Mekong Delta – Day 2 – Cai Rang Floating Market

Cai Rang Floating Market

The second day of our Mekong Delta tour started very early.  After a quick breakfast of eggs, we leave our lovely homestay and jump on a boat to meet up with the rest of the group. On rejoining the tour, we all laughed at our abandonment yesterday evening and the non home-stayers admitted, when they saw us being dropped off in the middle of nowhere, they were relieved they weren’t doing a homestay. However, the last laugh … Continue reading

Mekong Delta – Day 1

Mekong Delta Boat Trip

It was great to catch up with all the family over Christmas, but the time went too quick.  On route back to Oz I decided to spent a few weeks in South East Asia.  After an overnight transit through Bangkok, I arrive in Vietnam. Yeah – a new country for me! Before I came to Vietnam I decided I really wanted to visit the Mekong Delta, and to experience some of the … Continue reading

Christmas Day – Where’s the Turkey?

Daal Bhaat - typical Nepali dish

Christmas day was the start of a 3 day trek to Gele’s home village.  Can you imagine doing a day’s bus trip followed by a 2 day mountain hike (the locals walk a lot quicker than me *BLUSH*) to visit your parents?  However, this is very normal for all Nepali mountain folk. Christmas dinner was certainly different.  Well different for me, but not for Nepalese.   No turkey, no funny hats, no … Continue reading

Little Italy

Alfresco dining on Lygon St

For my last night in Melbourne, I ventured out to Lygon Street, famous for its Italian restaurants.  Many, many moons ago it is where the early Italians settled in Melbourne. It did feel like I had been transported to Europe. However, mama would have not be impressed with the pizzas!!!   I envisioned authentic thin crust pizza baked in a wood fire oven; instead I might as well have ordered … Continue reading

飲茶 Jellyfish and Ox Stomach – yum!!!

Yum Cha - Ox Stomach and Squid

On the road again and this time Hong Kong.  My first adventure was yum cha with my new colleagues.  We sat at one of those wonderful round tables where you can spin the food around.  Once seated, I was asked what I wanted to drink, so being my boring self I replied “I’ll have water” .  I was then informed than I can only have tea. Yum means drink and cha means … Continue reading