Fah Thai Magazine Jan-Feb 2019

HAPPENINGS
LAOS
CHAMPASAK / VANG VIENG / VIENTIANE
INDIA / MALDIVES
MUMBAI / MALDIVES
SPOTLIGHT
Restful Vang Vieng
Nestled along the beauty of Nam
Song River bank sits Amari Vang
Vieng – a newly-opened hotel that
sets a hospitality benchmark for Vang
Vieng. Built with comfort in mind and
a modern interior, Amari Vang Vieng
also boasts stunning backdrops of
serene cliffs and vivid green paddy
fields. Vang Vieng sits midway between
Luang Prabang and Vientiane and
about a five-hour drive from either
city. The resort’s 160 rooms range
HUNGRY FOR HUNGARIAN
Classic Hungarian fare has made
its way to Vientiane, thanks to
Budapest Bistro. Dishes like Chicken
Paprika Stew, a Hungarian Pork
Stew are served up at the newlyopened
restaurant in the heart
of the Lao capital. Nestled on
Phonesinuan Road and a short ride
from That Luang Pagoda, Budapest
Bistro shares a location with hip
dining places and watering holes on
the strip. Enjoy the atmosphere of a
small and cosy European restaurant
serving traditional dishes, wine
from Superior, Deluxe and One
Bedroom Suite to the Executive One
Bedroom Suite. Plush pillows and
deluxe bedding with black-out curtains
and modern technology ensure a serene
space to get you going the next day. No
journey is complete without exploring
and indulging your taste buds. Essence,
Amari Vang Vieng’s all-day-dining
restaurant, draws inspiration from
Asian street food culture where
guests can experience Laotian and
and coffee in a modest setting
and at a moderate price. Budapest
Bistro sees appeal with old style
posters on their blue walls, while
sizable tables and seats makes it
comfortable to enjoy home-style
cooking that’s Hungarian and
eastern European inspired. The
menu includes the all-time favourite
of goulash, a predominantly eaten
in Central Europe. Wine enthusiasts
might want to enjoy Koch and
Tokaji from Hungary’s wine region.
bpbistro.net
A COMPLEX CELEBRATION
On the night of a full moon
– designated the third lunar
moon on January 31 – Vesak
Day occurs. Southern Lao
communities begin the celebration
for Vat Phou Festival at an
ancient Khmer complex situated
on a mountain top. This annual
religious ceremony takes place
at the pre-Angkorian period of
Vat Phou temple complex and
also a UNESCO World Heritage
site in Champasak province. The
Thai cuisine along with international
dishes, whilst gazing out onto local
views. Song River Road, Sawang Village,
Vang Vieng, +856 0235 11800-9
festival draws thousands of
visitors, devotees and religious
pilgrims from Cambodia, Thailand
and the rest of Laos to celebrated
shrines and lingams dedicated to
Lord Shiva. Colourful processions,
recitals, and chants take place
during the three-day festival.
Apart from the religious activities,
boat racing, a local game of
“catching ducks”; volleyball and
pétanque competitions are also
organised. visit-laos.com
SPOTLIGHT
Culture Vulture
The New Year brings with it a few
weeks of pleasant weather when
Mumbaiites can forget about the
ever-present humidity and enjoy
outdoor events. And there are enough
cultural and foodie festivals to keep
everyone occupied.
February is the time when the
heritage precinct of Kala Ghoda
is transformed into a giant street
party. The Kala Ghoda Arts Festival
(KGAF) is the most anticipated event
in Mumbai’s cultural calendar. The
multicultural and multi-disciplinary
festival is a celebration of arts,
crafts, music, dance, literature,
and theatre. There are workshops,
heritage walks, and concerts, and
all events are free entry. The main
street, Rampart Row is lined with
stalls selling handmade merchandise
and all the restaurants in the vicinity
offer their signature dishes to the
GETTING A BREAK
The Maldives may be known for its luxury resorts and
water sports excursions, now add surfing to the list.
For those seeking more action after lazing about the
countless white sand beaches along the Maldive islands,
consider learning to surf. With the country becoming more
of a surfing destination, interest is increasing as locals and
tourists mingle among the waves.
With over a thousand island paradises spread
over clear blue waters, the Central, North Malé, South
Malé and Southern Atolls stand out as ideal places to
find the waves. The best surfing conditions in North
and South Malé Atolls occur between February and
October. February to April have the best weather with
consistent swells benefitting all levels.
North Malé serves as one of the most popular
surfing spots with Sultans well-known for its mellow
waves. Information for independent jaunts or surf
camps can be given at your hotel. The Maldives may
offer not just incredible and deeply relaxing holidays,
but also that unforgettable adrenalin surge.
hungry crowds. Apart from Rampart
Row, the festival venues include
the nearby Chhatrapati Shivaji
Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS
Museum), Horniman Circle Garden,
the delightful Kitab Khana bookstore,
and the grand steps of the Asiatic
Society Library. Go on a weekday
and preferably before 4pm to avoid
the surging crowds to get your fill of
the workshops, shops and stalls. The
festival will be held from February
2-9, 2019. Detailed schedule and
venue information are available on
kalaghodaassociation.com.
Along with the KGAF, the art
galleries in Kala Ghoda and nearby
areas come together for the Mumbai
Gallery Weekend. Nearly 40 gallery
spaces open their doors to art
connoisseurs and the general public.
mumbaigalleryweekend.com
SEAFOOD FIESTA
The koli or fishermen were the original
inhabitants of Mumbai, and their cuisine is
amongst the most varied and delectable in
the city. While many restaurants in the city
do serve traditional seafood, it’s the annual
Versova Koli Seafood Festival that really
shines the light on the community’s cuisine.
The koli ladies of Versova’s fishing village set
up stalls in a huge ground and dish out their
signature dishes while being dressed up in
colourful traditional attire. It’s loud and busy,
just like a fish market, but it’s probably the
best seafood you’ll have in the city. There are
all sorts of fried fish items, flavourful curries,
grilled crabs, prawn biryanis and more. The
festival usually takes place over a weekend in
the second half of January. The festival is held
between 6pm and midnight, and entry is free.
Ganesh Mandir, Church Road, Versova Village,
Andheri (W), Mumbai
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