Where in the world is Pho Chien Phong? Part II

...continued

Some hours later back at the hotel, our friend Thanh arrives and Stray expresses his desire to find Pho Chien Phong. Thanh was with us the first and only time we'd eaten it, but isn't sure where we can find it close by. He reassures us that what we're having for dinner is just as appetising.

And it is, but it's not PCP. We break up the evening of eating with a trip to the cinemas to watch Transformers III in 3D. Just the thing one does in Hanoi ;)

Where in the world is Pho Chien Phong?

About two weeks ago...

In March last year our friends took us to West Lake, Hanoi, to dine by the waterside. One of the dishes we enjoyed was Pho Chien Phong. Little square pillows of deep fried puffed up rice noodle, topped with meat and water spinach.

Since that time Stray, especially, has had a hankering is determined to try it again. We did try to find it all the way down the coast of Vietnam, but like many dishes, this appeared to be a particularly regional specialty. 

So, he asks the receptionist at our hotel where we might find PCP and she kindly writes down the name in Vietnamese and of an eatery that may have have it on their menu. We walk to the restaurant avoiding the banana mafia (ladies carrying baskets of bananas or fruit on each end of a pole. If you don't buy the fruit, you'll probably end up with that pole slung over your own shoulder for a photo opp. If you do take a happy snap, you maybe hounded and surrounded by her and members of her 'family', to pay an unexpected exorbitant fee) and seat ourselves.

Stray shows the waitress the piece of paper, but alas, she says they don't have it. However, she does charade that they make a similar dish which is just as good. We order a glass of Hanoi beer while we wait and contrary to popular negative reviews...I liked it! It was light and had a hint of jasmine tea, or something or other. Or, could that have been a remnant of dish washing detergent? Just kidding.

Hanoi - 4th Impressions

About two weeks ago...

This was our fourth visit to Hanoi and it's just as kaleidoscopic and cacophonic, as we left it 18 months ago. During the drive from the airport into the city we noticed many more motorbike helmets (and not sitting in the scooter basket), than last time...the smog haze, sadly, looked just the same.

London to a brick she's wearing stocking socks.

Just as in Thailand, staying out of the sun's tanning rays while riding around town, is a major priority, especially for the fairer sex. It's not uncommon to see women completely covered from head to toe. When the sun shines, this is the land of wide brim hats, decorated with ribbons, flowers and bibs and bobs...

... face masks, gloves and stockings. This time, instead of long sleeved shirts and gloves, or just long sleeved gloves, some fashionistas were sporting hooded sweat shirts, with extensions that cover the top of the hands, or with mittens built into the end of the sleeve. The hood fits neatly under the motorbike helmet and the front is zippable up to the nose. Too warm for me in the Hanoi heat I'm afraid, but practical, inexpensive and popular.

Safe and sound in Vietnam

Stray and I arrived in Hanoi, Vietnam this morning...it's just as vibrant and crazy as we left it, last year. Blogging won't be a priority until we return to Chiang Mai. Too much to do, fear of getting another virus in my camera and limited commenting access (Martyn, there's a funicular up to Wat Doi Suthep, isn't there? ;) will keep me quiet for a while.

Anyway, I've caught up on some sleep with a Nanny Nap and Stray's out wandering, exploring ... somewhere.

Cheers!

Snap's other blog Chiang Mai Thai

Videos - Vietnam 2008 and 2010

Everyone who's visited Vietnam has their own 'crossing the road' story, photos or videos...we're no different. This one is called NOT crossing the road in Saigon. We're trying to reach our pink hotel on the other side, but stopped to take a video of what we were up against.

To train or not to train? Part III

To train or not to train? Part I

To train or not to train? Part II

Hanoi 2010. We’ve caught up with old friends and made new ones. Now it's time to make our way to Hue. Adopting the ‘winging it’ method of travelling more and more in recent trips, we had not booked any flight. The price, by Vietnamese prices, was expensive and there weren’t any departing soon enough for our pencilled in itinerary. I had read about Livitrans before arriving and opted to give it a go. The VIP cabins, for two, were only available on runs to Sapa, so it was Tourist Class for us.

