tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3218086501445273832024-03-13T02:55:19.228-07:00To KOTO...one cupcake at a time...I'm a chef who teaches cookery, a fulltime student at UNSW (BA/BEd), and a casual Discovery Host at Taronga Zoo...in November I go to Hanoi to volunteer for 3 months helping out at KOTO school. This blog is the journey...please join me...Ngairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03102488773835425223noreply@blogger.comBlogger116125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321808650144527383.post-76169679599351878562011-02-18T22:02:00.000-08:002011-02-18T22:02:02.846-08:00absolutely, positively the last post....I know I said goodbye in my last post but I've got just one more photo to share with you; it was the last photo i took as I was being driven to the airport and typifies the conundrum that is modern Hanoi. The huge tower block being constructed, the massive archway over nothing and the rearing stallions. It's an impressive bit of statuary but ultimately a bit tacky...those horses look like something off the cover of an old cowboy cartoon book<br />
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Just in case you wish to keep in touch I've started a new blog....www.cooknSydney.blogspot.com It'll cover all aspects of my strange but rather wonderful life...cookiing, eating, studying, house sitting, domestic furries, Taronga Zoo and my role as a Discovery Host, exotic creatures, and of course beautiful, vibrant, wonderful Sydney...I hope you enjoy it.....Ngairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03102488773835425223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321808650144527383.post-47278373665716248992011-02-18T04:16:00.000-08:002011-02-18T04:17:03.339-08:00Last day in Hanoi....(also known as 'a bit of culture' init?)It seems surreal that my time here in Hanoi is pretty much over. For my final day I've decided to take myself into the city to visit one of the most revered sites of historical and cultural importance. I'm going to the Temple of Literature.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--xJx76_epXk/TV5ULkPpUNI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/zDHDOUg7kA8/s1600/front+gate.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--xJx76_epXk/TV5ULkPpUNI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/zDHDOUg7kA8/s400/front+gate.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The entrance with it's colourful sign...made up of hundreds of silk flowers...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--_AulWhzFPQ/TV5VAzQFUaI/AAAAAAAAA7U/LZDTOTcDG_4/s1600/Temple+of+literature+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--_AulWhzFPQ/TV5VAzQFUaI/AAAAAAAAA7U/LZDTOTcDG_4/s320/Temple+of+literature+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">still beautiful when chock full of tourists...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HnJjGXhWdjc/TV5UEwEEDuI/AAAAAAAAA6I/VCb4sxismhc/s1600/Chu+Van+An+-+the+most+remarkable+educator+of+Vietnamese+education.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HnJjGXhWdjc/TV5UEwEEDuI/AAAAAAAAA6I/VCb4sxismhc/s400/Chu+Van+An+-+the+most+remarkable+educator+of+Vietnamese+education.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chu Van An...a great, virtuous and frank scholar...he was - the guide book told me so....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T3noDTePUrI/TV5VJ8ihP9I/AAAAAAAAA7g/xagjdfsFHdA/s1600/the+courtyard+of+the+sage+sanctuary.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T3noDTePUrI/TV5VJ8ihP9I/AAAAAAAAA7g/xagjdfsFHdA/s320/the+courtyard+of+the+sage+sanctuary.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Thai Hoc courtyard....big isn't it?</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Built in 1070 as a temple to Confucius by King Ly Thanh Tong and extended in 1070 to become the first National University of Vietnam.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o1xcrTMvzy0/TV5UdLDDkcI/AAAAAAAAA6o/59FbsRHiPds/s1600/King+Ly+Thanh+Tong+%2528I+think%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o1xcrTMvzy0/TV5UdLDDkcI/AAAAAAAAA6o/59FbsRHiPds/s400/King+Ly+Thanh+Tong+%2528I+think%2529.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm pretty sure this is King Ly Thanh Tong...he was a pretty enlightened chappie by all acounts...</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Students came from all over Vietnam (male ones only) to study not only the Confucian cannons and administrative writing skills but they also had to become well versed in literary composition and poetry. Talk about a well rounded arts education, methinks that University Managers of today could learn a thing or two! After about 3 years they could sit the National Exams and if successful then the Royal Exams to become doctor laureates and mandarins. The grounds of the temple are just beautiful.... <br />
