AhPek Facebook Foodie Round-up: 2026-04 April

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AhPek Facebook Foodie Round-up:

April 2026

Carrot-shaped Muar Chee Dim Sum

A good month with interesting eats from a trip up to Penang, memorable eats for this month included: Interesting dimsum at SKT Banquet, nice Japanese donburi sets at Don Omakase, memorable steamed Tapah Fish at Tapah and yummy hawker food at Penang (including oyster omelet Penang-style with rempah).

Stay tuned at AhPek Biker's FB posts for daily updates!

(Click on photos to link & comment at the original FB post, and also to get geo-tags of the eats places)

(NOTE: If you can't see the posts, please log out of your FaceBook first; to see ride blogs, click here)
Gula Melaka Bobba Milk Tea at Mixue, TTDI, KL – 1st April


Bingsu & Taiwanese Shaved Iced at Four Beans Soy Desserts, Taman Megah, PJ – 5th April


Dimsum Birthday Lunch at SKT Banquet Restaurant, Mutiara Damansara, PJ – 6th April


Japanese Don Dinner at Don Omakase, TTDI, KL – 7th April


Porky Lasagna & Cottage Pie at Pig Out Café, Kelana Square, PJ – 8th April


Steamed Tapah Fish (Lim Hoo) at Restoran Hao Yi Lao, Tapah, Perak – 9th April


Penang Char Kueh Teow at Perak Road Night Char Koay Teow, George Town, Penang – 9th April


Penang Hawker Food: Char Kueh Teow, Oh Chien, Char Hor Fun & Mee Jawa Goreng at Viva Local Food Haven, Tg Tokong, Penang – 9th April


Acar Ikan at Pulau Tikus Market Nyonya Food Stall, George Town, Penang – 10th April


Marketing Wall Mural at Pulau Tikus Market Nyonya Food Stall, George Town, Penang – 10th April


Kon Loh Hor Fun, Char Hor Fun & Fried Indian Mee at Sin Hup Aun Coffee Shop, George Town, Penang – 10th April


Chai Masala at Sams Batik House, George Town, Penang – 10th April


Batik Shopping at Sams Batik House, George Town, Penang – 10th April


Kacang Tumbuk & Popiah Skin at Uncle Lim Poh Piah, George Town, Penang – 10th April


Penang Laksa, Oyster Omelette & Chendol at Joo Hooi Café, George Town, Penang – 10th April


Famous Penang Road Teow Chew Cendul, George Town, Penang – 10th April


Pickled Fruits (Jeruk Buah) at Chowrasta Market, George Town, Penang – 10th April


The Kunj Bihari Punjabi Temple at Penang Road, George Town, Penang – 10th April


Wedding Dinner at the Fullerton Suite, E&O Hotel, George Town, Penang – 10th April


Chinese Lunch at Lao Hakka (老客家), Chinese Swimming Club, Tanjung Tokong, Penang – 11th April


Upside Down Icecream Desserts at No Eyed Deer, Fettes Park, Penang – 11th April


Take-away Penang Lor Mee George Town, Penang – 11th April


Night View of the Tanjung Bungah Floating Mosque, Penang – 11th April


Layered Cake & Murugu from Sunflower Homemade Cakes, Tanjung Bungah, Penang – 12th April


Cuties Décor at Sunflower Homemade Cakes, Tanjung Bungah, Penang – 12th April


Penang Curry Mee at Tanjung Bungah Market Food Court, Penang – 12th April


Konloh Wantan Hor Fun at Tanjung Bungah Market Food Court, Penang – 12th April


Take-away Pies from Golden Crust Bakery, Tanjung Bungah, Penang – 12th April


Take-away Penang Curry Mee at Sin Lee Hin Coffee Shop (新利興茶室), Tanjung Bungah, Penang – 12th April


Car Boot Full of Shopping at Penang – 12th April


Kueh Talam, Kueh Kochi & Deep Fried Popiah From Wan Dai Tou, Restoran Taman Emas off Gottlieb Road, Penang – 12th April


