Today we looked into flights to Vientiane there are two companies we can use Lao Airlines or Lao Central Airlines. Lao airlines worked out best for us in terms of times. The tickets are booked for Saturday.
We had a wander around town, visited Phou Si temple (climbing around 300 steps to get there!), Buddhist footprint, other temples and a Buddhist monk school.
Phou Si
The main hill in the city from which you have a good view of the whole area. It’s not a very steep climb from the bottom and sunrise and sunset are particularly rewarding times to go up. There is a near-panoramic view from the top. There are 2 entrances from ground level: 1 on the north along Sisavangvong Road, facing the Royal Palace, and another one on the East, on Sisavang Vatthana Road. The northern entrance has about 130 steps up to the ticket counter, and another 190 steps to the top. The eastern entrance is longer than the northern one by a factor of 2 or 3, and is hence less steep and has more points of interest along the way, which are perfect excuses for stopping for a breather on the climb. Entrance fee 20,000 kip. Here there is a Buddhist footprint.
Temple at the ticket office
looking across to the Royal Palace Museum
The next steps up
Views from the top
the temple from the outside
Another temple at the bottom
Monks studying
Afterwards we had a walk around town popping into the Big Brother Mouse offices (more information in my post for tomorrow) and Ock Pop Tok (a fair trade textile shop which is linked to the Living Craft Centre). The shop assistant was curious and asked what religion we are We told her, she then wanted Sangeet to tie a turban on her. She also gave us her email address and wants information on Sikhi.
Big Brother Mouse
Ock Pop Tok shop, the lady liked Sangeet’s turban and wanted Sangeet to tie one on her.
We then popped into saffron cafe for a strawberry smoothie.
Red chillies
We wandered around town for a while then made our way to The Royal Palace.
The Royal Palace (official name “Haw Kham”) in Luang Prabang, Laos, was built in 1904 during the French colonial era for King Sisavang Vong and his family. The site for the palace was chosen so that official visitors to Luang Prabang could disembark from their river voyages directly below the palace and be received there. After the death of King Sisavang Vong, the Crown Prince Savang Vatthana and his family were the last to occupy the grounds. In 1975, the monarchy was overthrown by the communists and the Royal Family were taken to re-education camps. The palace was then converted into a national museum.
On the way back through the night stall which was being setup we stopped at the vegetarian stall for a late lunch / early dinner. We were the first to arrive so were able to enjoy the buffet whilst fresh.
In the evening I went to pick up the laundry from town and also had a one hour foot massage. It was a bargain at 40000kip (around £3)!
Whilst Sangeet was catching up on some reading, I had a wander into the city centre. I was walking on Orchard Road, when I decided to pop into a work recruitment office to enquire about jobs in Singapore.
There are a few papers I need to email the agency one was a employment letter. Apparently in Singapore once you leave a company, they will give you an employment letter stating how good/bad you were at your work….bit like a school report. Also I popped back to the hostel to pick up the iPad….the one time I do not take it with me, I actually need it. It had my CV/Resume on it. Sangeet wanted to use the iPad so I emailed it to my mobile. After visiting the recruitment office I came back to the hostel.
Around 3pm we popped out to the gurdwara
Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha
90/92 Wilkie Road,
Singapore (228086)
T: +65 6337 6301
F +65 6337 5160
E: [email protected]
Loving Hut
Suntec City Mall
Sky Garden #03-016 @ Tower two(location of shop within the mall)
Singapore
T: +65 6238 6755
Suntec:
Light lunch
We could not give a proper review, if we do not try dessert!
Loving Hut is the largest international chain of vegan restaurants. It was founded by Ching Hai, a spiritual leader and entrepreneur from Taiwan. As of December, 2011 there are over 200 Loving Hut stores worldwide. There are restaurants in Asia, Europe, South America, North America and Australia. Every restaurant offers its own specialities and is different, they claimed they want to provide inexpensive, vegan meals to the people.
The Loving Hut marketing slogan is Be Vegan, Make Peace.
It is a thirty minute walk to the restaurant from the hostel. Once we got there we found an Indian vegetarian restaurant next to it. We ordered our meals from Loving Hut and sat down…I felt so guilty for not ordering from the Indian restaurant, especially when the owners were giving me a awful stare…the one where you can just feel some bodies eyes burning through you!
On the way to the restaurant we saw so many beautiful buildings, also Singapore in continually building…..this country just seems to have every major company wanting to move here.
By the way the temperature is around 33 degrees C but feels like 40 and 60% humidity, you start sweating as soon as you walk outside, I love this heat!!
After a late lunch Sangeet caught the MRT to Boon Keng so she could get to the Central Gurdwara early. I walked back to the hostel to tie my turban – yes I know what you are thinking “why was it not already worn!!!”
I decided to save the SGD$1.40 it would have cost me taking the MRT and walked from the hostel to the Gurdwara. The walk was along Selegie road, which turned into Serangoon road, it took me through Little India….aaaargh! Okay I can do this and I did….I had a tunnel vision so just pushed my way through the crowds. It took me thirty minutes to get to the Gurdwara. I was so happy that I managed to conquer Little India and come out with no Dengue Fever! Whilst in Little India I popped into a phone shop to check the price on the iPhone 5, it was SGD$1300. I used the shop calculator to work out the exchange into GBP£ it showed GBP£360?!?! I was puzzled, surely not! I tried again 1300/1.9 = 360!?!? Even the calculator is dodgy!!
