First Asia Adventure 3 weeks!
Sep 30th, 2012, 08:30 AM
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First Asia Adventure 3 weeks!
This is my first trip report ever! pls give me advice or ask questions if it seems fit. Reading everybody's report helped me plan this trip so much, i would like to pass on the gift i received.
NYC 3:30pm -> SHANGHAI 6:30pm on the next day. direct flight w. China Eastern.. no movies in the plane.
TIP: Have the address of hotel written in chinese, no taxi driver understands english!
Staying at Les Suites Orient Hotel in the Bund. Super satisfied. Boutique feeling, nice design, great location. beautiful view of the river and all the tall buildings in the financial district.
Restaurant: Mr&Mrs Bund.. good food, little pricey.. NYC style.
first tour day, visited the old city...yuyunan garden, god temple.. all walking distance. then lunch in the french concession neighborhood. Dinner and drinks at Park Hyatt - 91st floor of the SWFC building - stunning views, no need for reservations...
off to bed now
NYC 3:30pm -> SHANGHAI 6:30pm on the next day. direct flight w. China Eastern.. no movies in the plane.
TIP: Have the address of hotel written in chinese, no taxi driver understands english!
Staying at Les Suites Orient Hotel in the Bund. Super satisfied. Boutique feeling, nice design, great location. beautiful view of the river and all the tall buildings in the financial district.
Restaurant: Mr&Mrs Bund.. good food, little pricey.. NYC style.
first tour day, visited the old city...yuyunan garden, god temple.. all walking distance. then lunch in the french concession neighborhood. Dinner and drinks at Park Hyatt - 91st floor of the SWFC building - stunning views, no need for reservations...
off to bed now
Oct 1st, 2012, 09:46 AM
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DAY 2 Shanghai
Visited Tian Zi Fang. It is a cute market area formed by small alleys in the middle of old buildings, lots of little cute shops and cafes. My favorite place in the city. In here we found th ebest burger in Shanghai called - New York Style Burger. really good! it's located in the end of a tiny little alley... good luck in finding it.
that is all i got for china, we are in Siem Reap right now!! amazed on how warm people are. it's night time, so exploring will start tomorrow.
HOTEL : Golden Temple.
Visited Tian Zi Fang. It is a cute market area formed by small alleys in the middle of old buildings, lots of little cute shops and cafes. My favorite place in the city. In here we found th ebest burger in Shanghai called - New York Style Burger. really good! it's located in the end of a tiny little alley... good luck in finding it.
that is all i got for china, we are in Siem Reap right now!! amazed on how warm people are. it's night time, so exploring will start tomorrow.
HOTEL : Golden Temple.
Oct 1st, 2012, 06:43 PM
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Glad that you are enjoying your SE Asia trip! Thank you for posting your report. We will be staying at the Golden Temple in Siem Reap in January. What can you report about the hotel? Is there anything we should know or request in advance? Continue to enjoy every day of your exciting travels. Again, many thanks for your report.
Oct 2nd, 2012, 10:08 AM
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Golden Temple Hotel has been very nice. The people here are soooo sweet! They sent a driver to pick us up at airport, and welcomed us in the hotel with cold wet towels, ice lemon tea and snacks. They also offer complementary massages... and are ready to make any tours reservations you might need. The hotel itself is cute, comfortable, not luxury. but good value for price. forgot to mention 1hour massage = $5 dollars!!! wow!
DAY 3
Today we took 2 tuk tuk (we are a group of 4) and a guide to visit Angkor. all promptly arranged by the hotel. Angkor is beautiful. we spend all day visiting the various temples (definitely crowded, but you just have to deal with it).
back to hotel by 5pm, then pool, massage, and off to the old market for some dinner( Angkor Palm restaurant) shopping (flowy pants $6) and the amusing FISH pedicure! must do, so fun!
hope you r enjoying reading... i like to keep it brief.
DAY 3
Today we took 2 tuk tuk (we are a group of 4) and a guide to visit Angkor. all promptly arranged by the hotel. Angkor is beautiful. we spend all day visiting the various temples (definitely crowded, but you just have to deal with it).
back to hotel by 5pm, then pool, massage, and off to the old market for some dinner( Angkor Palm restaurant) shopping (flowy pants $6) and the amusing FISH pedicure! must do, so fun!
hope you r enjoying reading... i like to keep it brief.
Oct 3rd, 2012, 03:01 PM
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DAY 4
Kompong Pluk
So I tried to get more opinions on which of the 3 floating villages was the best to visit. In the end we were very happy we chose Kompong Pluk.
We brought our tour guide from yesterday with us! He is so funny, and sweet, such a nice person, he made our day that much more unforgettable.
After 25 min CAR drive, and some dirt roads, we arrived at a small village where we jumped in our mode of exploration for the day - a boat. There are many boats waiting for tourists here.. which worried me at first.. but we really didn't feet the tourits at all.
