January 13, 2010
I spent a couple of days in Nha Trang the last week of December and it was terribly enjoyable. Nha Trang is like the Bali of Vietnam – the salty scent of the sea greats you as soon as you step off the plane. The beaches are generally left untouched and it all adds to the charm of this wonderful place.
Nha Trang is one place to watch – huge resorts are popping up left, right and center and it is relatively still under the radar but it’s not going to stay that way for long. A place to check out is the Sailing Club.
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January 8, 2010
Located in the ancient capital of Vietnam (Hue), Pilgrimage Village is a place where you simply come and relax. The gorgeous green surroundings of this resort immediately takes you closer to nature. It’s also the kind of resort where I use my indoor voice a lot. Everyone looks calm, at peace and mellow so indoor voice is an automatic self-imposed call.
The rooms are generously spaced and the bathrooms are created with the desire to bring you as close to the outdoors as possible. The shower area is covered with smooth pebbles and you stand on two strategically placed steps as you shower. That’s something new. But so is the fact that they didn’t have any towel hooks so after every shower I am faced with the conundrum – where do I hang my wet towel?
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December 2, 2009
I got back from Bali last week and I made it a point to visit the Amankila. It’s about a 15 minute drive from my favorite villa in Bali (it’s like my second home!) located in quiet Candi Dasa. There are not many Aman resorts in the world and they are known for their exclusivity and their well, very above average room prices.
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September 8, 2009
With a view of the South China Sea, its numerous shipping vessels and the lush surrounding greenery, The Cliff is a peaceful, thoughtful and indulging location for a special night or just simply an escape from the hustle of Singapore.
An open space concept where the breeze from the surrounding sea gently cools as you wine and dine – this restaurant derives a huge chunk of its menu from the the sea.
They have an oyster menu – if you are a fan, this is a must try. I love oysters and a platter of 10 consisting of various picks from France and Ireland was a fantastic start to my dinner. The oysters were fresh, salty, full of natural flavor that left me wanting more.
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September 3, 2009
Now that Summer is fast coming to an end; it calls for a late getaway to a tropical location before snow falls and winter coats come out. This post features my essentials for that late Summer beach sojourn.
One of my favorite destinations in the world is Bali. I have a sister who lives in Bali so I’m there twice a year, sometimes more. My favorite villa in Bali is the
Villa Sasoon (I always say that my heart belongs to Villa Sasoon) and it’s a second home to me because of how often I am there.
You get your own private villa with 2 separate sleeping quarters, a private pool, an open space living room, free-wifi in the whole
…
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August 10, 2009
I had dinner here on my last night in Laos and it was by far, one of the most enjoyable meals I’ve had on my Summer vacation. Loacted at the beautiful La Residence, Phou Vao boasts lush, luxourious settings best enjoyed outside with clear, calm weather.
Dinner is served with a gorgeous view of the infinity pool where you have an unobstructed view of the Phousi Temple, lighted by La Residence Phou Vao with their compliments. It was very thoughtful and a little decadent. The temple is not lighted to the extent at which you can really see it and marvel at it. But they get an A for effort.
The sound of the crickets in the still of the …
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August 7, 2009
I like to stay centrally and in the heart of things whenever I travel. Being close to where the action is just makes everything so much easier. Maison Souvannaphoum is located in the heart of Luang Prabang, at Namphou Square. It is 10 minutes away from the airport and just minutes away from the night markets, restaurants and Mekong River.
This French Colonial-style hotel is charming and warm with an old world feel that fits just perfectly with the vibe from Luang Prabang. Service was warm, efficient, friendly and helpful. Because it was the rainy season when I was there which meant less tourists, the hotel didn’t put out much for breakfast but I could order out of their menu …
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August 1, 2009
Located in the heart of central Suhkumvit, Rossini is the kind of Italian place you take your clients and close friends to. With great food, warm and prompt service and the charming decor inspired by cozy Tuscan villas will keep you coming back.
Whenever I am in Bangkok with a craving for Italian food in a grander setting, Rossini’s is where I head. I recently had dinner there again and I have to say that I left feeling satisfied, full and very pleased.
The fruit and vegetable salad is chock full of freshness and sweetness from the fruits. The acidity of the balsamic dress contrasts with the sweetness of the fresh fruits and vegetables to give a burst of fresh …
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July 27, 2009
Located just right beside the Maison Souvannaphoum Hotel (in the same compound), the Angsana Spa provides a good getaway to relax and refresh yourself for a few hours. Which was what I did when I stayed at Maison Suvannaphoum.
The individually covered huts with warm white interiors will put you at ease easily. The lush greenery surrounding the huts where the treatment takes place will lull you in. It’s not a big spa but they make full use of the space available.
I was given a light massage before my body scrub to help prepare me for the bliss of having someone else scrub me down. I had the Oatmeal Honey Lime Aglow scrub and the therapist manually scrubbed my …
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July 15, 2009
Laotian food is about texture and meshing various flavors into a dish. It’s not spicy because they believe everyone’s spice tolerance is different (which I didn’t know initially and was wondering about the lack of spice because I love spicy food – the spicier, the better).
Housed in a two-story colonial villa, this charming restaurant in Luang Prabang has local food that will delight and satisfy.
The Mok Pa Lao (steamed fish) dish was light with a hint of coconut. Wrapped individually in banana leaves, this is a good starter as it’s not too overpowering and those who do not like coconut in their food (like me) would also enjoy this. Tastes best with cut chili and fish sauce.
The …
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July 10, 2009
When I travel, I make sure I have the local cuisine of the particular country I am visiting. I like going native when it comes to food. So I spent some Summer time in Laos and Park Houay Mixay was one of the highlights of going local culinary-wise.
Located conveniently on Sothikhoummane Road, this wooden house-restaurant features outdoor and indoor seating. Their specialty is traditional Luang Prabang cuisine and their menu boasts a wide selection of ethnic dishes.
The spicy shrimp paste with steamed vegetables was a surprise but a good surprise. I wanted some greens and I got a whole plateful of it. With sticks of different vegetables and a bowl of shrimp paste as a dip, this slighty …
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July 6, 2009
One of my favorite spots in Hong Kong is SoHo, with its myriad restaurant options and the very cool mid-level escalators, you will be spoiled for choice. That said, I was roaming about SoHo a couple of weeks ago when I stumbled upon this restaurant.
I was first drawn to its traditional doors and exterior which stood out among the sea of sports bars, Italian restaurants and Mexican restaurants. And it was packed with locals which is always a good sign.
Turns out – it was a good sign. The food at Yi Jiang Nan was delicious and tasty. Like a home cooked meal prepared by your Asian grandparents. The fried sliced beef with chili was tender and perfectly cooked. …
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