Monday, December 19, 2016
Monday, December 12, 2016
Summary of Travel for 2016.
2016 has more travel than 2015.
Business Trip
1) Hong Kong (x3)
2) Jakarta, Indonesia
3) KL, Malaysia (x2)
4) Shenzhen, China
5) Bangkok, Thailand (x7)
6) Dallas, USA
7) HCMC, Vietnam
8) Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Personal Trip
1) Taiwan
2) Malacca, Malaysia (x5)
3) Luang Prabang, Laos
Business Trip
1) Hong Kong (x3)
2) Jakarta, Indonesia
3) KL, Malaysia (x2)
4) Shenzhen, China
5) Bangkok, Thailand (x7)
6) Dallas, USA
7) HCMC, Vietnam
8) Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Personal Trip
1) Taiwan
2) Malacca, Malaysia (x5)
3) Luang Prabang, Laos
Thursday, December 8, 2016
Evening Market @ Luang Prabang
The Evening Market is a nightly event that takes place between 17:00 and 23:00 and running along Sisavangvong Road. The street is closed off to vehicles and the hill-tribe traders emerge with their various apparels, ceramics, bamboo, lamps, blankets, bed covers, handicrafts and silk scarves. Vendors often quote higher prices than when buying from the shops during day time, so make sure you bargain or shop around first.
Apart from the market vendors, shophouses and hotels lining both sides of the road are also open for business. The range of products include handmade souvenirs, Lao coffee beans, homemade whiskeys, books, all the way to street-side noodle stalls tucked away in a small lane and hotel sidewalk cafés serving drinks and, of course, Beer Lao.
Apart from the market vendors, shophouses and hotels lining both sides of the road are also open for business. The range of products include handmade souvenirs, Lao coffee beans, homemade whiskeys, books, all the way to street-side noodle stalls tucked away in a small lane and hotel sidewalk cafés serving drinks and, of course, Beer Lao.
Friday, December 2, 2016
Alms Giving @ Luang Prabang, Laos
The UNESCO World Heritage City of Luang Prabang in Laos is the perfect place to see one of the most sacred Lao traditions, the Buddhist Alms Giving Ceremony.
Despite being a highly revered ritual for locals, visitors are encouraged to be involved as long as a level of respect is maintained throughout. Alms giving takes place daily as the sun rises, beginning on the main street of Luang Prabang before spreading out to all the side streets. You should buy your offerings (usually food) in advance and arrive with plenty of time to spare as it’s considered very offensive to disrupt the ceremony once it has commenced. Follow the guidance of the locals by kneeling down ready to give your offering to the monks; most common gifts include rice, fresh fruit and traditional sweet snacks. The idea of the alms giving is for the Buddhist monks to make merit and also to collect food for their one meal of a day.
Everyday, as the sun rises in Luang Prabang (6am), around 200 Buddhist monks depart from their various temples to gather their daily meal. The tradition of alms gathering dates back to the 14th century, yet still today locals wake early to prepare the food for the monks and wait quietly by the roadside to give their gifts. Although the main purpose is for locals to give alms to the monks, you will also notice small children kneeling with baskets in the hope that the monks will share some of their alms with them so that they can take food back to their family.
Despite being a highly revered ritual for locals, visitors are encouraged to be involved as long as a level of respect is maintained throughout. Alms giving takes place daily as the sun rises, beginning on the main street of Luang Prabang before spreading out to all the side streets. You should buy your offerings (usually food) in advance and arrive with plenty of time to spare as it’s considered very offensive to disrupt the ceremony once it has commenced. Follow the guidance of the locals by kneeling down ready to give your offering to the monks; most common gifts include rice, fresh fruit and traditional sweet snacks. The idea of the alms giving is for the Buddhist monks to make merit and also to collect food for their one meal of a day.
Everyday, as the sun rises in Luang Prabang (6am), around 200 Buddhist monks depart from their various temples to gather their daily meal. The tradition of alms gathering dates back to the 14th century, yet still today locals wake early to prepare the food for the monks and wait quietly by the roadside to give their gifts. Although the main purpose is for locals to give alms to the monks, you will also notice small children kneeling with baskets in the hope that the monks will share some of their alms with them so that they can take food back to their family.
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