At my last holiday, I was thinking I should go visit some other places here in Vietnam.there are many, many places to choose from, as I haven't done much travelling in the country. I found a seat sale for Na Trang, which is supposed to be a beautiful area. Sadly, I couldn't get a seat as they were pretty much sold out, but I did find another seat sale to Malaysia. Well, why not?
I flew into Kuala Lumpur, which is the only city with an airport, as far as I know. I spent a few days there. Truthfully, it didn't excite me much. It was a large city, with nothing to recommend it that I could find. There were some large, modern shopping malls fairly near my hotel, and a free bus to get to them. Prices were good, with a Ringgit being worth about three dollars. However, the city has a lot to learn if they want to become a destination. It was very difficult to find western food, and I was a little leery of the Malaysian food as I just can't eat chilies. Many restaurants are Halal, due to the large Muslim population.
I did manage to find Little India one evening, but I didn't intend to be in that area at all. I was so lost! The bright, vibrant colours of the fabrics were definitely a balm for my eyes.
After a couple of days I took a bus ride to Melaka. This was on the advice of my friend Andy, and I'm glad I listened to him. This is an historic city that has been named a World Heritage site. It is where Malaysian history is seated, with artifacts from the different groups that colonized the area. The museums are all grouped in one area, which makes it easier to visit all of them. I didn't have time to see everything I would have like, as i was there only two days and nights. Again, my hotel was close to attractions and I was able to walk to see things. I spent time in Chinatown and on Jonker Street, which is the "hippy dippy" area. It is lined with craft and souvenir shops. Smoking is not permitted outdoors in certain areas.
The Melaka River flows through the town, and a nine kilometre promenade has been built along both sided of the river. I took a boat ride down the river one day.I had lunch one day in a lovely restaurant beside the river, in what used to be a warehouse. Iate some kind of fish that was beautifully cooked. I love fish when it is cooked properly.
The museum are of Melaka is attractive and beautifully kept. The cyclos (pedicabs) are located there, and they are a sight to see! They are decorated lavishly with flowers and lights, and some have music playing as well.
All too soon it was time to go back to Kuala Lumpur. I spent my final days there walking around Chinatown and doing some shopping. I enjoyed my time in Malaysia, but next tie I will bypass KL and go to Melaka again and to Penang.
Saturday, November 23, 2013
A Visit to Da Lat
I can't believe how far behind I am with my blog! Time to catch up.
In late July I took a little holiday in Da Lat, in the central part of the country. I was there for the better part of a week. I had no idea the weather would be so different from the south. I had to go to the market one day to buy a hoodie. It rained most of the time I was there, but I still managed to get out to see things. I spent the first day walking around. There are lots of hills in the area, and the elevation is about one kilometre.
While walking I met up with a man named Buddha who works for a company called Easy Riders. They offer people tours of the area, either by car or motorbike. we arranged to meet up the next morning to spend the day together. He and a driver picked me up in a car, which was nice since it rained off and on all day. There was an Australian couple, Scott and Kerry, along as well.
We started the day at a couple of temples, and went to a working monastery. We had lunch beside a lake on the monastery grounds. The gardens there were exquisite, much more beautiful than the gardens in the middle of the town.
Da Lat is an area with extremely fertile soil, and most of the produce in the country comes from that area. There are miles upon miles of greenhouses, where food and flowers are grown. We visited one greenhouse where gerbera daisies were being grown, but the highlight of the day for me was visiting one of the Hill Tribes. We met the chief of the tribe, I think they were Mat people, and spent a good hour with him. He spoke very good English and French, and gave us a lesson on the history of his people. He also played some traditional instruments and sang for us, and let us taste some of their traditional pipe wine. the wine is made of wood from a particular type of tree, and is drunk from a crock through a flexible plastic pipe, such as you would use in a high school science lab. it wasn't very tasty, but it sure was potent!
The final stop of the day was at Crazy House. This is a house built by a young woman who is an architect. She had to have permission from the local branch of the government to build the house the way it is. It is now a tourist attraction and guest house, as well as a private home. words can't describe it.