One of the hotel staff accompanied us to the station where we entered (a controlled and sanitised room) and waited in a separate area to the local travellers. We boarded. Our roomies were a couple from Holland. Pleasant and friendly. Our cabins were similarly pleasant and friendly, with complimentary water, snack and tooth brushes. Not a bad trip and would probably do it again, although next time, perhaps medicated.

It’s just that lack of sleep thing that gets me every time and the train driver had a habit of slamming on the breaks every hour or so. Arrive Hue.

A couple of days later we biked it from Hue to Hoi An, which is not far from Danang (about 6 hours with scenic stops) and is the end of the line for the Livitran service. Not sure if it’s a north/south remnant left over from the war. From Danang we were headed for Nha Trang, but the trains weren’t overnighters.

I spoke to the girls at the Mango Split cafe (photo) in Hoi An, who suggested stopping in one of two towns to break up the trip. Quy Nhon (will be going there again) here we come!

*Word of advice – check out the price directly from/at the train station, before buying your ticket. Ripped off severely by VN standards....

Day 4 Hanoi

We enjoyed a lovely dinner with Daisy and Phuong last night...it was good to see them again. Part of our meal consisted of Eel Spring rolls, which were great and some pomelo fruit. Looks like a huge grape fruit with green skin and the flesh is pinkish, not bitter and a lot drier.

Early this morning we joined the activity at the lake and took a brisk walk around it, this time we went with the flow, anti clockwise. After breakfast Stray decided to go on the hunt for some Vegemite, as his supply was confiscated at the Gold Coast airport.

Our hotel staff pointed him in the direction of a supermarket, which stocks a big range of Western and Asian foods and products, but not Vegemite.

After a short look around on Google, we located an L's Place shop, which sells products from Australia, the UK and other countries. Eureka! One large jar left on the shelf.

All in all, a quiet day of walking and eating, and stocking up on snacks for our train journey tomorrow night.

Snap hás done a gôod job òf déscribing our day so i can just say hello, bonjour, ni hao ,sawadee khrap and xin chao to my friends that may be follow our trip. :) ^^ xxx -  Stray

PS. did I mention this keyboard has both Vietnamese and English capabilities? :)

Day 3 Hanoi

This morning (5.40am) we took a short walk to Lake Hoan Kiem. Hundreds of people exercising, walking, running, aerobics, temporary gyms set up and some bizarre routines going on. 99.9% of the activity was going anti clockwise around the lake...makes sense, no collisions that way.


Sorting very small crabs from the shellfish at the morning markets.

This is the alley way around the corner from our hotel. It's amazing how close some of the buildings are.

Went for a visit to the Hanoi Zoo...a little bit sad actually, possibly depressing for some (me).


The cages were extremely small and the animals were not in the best condition.

A huge variety of monkeys, birds, one elephant (shackled), a leopard, which I am sure would have loved to have eaten everyone looking it at it.


That's enough about that. We both enjoyed a great massage this afternoon and are looking forward to seeing Phuong and co. for dinner tonight.

Day 2 Hanoi

Day one was spent in transit and we (I) need to catch up on some sleep. Arrived in Hanoi this morning at the lovely Splendid Star Hotel, which is hidden in an alley way not far from St Josephs Cathedral and a short walk from Lake Hoan Kiem.

After a shower, we went out in search of lunch. We walked into what we thought was a cafe, but turned out to be a large celebration in a local temple...we left but were ushered back in by some lovely old ladies, who seated us with a group of people of mixed ages, to share plates of food and drinks. Very little English, but loads of smiles and laughter and a few group photos to top it all off.

We have no idea what we ate, but it was delicious!