At the Gurdwara they had started the Akhand Paath (please see Akhand Paath for information on Akhand Paath)
This morning we said goodbye to Manjot and Kulyjot as they rushed off to school.
Puaji, paji and phenji were home, it was nice that we got to catch up with paji and phenji. Puaji and Phenji made lunch which we all ate together. After lunch paji went to work.
Indian goodbyes last some time, in our case about 45 minutes. It was sad to say bye, we have enjoyed staying here so much, feels so relaxed and like home. It was fantastic to see everybody again. When we left Puaji and Phenji packed a lot of fruit and various soft drinks. There are some Indian traditions I question, this one I do not. It is such an amazing tradition….somebody stays at your house, you feed them, accommodate them, when it is time for them to leave you pack so much food they are unable to carry it and send them on their way!!
We arranged to pick up Nolan around 2 pm but got to the hostel at about 2:45pm where Nolan was waiting in his chilled out way. We then went to get the car tyre seen to. The garage was so good, they said that the paperwork needed was too much so they just repaired the puncture for free!
We set off to Wellington taking highway 5 to Taupo then 1 to Wellington, on the way we stopped at Huka Falls, powerful and very amazing falls.
We then stopped at lake Taupo, this lake is huge. The views were stunning with snow capped mountains behind the lake.
The drive to wellington is around 5 to 6 hours, with taking breaks it took about 7 hours. Towards the end of the journey, we were driving in the dark so played 21 questions to keep ourselves occupied and awake which was very entertaining and made us chuckle.
We stopped for dinner at a Chinese restaurant in Bull, called Hungry Bull, that served fish and chips, burgers, bacon and sausage fry up as well as Chinese food! They also sold lollipops, various ice lollies and pastries, as soon as we entered, the restaurant looked dodgy…….the food was amazing! Just goes to show don’t judge a book by its cover!
Once we arrived in Wellington we went to the YHA but as we arrived there at 11:20pm they would not check us in. Tthey said as we had not booked in advance they could not check us in, if we got there by 11pm they would have checked us in….suppose rules are rules. They suggested we try Nomads which had rooms. We got a double room with ensuite. The room was very clean and had a television (in a hostel room!?!?)
Nomads
118 Wakefield Street
Wellington 6011
New Zealand
T: +64 4 978 7800
E: [email protected]
Skype: nomadscapital
Time for a full day. Got up at 2:30am so had plenty of time to get ready for sardhana. Had to make sure I texted Sangeet so she knew I went. :).
The first class was with Sat Siri Kaur followed by Awtar Kaur of San Francisco.
At lunchtime I met Shanti Kaur and feel so privileged.
In the evening I went to the Gurdwara, there was a programme to mediate for the shootings in Milwaukee, I met Deva there who I invited back to the house.
I have just landed at Chicago O’Hare international and am awaiting the American Airlines flight to Albuquerque, the first thing everybody should do is try out Garrett Popcorn, I recommend choosing ‘The Chicago Mix’ a blend of Caramel Crisp and Cheese Corn, a fantastic combination.
Also worth a mention, the wifi at the Admirals club lounge is fast and free!
Until next time Chicago……..
After a turbulent flight to Albuquerque, I was met at the airport by my very good friend Prith. He arranged for the courtesy shuttle to take us to the Sheraton airport hotel, the room rate was supposed to be $119 per night plus taxes, but we negotiated on $89, also helped that we were SPG (Starwood Preferred Guest member)
I met Prith two years ago at Espanola whilst Sangeet was attending the immersion course, I flew to Espanola to surprise Sangeet with a big chocolate cake, then I thought about driving to Denver to catch up with some friends, something was just telling me to turn back and stay in Espanola. In the meantime, Prith was doing a road trip of the USA and was told by a yoga teacher to visit Espanola, which he did. What was supposed to be a three to four hour visit for Prith to Espanola turned out to be 4 days! Another one of our friends Deva Singh, who was living in Espanola hooked up with us and we had a fantastic time which helped our friendship bond together.
After a good night’s rest we headed out to Walmart to get some supplies, on entering the store somebody shouted out Obama lock and load, I think he meant to say Osama!
I also needed to get a 3G sim so can stay connected, we went to the T -mobile, unfortunately, the frequency was different so my only option was to buy a MiFi unit at a cost of $170! In the end, Prith was able to tether his iPhone through Verizon for $20 per month.
Back on the road to Espanola via Santa Fe for a spot of lunch and sightseeing. Lunch was at India Palace a nice restaurant which is at 227 Don Gasper Ave, Santa Fe. Our last unhealthy meal before immersion:
We popped into The Signature Gallery and met the artist Phillip Payne, he was very kind to spend some time with us and gave us a story of his art.
After a wonderful time in Santa Fe, onwards to Espanola.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gaygoat/7707066376/
We arrived in Espanola around 17:30 and went to the Gurdwara. Afterwards, we were shown our room.
Hi, thanks for visiting my blog, feel free and have a look around.Here is a bit about me, as you may or may not have guessed my name is Mandeep,I work to travel as opposed to work to pay bills and die!Every trip for me is an adventure, I have been very fortunate to stumble across amazing places and meet awesome people along the way.
Why gaygoat? When I first started this blog I was a vegetarian, so gaygoat – happy goat! Also you have to admit it is catchy and a URL you will not forget!
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