Frozen Yoghurt arrives in Laos
Finally the Frozen Yoghurt hype arrived in Laos. On June 12th YoQueen opened on Dongpalan Street, very close to the RBAC College. It is owned by Lao-Australians and provides the usual, but mouthwatering range of frozen yoghurts.
I tried the green tea with mango and almond, and yes, yummy yummy, yummy. The middle size was about 19.000 KIP, not cheap, but affordable. Most customers are Lao people, by the way.
Let's see how this business is going on, if it is successful, we may see the same development as in Vietnam, where many Frozen Joghurt shops opened up in a short time.
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Baan Tonmali Cake Coffee Shop
We do not have Starbucks here in Laos, and that might be good, cause it allows the local coffee shop scene to develop. A new kind of gemstone just opened a few days ago. The Name is Ban Tonmali Cake, what translates House of the Yasmin Cake, and is a small cute fancy place to have coffee and - cakes. Owner Phanumad Disattha is a filmmaker, and decided to create a place where filmmakers and photographers can meet. The filmmaking business got a boost recently, having two filmfestivals in Laos and a growing interest in locally produced movies.
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Aria Mixai - a paradise for Itailan food lovers
There are not so many places to go in Vientiane, when you are looking for fine dining. But Aria Mixai is for sure one. Chef Gerado and his team opened this Italian Restaurant just a year ago and already made it to the top of the culinary scene in the capital.
so what is his recipe of success? First of all it is highest quality. Gerado worked in 5-Star-Hotels before, and he wants the same level of food quality and experience in his own restaurant. While he is still getting many vegetables and ingredients from local markets, this is limited by his extraordinary taste and requirements. If something doesn't meet the standards, it will be imported. Like the excellent Buffalo Mozzarella, my favorite appetizer.
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At The Horizon - Laos latest film project
When I was interviewing the crew of "At the Horizon", a Lao movie to be produced in June, it took a while when I recognized, that actually the story about the movie is as good as the movies script.
But first things first: At the Horizon is a feature action movie about two different worlds in Laos colliding: The wealthy influential people on the one hand and the poor and honest on the other hand. There is a death, anger, pain and kind of vendetta included. So far, it is something that happens in Laos (and other Southeast-Asian countries) quite often.
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On safer ground: A movie that will make Laos popular
This movie by Gareth Carter will rock the world, believe me! It is a documentary following a team of football mad teenagers from Laos, as they travel to The Gothia Youth World Cup 2010 in Sweden. This adventure fulfils the boys dream to fly on a plane and get their first ever glimpse of the sea. No one knew the tragedy that would unfold making the trip even more poignant and meaningful. This film documents their journey on and off the pitch in Sweden as they win over hearts and minds and deal with being the first Laos football team ever to play outside of Asia. Watch the trailer.
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Benoni Cafe: The latest place to go for lunch and tea (and coffee, of course)
The owners of the Phimphone supermarket made a good decision: They extended the already popular coffee shop to the former Chez Phillipe (who has now opened Bistro 22 opposite the Catholic church) upstairs. The name remains:'Benoni' - and it quickly became popular with expats and local business people in Vientiane.
The coffee: Well done. I love coffee latte, and this one is one of the best in town. They recently added chocolate and cakes, and I tell you, they are gooooood.
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Luang Prabang: Elephant Ride, Trekking and Boat trip with Shangri Lao
You may have been to to Luang Prabang once or twice, but haven't you ever tried to explore the surrounding nature? Shangri Lao offers you now an unforgettable trip - with a lot of luxury included. It is not just that you are in the footsteps of French explorer Dr. P. Neiss, you actually feel kind of like back in the colonial days.
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The winner of the 2nd Vientianale is: "Calendar" by Thanavorakit Kounthawatphinyo
It was late on Sunday evening, when finally Mr. Bounchao, the Director of the Department of Cinema in Laos, announced the winner of the 2nd Vientianale: It is "Calendar", a short movie by Thanavorakit Kounthawatphinyo (who also received the Best Young Filmmaker Award). And it was well deserved. The movie tells the story of a young man you "walk" through calendar dates, apparently looking for his girlfriends birthday. It was a big surprise to see a movie that is not only photographed so well, but also has excellent sound, a good script and talented and well playing actors.
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Lunches in Laos
You work hard in the morning, and you are tired of the noon traffic jam that eats up half of your lunch break if you go home for having the meal there. There are a lot affordable and good choices in town.
1. Vegetarian Lunch Buffet
Its a small but very delicious local restaurant, offering the best of Lao and Asian food, but no animals were harmed during preparation. All you can eat for 20.000 KIP. It is located in a small street near Simuang Supermarket. after the Supermarket, just turn right and you will find it after 50 meter on the left hand. All
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Take your screaming kids out of my coffee shop
In the sixties in German union were fighting for the right of a weekend-off from work. The slogan was "On weekends Daddy belongs to me". This is something like a unwritten law, still. Because Daddy has a stressful and exhausting work week, it is only the weekend when he can spend some time with the kids.
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