Read about how Anna, our Operations Manager, recently explored the Mekong aboard the newly renovated RV Mekong Pandaw.
Boarding in Kampong Cham and traveling to Phnom Penh, I got to experience the beautiful RV Mekong Pandaw — designed and finished as a replica of a colonial river steamer, I felt like I’d stepped back in time when I boarded this magnificent boat.
After being welcomed on board by the purser, Mr. Bunthoeun, him and his team showed me onto the spacious top deck where a welcome cocktail was waiting. This was the perfect area from which to enjoy the passing sites and take in the river breezes, a welcome break from the high daytime temperatures. Great for a game of pool too!Each evening we were treated to a delicious four-course meal in the comfortable restaurant located on the lower deck. Each evening this was followed by an optional showing of a movie or documentary relevant to Cambodia and the country’s history.Our first excursion, led by our wonderful guide Mr. Sophea, took us to shore upriver from Kampong Cham to explore the lesser known Wat Hanchey.Located at the top of a hill, this 8th Century temple offers fantastic views across the Mekong River.In the afternoon we continued on to visit the twin holy mountains of Phnom Pros and Phnom Srey (Man Hill and Woman Hill). Nearby is the ecotourism village of Choeungkok, where we stopped to have a wander around and learn more about local life in the area.And to take in the lush surroundings of rainy season.After cruising further down the Mekong towards Phnom Penh, we spent our last morning exploring the village of Kampong Tralach. And just to make it a bit more interesting, we accepted the help of some ox carts to show us around.Back on deck for my last sunset on the Mekong — what better way than to enjoy it than with the cocktail of the day with friends on the top deck.
Sadly I was unable to join the whole expedition. After saying goodbye, the RV Pandaw continued down the Mekong into Vietnam and on to its final destination of Saigon. I guess I’ll have to save that adventure for another time!… Read more »
The Kiridara is not in the UNESCO World Heritage site of the old town area in Luang Praband, but there are plenty of redeeming qualities that make up for their location. The rooms are large and have great views towards town and of course, they reap one the biggest benefits of not being in old town – they can have a pool!
The infinity pool is a life saver on hot days and the Kiridara spa is another great way to spend a couple of relaxing hours. Free transfers to town make the out-of-the-way location easy to overlook.
Andrea with the friend staff from Kiridara.
More than anything, I think the best part of this property is the staff who are always willing to help out, give advice and offer countless smiles. Everyone from the manager to the front desk staff have positive attitudes, making you feel so welcome.
Insider tip: With connecting rooms and the pool, this hotel is a great option for families.
View from the dining area of the Mekong Riverview in Luang Prabang.
The Mekong Riverview
This is one of those properties that you are genuinely sad to leave when it is time to continue on your journey. Not only does it have a stunning location at the end of the Luang Prabang peninsula, but it also truly embodies the feel of the city.
Your days at Mekong Riverview start with an amazing breakfast overlooking the joining of the Nam Khan and Mekong rivers. The attentive staff are all smile and the vanilla crepe is amazing. More than likely at breakfast you will be greeted by Urban, the owner of the hotel and a huge supporter of Luang Prabang – it is because of him that the adjoining park has been completely restored and is now a lovely place to relax.
After breakfast you’ll head out for touring, but on your return in the evening they offer free tea, coffee and snacks in lobby. The team at the Riverview is happy to take you for dinner or to the night market in the hotel gold cart. At night, you can enjoy a final gaze at the Mekong from your balcony before getting into the incredible imported beds!
This hotel and the amazing service they offer their guests is exactly what we look for in a signature hotel.
The Saffron Café is located on the Mekong River side of the peninsula. The café offers seating on both levels of the restaurant and on a small patio overlooking the Mekong River. It is a convenient location in town that offers a great view while you relax with an aromatic cup of coffee or a bite to eat.
A spectacular view of the Mekong River from the patioCozy interior of Saffron Cafe
Owned by an American and Lao couple, the café feels clean and comfortable- a bit like a slice of the west but with delicious, strong Lao Coffee. Many expats living in Luang Prabang claim that the coffee here is much better than the other larger café competitors in town. After my visit, I have to say I agree!
I found that the coffee here was deeper, richer and stronger than that of other coffee shops in town. I was also extremely happy to see that I actually was served a real cup of joe. It wasn’t the small little tea cup of coffee that is usually served, but a saucer of warm, frothy goodness (I ordered a café latte).
A Smooth, Steamy Cup of Cafe Latte Deliciousness
I also liked that the menu wasn’t overrun by coffee choices. You merely had your staples with a couple yummy options added in, like the L.P. Malted Mocha or the Carmel Macchiato. They offer freshly baked goods at the counter if you want something quick and a simple as well as a more extensive menu offering breakfast, sandwiches, pizza, pasta and a few local dishes. They also have one of the most sinful dessert menus in town. Even though the menu is simple, it’s really hard to choose what to eat!