The next day Buddha and I went out on his motorbike. Again it was raining, so I went out to the market early in the morning to buy my hoodie. On this day he took me well out of the city into the surrounding area. He offered to take me to a silk farm, but I declined because I had been to one in Cambodia. Instead we went to a coffee plantation where I was able to try weasel coffee. This is the one that you've heard of where the coffee beans are fed to a particular breed of civet. the civet eats the flesh from the beans, and passes the beans that are used to make coffee. It is tasty, and makes a lovely milk cup of brew. however, to my mind it isn't different enough from regular coffee to warrant the steep price.
The remainder of the day was spent driving around the mountain regions, admiring the scenery. It was a shorter day as I wanted to get back and pack for my departure the next day.
I would like to return to Da Lat someday, but I would prefer to do it when the weather isn't quite so wet.
In late July I took a little holiday in Da Lat, in the central part of the country. I was there for the better part of a week. I had no idea the weather would be so different from the south. I had to go to the market one day to buy a hoodie. It rained most of the time I was there, but I still managed to get out to see things. I spent the first day walking around. There are lots of hills in the area, and the elevation is about one kilometre.
While walking I met up with a man named Buddha who works for a company called Easy Riders. They offer people tours of the area, either by car or motorbike. we arranged to meet up the next morning to spend the day together. He and a driver picked me up in a car, which was nice since it rained off and on all day. There was an Australian couple, Scott and Kerry, along as well.
We started the day at a couple of temples, and went to a working monastery. We had lunch beside a lake on the monastery grounds. The gardens there were exquisite, much more beautiful than the gardens in the middle of the town.
Da Lat is an area with extremely fertile soil, and most of the produce in the country comes from that area. There are miles upon miles of greenhouses, where food and flowers are grown. We visited one greenhouse where gerbera daisies were being grown, but the highlight of the day for me was visiting one of the Hill Tribes. We met the chief of the tribe, I think they were Mat people, and spent a good hour with him. He spoke very good English and French, and gave us a lesson on the history of his people. He also played some traditional instruments and sang for us, and let us taste some of their traditional pipe wine. the wine is made of wood from a particular type of tree, and is drunk from a crock through a flexible plastic pipe, such as you would use in a high school science lab. it wasn't very tasty, but it sure was potent!
The final stop of the day was at Crazy House. This is a house built by a young woman who is an architect. She had to have permission from the local branch of the government to build the house the way it is. It is now a tourist attraction and guest house, as well as a private home. words can't describe it.
The next day Buddha and I went out on his motorbike. Again it was raining, so I went out to the market early in the morning to buy my hoodie. On this day he took me well out of the city into the surrounding area. He offered to take me to a silk farm, but I declined because I had been to one in Cambodia. Instead we went to a coffee plantation where I was able to try weasel coffee. This is the one that you've heard of where the coffee beans are fed to a particular breed of civet. the civet eats the flesh from the beans, and passes the beans that are used to make coffee. It is tasty, and makes a lovely milk cup of brew. however, to my mind it isn't different enough from regular coffee to warrant the steep price.
The remainder of the day was spent driving around the mountain regions, admiring the scenery. It was a shorter day as I wanted to get back and pack for my departure the next day.
I would like to return to Da Lat someday, but I would prefer to do it when the weather isn't quite so wet.
Friday, January 18, 2013
All's Well That Ends Well
Oh man, a scary weekend two weeks ago. A friend came to visit to introduce me to her fiance and to invite me to their wedding. She held the door open too long, and my dog got out. He is not allowed to go out unless he has me on the other end of his leash. It was a little while before I realized he was gone, but I was not too worried, certain that he would come home. Meanwhile, my friends and I went out for lunch. When we returned, there was Dandy, none the worse for his little adventure.
The next morning, Sunday, we went out for our walk as usual. Dandy had diarrhea, but I didn't think too much of it. He laid around a lot, but I think he does that when I'm at work, so again I didn't think too much about it. Around 4 PM I noticed blood on the balcony. A lot of blood! I tried to call the vet, but there was no response. A friend gave me their emergency number, and the vet met us at the clinic.
The vet looked at Dandy's grey gums, took his temperature (it was normal), and advised me that he should have IV fluids. Of course I agreed, and I sat and held and petted Dandy for the nearly four hours it took for it to drip into him. The vet gave him shots, oral meds, and meds in the IV line. I was having visions of cancelling my trip to Canada to pay for this. Sometime around 8PM the vet said I could take Dandy home. I still wasn't sure he was going to make it. Turns out he probably ate rat poison. On the way home Dandy jumped out of his carrier and passed more blood.
