Into Laos

(oldest prasat in Thailand)

We left early in the morning from Nang Rong for Chong Mek border crossing stopping over at Chong Chom, the border crossing with Cambodia since daddy want to see how is the situation there with the current standoff. Everything seems to be normal here but don't bother going into Cambodia since the want THB300 per passport for entry into this nothing to see place. There are 2 casinos just across the border and nothing much other than that, a total waste of time!

We continued our journey at the lower trunk road via Det Udom and to Don Chik, passing paddy field, small vilages and supposingle the oldest khmer ruin in Thailand, Prasat Phompun. Before arriving at the border around 1500hrs, with a short detour to visit Sirinthon Dam. The CIQ Complex at Chong Mek looks very good but immediately after you pass the border, you will need to walk pass an non-tarred muddy path into the Laos. See below how beautiful this building is and next to it is the path leading into Laos, anyway this is the nicest looking land border crossing complex daddy has seen in Thailand,

In Laos, the border procedure is simple as well, but make sure you pass the border before 1600hrs as there are overtime charges after that. We arrived at the counter just pass 1600hrs and we had to pay THB100 per passport but it is stated on the window it actually only cost 10,000kip per passport. Anyway daddy didn't want to make a big fuss out of it as this is almost a standard practice so it is better to get ready kip instead! (there is an exchange counter a few meter away from the arrival booth).

We took a non-aircon taxi which cost THB400 from the border to Pakse town, but you can take an air-con van from the border to Pakse town for THB500 but taking a vintage left-hand drive toyota was great. Anyway, I fell asleep on this 45mins journey.

We arrived at the main market just across the bridge and took a tuk-tuk to the town looking a place to guesthouse or hotel. The prices here are pretty reasonable for a room and the condition are above average. Most of the hotel here range fro 400bt to about 800bt a night. Daddy checked into a pretty new hotel at the main road, Hotel Seng Aroun, which was only THB700 a night, clean and equip with an elevator and free breakfast.

Since it was already dark and most of the shops were closing by the time we check-in into the room. Daddy wanted to try some local Loatian food but the hotel actually introduce us to a thai restaurant and told us they serve Loatian food. When we got to the restaurant, Tour Lao, it was already pack of customers from 2 double deck busses from Thailand, but I had quite a big bowl of soup anyway. At least it was clean and air-conditioned.

(l-r : fried morning glory / pineapply fish)

Since there was nothing much to do in the night, and mommy wanted to watch her thai lakorn, me and mommy went back to the room while daddy and Uncle Chang walk around the city to check if there are anything interesting!

Lunch : Pork Ball Noodles @ Tesco Lotus Extra
Dinner : Pork Ball Soup @ Tour Lao Restaurant, Pakse

Some photos taken today

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Today's Movie -

Kanchanaburi To Nang Rong

It was a tiring journey and I ended up in Nang Rong feverish and I hope I will get better tomorrow continuing my journey to Mukdahan before crossing the Mekong River into Savannakhet, Laos.

Daddy started the journey this morning from great granny shop at 0930hrs to Saraburi to pick up Uncle Chang who is joined us with a THB70 bus, 1 hour, from Bangkok. But daddy only arrived at Tesco around 1230hrs because daddy was caught speeding at 124km/h at a 90km/h stretch on the highway near Wang Noi. Anyway we arrived in Nang Rong which is located about 30km from Phanom Rung Historical Park around 1715hrs, before heading to the first ruin, as daddy wanted to stay as near as possible to the ruins since it would be easier to visit in the morning before heading to Mukdahan.

Prasat Phanom Rung, an ancient Khmer complex build atop an extinct volcano overlooking paddy fields. If we had arrived just a little earlier we would have been able to visit the rest of the ruins located just 9km from this temple. If we could wake up early, daddy would take a drive to visit the rest of the ruins before heading to the Laotian border.