I had only eaten at Saffron two times before, many years ago. It is open all day and night, but I think of it as a breakfast/lunch spot. Unfortunately I don’t get out much for these two meals! I had already tried the Grilled Chicken Alfredo and the Caesar wrap, which are both DELICIOUS. So, I decided to go for the recommended Grilled Chicken Panini with sun-dried tomatoes, marinated olives, roasted mild peppers, mozzarella cheese and garlic aioli.
Grilled Chicken Panini
I think I embarrassed my lunch mate by fawning over this Panini- I couldn’t help myself! It was just so, so good. It was the right mix of everything. I am always weary of sandwiches with olives and sundried tomatoes thinking it will overpower everything else, but this one did not disappoint. It was just perfect! The little salad was a nice and refreshing side dish (you have a choice between salad and fries). To make lunch even more refreshing, I had a mixed fruit shake with the meal. It was very good as well, just the right amount of creamy and sweet. I wouldn’t recommend it with your meal, but perhaps for dessert or by itself. It was just too much with the perfect Panini!
I was so delightfully full after the meal, but that dessert page was still in the back of my mind. How could it not be, with choices like Oreo Cheesecake, Mango-Lime Pie, Triple Chocolate Cake (it goes on…)? My friend agreed to help with the dessert and so, after much deliberation, I went for the Chocolate Chip Cookie Sundae.
I don’t have the words to describe its deliciousness. I will just write you the description and show you the before and after shots.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Sundae- Before
Massive homemade chewy chocolate chip cookie (made daily with fresh New Zealand butter), vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, home-made cashew toffee, caramel and chocolate sauce.
I am practically weeping writing this because it was that amazing. I am not a huge dessert person, but I whole heartedly yearn to meet with this slice of heaven again. I don’t know if I will ever be able to try another dessert on their menu because I am so in love with this one! Tragedy!
Chocolate Chip Cookie Sundae- After
As you may be able to tell, I really enjoyed everything about my experience at Saffron. The only negative I would have to say is that the staff were not so attentive, but once you got their attention they were happy to meet your requests. If you are in Luang Prabang and want to have some comfort food from home, this is your place. Even if you don’t want to come for a meal, stop for dessert. I guarantee the sinfulness is totally worth it!
By: Heather Van Hull- Booking Coordinator, Cambodia
Way back when (about 6 months ago), I used to live in Laos prior to migrating slightly southward to Cambodia. Going with the theme of bizarre foods in Southeast Asia, I decided to repost a blog I wrote a few months back:
Who knew a quiet border town could also be a centre for fine dining? Thakek’s Mekong riverfront boulevard is lined with top notch quaint cafes serving local delicacies ranging from roast duck to spicy appendix (Still haven’t figured out whose appendix…) to be savoured while watching the sun set over Thailand.
After much contemplation we settle on a round of BeerLao and an appetizer of fried crickets – a traditional Lao on-the-go snack and ‘drinking’ food.
Bon appetit!
Typically these little flying morsels of ‘yumminess’ are brought in hopping-ly fresh from local bug farms, then quickly deep-fried to a golden brown, thrown on a plate (or in a doggy bag) and served accompanied with a side of chili sauce. Lightly frying the crickets in oil and spices not only makes them easier to catch with chopsticks, but also makes the outer shell delightfully crunchy and spicy.
See...nice and easy to catch. Imagine doing this if they were still hopping...
If plain ol’ crickets do not appeal to you, you can also order them with sticky rice or ground into the meatballs in your noodle soup. Although fried cricket may not be as ‘saep lai’ (Lao for ‘very delicious’) as a bag of crisps, they are little lumps of nutrition – rich in protein, fat and essential vitamins. The United Nations is encouraging even more bug-eating as a solution to the country’s high rate of malnutrition by raising the income of local bug collectors and increasing the yield of bug farmers.
Small Grasshoppers (100g)
McDonalds Hamburger (107g)
Protein
20.6g
12.0g
Total Fat
6.1g
10.0g
To make this fine Thakek insect dining experience even finer, mobile manicurists on motorbikes cruise up and down the street, offering their services to café patrons. Where else can you get a French manicure while dining? Watch out Ritz here comes Thakek!
Last week, I joined Luang Say Lodge & Cruise FAM Trip and had such a memorable time that I thought I would share this amazing experience with our fans here.
The trip started from a small and lovely town of Laos PDR known as Luang Prabang. Since I arrived late in the afternoon I only had a chance to do a quick orientation tour, courtesy of Phaeng, Laos Tour Manager who gave me a whistlestop tour on the back of his motorbike. I also got to do a quick shopping at night market, having quick Phor(noodle with soup, a Vietnamese dish that but Laos people also love and call Phor too) and quick visit to a Lunag Prabang night club.
