Bino

Hotel Review: The River Resort Champasak – The Most Stunning Hotel in Southern Laos

November 11, 2014 by Bino Leave a Comment

Crossing the border into the rural but scenic countryside of Southern Laos from Thailand, one would normally not expect to find anything more than paddy fields, farm animals and the odd village. Compared to the northern part of this landlocked country, fewer tourists venture all the way here despite the presence of several attractions, including a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I was pleasantly surprised to hear about a resort in these parts that many have raved about – I first knew about it through a fellow traveler who stayed there some years back. During my short visit to Laos, I finally got to witness what all the buzz was about.

The River Resort is a serene sanctuary located between Pakse, the largest town in the south and Vat Phou, the prime attraction this side of Laos. This makes the resort an excellent base for exploring the Vat Phou temple and for excursions to the Bolaven Plateau and Si Phan Don. I got here by hiring a songthaew from the bus station in Pakse where I was dropped off from my bus ride from Ubon Ratchathani in Thailand.

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3 Islands in Spain That Should Be In Your Bucket List

November 4, 2014 by Bino 2 Comments

Spain may not be known as an archipelagic country but with its famed sunny weather, laidback culture and varied nightlife, its islands are among the most renowned in Europe. I have visited Spain in the past but never ventured outside the main towns of Andalucia, the capital, Madrid and of course, Barcelona. Visits to Mallorca for instance, are often part of the most popular Spain tours. For my future trips, I will make sure to visit these islands:

the town of san cristobal de la laguna by Santiago P.A. | CC by 2.0

Tenerife
The largest of the Canary Islands, Tenerife is well-known as a resort destination, with plenty of stunning beaches such as Costa Adeje and Playa de la Arena to seek a tan from. Beaches aside, there is also a lot to keep cultural buffs busy, with charming old towns such as La Orotava and La Laguna, the latter being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For lovers of the great outdoors, there is the opportunity to hike to Mount Teide, the highest point in all of Spain. Even non-hikers can enjoy the view by taking a 4×4 followed by a cable car that reaches up to 3,550 meters out of the 3,718 meter tall volcano.

cala santa galdana by paul stephenson | cc by 2.0

Menorca
All it took was that one picture of a lagoon surrounded by translucent waters for me to be smitten. Menorca, the lesser known of the Balearic Islands, is the place to go to escape the maddening crowds that one finds everywhere else in Spain. A unique feature of Menorca is the presence of prehistoric monuments – the island is said to be the best place in Europe to see ancient settlements. No one knows exactly why they were built but they serve as constant reminders of the diversity of Spain’s tourist attractions.

the cathedral at palma de mallorca by sba 73 | cc by 2.0

Mallorca
The larger of the Balearic Islands, Mallorca is well within the tourist radar but is very much worth a visit if you know where to look. For starters, its capital, Palma de Mallorca, looks just like any of the majestic cities lining the Spanish mainland. Its centerpiece is the impressive cathedral which was built several hundred years ago on top of a mosque. Mallorca is equally known for its stunning landscapes and a visit to Sierra de Tramuntana is not to be missed for those with a couple of days to spend.

As these islands are quite spread out, organizing a trip covering all may prove to be a hassle. Tour operators such as First Choice have plenty of experience in Tenerife or to the other Spanish islands, and cater to various budgets and travel styles.

Talad Rot Fai – Bangkok’s Hipster Night Market

November 2, 2014 by Bino Leave a Comment

In the Bangkok itinerary I recommended in an earlier post, I listed Talad Rot Fai as one of the Thai capital’s hidden gems. Whether you’re a shopaholic or simply a curious tourist, a visit to this suburban weekend night market is definitely worth your time. While I frequent Chatuchak for its immensity, Talad Rot Fai is the place to go for quirky and vintage items that you’ll be hard-pressed to see under one roof. This is without a doubt, Bangkok’s coolest night market and is a place where the Thai’s entrepreneurial spirit jive with their creative side.

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For Grown-Ups Only: Cocktail Brunch at Manhattan Bar in Regent Singapore

November 1, 2014 by Bino Leave a Comment

In a city where brunch places have become a dime a dozen, the new Manhattan Bar at Regent Singapore launches its own version of the leisurely Sunday meal but moves away from the norm by cleverly positioning its offering as being for adults only.

Manhattan Bar is certainly not your typical brunch place and this is evident from the first time I entered. I was greeted by the sleek and dark interiors of what would normally make a fantastic hangout spot at night. The ambiance alone offered a peek at what’s to come.