Penang Laksa Take-away from 2828 Assam Laksa (near Kek Lok Si), Air Itam, Penang – 12th April


Cendul, Malacca Nyonya Laksa & Kueh at Auntie Ling's Nyonya Cendol, Taman Universiti, SS3, Petaling Jaya, Selangor – 16th April


Tomahawk Steak at Cleavershed, TTDI, KL – 16th April


Asian Fusion at Tea Garden, Paradigm Mall, SS7, Petaling Jaya, Selangor – 17th April


Coffee & Local Fare at Manggis Green Valley, Sg. Pencala, KL – 19th April


Malay Fare at Apek's Corner, Sg. Pencala, KL – 19th April


Fish Head Noodles at Restoran Soon Soon Pan Mee & Fish Head, Damansara Perdana, PJ – 19th April


Pan-fried Salmon with Spinach & Buttered Pilaf Rice by Chef Neeks, TTDI, KL – 19th April


Vadey Breakfast at 89ST Banana Leaf Restaurant, Bandar Menjalara, KL – 26th April


Pau & Pastry from Segambut Yong Tau Foo (泗岩沫釀豆腐), Jalan Ipoh, KL – 26th April


Gatorade & Salty Lychee at 7-Eleven Jalan Miri, Taman Beringin, KL – 26th April


Char Kueh Teow & Wantan Noodles at Original Restoran Keng Nam Hai (瓊南海茶餐室) KL – 26th April


Take-away Hennesy Noodles from Restoran Keng Nam Hai (瓊南海茶餐室) KL – 26th April


Michelin Bak Kut Teh at Hing Kee Bak Kut The (兴记肉骨茶 甲洞大街), Kepong, KL – 26th April

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AhPek Facebook Foodie Round-up: 2026-02 February

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AhPek Facebook Foodie Round-up:

February 2026

It's a slower month of eats, but with good food arising from many Chinese New Year gatherings, from reunion dinners, to Chap Goh Meh. Memorable eats for this month included:

Crepe cakes from Nadeje, Prawn Pancake with Chives at Yi Ding U Cuisines, very good Chicken Rice by Chef Neeks, etc.

Stay tuned at AhPek Biker's FB posts for daily updates!

(Click on photos to link & comment at the original FB post, and also to get geo-tags of the eats places)

(NOTE: If you can't see the posts, please log out of your FaceBook first; to see ride blogs, click here)

Western/Asian Dinner at Snitch by The Thieves, Mid-Valley, Kuala Lumpur – 1st February


Missed Pastel de Nata (Portuguese egg tarts) at Red Kettle, Mid-Valley, Kuala Lumpur – 1st February


Crepe Cakes at Nadeje Midvalley Kuala Lumpur – 1st February


Prawn Pancake with Chives at Yi Ding U Cuisines (鼎大厨), Jalan Pudu, KL – 4th February


Roast Piglet & Roast Goose Preparation at Yi Ding U Cuisines, Jalan Pudu, KL – 4th February


Salmon Spaghetti in Miso-butter Sauce – 7th February


Thai Dinner with Travelling Friends at Double Joy Thai House (新双喜饭厅), SS3, PJ – 7th February


Kai Si Hor Fun (Pulled Chicken Noodle) at Pau Kee, KL – 8th February


Fried Hokkien Mee & Watan Hor at Tiong Hokkien Mee, Damansara Utama, PJ – 13th February


Fusion-style Salmon Spaghetti in Miso-cheese Sauce with Buna-shimeji Mushrooms & Edamame Peas, and Grilled Salmon Face, TTDI, KL – 14th February


Chinese New Year Lou Sang, TTDI, KL – 16th February


Chinese New Year Eve Reunion Dinner, TTDI, KL – 16th February


Nyonya Jiu Hoo Char (Fried Turnip with Cuttlefish Strips), TTDI, KL – 16th February


Cute Pastry Desserts from Champignons Patisserie, KL – 16th February


Chinese New Year Cookies, TTDI, KL – 16th February


Very Good Chicken Rice with Home-made Chilli Sauce & Spring-onion Pesto Sauce by Chef Neeks, TTDI, KL – 17th February