I really like Luang Prabang. The people have a similar culture and traditions to Thai people. People in Laos are friendly, smiley and very conservative; I like the way they have signs to inform the tourist about what to wear when they are traveling in the country.
Next day my trip started by giving alms to the monks, which means you have to get up before daybreak! I reached Sakkarine road where the local people including tourists gather and wait for giving food to the monks. That was a busy area but later on I found out that if walk to another side of the road, the one that is close to the river, is not busy at all. Another top-secret tip!
Monks walking down the road to collect almsThe big cruise boat felt very safe
At 7.00 am I boarded a boat, and beforehand I was a bit nervous as I have to admit that I can’t swim properly – Mekong River is wide and deep not like in the swimming pool in the hotel! But after I saw the size of the cruise ship with all security gear and professional crews I felt secured! When our journey started my companions and I got so excited about the green scenery of the mountain and how it seemed to play with the morning clouds along the both sides of the Mekong River. It’s like they are good friends and this scene is my favorite of the trip. Everyone was busy taking so many photos and seemed like they would never get bored of shooting the same view, me included! 🙂 My breakfast was Luang Prabang baguette and hot coffee which is just right for a little cold morning. After about 2 hours we got off at Pak Ou temple where 3,000 Buddha images are kept for the villagers to come and pay worship. I was wondering why lots of Buddha images were there and the guide told me that King Chaichetthathirat who has faith in Buddhism and he built this temple and that is the start of Buddhism in Laos after that Laos people become Buddhist and have strong faith and they offer Buddha image in temple arcade. The last stop on the first day was Bor Village. Here the villagers create hand-made textiles and brew local alcohol. I supported them by buying a scarf; maybe next time I’ll be brave and try a drop of alcohol :). When we about to leave the village the kids followed waved to us and smiled widely. They made my heart bigger and I thought that this was a different feeling between touring one day in an amusement park and visiting an undeveloped village. Around twilight time we arrived at Pakbeng, Oudomsay Province where we stayed overnight at Luang Say Lodge. We received a very warm welcome from the staff after check in. We then got picked up to go to the market; this is not in the tour plan so depends on who wants to go – when given a choice of shopping, then why not!
Inside the Pak Ou caves
The market is small and most of the products are imported from Thailand. Thai TV Channels are very popular in Laos PDR and I saw the people stay tuned to Thai TV channel when I walk around the market. Since I’ve been in Laos I almost felt like I am in Thailand but the different is when we greet, Laos say “Sabuy dee” means “hi or hello” but Thais say “Sawasdee kha(for girl)/khrap(for boy)” but “Sabuy dee in Laos mean “I’m fine” in Thai and if you want to ask Laos people “how are you? you should say “Sabuy dee bor?”
So much shopping to do!
We got back to the lodge at 7.00pm, and there was a Laos performance to welcome us before dinner. Most of the dancers are still studying and the rest are the teachers. We really enjoyed the performance but the highlight was when they invited all of us to dance “Rumwong”(couple circle dancing). It’s the most popular dance, especially for welcoming guests to their home. I enjoyed it so much that even though we only danced for 1 song I asked for more 🙂 It’s dinnertime after that and the meal was so delicious. Somtum – oops! That’s’ the Thai name but the Laos name is Tumsom, but it’s the same dish. Tumsom seemed to be tastiest one for me that night. Tumsom is green papaya salad like Somtum. In Thai and Laos we put the same ingredients; chili, garlic, lime juice, slice of tomato, fish sauce and fermented fish but in Laos they’ve extra tip they put shrimp paste in it which makes the taste different. I already copied this trick in my mind and I will do it when I make Somtum in Thailand! Chatting and drinking with the other guests after eating is great fun before we retired an early night ready for the next day’s early departure.
After breakfast and saying our good byes to the lodge and staff we continued our journey back to our homeland. The guide said it takes about 8 hours to get to Thailand. This is a relaxing time to enjoy the scenery along the river side, chatting with new people and drinking some beer Laos and reading book. But I thought about massage lots, I think if Luang Say has masseur on board to serve the guest who is tired from their trip that would be the best! This day we visited Hmong village. The Hmong people still believe in ghosts (spirit). When we toured I saw the priest chanting at a house, the guide said they’re chanting to the ghost who protect their village to help a member family who is sick now and we’re not allowed to get in so could only observe from out side the house. This village is more developed than Bor Village as some of them have motorcycle, and there’s a satellite for every single house and they dressed like city people. The tour in this village finished and we headed home directly which took about 3-4 hours. Some of my companions tried to find Thailand’s mobile network system to check if we are in Thailand yet but I kept looking for the Thailand flag. Then we got to see the first one we all clap hands and shouted “Yayy, we made it!”
I really love Laos, full of smiles and making friends with everyone who I met on this trip will be my lasting memory and I promise I will go back to visit Luang Prabang again!
Buddhas overlooking the Mekong RiverGiving a monk my offeringA nun gives her offering
