Wonder.Food.Travel

The ride to Vang Vieng was, to put politely, memorable. There are several options to go to Vang Vieng and i narrowed down to two: VIP bus which i learned isn't for Very-Important-Person with mixed review of its comfort, or minivan which i realized could sometimes overcrowd but quicker. I opted for the latter (130k kip per person) by my hostel in Luang Prabang. I read that both promises The-Lord-of-the-Rings-like view. However, i felt more like being in the set of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. The hilly landscape reminded me of the scene where animals rush down. The Witch is after one of the brothers, tips over and a rhinoceros charge. Now back to the ride, yes, memorable. I, with a heavy heart to leave Luang Prabang, entered the minivan with a few empty seats remaining and thought, "may be it won't be full". Soon, the driver rounded the corner and picked up more passengers. Already filled in between bags, the minivan stopped in front of another ho...

Blessed to have the long weekend during the Raya celebration, i grabbed this opportunity for a getaway. I contemplated between the exploration of Mulu or the adventures in Miri, and as the title has given away, i chose the latter. Mulu felt rather rushy and i thought better to keep that for another time. I have been to Miri two years ago and wrote in My Miri Journey: Makai in Miri (Note: some places may have changed) about my gastronomic experience. This time, while food still has a place in my heart, was more about the outdoor adventures. Familiar? I arrived at the airport late at night, immediately welcoming the air of nostalgia as i descended the propeller plane. My friend, who thoughtfully crafted this itinerary for my travel, was already waiting for my arrival. We began the next day with a visit around the Seahorse Lighthouse . In my previous visit, this lighthouse was closed off due to construction work. Now, i got to see it up-close. It was cloudy but breezy. There wa...

I nearly titled this post as something about going to the central of Sri Lanka but decided to aptly name it with a single word: rewind, because what i had in the next two days brought me back in time- ancient time. Pumped for the day, if you don't already know, the Sigiriya Lion Rock (USD 30) was my most anticipated place to visit. Perched among the lush greenery, it is another UNESCO World Heritage Site on this journey, inscribed since 1982, and claimed to be the 8th Wonder of the Ancient World. I had high expectation, what with the entry price being pretty steep. With fascinating history, incredible ambition and breathtaking view from above, how could i be disappointed? From the entrance, i searched for the obvious, The entrance pass included the Museum, the Gate entry and the Mirror Wall, which is the typical flow for visitors. Walking towards the Rock Fortress, i passed by the various gardens, eyes on the front. Walking between the boulders, i noticed where my fir...