After the ruins, we started shopping for hotels around Nang Rong, which do not have much choice except for a hotel at the centre of the town and Kasut Guesthouse opposite PTT petrol Kiosk on the main road.

Hope my fever will subside tomorrow.

Lunch : Pork Noodle at PTT Petrol Kiosk, Saraburi
Dinner : Fish Porridge at Nang Rong, Buriram

Some photos taken today

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Today's Movie -

Safari In Kanchanaburi!

Daddy was going to leave today for Buriram but because I had so much fun with Aunty Peng and Uncle Khla, daddy thought it would be good for me to stay another day here and maybe visit the Safari Park in Bo Phloi as well.

We left great granny's shop around 1100hrs and drove towards Bo Phloi. Safari Parks locates about 30km from downtown Kanchanaburi. Daddy did not have high expectation for this place since it was quite awkward to have a safari park in this part of the country but it turn out pretty good since you can actually feed the animals from within the car and at the entrance I was able to take a photo with the tiger! It would have been better if it was with a lion. Some of the animals featured in this parks are tigers, a pair of lions, bison, malayan sun bear, antelopes, deers, giraffe, zebra, llama, camels and flamencos. The entrance fee is THB300 for adults and THB100 for children (for Thais are THB120 and THB70 respectively). For the price I think it is worth it if you have no where else to go already if you are already in Kanchanaburi. Forget about the restaurant and the shows. The place is totally rundown with little or zero maintenance.


After visiting the Safari Park, daddy took a drive to Bo Phloi town since there was nothing to eat in the park. One of the staff in the park actually suggested daddy to eat at Nin Restaurant, which was quite good if wasn't for the THB300 mushrooms which mommy ordered!


After lunch, mommy thought of visiting the Jewellery OTOP since this town is known for its gem stone mines. Since its famous for it and mommy could not resist it, mommy got some small sapphires and a blue topaz here which is quite reasonable I suppose.


Lunch : Mixed Vegetables, Mushrooms, Salted Fried Chicken with White Rice
Dinner : Fried Fish, Toufu Soup, Mix Vegetable, Steam Prawns with White Rice

Some photos taken today,
(coming soon)

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Today's Movie -

A Day In Kanchanaburi

I got up quite early this morning since daddy and mommy was already up by then since the aircon in the room was so cold.

We went to great granny shop in the morning and walk around the nearby market. We stayed around the house most of the time since mommy wanted to spend some time at home. Mommy cousin, Kolf, came by with his new wife and baby, Khet, who is only turning 3 months in a few days time. Guess when I come here the next time, we should be running arounf together. I even tried to carry her while she was sleeping!

Before going for dinner, I went to a temple along River Kwai to feed some fish with Auntie Peng and Uncle Khla. Fun Fun Fun!

Later in the night we went for dinner at Klua Anong at Nong Khao which is about 15km from downtown Kanchanaburi. Click here for location of the restaurant. Daddy rate this restaurant 6 out of 10, because of the tom yum.

Lunch : Fried Yellow Noodle and Soup with White Rice
Dinner : Mixed Vegetables, Fried Egg and Toufu with White Rice @ Klua Anong, Nong Khao

Some photos taken today

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Today's Movie -

Just Up North!

An exciting flight for me since I doubt I could remember all my previous flights. The plane was suppose to leave at 1515hrs from KLI Airport but instead it was delayed 30mins and the plane only arrived at 1635 instead. The flight here was alright with some turbulence and I had some pressure problem this time. Since I could tell mommy my ear was hurting!

Then the excitement starts, we got passed the immigration within minutes since we could go with mommy to the Thai citizen counter and no delay in our bags. When we got out at the arrival hall, the car rental person was no where to be found! and mommy gave everyone a heart attack when she discovered that her handbag was missing! She started running around everywhere and even the airport security rush to us and see if they could locate it using the cctv! Anyway mommy found her handbag left in the airport toilet and luckily the cleaner was around and lock the cubicle so others could not use it.

