wanderlust: vientiane and luang prabang, laos

Sabaidee! This is means hello in Lao language. My friends and I visited Vientiane and Luang Prabang, Laos during Easter break recently. Laos has similar culture or has influence of Thai, Vietnamese cultures and not forgetting tiny bit of French influence as it was under French rule. Luang Prabang is one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites in Laos, so it is worth visiting place. Here are some photos from my trip. Enjoy!

Buddha park - 24 km south of Vientiane, is near the Mekong River. The park is filled with religious sculptures and was built in 1958 by the philosopher Bunleua Sulilat.

Phat That Luang - a symbol of Lao's nationhood and the country's most sacred Buddhist momument. It was built in the 16th century under the rule of King Setthathirat.

Patuxai - Gate of Triumph, is situated in the centre of Vientiane and was built between 1962 to 1968.

Wat Ho Phakeo - was built in 1565 as a royal chapel and repository for the celebrated statue of the Emerald Buddha which was seized from Northern Thailand in 1551. However, in 1778, the Siamese (Thais) invaded and recaptured it, taking it to Bangkok. The temple was destroyed in 1828 to 1829 during the Thai sacking of Vientiane. It was rebuilt in 1936 and restored again in 1993.

Wat Sisaket - the only temple in Vientiane to survive the sacking of the city theSiamese in 1828. It is the oldest and considered by many to be most interesting of the Laotian temples.

Kuang Si waterfalls - A three tier waterfall about 29 km south of Luang Prang. This is one of the favourite trips for tourists in Luang Prabang. Local tours often offer tours to this waterfall.

Royal Palace Museum - It was closed during our visit. It houses royal portraits and busts, religious artifacts and gifts from foreign states. 
 

Whet your appetite with local food!

Khao Soy soup - Laotian breakfast; a bowl of noodle soup with pork meat and vegetables flavoured with special fermented bean paste. The soup it is not spicy as all the condiments are served separately.

Lao style sandwich - this can be bought at any fruit juice or shake stalls by the road.French bread + scramble egg + shreds of bean curd + meat floss + tomato slice + cucumber slice + lettuce = Lao style sandwich for 15,000 kip; less than US$2 (I think).

Click here to see more photos. 

Hope everyone is having a good weekend. Until the next post, stay chic and stylish!

alternative shopping in wanchai

The Blue House in Wanchai is one of the prominent landmark in the area. It refers to a 4-storey balcony -type tenement block located at 72 to 74A Stone Nullah Lane. This is one of the few remaining examples of Tong Lau of the balcony type in Hong Kong. If you are planning to check the Blue House, you can visit a secondhand items store (unknown name in English) and the Green Ladies.

The unknown secondhand items store. You can almost everything and anything in this place; from clothes, shoes, bags, CDs, DVDs, books, photo frames to plates, toys. Bought few books here and each book cost HK$10 each (about RM4.20 or US$1.30). Pretty cheap, right?

If you fancy designer or branded pre-loved items, after the Blue House, keep walking straight ahead until you see a red and white building with the name St. James' Settlement at the end of the road. The entrance to Green Ladies is at the ground level but clothing items, shoes and bags are located on first level.

Green Ladies

Address: G/F, St. James' Settlement Headquarters, 85 Stone Nullah Lane, Wanchai

Telephone: 2831 3204

Website:http://greenladies.sjs.org.hk/ENG/main.html

Opening hours:

Mon to Fri: 12.30 noon to 7 pm

Sat: 12.30 noon to 6 pm

Hope this gives you an idea of alternative shopping options in Hong Kong, particularly in Wanchai. Have a great weekend everyone!

vintage outfit: pink necklace with dark turquoise skirt

the outfit: top, vintage necklace, cardigan, vintage thrifted belt, vintage skirt, pumps

I am glad that spring is here although it has been raining a lot lately. Can't wait to wear vintage outfits and start posting outfit posts! This was my outfit for work on Friday. I love the how the pink necklace and dark turquoise vintage skirt pops out from the outfit. Definitely ready for Spring!