Sushi & Japanese Dishes at Sushiya, Plaza Mont Kiara, KL – 20th February


CNY Lunch at The Museum (鬼式茶餐廳), Starling Mall, PJ – 21st February


Sri Lankan Fare at Alora Spices at TTDI, KL – 22nd February


Beef Bacon Wrap by DIL at TTDI, KL – 23rd February


CNY Lunch with School Friends at The Ming Room (名城酒家) , Bangsar, KL – 24th February


Phei-Ham Tan Chok (Century-Salted Egg Porridge) TTDI, KL – 25th February


Japanese Don Sets at Sushi Foo, Plaza Kelana Jaya Glomac, PJ – 27th February


Friends CNY potluck gathering at Mutiara Damansara, PJ – 27th February

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AhPek Facebook Foodie Round-up: 2026-01 January

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AhPek Facebook Foodie Round-up:

January 2026

Dry-aged fried chicken by Chef Neeks

Cooling off month. After last month's wonderful trip to Laos (Vientiane, Vang Vieng & Luang Prabang), and onwards to South-western China (Xishuangbana, Jingmai Mountains, Pu'er & Kunming), this first month of the new year was a slower eats month.

Still, we had some memorable eats such as: A Michelin Guide clamps noodles, good dry-aged fried chicken & Iberico ribs by Chef Neeks, good take-away Siamese Laksa, traditional style Soong Yee fish, and close the month with a superb Chinese fine-dining at Elite Youmiqi. We also tried the new Ramen David and give thumbs up!

(Click on photos to link & comment at the original FB post, and also to get geo-tags of the eats places)

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Michelin Guide Lala-Noodles at Lai Foong Noodles (丽丰啦啦米.), Damansara Utama, PJ – 3rd January


Pizza and Satay at PVS (Pizza Vs SATAY) in Subang Jaya, PJ – 3rd January


Vade & Idli at K Munch Corner, Sri Damansara, KL – 4th January


Take-away Penang Char Kueh Teow & XO Seafood Noodles from Keng Nam Hai Restaurant, Metro Prima, Kepong, KL – 4th January


Wantan Noodles at New Star Restoran, Jalan Ipoh, KL – 4th January


Roasted Iberico Pork Ribs by Chef Neeks – 7th January


Chilli Pan Mee & Kaya Toast at Abang Adik Express, Zenith Cooperate Park, PJ – 9th January


Japanese Sushi Dinner at Shin Zushi SS2, PJ – 9th January


Take-away Siamese Laksa from Teacher Saw, KL – 10th January


Dry-aged Fried Chicken by Chef Neeks, TTDI, KL – 10th January


Konloh Wantan Noodles & Yong Tau Foo Brunch at Uncle Keong Noodle Stall, Old Klang Road, KL – 10th January


Traditional Style Soong Yee Fish at Sek Yuen Restaurant, Pudu KL – 13th January


Coffee & Sandwiches at VCR Stacks Mont Kiara, KL – 14th January


Iberico Pork Dinner at Iberico Kitchen, SS2, PJ – 16th January


Ramen & Japanese side-dishes at Ramen David, TTDI, KL – 17th January


Apam Breakfast At KR Mani Curry House, Sentul, KL – 18th January


Claypot Fish Head Noodles & Hokkien Tapioca Noodles at Jalan Ipoh Fish Head Mihun – 18th January


Birthday Chinese Dinner at Yik Kee, TTDI, KL – 18th January


Turtle Loaf Chicken Curry Dinner Takeaway from Lynn's Bakery – 20th January


A 2009 Reboot of the 1980’s Cult Series “V” – 22nd January


Murtabak Kambing & Curry Rice at Abadi Cafeteria, TTDI – 24th January


Chinese Wedding Dinner at Le Méridien PJ Ballroom – 27th January


Char Siew (BBQ Pork) & Siew Yoke (Roast Porkt) at Restaurant Char Siew Yoong, Pudu Ulu, KL – 28th January