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even when teeming with tourists. There are stelae which record the names of the 1304 Doctor Laureates who achieved this status between 1442 and 1779. The stelae are mounted on the back of turtles which seem to pop up all round Hanoi. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kdOWUu_-Fjc/TV5VVGzeSdI/AAAAAAAAA7w/_JxI2peJdE8/s1600/turtle+stellae+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kdOWUu_-Fjc/TV5VVGzeSdI/AAAAAAAAA7w/_JxI2peJdE8/s400/turtle+stellae+3.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">each turtle has it's own distinctive character as you can see....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The buildings in the grounds are just gorgeous with so much of the lovely embellishment I have come to love.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5cX9mKBpJWU/TV5VHYqu3VI/AAAAAAAAA7c/D-Lgtzx5kq0/s1600/temple+of+literature+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5cX9mKBpJWU/TV5VHYqu3VI/AAAAAAAAA7c/D-Lgtzx5kq0/s320/temple+of+literature+5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LfYi5WU8p78/TV5VYlumelI/AAAAAAAAA70/xj3mvoA7hfU/s1600/view+from+the+top+floor+of.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LfYi5WU8p78/TV5VYlumelI/AAAAAAAAA70/xj3mvoA7hfU/s320/view+from+the+top+floor+of.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I spent a couple of happy hours just soaking up the atmosphere. Looking out over the city from the upstairs balcony it was hard to believe that you were in the middle of one of the busiest cities in Vietnam. There were fabulous old bonsai trees...<br />
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classic statuary.... <br />
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and so much to admire.<br />
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Inside the buildings at the rear of the Thai Hoc courtyard are shrines to the three powerful kings who contributed to this palace of learning.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sOhqYG11gwE/TV5UuNiFQ0I/AAAAAAAAA7A/jhzxwpIwZrk/s1600/Scholars+gown.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sOhqYG11gwE/TV5UuNiFQ0I/AAAAAAAAA7A/jhzxwpIwZrk/s400/Scholars+gown.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got the impression that this was a scholars or mandarins robe...it's embroidery was equisite...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The locals almost outnumbered the tourists and it's always fun to see kids interacting as they do the world over. This huge bell hung beside one of the rear buildings....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2FfjR84Z8lo/TV5T64DKb4I/AAAAAAAAA58/5n-6UdatQp8/s1600/bell+with+additional+cheeky+kids....JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2FfjR84Z8lo/TV5T64DKb4I/AAAAAAAAA58/5n-6UdatQp8/s400/bell+with+additional+cheeky+kids....JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">there were 5 kids crammed inside...I was sooo tempted to use the clanger....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>In the middle of the grounds is the Gate of the Geat Synthesis...cool name isn't it? The guard took my fancy...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ADD4a-X-VUg/TV5USgXPyhI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/7PYX1kChBIM/s1600/gate+keeper+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ADD4a-X-VUg/TV5USgXPyhI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/7PYX1kChBIM/s320/gate+keeper+1.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>...and when I came through these three lovelies were taking photos of each other. When I asked if I could also they assented gracefully....<br />
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The girls worked for a media firm, I'm guessing something to do with tourism, anyway they were very gracious while very intent on their project. A while later they found me having a quiet moment beside the Turtle Stelae and I cracked up when I noticed one taking a photo of me...when I laughed and gave the classic Viet V sign pose they all came over and this is the lovely result. Vietnames woman really are quite beautiful, especially when they avoid the trapping of western make up and dress.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I look like beached whale in the middle...</td></tr>
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After my visit I had a final lunch at Koto restaurant then headed home for a wee nana nap before heading into HCC for my final cooking class....Food from the Coast. Seafood in some of it's tastiest guises.<br />
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Tracey took the class which consisted of me, a couple of burly boys from NY (one of whom turned out to be the exec chef of a large Steakhouse in Manhattan) and two married couples (also from New York) who were fresh off the plane.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tracey with the authentic mortar and pestle that she made us pound the squid in....hard work!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UHkyoqwNLZQ/TV5ePvNIc_I/AAAAAAAAA78/gs8ODbvcETM/s1600/clams.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UHkyoqwNLZQ/TV5ePvNIc_I/AAAAAAAAA78/gs8ODbvcETM/s320/clams.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">clams cooked in Hanoi beer and aromatics...they were wonderful...I polished off the whole bowl!