Saturday 13 Aug 2011. HCMC.
I see this cobbler every day on the road side just outside Sophia. My sandals need a bit of TLC and he is giving it his 100% attention. Some re-gluing, some conversations later he says "Ba Mui" to me and I happily hand over my VND 30,000 (US$1.5). We share some hand gestures and a smoke.
Lunch is at Pho 24 again, today it's a beef pho for me. Thanh Truc 阮竹 works at the restaurant, 21 years old, and speaks good English. She is delightful and curious about me and always wear a big smile. I am grateful to have some nice conversations on a solo journey.
After lunch I have a pedicure at Nghia Beauty Salon next door to Pho 24. At VND 155,000 (US$7) it is all right. My nails are trimmed and the feet scrubbed and dead skins removed. Good as gold.
For the first time I have iced milk coffee made by a road side vendor and at US$0.5 it is a steal and it's just as good and safe to consume. I chat with an Indian couple from Fiji about their travel and their country. I tell them I live in Australia and the husband says, " oh, we live in Sydney". We are immigrants.
It starts to shower and I take refuge in side walks. I buy a hot "tau foo far" from a road side vendor at US$ 0.5. The vendor scoops the tau foo far into a plastic cup and adds ginger syrup and some palm jelly into it. I eat it with a plastic spoon. It is some fantastic dessert.
I tell myself I am tired and return to Golden Lotus for a 90-minute foot massage and hot stone back rub at US$15. This is the advantage of living in Asia because these human comforts are so affordable.
At 7.30pm I make it to the Rex Hotel which I have a reservation for a table for one at The world-famous Rooftop Garden bar & restaurant. It is famous because of the "Five O'Clock Follies" ---- where international correspondents covered the Vietnam war, U.S officers and GIs had their drinking niche during the 60s. Quite apart from that it is a nice place to have a meal and a drink on a cool night. I make a note that perhaps one day a New Year celebration in this restaurant is something I need to work towards.
Rooftop Garden
Picture taken on Rooftop Garden
Picture taken on Rooftop Garden looking down onto the street below
I order a Lotus Chicken Rice of lotus seeds, lotus, carrots, mushrooms and chicken pieces. It is succulent and moist. At US$ 10 including a drink it is well worth it because of the attentive staff, the atmosphere, the live music, the views from the rooftop.
The Manager I book the table actually did not have my name on the list and she comes over to apologize after her staff alerts her to the small incident. She asks me about my travels and advises that the train from Hanoi to HCMC is not comfortable even for her and the journey takes 18 hours. Hmmm...
HCMC Night scene
Good bye Rooftop Garden, hello Duc Thanh Ice Cream. It is still showery and so I have an ice cream and a hot coffee at this popular shop frequented by the locals. I did not enjoy the ice cream which has a different texture than ones we have in Oz which are creamy.
Tomorrow is a big day of travel - crossing to Cambodia.....
For the first time I have iced milk coffee made by a road side vendor and at US$0.5 it is a steal and it's just as good and safe to consume. I chat with an Indian couple from Fiji about their travel and their country. I tell them I live in Australia and the husband says, " oh, we live in Sydney". We are immigrants.
It starts to shower and I take refuge in side walks. I buy a hot "tau foo far" from a road side vendor at US$ 0.5. The vendor scoops the tau foo far into a plastic cup and adds ginger syrup and some palm jelly into it. I eat it with a plastic spoon. It is some fantastic dessert.
I tell myself I am tired and return to Golden Lotus for a 90-minute foot massage and hot stone back rub at US$15. This is the advantage of living in Asia because these human comforts are so affordable.
At 7.30pm I make it to the Rex Hotel which I have a reservation for a table for one at The world-famous Rooftop Garden bar & restaurant. It is famous because of the "Five O'Clock Follies" ---- where international correspondents covered the Vietnam war, U.S officers and GIs had their drinking niche during the 60s. Quite apart from that it is a nice place to have a meal and a drink on a cool night. I make a note that perhaps one day a New Year celebration in this restaurant is something I need to work towards.
Rooftop Garden
Picture taken on Rooftop Garden
Picture taken on Rooftop Garden looking down onto the street below
I order a Lotus Chicken Rice of lotus seeds, lotus, carrots, mushrooms and chicken pieces. It is succulent and moist. At US$ 10 including a drink it is well worth it because of the attentive staff, the atmosphere, the live music, the views from the rooftop.
The Manager I book the table actually did not have my name on the list and she comes over to apologize after her staff alerts her to the small incident. She asks me about my travels and advises that the train from Hanoi to HCMC is not comfortable even for her and the journey takes 18 hours. Hmmm...
HCMC Night scene
Tomorrow is a big day of travel - crossing to Cambodia.....
Rooftop Garden at The Rex Hotel
Duc Thanh Ice Cream
2 comments:
Having a meal in Rex Hotel is so affordable... good!! One day, I should make a trip there too.
Rex Rooftop Garden is a must
Post a Comment