Bak Kua/Chee Yoke Kon (BBQ Caramelised Pork Slices) at Restaurant Char Siew Yoong, Pudu Ulu, KL – 28th January


Buttermilk Noodle Lunch at SV Hong Kee Restaurant (美景天鴻記飯店), Sentul, KL – 31st January


CNY Cookies at SV Hong Kee Noodles Restaurant, Sentul, KL – 31st January


Fine Chinese Dining at Elite YouMiQi, Imbi, KL – 31st January

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12-Days Laos & China 2025 Day 3 : Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang

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Laos & China 2025

Day 3 : Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang

Laos-China 2025 Day 3: 6th December (Saturday)

Small Group (Non-cycling) Tour of Laos & China.

Day 3 - Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang:

Vang Vieng (Pool Party Hotel)>songthaew>Vang Vieng Railway Station>Laos-China HSR>Luang Prabang Railway Station>van>Luang Prabang>Downtown Hostel>walk>Mekong Riverview>Wat Phonxay>Luang Prabang Night Market>Downtown Hostel.

This is page 3 of a 12-page blog. Click Here To Go To Title Page.

< D2: Vang Vieng                |              Go to Other Days          |          D4: Luang Prabang 02 >

Route recommendations, here are some tips on travelling to and around Laos:

1. Traffic Directions!

    Traffic in Laos, is left-hand drive and vehicles drive on the right side of the road. So do bear this in mind when crossing the road OR when sitting at the front passenger seat. I made this mistake several times and boarded the car at the driver's side with the driver giving me a surprised look 😂.

2. Getting to Laos.

    We flew AirAsia from KLIA Terminal 2 to Vientiane's Wattay International Airport; buying tickets earlier to get cheaper fares. Considering the potential difficulties with luggage storage during the later train journey in Laos, we also packed light (20kg checked-in luggage for two people). Together with carry-on luggage, we each had 17kg per person. Fare was MYR407 per pax.

3. Getting from town to town in Laos.
    For Laos, getting between towns can be by hired vans, express bus or the Laos-China train. One can buy the bus tickets at the Vientiane Northern Bus Terminal (which is about half an hour away from town) directly from the counter. To book the Laos-China HSR Train tickets, it is recommended to use the LCR App, the official app of the railway. Note that tickets can only be booked three days before the travel date. There is no necessity to book with a Laos, Thai, or China mobile phone number; one can use a personal e-mail address. There are several online sites selling the train ticket, but these are ticketing agents and could be charging higher prices or even overselling.

    We booked our train tickets from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang to Xishuangbanna through the LCR App. For the Luang Prabang to Xishuangbanna leg, electronic train tickets need to be changed to physical paper tickets at the Luang Prabang Train Station (at a counter of the ticketing office, so arrive earlier to do this).
    Three days before our train journey, Anneh managed to purchase the Laos-China HSR Train tickets online for the for Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang leg. QR codes were issued for us to scan for entry into the train. Tickets were sold out fast, but she managed to get first-class tickets (at Kip258,000/USD10/RM51 per pax) . These cost slightly more than the second-class ones, which we had planned to buy. Luggage racks for big bags are limited, so best to use cabin-sized bags, which can be put on the overhead racks.

4. Getting around towns and cities in Laos.
    In Laos, for short distances, one can use tuk-tuks or songthaews, which can be found at most street corners. Our regular songthaews driver in Vang Vieng was a Mr. Ser (WhatsApp: +856-2076-812-586), who took us around the town and also sent us to the Vang Vieng Railway Station the next day.
    For longer distances to the outskirts, install InDrive or LOCA. For InDrive, one can negotiate to an agreeable price, but it may be difficult to hail a ride from the outskirts (as we experienced). LOCA seems to be a better bet, but as you must be able to receive the SMS verification code, it's highly recommended to get a local Laos SIM card upon arrival for reliable service and to easily receive that SMS. Pay for LOCA rides with Cash, Credit/Debit Card (Visa/Mastercard). Or with LOCA PAY, with automatic deductions for card payments after binding your card in the app. While card payments are convenient and offer instant e-receipts, a small fee (around 4% + 6,000 LAK) may apply, making cash payment preferred.

