus to Singapore with Grassland Bus Compnay.
Singapore eating: saitoh raw fish, saitoh fish porridge and sotong porridge. Steamed fish head in bean sauce, Hong Kong style steamed fish head. Singapore Zoo afternoon excursion. An open-concept zoo, something different to see only in Singapore. Dinner: Teo Cheow style Bee Hun, Newton Square Food Court (formerly Glutton's Square): 1 plate steamed cockles, durian ice kachang.