Reviews - Asia

THAILAND:

REVIEW

Review / Comments:
I recently visited Thailand an went on an organised sea cave canoe trip in Phang Nga Bay. When the tide is high you cannot enter the caves and to pass the time the boat dropped us off at a beach on the island of Koh Naka. This island has no less than five sandy beaches and has magnificent views of Phang Nga Bay yet it does not appear in any travel guide that I have seen. There is a resort under construction which will open next year and be run by the Raddison Hotel Group and another just started construction called Nakaburi Resort. I heard that Club Med are also interested.

Looks like this place is set for take off.
I liked this island so much (particularly the magnificent views) that I asked the sea-canoe boat to leave me there (Its only a five minute boat trip back to Phuket Island and you can hire a longtail boat for less that $10)

I asked about accommodation on the island and at present the only place is the up-market Koh Naka Retreat http://www.only.youknowwhere.com/where celebrities and the wealthy hang out. Iw was out of my price range, but because I was a "castaway" the owner let me stay for one night at a knock-down price. This was the ultimate in complete chill-out luxury and the Thai food cooked by Jaew was delicious. At night the atmosphere was totally romantic (well, not totally, as I was travelling alone "sob" "sob"). Many thanks to the owner, Sam, for letting me experience how the wealthy live.

Bob followme@safepassage.com 08.01.2004

Friendliness: 6

Food & Drink: 6

Hygiene: 6

Connecting Factor: 3

Ambience: 6

Kids Allowed: 3

VIETNAM:
Little Hanoi 25 Ta Hien Street (Old Quarter) Hanoi Vietnam's capital Hanoi has always played second fiddle to big brother Saigon in the culinary stakes, but Hanoi is catching up fast... The qaundry facing those new to Vietnam - and particularly to Hanoi- is where to eat when you're fresh off the plane. Not that there's a dearth of choice; but many travellers need to strike a fine balance between an authentic Vietnamese experience, friendly staff, good hygiene and a menu that includes neither 'dog', or 'entrails'. If this sounds like you , you'll enjoy Little Hanoi. Located in the heart of ancient Old Quarter of Hanoi, where original 15th century merchant's houses still stand, Little Hanoi is a very cosy hideaway just a stone's throw from the Red River. If you're staying in the old quarter is technically possible to walk - but given the maze of streets and the similarity of names to the non Vietnamese eye, you're better taking a cyclo (the Vietnamese variety of richshaw), or if you're staying in another district, perhaps a Honda Om (literally 'honda embrace').Less romantic, a little hair raising, but economical and fast. Little Hanoi's candle lit wooded interior has only room for 30 or so patrons at a time, but this gives it a intimate, cosy atmosphere. Authentic Vietnamese farecooked very well indeed completes the picture; vegetarian spring rolls, 'pho'(soup) of a great many varieties, fresh fish, noodle dishes and cold beer (Tiger from Singapore, or the local and very drinkable 333) are all agenda to welcome you if you're new in town. The staff are extremely friendly, polite and considerate, but by no means overbearing as you may find in other parts of town. Not the very best in Hanoi, but very good and perfect if you're trying to see the wood from the trees...Rating: Score for friendliness :6 Score for Food & Drink :4 Score for Hygiene factor:4 Score for Connecting factor: 3 Score for Ambience factor:4 Score for Kids allowed factor: 4 jonathan alley july 15 2000

Kinh Do Café
(‘Café 252’)
252 Hang Bong
Hanoi
Vietnam

Café 252, in the heart of the French Quarter, has become a bit of an institution in Hanoi ever since Catherine Deneuve visited there during the shooting of the film ‘Indochine’ back in 1992.
She apparently praised 252’s yoghurt, and with the Deneuve stamp of approval, history was made(!). There are photos on the walls of Deneuve with the owner, along with maps and a plethora of reading material to peruse whilst sitting and drinking the most delicious Vietnamese coffee, difficult to describe and even more so to replicate.

This place is great if you need a respite from the heat and intensity of the traffic and crowds in Hanoi. It's well known by locals and easy to find. After a day of shopping for Vietnamese silk, we wandered in here, (late May 2000), and then made this a regular haunt. The surrounds are pretty unprepossessing, especially if you’re used to Western style cafes. There are low tables with little wooden stools, (hard to imagine Deneuve perched at one of these somehow), and it’s all very basic; but it’s clean, relaxed and the staff are friendly, serving a variety of people consisting of locals, backpackers and tourists.

The tradition of French pastry-making is strong in Hanoi, (and along with a passion for fine java, it’s arguably the best thing to come out of colonialism). In ‘252’, on display at the front counter, are apple tartes, chocolate cakes and sponges. Also on offer are sandwiches, juices and a small menu of Vietnamese fare. It’s all cheap for a Westerner.The coffee is guaranteed to be good and strong, and I always enjoyed a cool yoghurt and a slice of apple tarte.

Friendliness: 5
Connecting factor: 2
Food and Drink: 4
Ambiance: 3 - it’s not slick, and not conventionally ambient, but hey, it’s Vietnam - it’s great!
Hygiene: 5
Kids allowed: 6. This place is great for kids, there were often children here, contributing to the chilled-out cheerful atmosphere. And there are lots of goodies that Western children would be famliar with and like to eat too!

Antoinette Martin
25.7.00

INDONESIA

Pendawa Bungalow
Kuta, Bali
REVIEWED: 21 September 1988
Here is a review from the time capsule, nearly 12 years old. However, we thought it would be fun
to throw in an "oldie" every now and then. We'd like people to add their latest updates to these old
reviews.

I walked in to the Pendawa Bungalow by accident rather than design. The hot, dusty streets of
Kuta - on top of the plane flight - had taken their toll, and I needed somewhere quiet to sit with a
cold drink. I walked in to a little patch of shangri la.

Spotlessly clean rooms with wide verandahs all opened onto a lovely central courtyard, full of lush
tropical plants and carved icons. Tiny pure yellow, and gigantic satin black, butterflies fluttered
through the courtyard like moving blooms.

After a quick wash in the "mandi", I came out onto the verandah, clean but thirsty. Almost
immediately, a pair of Swedes drinking San Miquel beer asked me to join them. The beer went
down easily. I bought some more. A Danish guy joined us. More beer. Three Swedish girls
moved in. Very interesting!

In the morning, the friendly staff joked with everyone around the breakfast table. The specialties
were fresh fruit and toast. Plain but delicious. There was no pool at Pendawa Bungalow, or drinks
with umbrellas. But sitting there in the early morning sun, you felt on top of the world!
Rating:

Score for Friendliness :6
Score for Food & Drink :3
Score for Hygiene factor:3
Score for Connecting factor: 5
Score for Ambience factor:5
Score for Kids allowed factor: 3
SteveM.

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