That night I didn't sleep much. I kept checking to see if he was still alive. Dandy slept in my bed beside me. At 3 AM I still wasn't sure which way things were going to go, but by 6 he was starting to perk up and I knew he would make it. He had to go back to the clinic on Monday and Tuesday for more fluids and meds, and Wednesday he was really showing progress.
Because Dandy is the only family I have here, it was an emotional time for me. I am glad we having such a competent and caring vet in our town.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Getting up at 5 AM to go walking with the dog. Who knew I would enjoy it this much? It's a lovely time of day, as there's often a bit of a breeze, and things are quiet at that time. Dandy and I watch the neighbourhood wake up while we walk. Sometimes we hear the gongs at the Buddhist temples in the area. The street sweepers are out at that time. They are a brigade of women who use twig brooms to sweep up the garbage, leaves, dirt and grass from the streets and gutters, and put it into their carts. I don't know where they empty them.
Street vendors can be seen setting up for the day. Some sell hot food, and are very popular for quick or leisurely breakfasts. The smell of the charcoal braziers is soothing. Then there are the vendors who sell produce, eggs, bread, meat, and fish. Sometimes I remember to take a bit of cash with me and pick up a few things while we're out. The produce and bread is delivered to the vendors by people on motorbikes. I don't know if the other products are also delivered, or if the vendors raise the products. There's a man near where I live who, early in the morning, can be seen cutting up sides of pork.
Street vendors can be seen setting up for the day. Some sell hot food, and are very popular for quick or leisurely breakfasts. The smell of the charcoal braziers is soothing. Then there are the vendors who sell produce, eggs, bread, meat, and fish. Sometimes I remember to take a bit of cash with me and pick up a few things while we're out. The produce and bread is delivered to the vendors by people on motorbikes. I don't know if the other products are also delivered, or if the vendors raise the products. There's a man near where I live who, early in the morning, can be seen cutting up sides of pork.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Food, Beautiful Food- Again
Two months ago I moved to Vung Tau, which you know if you've been following at all. This is a smallish resort city whose claim to fame is the more than 80 kilometres of beaches. During the French occupation, it was known as Cap St. Jacques, and during the Vietnam war, it was where many American soldiers spent their R&R time.
I am enjoying my new life here. I can get almost anywhere I want to go by bicycle without expending too much effort. The sea breezes really calm my soul. And the food! There are so many places to eat that it takes forever to make a decision about where to go. there are probably at least 50 places to eat within walking distance of my apartment! I have decided to go out for lunch every day when I'm not working, and for dinner at least once per week and to a different place each time. So far I've tried a Ukrainian, a Vietnamese/American, a couple more Vietnamese, a pub, a pizza place, and some places that cater to Eastern and Western tastes. And I would go back to every single one of them!
Yesterday I tried the Rhinoceros Inn. I didn't see any rhinos, but I did have a lovely bowl of soup and some fried cuttlefish. The soup called itself cold cucumber soup, but it was more like potato salad soup as it had, along with cukes and potatoes, boiled eggs and ham. Lovely cream and fresh dill, and it was refreshing. The cuttlefish was good as well. I wish they would adopt the Western custom of garnishing fish dishes with a wedge of lemon.
Today at lunch time it was raining hard, so I waited and went out tonight instead. Now last Sunday I was at Ned Kelly's pub and had what I thought were the world's best onion rings, but I don't know. Tommy's, just up the street a bit, does a pretty good job too. It was a generous serving, and before I was finished I worried that I might not be able to do justice to the sea bass florentine I ordered. However, I managed.
While I was enjoying my onion rings, a motorbike pulled up in front of the restaurant. One of the servers ran out to it and then ran toward the kitchen clutching a bag of something green. I have a sneaking suspicion that it may have been the spinach for my dinner! It was very good, served with a bit of cream sauce and a lovely bit of salad made of onions, yellow and green peppers, tomato, served on lettuce. The only thing wrong was the overgenerous amount of mayo on the salad. It was also served with the french fries that one sees everywhere here, and that I wish someone would just drop into the sea.
A ka phe sua da finished my dinner nicely, and I sipped it while watching the lights on the bay. Apparently the sea wall is the place to be in the evening, because tonight there were motorbikes and cars lining it all along the street. An altogether pleasant evening.