    Note: Touch 'n Go e-Wallet doesn't seem to work in Laos. It works well in China and Thailand.

5. Immigration & Customs Requirements

    For Laos, Malaysians are allowed to enter Laos without a visa for a maximum stay of 30 days per visit.
    Click here for who can apply for the Lao eVisa and eVisa application form. This visa allows for a stay of up to 30 days and can be extended once. Alternatively, travelers can apply for a tourist visa at a Lao embassy or consulate before arrival, permitting a stay of up to 60 days with the option of an extension.
    Click here for Laos e-Arrival Card & e-Departure Card submission. OR one can fill in paper forms, which are available at the airport, train stations, or during the flight.

6. Places & Things of Interests  

    Enroute were several places of interest, some of which we visited and others we did not for lack of time (Note: click on GPS coordinates for a directional map to respective places):
    a. Luang Prabang Old Quarters (UNESCO Heritage Listing) (GPS: 19.88328, 102.13871).
    b. Wat Xieng Thong (ວັດຊຽງທອງ) (GPS: 19.8972, 102.14368).
    c. Mekong River Viewpoint at Lamache Restaurant (GPS: 19.89091, 102.13254).
    d. Mekong River Viewpoint at Mukdong Restaurant (ຮ້ານມັກດອງ) (GPS: 19.89028, 102.13195).

    e. Wat Phonxay Xayana Songkham (GPS: 19.89040, 102.13297).
    f. Luang Prabang Night Market (ຕະຫຼາດກາງຄືນຫຼວງພະບາງ) (GPS: 19.89044, 102.13517).

    g. Phou Si Hill (ພະທາດພູສີ) (GPS: 19.89032, 102.13700).
    h. Minipost Money Exchange (GPS: 19.88887, 102.13315), centrally located near the night market.

    i. Laos Indigo Blue fabric and clothes; there are several boutiques in Luang Prabang selling these, try asking locals whether one can get these at nearby villages, could have an authentic experience there.

   i. Laos colourful tribal fabric and clothes; these ones are from the Oma, a small ethnic community living in the hills of Phongsaly Province.

7. Food

    a. Breakfast

        - Inclusive breakfast (Vermicelli soup, fried rice, fried egg noodles, & sweet potato wedges) at Pool Party Hotel (GPS: 18.92728, 102.4509), Vang Vieng.

    b. Lunch

        Lao & Vietnamese Food at Saitara (GPS: 19.88978, 102.13152) in Luang Prabang:

        1. Mok Paa - Authentic Steamed Herbs Fish wrap in banana leaf, 2. Fried Pork Ribs, 3. Fresh Vietnamese Spring Roll (Gỏi cuốn), 4. Fried mix Vegetables.

    c. Late Tea Time Snacks

        Khao Piak Sen (Lao Tapioca Noodle Chicken Soup) at Kao Piek Sen Hua Xiang (ເຂົ້າປຽກ ຫົວຊຽງ) (GPS: 19.88832, 102.13238) in Luang Prabang.

    d. Dinner

        Western Fare at Joma Bakery Café Hua Xieng (GPS: 19.88854, 102.13270) in Luang Prabang:

        1. Apple Pie, 2. Tuna Melt, and 3. Ham & Edam Cheese Baguette.

8. Accommodations

    First of two nights in Luang Prabang at the Downtown Hostel (GPS: 19.88823, 102.13142) at USD100 (MYR409) for two 2-pax rooms for two nights booked via Trip.com (Breakfast included); i.e. MYR102 per room per night.

    This place have laundry service, the charge is by kg of wash.

9. Communicating with Each Other

    When travelling in a group, it's important to be able to communicate with each other, especially if one gets lost from the rest.
    In Laos, several telco companies have kiosks at the arrival hall of the Wattay International Airport. From the Unitel kiosk, we bought Unitel 5-G Physical Sim Cards and got the 5-Day 20GB card for 80,000 Kips (USD3.70 / RM15). Buy the Lao SIM cards at the airport, as in the city, it could be more expensive and harder to find.