As the boat sails up the flooded fields, about 4 meters deep, crossing other boats going to and coming back from the floating village, we watch all the cute kids so free playing with their siblings, cousins, friends, mostly naked ,like they don't even know the difference.
Its truly entertaining and we took some great photos as the houses on stilts started to show up. then we exchange our big boat for 2 small boats, and local ladys helped us row thru and between the village and thru the flooded forest.
Back to the big boat, and a visit to Tonle Sap lake.. we adventure ourselves to lunch at one of the three restaurants on stilts in the village. what can i say? The best Fish Amok I ever had!! WOW!
it was such a Lucky Find!!
Kompong Pluk
So I tried to get more opinions on which of the 3 floating villages was the best to visit. In the end we were very happy we chose Kompong Pluk.
We brought our tour guide from yesterday with us! He is so funny, and sweet, such a nice person, he made our day that much more unforgettable.
After 25 min CAR drive, and some dirt roads, we arrived at a small village where we jumped in our mode of exploration for the day - a boat. There are many boats waiting for tourists here.. which worried me at first.. but we really didn't feet the tourits at all.
As the boat sails up the flooded fields, about 4 meters deep, crossing other boats going to and coming back from the floating village, we watch all the cute kids so free playing with their siblings, cousins, friends, mostly naked ,like they don't even know the difference.
Its truly entertaining and we took some great photos as the houses on stilts started to show up. then we exchange our big boat for 2 small boats, and local ladys helped us row thru and between the village and thru the flooded forest.
Back to the big boat, and a visit to Tonle Sap lake.. we adventure ourselves to lunch at one of the three restaurants on stilts in the village. what can i say? The best Fish Amok I ever had!! WOW!
it was such a Lucky Find!!
Oct 3rd, 2012, 03:19 PM
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There are about 8 tables in the restaurant, and we were the only ones there, which made it all just more personal. I tiptoed inside the "kitchen" and watched the older lady kill the fish, clean it, pick the herbs and cook the tastiest meal.
RICE FIELDS
The plan was to stop at Roulous Group temples on our way back to the hotel... but instead we asked the guide if we could go inside a rice filed plantation and see how it is.. he did better than that..
Off to an even smaller dirt road, we almost got stuck! haha.. expected with all the mud underneath us... Then we see a group of people working at a rice field, we stop the car and offer ourselves to help. The best Idea ever!
The locals ( grandparents, parents, kids, neighbors ) were all working together and laughing at us, amused with our clubbiness! And sure happy to have got some free extra help.
It was so much fun!! We learned how to pick the crops, and got all muddy! It felt sooo good!
I must say, this is NOT part of any tour... but we were so happy, i think the guide will start adding this experience to his tours..
RICE FIELDS
The plan was to stop at Roulous Group temples on our way back to the hotel... but instead we asked the guide if we could go inside a rice filed plantation and see how it is.. he did better than that..
Off to an even smaller dirt road, we almost got stuck! haha.. expected with all the mud underneath us... Then we see a group of people working at a rice field, we stop the car and offer ourselves to help. The best Idea ever!
The locals ( grandparents, parents, kids, neighbors ) were all working together and laughing at us, amused with our clubbiness! And sure happy to have got some free extra help.
It was so much fun!! We learned how to pick the crops, and got all muddy! It felt sooo good!
I must say, this is NOT part of any tour... but we were so happy, i think the guide will start adding this experience to his tours..
Oct 5th, 2012, 07:03 AM
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DAY 5
Today we decided to make it a easy day... starting with a cooking class in the hotel. My mom, sister and I made a variety of local food from scratch - including the paste for the Amok! came out delicious.
The afternoon we spent wondering, shopping thru the various markets. we hired a Tuk Tuk driver to take us around from one market to the next. Fun.
in regards to food. if you are looking for a western option, i suggest Cafe Central and Blue pumpkin... as many of the ones in previous cited lists and reviews are closed, or not really happening anymore.... those options are safe and good bets.
Today we decided to make it a easy day... starting with a cooking class in the hotel. My mom, sister and I made a variety of local food from scratch - including the paste for the Amok! came out delicious.
The afternoon we spent wondering, shopping thru the various markets. we hired a Tuk Tuk driver to take us around from one market to the next. Fun.
in regards to food. if you are looking for a western option, i suggest Cafe Central and Blue pumpkin... as many of the ones in previous cited lists and reviews are closed, or not really happening anymore.... those options are safe and good bets.
Oct 5th, 2012, 07:15 AM
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DAY 6
SUNRISE at Angkor Wat
My sister and I were the only ones willing to wake up at 4am for the "extra" photo.