By the time we left the airport it was around 1845hrs, which was getting dark. The GPS work perfectly well and got us into Kanchanaburi without any problem and except daddy had to drive in the dark. Most of the way was brightly litted except for a short stretch in Kanchanaburi province which was without any street lamps. The roads were beautiful and no tolls as well. We arrived in great granny's home just before 2100hrs.

Since it was already late and I have yet to have my dinner we took a drive to the food street just across the house as daddy was too lazy to walk across, which was only about 3mins walk! Lazy daddy.

We only got back to Ploy Guesthouse around 2300hrs, after a long and exciting day!

Lunch : Steam Egg and Pumpking with White Rice
Dinner : Beef Ball Noodle @ Kanchanaburi

No photo were taken today

Today's Movie -

Happy Birthday Mommy!

Today is Mommy birthday but unfortunately we could not take mommy out since daddy thought he had to pick up our maid, Toon, from the airport. Daddy got home early with a raspberry cheese cake from Secret Recipe for mommy, written on it, "Happy Birthday Mommy from Aeryn". We cut the cake after grandpa and granny got back from the airport.

Finally after daddy bought the ticket in October last year we will be flying to Bangkok tomorrow on free tickets offered by Malaysia Airlines. Today mommy has packed all my stuff into the same bag I used on my last trip.

I will be meeting my great granny tomorrow supposedly for a dinner in Kanchanaburi, if daddy do not get lost along the way there. See you in Kanchanaburi tomorrow.

After dinner, daddy took me and mommy out to get packets of Ipoh White Tea since Grand Uncle Tee is interested in selling it at his grocery shop at the Thai burmese border.

Lunch : Fried Carrot and Pumpkin Egg with Brown Rice
Dinner : Fried Carrot and Pumpkin Egg with Brown Rice

No photo were taken today.

Today's Movie -

Luis, A Peruvian in Hat Yai

Today, daddy took me and mommy to meet up with Uncle Vincent and his friends for lunch at a thai salad restaurant, Uncle Vincent's favourite restaurant. I was surprise to meet one of Uncle Vincent's friend, Luis, who is a peruvian, working in Cyberjaya. Mommy and daddy had a great chat with him about Peru and South America. Reminds me of my trip to South America, wonder when I would be able to travel to South America again.

After lunch, daddy drop me and mommy off at Lee Garden to meet up with Aunty Por from Narathiwat which I met the last time when she was in Kuala Lumpur. She brought with her a Blythe doll, which is highly demanded currently in Thailand after being shelf for more than 30 years, a truely one of its kind revival. Not it cost more than 6000bt for one doll!

Later daddy got the pick up time wrong since daddy thought mommy was referring to Malaysian Time when daddy was using Thai time. Mommy had to take a tuk-tuk to take me back home since daddy took Uncle Vincent and friends for a short sightseeing trip.

Dinner, we went to Uncle Peh's family restaurant for fried noodles.

Lunch :
Dinner :

No photo were taken today.

Today's Movie -

Uncle Vincent Is Here

Daddy got home late again last night and did not sleep much since Uncle Vincent arrived from Kuala Lumpur around 0900hrs. Daddy left home around 0730hrs, thinking that the bus would arrive early but instead stayed in the car waiting for the bus to arrive. I am sure daddy would have been happier sleeping at home!.

I stayed at home the whole day with daddy until dinner since daddy was waiting for Uncle Vincent call, because Uncle Vincent did not call until 2000hrs, we went to Swensen's at Lee Garden for ice-cream first before going to food court along Suppasanrangsan for dinner.

After dinner we walk to the night market further down the road. Mommy got me a pink "Hello Kitty" balloon.

Lunch : Steam Egg with White Rice
Dinner : Fried Chicken with Fried Rice at Food Court along Suppasanrangsan Road

Some photos taken today
(coming soon)

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Today's Movie -

Friday Friday!

