Avalon

Flavours of Vietnam Episode 1

Thursday, June 12, 2008

With the smell of Pho and Cao Lau (pronounced Gao Lao) lingering in my head, I have decided to write down bits and pieces of Vietnam before certain things escape me in drips and draps. But because there's quite abit to cover and quite a few "interesting" videos to disclose, there's definitely a need to split this Vietnam trip coverage into a few episodes once again.

Disclaimer: I did not take this picture because I am a camwhore, but we were waiting here at Budget Terminal departure hall looking pretty bored because our flight was DELAYED, by 2 full hours.... It certainly didn't reflect very well on the airlines, but then I am aware of such possible delays that occur due to "flight maintenance". At least, safety is of vital importance here.

I always like to take picture of my first hotel room, for no exceptional reason. Maybe it does signal a start of a journey. But yes I had that whole Queen-size bed to myself that night... Hehe, because Yimeng gave it up voluntarily.

The streets of Hanoi. Admittedly we became rather skilled Jay-walkers after these 10 days and Hanoi was the first place we started honing our skills. Notice the there aren't ANY specific lanes demarcated and the green taxi is moving along in the MIDDLE of the road.. Yes Vietnamese drive in the middle of the road.

"How do we cross this ~~minefield~~ road?" Evidence that we looked lost.. only at first though.

Communism literally staring at you.

By Hoan Kiem Lake- landmark of Hanoi

I specifically remember Leon said “逸明很皮咯！”while taking this picture. (It turned out to be pretty much the truth for the whole of the trip..)

We could only take pictures in pairs mostly, the bad part of free and easy, coupled with the fact it's not that easy asking for help from Vietnamese due to the language barrier.

Very mtv-ish.. Our backs aren't broken though, no worries.

What a contrast... Sort of reminds me of the stories I hear concerning my NS friends' plight during those days.

At Ngoc Son Temple, just beside the lake.

As can be seen, parts of Vietnam do have hints of chinese roots, though some of the couplets carved on the walls of this temple do sound abit different from the Chinese kind.

Bringing colours to Vietnam. There are many such art galleries with painters hard at work.

The first place we went for lunch- Cha Ca Grilled Fish. A famous place known for only one dish and it sells only one dish- Grilled fish. Covered quite abit of ground just to get there.

Ooh what are they looking at...

None other than our lunch. Trust me, it tastes 3 times better than how it looks. You are supposed to add vegetables to the hot pot at your own preference. Note: Vietnamese like mint leaves alot.

After eating, we only went to get, a place to sit and slack.. Wow I love our life there.

Yes the restaurant's name is very... memorable.

Yimeng gladly striding off after a pineapple transaction.

We did not choose to go back to our hotel and rest so early, but the rain decided our fate. Luckily the rain stopped for us to go for dinner.

At this food court. Various Vietnamese dishes. Note those aren't drumsticks. They are crab meat if I have not forgotten.

Yimeng is...

returning the stare the mudfish (it looked angry) gave him after devouring it.

That was how we ended the second day in Hanoi. I guess I will leave the beautiful (slightly polluted though) Ha Long Bay till the next episode. Shall end with a nice picture of the lake once again.

Envoy of the Stars @ 1:29 AM
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