I am enjoying my new life here. I can get almost anywhere I want to go by bicycle without expending too much effort. The sea breezes really calm my soul. And the food! There are so many places to eat that it takes forever to make a decision about where to go. there are probably at least 50 places to eat within walking distance of my apartment! I have decided to go out for lunch every day when I'm not working, and for dinner at least once per week and to a different place each time. So far I've tried a Ukrainian, a Vietnamese/American, a couple more Vietnamese, a pub, a pizza place, and some places that cater to Eastern and Western tastes. And I would go back to every single one of them!
Yesterday I tried the Rhinoceros Inn. I didn't see any rhinos, but I did have a lovely bowl of soup and some fried cuttlefish. The soup called itself cold cucumber soup, but it was more like potato salad soup as it had, along with cukes and potatoes, boiled eggs and ham. Lovely cream and fresh dill, and it was refreshing. The cuttlefish was good as well. I wish they would adopt the Western custom of garnishing fish dishes with a wedge of lemon.
Today at lunch time it was raining hard, so I waited and went out tonight instead. Now last Sunday I was at Ned Kelly's pub and had what I thought were the world's best onion rings, but I don't know. Tommy's, just up the street a bit, does a pretty good job too. It was a generous serving, and before I was finished I worried that I might not be able to do justice to the sea bass florentine I ordered. However, I managed.
While I was enjoying my onion rings, a motorbike pulled up in front of the restaurant. One of the servers ran out to it and then ran toward the kitchen clutching a bag of something green. I have a sneaking suspicion that it may have been the spinach for my dinner! It was very good, served with a bit of cream sauce and a lovely bit of salad made of onions, yellow and green peppers, tomato, served on lettuce. The only thing wrong was the overgenerous amount of mayo on the salad. It was also served with the french fries that one sees everywhere here, and that I wish someone would just drop into the sea.
A ka phe sua da finished my dinner nicely, and I sipped it while watching the lights on the bay. Apparently the sea wall is the place to be in the evening, because tonight there were motorbikes and cars lining it all along the street. An altogether pleasant evening.
Monday, August 13, 2012
2012- An Awesome Year
I am going to put one awesome thing that happened each month this year. check back, I'll be adding every month.
January- Freda came from Canada and we went to Cambodia
February- Said Hello to a new housemate from Canada
March- Said goodbye to two housemates from The USA
April- I'm sure something wonderful happened, I just have to remember it!
May- Was informed that my requested transfer to Vung Tau had been approved
June- Was honoured with a goodbye party by families of four of my students
July- Moved to Vung Tau
August- Started my new teaching assignment in Vung Tau
January- Freda came from Canada and we went to Cambodia
February- Said Hello to a new housemate from Canada
March- Said goodbye to two housemates from The USA
April- I'm sure something wonderful happened, I just have to remember it!
May- Was informed that my requested transfer to Vung Tau had been approved
June- Was honoured with a goodbye party by families of four of my students
July- Moved to Vung Tau
August- Started my new teaching assignment in Vung Tau
funerals
Let me make a disclaimer right here at the beginning. I have never been to a funeral in this country. I have never been to a church in this country. I am only giving you my impressions as an outsider.
Most of the people here seem to be Buddhist, and they also worship deceased ancestors and family members. I don't know if that's an aspect of Buddhism or not, but homes and business have shrines, and sometimes have pictures of family members who have passed on.
I have seen many funeral processions pass by me. The deceased is carried an an elaborately decorated vehicle, and there are usually people all dressed in white in the vehicle too. The family wears white, I am not sure if all the mourners do, but I think so. I have most often seen these processions in the morning, and this morning I heard one before it was quite daylight. Sometimes there are more vehicles carrying more mourners, and the vehicles also have drums that the mourners are beating. There is loud music that is not at all what I think of as funeral music, with brass instruments and drums, and sometimes singing too. Some people are buried in cemeteries, others on land near the family home. Sometimes people are not buried, but put into a stone coffin? mausoleum? that sits above ground. Remember that this are is at or below sea level, and this is probably to keep the grave safe from flooding.
On the anniversary of a death, the family comes together to celebrate the life that has gone before. I'm sure there are many other rituals, but as I say, I am an outside observer. Perhaps someday I'll have an opportunity to give you my first hand experience.
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