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Celadon at The Sukhothai Hotel Bangkok: Delving Deeper Into Exotic Thai Cuisine

October 28, 2014 by Bino

As I was staying in The Sukhothai Hotel Bangkok for two nights, I thought it would be a shame if i didn’t get to try any of the hotel’s renowned restaurants. I was literally spoiled for choice. There’s La Scala which regularly hosts Michelin-starred chefs, the Salon with its chocolate buffet or the celebrated Thai restaurant, Celadon. I undoubtedly had some great options there but it was pretty clear which one I’d go with.

traditional thai dance performance at celadon

There has been much buzz about Celadon that I thought my stay wouldn’t be complete without trying it. The name of this restaurant always pops up whenever The Sukhothai Hotel Bangkok is mentioned. Travel and Leisure Magazine named it as the “Best Restaurant in Bangkok” and I was really excited to sample its many exotic Thai delights.

The restaurant is set in a separate building, in a Thai-inspired villa surrounded by a moat filled with lotuses. It made for a very scenic spot to dine, and guests have the option to have their meals either in an open-air or air-conditioned area.

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Hotel Review: My Fantastic Stay at The Sukhothai Hotel Bangkok

October 27, 2014 by Bino 3 Comments

Often regarded as one of the Thai capital’s quintessential hotels, The Sukhothai Hotel Bangkok has been charming guests for over two decades with its unique intepretation of Thai design that is at once contemporary and at the same time reminiscent of ancient Siamese capitals such as its namesake, the ancient ruins of Sukhothai in Northern Thailand.

I had the chance to experience the impeccable offerings of The Sukhothai Hotel during a short jaunt in Bangkok. Anyone who has been to this tourist mecca knows that the city has a very competitive hotel scene, with several excellent and impressive hotels at every price point. For a hotel to continually be recognized as one of the best in the city for over two decades, it practically needs to go the extra mile and during my stay there, I did come up with a few points that perhaps explains the hotel’s accolades.

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The Volcano Temple of Phanom Rung & Nearby Prasat Muangtam in Northeastern Thailand

October 25, 2014 by Bino Leave a Comment

Having seen the majestic Khmer temples at Phimai Historical Park the day before, I set out to see the dramatic volcano temple of Phanom Rung and the nearby Prasat Muangtam, another highlight of the Isaan region, in Buriram province the next day. If Phimai is considered off-the-beaten path, Phanom Rung and Prasat Muangtam are considered even more so, with its middle of nowhere and hard-to-get-to location. To visit these temples, a little bit of preparation is definitely needed.

Getting to Phanom Rung and Prasat Muangtam

I was essentially looking at two ways of getting there. Via public transport, I had to get to another town called Nang Rong, a typical town in Thailand where I could catch a songthaew or minivan that goes to the temples. As I wanted to visit two temples in a day and I was coming from Nakhon Ratchasima, I decided to hire a taxi for the 2 or so hour journey.

Temple on a Volcano – The Scene Can’t Get Any More Dramatic Than This!

the main part of the temple is up there, on an extinct volcano

While Phimai is arguably the biggest and most extensive Khmer temple ruin in Northeastern Thailand, Phanom Rung is probably the most spectacular. The temple’s got a few things going for it. First of all, its location, on top of an extinct volcano 400 meters high is enough to draw oohs and ahs. The weather here was also markedly cooler when I came at noon, even though the temple is not really high up in the mountains.

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Exploring Phimai Historical Park in Northeastern Thailand

October 22, 2014 by Bino 4 Comments

The Northeastern part of Thailand , also known as Isaan, is a rarely visited region in what is a heavily visited country. If you need a place to escape the crowds in Thailand and yet still witness some magnificent sights, this is one of the best places to visit. Deep within this off-the-beaten path locale lies Phimai Historical Park or Prasat Hin Phimai, one of Thailand’s finest ancient Khmer temple ruins. Coming here, it is easy to spot similarities with Angkor Wat, with ornate carvings made of sandstone and laterite as well as the three towers akin to its more famous counterpart in Cambodia.

making my way to the central prang of phimai

I took my nifty Casio Exilim EX-FR10 out for a spin at the temples of Phimai – all photos you see here are also taken with it. As a freestyle action camera, it comes with a wireless controller which allows me to split the camera into 2 and shoot photos remotely.

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