Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Hanoi, Vietnam Trip - 14.06.2008!




I was so excited to be in Hanoi, Vietnam. I had so many friends from Vietnam back at Uni years and it's like visiting their hometown. Of course the fact that it's Philip's & my 1st wedding anniversary made the trip more romantic!

Upon arrival we straight away went in search of Pho, the famous vietnamese noodle soup and it was just as good as we have imagine it. Then we found pathfinder magazine that helped us a lot in reference to local street fares that we saw locals consumed with such gumption.

My favorite dish is called Com Rang - wok fried, often served with beef/chicken, spring rolls and cabbage at 39 Ma May near Handspan Adventure Travel Agency. We also tried Xoi - yellow sticky rice topped with healthy options like coconut, sesame or sliced bean cake (the greasier version is with pork ribs, chicken or chicken sausage), Pho Bo, Vietnamese spring roles and Nuoc Mia Da (sugar-cane juice freshly squeezed served together with a pinch of lime), YUMMY!!!

Overall the staff at Classic Street Hotel also known as Pho Cho Hotel were very helpful and the proprietress was nice enough to give us a room on the 3rd floor due to my condition (was 5 months pregnant). The puppet show at Thang Long Water Puppet was so much fun and going to the 3000 years old village in Hanoi was a revelation. Now I know what they mean one product one village is! We were lucky that Handspan Adventure Travel was near the hotel, who's sales person & tour guide was great in suggetions & practical advices!

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Dumneon Saduak Floating Market - 1.06.08



From Kanchanaburi, we got into a rented van for 1300bht to take a 2 hours ride to Dumnoen Saduak District, Ratchaburi Province (105km West of Bangkok). We stayed at Ban Suk Chok Resort at Thambon Tha Nat, tel: 03 225 4892.

We rented a 3 bedroom cabin for 1000bht. Do not expect a clean and new surroundings because it is not but still it is comfortable enough for a nite sleep.

That afternoon we went to Talat Nam Amphawa - a 2 hours hired boat trip from the resort at 1500bht return trip. It rained when we were walking in the market but I appeased my cravings for thai sweets with buying a lot of the coconut sauced goodies, cookies and sweet rice crackers. I've wrote about the market here also.

The next day, a Sunday again we took a 15 minutes boat ride and this time its to the largest floating market in Thailand - Dumneon Saduak Floating market. I was dissapointed with the fares available at this market because they are mostly souvenirs and light food & beverages. I only bought jackfruit & pomelo for the trip back to Bangkok and nothing else.

JUMP - Comic Martial Arts Performance in Bangkok



Yes! We are booked for the 21st June 2008 show in Royal Paragon Hall, Siam Paragon, Bangkok.
I had so wanted to see Jump during my trip to Korea and I can't believe it that I finally get to see it here in Bangkok! The show starts from 18-22 June 2008 and if anyone wants to see them please visit www.thaiticketmajor.com for more info.
Here's an article about 'Jump' by Bangkok Post out on June 6th, Friday.