By 5:30am we had found a good spot to photograph the magnificent Angkor Wat. Don't fool yourself.. it was soooooo full of tourists!! everybody wants this beautiful shot.. and it can get a little nasty.. people pushing for a good spot.. not so nice to deal with that early nor in such peaceful place... however, everyone seemed happy in the end, despite the clouds that hid the sun.
This was our last day in SR... I will specially miss all the sweet people in this country.
Our next stop: LUANG PRABANG
Hotel: Le Palais Juliana
SUNRISE at Angkor Wat
My sister and I were the only ones willing to wake up at 4am for the "extra" photo.
By 5:30am we had found a good spot to photograph the magnificent Angkor Wat. Don't fool yourself.. it was soooooo full of tourists!! everybody wants this beautiful shot.. and it can get a little nasty.. people pushing for a good spot.. not so nice to deal with that early nor in such peaceful place... however, everyone seemed happy in the end, despite the clouds that hid the sun.
This was our last day in SR... I will specially miss all the sweet people in this country.
Our next stop: LUANG PRABANG
Hotel: Le Palais Juliana
Oct 6th, 2012, 08:55 AM
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thank you @dgunbug.
DAY 7
INTRO to LP
coming from cambodida, i could quickly notice Luang prabang is a mre developed city... there is more money here, better education and less poverty. The scenery is beautiful, it reminded me of a country side town up on the hills near home in Brazil.
A little cooler then SR.. and less chaotic.
Le Palas Juliana is a beautiful hotel, tucked away in the nature. Beautiful rooms! its a peaceful retreat.
However you need a 5 tuk tuk to get to the main street, where all the action is happening.
We chose to spend our first day here exploring the town... such a charming place! the mix of beautiful Buddhist architecture, monks and novices, with cute french cafes, and so many arts and crafts makes this place truly special. We spent all day walking around, talking to locals, eating , shopping, taking beatific photos.. and we planning the upcoming day tours!
RESTAURANTS i suggest:
L'Elephant
Tamnak Lao
DAY 7
INTRO to LP
coming from cambodida, i could quickly notice Luang prabang is a mre developed city... there is more money here, better education and less poverty. The scenery is beautiful, it reminded me of a country side town up on the hills near home in Brazil.
A little cooler then SR.. and less chaotic.
Le Palas Juliana is a beautiful hotel, tucked away in the nature. Beautiful rooms! its a peaceful retreat.
However you need a 5 tuk tuk to get to the main street, where all the action is happening.
We chose to spend our first day here exploring the town... such a charming place! the mix of beautiful Buddhist architecture, monks and novices, with cute french cafes, and so many arts and crafts makes this place truly special. We spent all day walking around, talking to locals, eating , shopping, taking beatific photos.. and we planning the upcoming day tours!
RESTAURANTS i suggest:
L'Elephant
Tamnak Lao
Oct 9th, 2012, 08:07 AM
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DAY 8
SWIMMING with ELEPHANTS.
We booked 2 tours with a company in the main street. And def got a very good price for that!
Today's tour included: tuk tuk ride to Tad Se Waterfall, 40 min elephant riding, 20 min elephant bathing ,plus a few add ons.
And my biggest advise is, SKIP the elephant ride. It's just not pleasurable, uncomfortable, the elephant seemed unhappy, i felt guilty the whole time..
Swimming on the other hand was a great experience, the elephants were free in the waterfall pool, and we just holding on to them.
It was an unforgettable experience. Another tip: make sure you get an elephant for yourself to swim with... you have a chance to connect w this friendly playful sweet animal.
I personally payed and went for a second swim, because the first time i shared with my boyfriend.
On the way back Tuk Tuk driver took us to Ban Phanon, a villade devoted to creating textiles like the ones you see at the night market. Great place to buy gifts.
We also drove to Ban Had Hian, a blacksmith village. However there was nothing to see... the villagers claimed they had stopped working.
Dinner at the main street.. and a good night of sleep.
SWIMMING with ELEPHANTS.
We booked 2 tours with a company in the main street. And def got a very good price for that!
Today's tour included: tuk tuk ride to Tad Se Waterfall, 40 min elephant riding, 20 min elephant bathing ,plus a few add ons.
And my biggest advise is, SKIP the elephant ride. It's just not pleasurable, uncomfortable, the elephant seemed unhappy, i felt guilty the whole time..
Swimming on the other hand was a great experience, the elephants were free in the waterfall pool, and we just holding on to them.
It was an unforgettable experience. Another tip: make sure you get an elephant for yourself to swim with... you have a chance to connect w this friendly playful sweet animal.
I personally payed and went for a second swim, because the first time i shared with my boyfriend.
On the way back Tuk Tuk driver took us to Ban Phanon, a villade devoted to creating textiles like the ones you see at the night market. Great place to buy gifts.
We also drove to Ban Had Hian, a blacksmith village. However there was nothing to see... the villagers claimed they had stopped working.
Dinner at the main street.. and a good night of sleep.