It was a slow Friday since daddy got home very late last night, but I still woke daddy up early in the morning but daddy slept again until around 1230hrs, while I was running around the house and found the rice container! and started to throw the rice on the floor! Just as daddy woke up, mommy went out to get me and daddy's favourite roasted pork rice.

In the afternoon we drove around Hat Yai to check the exchange rate since the rate seems bad at the border but it wasn't any much better as well. Daddy suggested to mommy to check the rate again tomorrow since we will be here until Tuesday.

For dinner we went to MK at Carrefour for dinner. My first taste of mommy's favourite restaurant.

Lunch : Roasted Pork with White Rice
Dinner : Steam Boat in MK @ Carrefour

Some photos taken today
(coming soon)

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Today's Movie -

First Car Into Thailand!

We were the first car which cross into Thailand for today! We left great granny house in Ipoh at 0145hrs from Ipoh house and arrived at the border just before 0500hrs. We waited for about an hour before the border was officially opened. By the time the border was open we were the 4 car passing the Malaysian CIQ Complex and since the 3 cars in front of us, stopped at the duty free, were were the first car at the Thai CIQ.

We arrived in Hat Yai at 0600hrs (local Thai time which is 1 hour behind MST) and went directly to the market to buy Kao Khrok Kapi (ข้าวครกกะปิ) before daddy met up with Uncle Jammie which was suppose to leave at 0900hrs, but instead Uncle Jammie called daddy to get rooms for another night since they were going to stay another night. Daddy took Uncle Jammie to Wattana Mansion, next to Wat Cheer Chang along Suppasanrangsan Road, before we went for lunch at an Isaan restaurant.

Later in the night, me, daddy and mommy drove to pick up Granny from her office since Uncle Aot was not around. We drove over to Greenway, a second hand market, since daddy thought of selling off some old stuff there, but instead, we spend more time and money shopping. There is also quite a good variety of good available here but the are not too taste. There is a shop selling roti with chicken curry with sate sauce.

Not sure what is the planned yet tomorrow as daddy will not be back early tonight.

Lunch : Steam Egg with White Rice
Dinner : Fried Chicken

Some photos taken today
(coming soon)

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Today's Movie -

3rd Day In Ipoh

We left home around 1145hrs for Ipoh after daddy looking for this pocket pc for more than an hour and still could not find it. We arrived in Ipoh just after 1400hrs, and picked up Grandpa, Granny and Sei Sook Gong for curry mee, but when we got there, the guys there told daddy that we need to wait for at least an hour before they could serve us! No way daddy is going to wait for a plate of curry mee. Daddy opt for another curry mee at Ipoh Garden instead which was really bad compared to other times.

Later in the afternoon, daddy drove me and mommy to visit Uncle Calvin since he was still in Ipoh at Wooley Food Court before we left for dinner later at night with Grandpa, Granny and Grand Uncle Kirby at Han City Restaurant. If you are looking for a restaurant to have your reunion dinner, try Han City, pretty good service and reasonable price. Very bad experience with Tai Thong Restaurant at Heritage Hotel.

We will be leaving for Thailand later in the morning. Just hope that it will not get too hot tonight.

Lunch : Steam Egg with Brown Rice
Dinner : Stir Fried Toufu with Steam White Rice @ Han City Restaurant

Some photos taken today
(coming soon)

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Today's Movie -

Ang Pow! Ang Pow!

Wow...!! I got even more Hong Pow today after visiting more uncle and aunty. At noon, daddy and mommy drove me to 2020 food court at Sungei Chua, since more of the shops were closed today but daddy got a shock when 2 glasses of Chinese Tea Ice cost RM1.20 which would normally cost RM0.80! Why should there be an increase just because of Chinese New Year! The restaurant, JJ Bak Kut Teh, we had our dinner last night did not seem to have any surcharge since daddy thought they would (3 dishes for RM20.40 plus rice and tea). Daddy is very dissapointed with the food court today! and vows not to return to have drinks there!

