Skip to main content

Travels And Food With The Locals

Traveling is not one of my passions when my kids were very young.  I was busy working and trying to make ends meet during the 1980s to the 90s.  That time I never thought much about traveling far, only local cities in Malaysia.  But as they grow up and my son started to drive, the traveling bug began, there was no turning back then.  From driving to local cities, the four of us began to travel to other countries as well.  One of the places I would love to visit again is Hanoi, Halong Bay and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.

Hanoi is an interesting place to visit and the last time we went, it was in 2008.  I remember we stayed in this Hanoi Plaza Hotel, it was cheap then, new and clean and was just right in the old quarters where shopping paradise is.  During our stay, we also arranged to go to Halong Bay, an island which is not to be missed.  From our hotel where we stayed, the views were just like postcards.
 Beautiful scenery at the Halong Bay...

Another place not to be missed is Ho Chi Minh.  It was an interesting trip for us, from shopping to visiting tunnels, rowing on a boat and of course, not to be excluded is none other than the exotic food.
 Our group enjoying our day tours tremendously.... 

 Despite the heat, despite the hordes of motorcyclists charging into us (but somehow we escaped being hit, thanks to their manoeuvre expertise), and the continuous "screaming" of horns blaring non stop at each other, (i guess its their way of greeting each other)...
 
Waiting for the "Green Light"....
And here they go!!
We did a lot of shopping .... 
 A memorable experience along the way....

 and the local food in the market......

Vietnam is still a nice place to go again, if given an opportunity, I would love to visit these cities once again.  Food is not a problem, we experienced sitting on low wooden stools along the streets, eating bowls of chicken hanoi 'koayteow' and their must-try is their local 'popiah' which is triangular shapes and deeply fried.  If I go again, this time I want to try their homestay local food, the real authentic ones that is not easily found on the streets.  There are lots of choices here in this Withlocals which offers local food, trips and homestay as well.  Here is an example of their local food at a typical Vietnamese family home!  Yummss!!
                                                    An Authentic Vietnamese Meal....

Labels:

Comments

  1. Ginny HartzlerMay 20, 2014 at 2:21 PM

    Claire, you looks so excited and beautiful! I think you should maybe travel more!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ReanaclaireMay 20, 2014 at 7:43 PM

      Ginny, that was a few years ago! hahaha... Now different a lot!

      Delete
  2. suituapuiMay 20, 2014 at 2:27 PM

    Wanna go again? Let me know, I'll tag along. More people, more fun!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ReanaclaireMay 20, 2014 at 7:43 PM

      Yeah, sure!! Wait till the situation calm down first... must ajak the Meow family too!

      Delete
    2. KenMay 21, 2014 at 12:22 AM

      don't forget me! i wanna go also, in fact i have plans to visit vietnam at august but might not be able to make it now.... so emo

      Delete
  3. HayleyMay 20, 2014 at 2:45 PM

    Halong Bay looks really beautiful!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Somewhere in SingaporeMay 20, 2014 at 4:14 PM

    Your the word no turning back, makes me think of the song that was sang in church, I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, hehe...

    ReplyDelete
  5. Princess RibbonMay 20, 2014 at 5:19 PM

    I used to travel every year, local or overseas, before I got married.. Every year sure got 1x, during CNY, coz that's the only time hubby (then bf) could take long leave.. Never been far, just places nearby like Bali, Bangkok, Bandung, and places like Tokyo, HK, Taiwan, Guangzhou when I was working in my ex-company.. That was before having kids.. Now with two kids, don't think I can go anywhere, bigger only can go ahh..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ReanaclaireMay 20, 2014 at 7:45 PM

      wahhhh..before married you went to so many places liow! Nice ler... for myself, I didn't go traveling much until kids are big...

      Delete
  6. Irene TanMay 20, 2014 at 6:44 PM

    Start planning another trip? You are adventurous in hunting for food as well as travelling. I am not a travelling bug. More of a homely type of person.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ReanaclaireMay 20, 2014 at 7:46 PM

      Last time I was very homely too... now I cannot sit still much... maybe too quiet at home.. :)

      Delete
  7. Rose worldMay 20, 2014 at 6:56 PM

    Now your kids are all grown up, you can enjoyed life and travel more. See more, eat more.

    ReplyDelete
  8. [SK]May 20, 2014 at 9:52 PM

    have been to Vietnam once and only once so far.. and it was like 3 years ago that i went to Hanoi for a 3D2N business trip.. all i can remember is that i only went to two places - office and hotel!! and then back to KL, didn't have a chance to see the place at all :p

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ReanaclaireMay 21, 2014 at 8:00 AM

      Hanoi is more quiet in the sense of shopping.. Ho Chi Minh is more happening if I were to compare the two cities...