10. Communicating with Locals

    Except for those in the travel industry, in Laos, most locals speak Lao. As Laos was a former French protectorate, many older locals and tourist guides speak French. 

    To get by, it will be good to speak some rudimentary Lao.

11. Weather

      The average day temperature in Vang Vieng was 31°C. The average day and night temperatures in Luang Prabang were 28°C and 14°C. A few weeks before leaving on the trip, we had checked the weather forecasts, and the average day and night temperatures in Luang Prabang were 24°C and 14°C. A warm front from the south had warmed up the weather.
      Useful weather forecast sites for Laos is AccuWeather. For more detailed weather, including cloud cover and wind speed, use Weatherspark and Ventusky.

12. Navigation

      Geo-tagging of places of interest was via FaceBook or Google Maps.

___________________________________________________________________________

PRELUDE

On a 4-Wheel buggy with hot-air balloons & a motor-paraglider in the background.

Yesterday, we spent a full day in Vang Vieng, discovering that it was the adventure capital of Laos. Although we did not get to ride on one of those beautiful hot-air balloons over the scenic mountain and paddy scenery, we did enjoy ourselves thoroughly.

Today, we hopped on an LCR (Laos-China Railway) High-Speed Train to head for Luang Prabang to spend a couple of nights. It's been ten years since my last visit to this UNESCO Heritage City during a 2016 Cycling Tour in Laos; I wonder how the place has changed. Will it still be that rustic, serene, and charming place?

___________________________________________________________________________

DAY 3: VANG VIENG TO LUANG PRABANG

Small Group (Non-cycling) Tour of Laos & China.

Day 3 - Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang:

Vang Vieng (Pool Party Hotel)>songthaew>Vang Vieng Railway Station>Laos-China HSR>Luang Prabang Railway Station>van>Luang Prabang>Downtown Hostel>walk>Mekong Riverview>Wat Phonxay>Luang Prabang Night Market>Downtown Hostel.

(Zoom into Luang Prabang for more details)

(Click here for the Laos-China Day 3: Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang Route Map)

Most of the posts below are linked to my Facebook postings during the trip and are embedded here with some comments. (NOTE: Click on respective posts to link to the FB post to read more details. If you can't see the posts, please log out of your Facebook first. FB has recently changed its approach, and as such, all relevant links are now inserted in the comments.)

To start the day, a simple, inclusive breakfast at the Pool Party Hotel before leaving Vang Vieng:
Vermicelli soup, fried rice, fried egg noodles, sunny-side ups & sweet potato wedges.

9:00am - Our Songthaew driver, Mr. Ser, had arrived on time and was patiently waiting for us.

His songthaew was quite big and more than comfortable for us and our luggage. With further ado, we boarded songthaew to head for the Vang Vieng Train Station. We will be taking the 10:45am Laos-China HSR Train to Luang Prabang.

The station is just four kilometres away, located at the outskirts of Vang Vieng. We sat back as the songthaew meandered through the rustic roads.
To avoid paying for high parking charges, most drivers drop passengers at an alternate "outside" drop-off point without entering the airport driveway /parking proper. From there, it was a short walk to the station proper.

Arrived at Vang Vieng Train Station to catch Laos-China HSR Train C92 to Luang Prabang. The C-prefix indicates that it is a high-speed train. The station is a relatively new building with a nice ceiling.

 There is a need to go through a security check. After that, there is no need to show a printed ticket for entry. Just show the issued QR code to be scanned to enter the train platform.

Passengers filling Laos Departure Forms. One can fill out and submit this form online, but we decided to fill a physical form.

 China arrival forms were also filled in physically for those heading to China. We will fill ours later, when given these forms on the train from Luang Prabang to Xishuangbanna. There is an online China Arrival Form, but at that point of time, there seems to be some bug in the system.