After lunch, my first stop was to visit Tai Kau Gong at the petrol kiosk, it was a short visit since we had to visit other the other Kau Gongs as well! Then mommy thought of visiting Sei Kau Gong first but unfortunately they were not around so we visit Yee Kau Gong and cousin Ashley instead. I met Uncle Chee Keong with Aunty Karen and my cousin, Bruce and Harriette. They arrived much earlier than us and left not long after that. We stayed in Sei Kau Gong's house until almost 1700hrs since Uncle Chee Keong told daddy that his daddy would be back home around 1700hrs.

Before we went to Sei Kau Gong house, daddy drove me home since mommy wanted to feed me first as we might not be back until after dinner and it would be better to feed me before we continue. Did not stay long in Sei Kau Gong place since my diaper was starting to leak but I had a great time playing with Aunty Wei Ting friends!

Daddy then drove me back home again to change the diaper before our last stop for the day, cousin Kitt or Sam Kau Gong house. When we arrived in Kitt house, it was actually almost time for dinner, so Sam Kau Gong invited us to join them for dinner at Ming Kee Coffee Shop with Tai Kau Gong, which was excellent as I got to meet all my cousin there later with a short lion dance presentation next door as well!

It was definately a great day today, with a lot more Hong Pow! I will be leaving for Ipoh to visit Great Granny before leaving for Hat Yai later in the night as daddy want to arrive at the border just before 0600hrs.

Lunch : Steam Pomfret with White Rice
Dinner : Steam Vegetable and Eggs with White Rice

Some photos taken today,




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Today's Movie -

Happy Chinese New Year!

It's my second New Year! and I starting to collect the red packet myself. The first red packet, I collected was from Grandpa and Granny in the morning when I woke up since daddy and mommy did not get ready any for me even until late at night. Guess, my money will go straight to my bank instead.

After Granny and Grandpa left for Ipoh, Daddy drove me and mommy to visit Tai Ku Poh which is a yearly appointment for our family. I got even more red packets there since most of my aunties and uncles were there. I was got freak out with the talking fish in the hall!

After leaving Tai Ku Poh house, daddy drove mommy to Mid Valley to buy some stuff for my second visiting session, tomorrow!. I was already so tired by then which I fell asleep immediately when I got into the car while daddy was driving home.

Later in the night, daddy took me to visit Uncle Khee Wai's new born baby, Callen, if I got the spelling correct!


Lunch : Steam Pomfret with White Rice
Dinner : Bak Kut Teh, Taufu with Minced Pork with White Rice

Some photos taken today



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Today's Movie -

One More Day for Ang Pow

It's Chinese New Year Eve's and just one day away to collect my red packets. My fever is gone but I got cough now. Hope it won't get worst.

Tonight we went for a Chinese New Year's Eve Dinner at Hee Lai Ton, near home since daddy thought it would be more fun having a dinner in a proper restaurant rather then a coffee shop. The dinner was alright since we did not have any choice as they were serving set dinner only which I had my share of
1) Yee Sang (Raw Fish Salad)
2) Shark Fin Soup with Crab Meat (Mommy's Favourite) - daddy doesn't eat it and click here for shark fin hunting or you can watch the video below.
3) Prawns
4) Steam Fish (Seabass)
5) Mushrooms
6) Glutinous Rice

Tomorrow Grandpa and Granny will be driving to Ipoh to meet up with Great Granny since she is not feeling too well. We will be joining them on the 3rd day of Chinese New Year. I will be going to visit Tai Ku Poh tomorrow and we should be meeting up with Auntie Cyn Cyn as well if she is not working.

Lunch : Steam Pomfret with Brown Rice
Dinner : New Year Eve Dinner @ Hee Lai Ton

Some photos taken today



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STOP SHARK FINNING!

click here to understand more about your friendly sharks :)

Today's Movie - Knight Rider 2008