      Delete
  9. Nux VMay 20, 2014 at 10:31 PM

    I tink my case just similar to SK. It's a 3D2N at Hanoi...the only places I stop by other than office and hotel would be the restaurant! I miss the Vietnamese food so much!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ReanaclaireMay 21, 2014 at 8:00 AM

      Then you must go for a shopping and eating trip next time. :)

      Delete
  10. munMay 20, 2014 at 10:59 PM

    More travelling soon? Your Vietnam trip looks so enjoyable.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ReanaclaireMay 21, 2014 at 8:01 AM

      Must have the right group too, Mun.. that is why.. never miss an opportunity, if the group is right, time is right.. healthy... then GO! hahaha..

      Delete
  11. ChrisAuMay 20, 2014 at 11:10 PM

    Next time we travel together ah ...Ok ? Lol

    ReplyDelete
  12. Small KucingMay 21, 2014 at 11:25 AM

    wah so syok travelling like that leh. Got drink the special kopi or not

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ReanaclaireMay 21, 2014 at 1:00 PM

      Oh, I am no coffee drinker but I remember buying one maker back for someone then... :)

      Delete
  13. Twilight ManMay 21, 2014 at 1:46 PM

    Shame on me! I think I am the only one who has not visited Vietnam. My friends are like you, they could visit several times and never get tired. They told me that shopping and eating was heavens! I must GO!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ReanaclaireMay 21, 2014 at 2:01 PM

      Hey, maybe you prefer to go to far far away places first .. leave the nearer ones for next time.. shorter flight, not so tiring... :p

      Delete
  14. 煒霖May 22, 2014 at 1:09 PM

    Been there long time ago with tour group when I was very young...roughly can recall a bit only, hehe!!!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thank you, readers!

Popular posts from this blog

Three Hours City Tour At Ensenada, Mexico

A THREE HOURS CITY TOUR when we embarked in Mexico on the second morning.   My sister booked the three hours city tour in Ensenada, Mexico, a van came to pick us up from the port.  Ensenada is the border of Mexico and it reminds me of Hatyai, a border town too between Malaysia and Thailand.  We were taken to a shopping area where we must haggle for the goods.  LOL.. Yes, something common in my own country... Anyway, we did not buy anything for ourselves... just a wooden handmade truck for my grandson which cost $8usd.   Nothing much to shout about on this three hours excursion, I was so sleepy on the way back to the ship that I dozed off and only awaken when we were driven through the town.  All in all, I just wanted to step onto Mexican soil and I would give this a miss if I were to go on this Mexico cruise again.  LOL... At the open area shopping walking towards the Blowhole... This is La Bufadora Blowhole, an amazing natural marine geyser that is capable of shooting water over 60 fe
6 comments
Read more

Exploring The Sea Cruise Royal Caribbean

CRUISING ALONG.... Once we deposited our bags in our cabins, we had our buffet meal at the Hammerjack restaurant and exactly at 4pm, we heard a loud Horn signal...  ITS TIME TO SAIL ALONG THE PACIFIC OCEAN! And while the ship started to sail, we humans started to walk and explore.... to familarize ourselves inside the ship....  Elevators on each side of the ship....  Making my mark....  On another side....  We walked along to check out our food outlets... This Promenade Cafe  had became our regular joint .... We like to sit there enjoying our hot drinks and desserts... Free flow of food day and night.... Passing through the bars to the casino... The casino will open only when the ship is in international waters...  At one of the jackpot machines... I wonder if they are real?? But they are only $1 bundles... Then we went up to the highest floor.... The swimming deck.... Taken against the sun.... Nice sunset in the evening.... The Happy Trio!
6 comments
Read more

First Day In The Royal Caribbean Cruise To Mexico

ROW ROW ROW YOUR BOAT.... gently down the sea....  Royal Caribbean, it is my second time following this giant vessel, the first time was from Singapore to Phuket, that was a very nice cruise.  So when my son mentioned that he found a good deal online, this time to Mexico, I agreed without hesitation.  Let's Go! A three nights stay with food and lodging only cost around $250 per person with at least one senior in per room.  Meals were either buffet style or fine dining, we can choose and cafes were opened 24 hours for us to rest and relax.  How not to resist... LOL...  And so here we are... just one week after landing in US, I was on the sea....  Looks small from afar...  It was a giant vessel with at least 14 floors.... On the way to embarking after Custom Clearance...  Our room for the next three nights....  Small and cosy.... And adjoining to my son's family room through a door...  The one with balcony cost a bit more...  A short briefing about safety after we checked in.... 
3 comments
Read more