Have a good weekend and stay chic!

exploring north point, hong kong island

 

Map of North Point from Google Map 

In this post, I will be introducing North Point (Hong Kong Island) to you as off beaten shopping track (if I may say so). Areas like Tsim Sha Tsui and Causeway Bay are always packed with tourists so for those who loathe crowded places and enjoy shopping in less crowded places, North Point may be an option for you. So, what are in store in North Point for you? 

If you are looking for bargain, you can check out Esprit outlet and Nike Factory Store. If you love to check out affordable merchandise from Japan, there are two Living Plaza store in the area (all HK$12 merchandise store). And if you love to thrift, there is Salvation Army Family Store (but to set your expectation, there are not many vintage items here).

Metropole International Departmental Store

 Esprit Outlet

416-426, King's Road, 3/F, North Point, Hong Kong

Living Plaza 

 Portion of B/F, Metropole Building, 416-426 King's Road, North Point, Hong Kong

North Point Family Store

G/F, Fok Ying Building, 379-381 King's Road, North Point, Hong Kong

Operation hours: Mon - Sat; 9.30 am to 8.30 pm, Sun: 2.00 pm to 8.30 pm 

Living Plaza

Shop B26-B28, Basement, Hom World, Provident Centre, 21-53 Wharf Road, North Point, Hong Kong

Operation hours: 10.00 am to 10.00 pm

Nike Factory Store

G/F, Shop G3-G5, Homeworld, Provident Centre, 21-53, Wharf Road, North Point, 

Hong Kong

One area to check off from my list. Stayed tune for more posts on stores to visit!

Have a good weekend everyone!

 

Further readings and references:

http://www.esprit.com/storefinder_map.php?id=1868396

http://www.nextstophongkong.com/outlets/esprit-outlet/

http://www.aeonstores.com.hk/chi/index2.htm 

http://www.salvationarmy.org.hk/en/about_us/center?service=family_stores

vintage store: select 18

At this eclectic store, you’ll find tables topped with jewelry, clocks, watches, fur coats, old cameras and even Barbie dolls. If you’re in the market for some signature spectacles, head to the back of the store and admire one of the city’s best selections of vintage eyeglasses. - See more at: http://hk-magazine.com/hong-kong-shop/select-18#sthash.BJgXFxQU.dpuf

It has been so long since my last vintage store hunting. I have been meaning to check out Select 18 for a while now however, in my first adventure back in 2102, I was unable to find the store. Must have read the map wrongly. Since then, I did not make any effort to find the store. Only lately, whilst checking my 'to do' list, I have decided to give it another try. I am glad, I did.

What can you find here? Vintage bags, vintage glasses, memorabilia, vintage luggage, costume jewelry and few vintage furniture to name a few. Would recommend this store for vintage lovers or anyone who is looking for one of kind pieces.

Details of the store:

Address: Shop A, 18, Bridges Street, Central, Hong Kong

Telephone: 9127 3657

Website: www.facebook.com/select18

I fell in love with this white shabby stool.... but it did not come home with me.

white shabby stool from Select 18

If you are planning to visit Hong Kong, do include this store into your itinerary. Opposite the store is Oolaa restaurant. Have a scrumptious breakfast or brunch at the restaurant first and then check out Select 18. 

That would not be my first and last visit to the store, definitely would visit the store again either just to window shop or to shop.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!Till my next post, stay chic and stylish!

At this eclectic store, you’ll find tables topped with jewelry, clocks, watches, fur coats, old cameras and even Barbie dolls. If you’re in the market for some signature spectacles, head to the back of the store and admire one of the city’s best selections of vintage eyeglasses. - See more at: http://hk-magazine.com/hong-kong-shop/select-18#sthash.BJgXFxQU.dpuf

At this eclectic store, you’ll find tables topped with jewelry, clocks, watches, fur coats, old cameras and even Barbie dolls. If you’re in the market for some signature spectacles, head to the back of the store and admire one of the city’s best selections of vintage eyeglasses. - See more at: http://hk-magazine.com/hong-kong-shop/select-18#sthash.BJgXFxQU.dpuf