Cliff(y) Goes Travelling

Near Kuang Si Waterfall Park, Luang Prabang, Laos Exhaustion got the better of us after trekking up Kuang Si Falls, or so we thought. Still, my BFF and I, as well as the Japanese couple we went together with since morning, asked our driver to bring us around the Hmong Village not too far from the Kuang Si Waterfall Park.

Kuang Si Waterfall Park, Luang Prabang, Laos Daily: 8.00am - 5.30pm After looking at all the Asiatic black bears, many of them were sleeping tightly, it was time to move forward to witness the beauty of the Kuang Si Falls. The water collects in turquoise blue pools as it flows downstream. The stunning colour is due to the high calcium carbonate content that reflects light in a particular way to create such a wonder.

Kuang Si Waterfall Park, Luang Prabang, Laos Daily: 8.00am - 5.30pm From elephants, let's move on to bears. Strategically located along the way to the beautiful Kuang Si Falls, the non-profit rescue centre has been taking care of Asiatic black bears that were saved from illegal trading. These bears are endangered; the young cubs are often targeted by hunters after their mothers have been killed due to easy concealment and transportation.

Ban Noun Savath, Luang Prabang, Laos The most adventurous day in Luang Prabang, Laos began with a rather mundane van ride to a sanctuary that's All Lao Elephant Camp. For more than ten years at the point of writing, it has been rescuing elephants from the logging industry, giving them a new lease of life.

Marina Bay Waterfront, Singapore As Asia's leading sustainable light art festival, the fifth edition this year showcases twenty installations by local and international artists, along with the various programmes targeted at individuals and families alike. Held since 2010, 'iLight Marina Bay' is centred around the use "energy-saving lighting or environmentally-friendly materials" to produce works of art.

6 Raffles Boulevard, Central Atrium,  Marina Square,  Singapore Daily: 11.00am - 10.00pm Let's take a short break from the stuff related to Luang Prabang, Laos. Marina Square has put up a wonderful balloon exhibition at its central atrium titled 'Sea of Wonder', which duration coincides with the one-week March school holiday here in Singapore at the point of writing.

Sisavangvong Road, Luang Prabang, Laos Daily: 5.00pm - 11.00pm When the weather permits, a section of Sisavangvong Road in Luang Prabang, Laos, is cordoned off from vehicles starting from late afternoon for vendors to set up their stalls and arrange their merchandise for the visitors of the night market. It was so fun that I dropped by at all the three nights that I had in Luang Prabang.

15 Ban Phone Hueang, Unit 3 Kounxoa Road, Luang Prabang, Laos I recall spending a long time trying to decide which hotel to book as many hotels are having good reviews. In the end, my BFF and I decided on Lotus Villa Boutique Hotel (3*), which is conveniently located near many places of attractions. It boasts its fifteen tranquil rooms and two suites that are all facing the tropical courtyard garden.

BKK-LPQ (1h 35m) Airbus 319 ETD: 3.05pm (GMT + 7)  ETA:  4.40pm (GMT + 7) Who won't be excited to fly to a country that you've never been to before? Apart from the excitement of going into Luang Prabang, Laos, I also couldn't wait to hop into one of Bangkok Airways' aircraft, adding one more airline into my personal list of airlines that I've flown with.

Level 2 (Near Gate A3), Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok, Thailand Daily: 4.30am - 10.00pm As "Asia's Boutique Airline", Bangkok Airways is unique in the region as it offers lounge access to not only Business Class passengers, but also those travelling in the Economy Class. As my BFF and I fell under the latter for our outbound journey to Luang Prabang, Laos, we had the chance to have a quick bite in between breakfast and lunch in the lounge for free.

85/5 Prachakorn Road  Soi 3 , Bangkok, Thailand It was my second time staying at the homely QG Resort (2*). My first time was two years ago when it was still run by a friendly British guy who has since returned to his home country, passing the ownership to an equally amiable French guy. My BFF and I just needed a place to sleep comfortably before catching our next flight.

HKG-BKK (3h 20m) Airbus 330-300 ETD: 12.40am (GMT + 8)  ETA:  3.00am (GMT + 7) The first time I flew with Hong Kong Airlines was back in December 2015 to Okinawa, Japan in the Economy Class cabin. For the late night flight to Bangkok, Thailand, my BFF and I decided to try the Business Class cabin out, which turned out to be less than 50% occupied.