1040am: Laos-China HSR Train C92 arriving at Vang Vieng Railway Station. It will take us an hour and five minutes ride to the Luang Prabang Railway Station.

10:55am On board Laos-China HSR Train C92, our first-class coach seats two by two pax per row. There is not much space for big luggage at the luggage racks, which is why we're bringing along cabin-sized luggage to put on the overhead racks.

Green hills scenery along the way, near Pha Tang.

11:15am Approaching Phahom, some terraced paddies are seen on hillside.

As Laos is a hilly country, the train route goes through many tunnels

11:50am - Arrived at the Luang Prabang Railway Station. Taking our icon-style photo with the train before exiting the platform.

Outside the station, there’s a mad rush for vans to go to town as the station is quite a distance from the town (13km 45 mins). We didn't prebook, so we joined the rush, but it's possible to get one as the van drivers will canvas for passenger to fill up their vans before leaving.

After the mad rush, just outside the station, a nice, calming scenery.

1:00pm - The van dropped us at the main road, and we took a short walk to Downtown Hostel, our stay for two nights in Luang Prabang. It's still early, and our rooms are not ready yet.

So we dropped our luggage and headed out for lunch at Saitara, a restaurant with as good view of the Mekong River.

On the table: 1. Mok Paa - Authentic Steamed Herbs Fish wrap in banana leaf, 2. Fried Pork Ribs, 3. Fresh Vietnamese Spring Roll (Gỏi cuốn), and 4. Fried mix Vegetables.

Nearby was the Mekong Moon Inn, the place I stayed in during a 2016 Cycling Tour in Laos. Rate is at 400,000 kips (MYR73) per room per night now. I had good memories of my stay there, as it was a local, warm, family-run place.


4:00pm - Checked into Downtown Hostel, it's a cosy place with a large lounge/dining area where patrons can mingle or play pool. They also provide laundry services at a reasonable price (20,000kps per kg). It has strict rules of no footwear when entering the bedroom section.

Since we had just a light breakfast, we scooted out to have a snack of the famous Khao Piak Sen (Lao Tapioca Noodle Chicken Soup) at Kao Piek Sen Hua Xiang stall. It was very tasty compared to the ones we had in Delicious Noodles, Vientiane, a few days earlier.

A warm sunset at the Mekong and Nam Khan River confluence, viewed from Lamache Restaurant.

 

More sunset views, from Mukdong Restaurant. The long river cruise boats are still there, but operations seem to have been taken over by Chinese operators. They are quite competitive and are overzealous in getting patrons.

At the Wat Phonxay Xayana Songkham. There are many wats (temples) in Luang Prabang, this one is less visited, but it still has beautiful architecture with intricate craftsmanship. In fact, we like the less-visited temples as they are not so crowded and thus still retain their serene atmosphere. Also, entry to many of these is free.

At the Luang Prabang Night Market. This was more interesting than the Vientiane Night Market as it is still a street market with stalls selling mostly locally-made things. One can find many local handicrafts, souvenirs, Lao gold and silver accessories and trinkets, handbags, purses, cloth & clothes, etc.
There are many things to buy, and should one run out of Lao Kips, there is the Minipost Money Exchange just around the corner!

It's pretty hard to find the renowned Laos Indigo Blue fabric and clothes. We saw some at the night market, but they were not of that rich blue tone. Shown here together with some colourful tribal clothes; authentic ones are made by the Oma, a small ethnic community living in the hills of Phongsaly Province.

Ended the day with a very satisfactory Western pastry dinner (Apple Pie, Tuna Melt, and Ham & Edam Cheese Baguette) at Joma Bakery Café (Hua Xieng Outlet).

ຝັນດີ ແລະ ຝັນຫວານ.

(That's "fandi lae  fan van" in Lao,

meaning "Goodnight and sweet dreams.")

(For more photos of Day 3, Click Here)

This is page 3 of a 12-page blog. Click Here To Go To Title Page.

< D2: Vang Vieng                |              Go to Other Days          |          D4: Luang Prabang 02 >

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