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TZ3tkSXi6Tc/TV5eTuon6GI/AAAAAAAAA8E/ofzAXZLm-bo/s1600/crab+and+pomelo+salad.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TZ3tkSXi6Tc/TV5eTuon6GI/AAAAAAAAA8E/ofzAXZLm-bo/s400/crab+and+pomelo+salad.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue swimmer crab and pomelo salad...divine, delicate and delicious!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-glW1MTZ7t4o/TV5eV97UmtI/AAAAAAAAA8I/uFDPsq1sWkg/s1600/most+of+the+meal.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-glW1MTZ7t4o/TV5eV97UmtI/AAAAAAAAA8I/uFDPsq1sWkg/s400/most+of+the+meal.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the top left corner going clockwise...squid and pork cakes, classic dipping sauce, the clams, prawns in betel leaves and the crab salad...some of it still needed the final cooking....</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NRPk6g1-ExE/TV5eZ45ojuI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/pA1i6ghjvlA/s1600/prawn+cakes+cooked+in+betel+leaves+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NRPk6g1-ExE/TV5eZ45ojuI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/pA1i6ghjvlA/s400/prawn+cakes+cooked+in+betel+leaves+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was a bit reticent about eating the betel leaves - they looked tough and very dark (which I associate with a strong not always pleasant taste) but they were delicious...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>It was a great class, though I have to admit the two married blokes got on my nerves a bit. Tracey would demo and explain very clearly what we had to do, then we would adjourn to our benches to do it. Every time the bloke behind me would forget in that split second that it took him to walk back to his bench...but to top it off when his long suffering wife filled in the gaps he would bloody well argue with her!!! I felt like turning round and crowning him with the pestle. Thankfully I could tune him out after a bit and concentrated on my little but of culinary heaven. When we finished and shuffled upstairs to enjoy what we'd made I luckily sat next to the wife and opposite Mike (the chef) and his brother Andy. We all got on famously and pretty much ignored the rest of the table....a few beers, some great food and fun company....you couldn't ask for a better swan song.<br />
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So this is the end of my Vietnam adventure, I'm actually home again in Sydney. I'll miss Hanoi more that I realised I think. I'm experiencing a bit of culture shock back here in hot and humid Sydney...but I'm sure I'll settle down and life will return to normal. Maybe I'll start a new blog....cooknsydney.....what do you think?<br />
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Thanks for reading and sharing this wee journey with me...your comments made me feel that I had friends along with me on the trail...take care...till the next time...tam biet...or even better...hen gap lai.Ngairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03102488773835425223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321808650144527383.post-51437029940291064102011-02-14T01:47:00.000-08:002011-02-14T01:47:23.088-08:00Making cakes at HCC....<div style="text-align: center;">I had the pleasure of being able to contribute to making a cake for a double birthday party recently. I overheard it being discussed and insisted on being able to join in because it all sounded like so much fun. It was to be a cake for two kids turning 3 and the theme was butterflies and flowers....heavenly! So Mr Hung and I went shopping for decorating supplies. We found some fab butterflies on wires that could 'fly' above the cake. Mr Hung made a large slab of carrot cake and a small bowl cake too. We cut the base of the bowl and upended it to create a dome on which we stuck loads of royal icing flowers to create a sort of posy. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o-u8_0fnczE/TVj0wUer4ZI/AAAAAAAAA5w/00GCR9MRBdg/s1600/work+in+progress+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o-u8_0fnczE/TVj0wUer4ZI/AAAAAAAAA5w/00GCR9MRBdg/s320/work+in+progress+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">The grass was coconut tossed in food colour...note to self - don't use fresh coconut unless you dry it first! The moisture in the coconut almost melted the icing under it...ooops! But thankfully not so much that it ruined anything. It was fun working on the cake because the staff hadn't seen anything quite like it before....mind you neither had I....and they were all keen to have a look and make suggestions. Thankfully most of the suggestions were in Vietnamese so I couldn't understand them. (Control freak alert).</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pY4zGm0qMhw/TVj0gj25r5I/AAAAAAAAA5c/WxOwszQmsPM/s1600/HCC+crew+inside+HCC.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pY4zGm0qMhw/TVj0gj25r5I/AAAAAAAAA5c/WxOwszQmsPM/s400/HCC+crew+inside+HCC.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the whole crew ....butterfly time....</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">It was a really fun, bright cake to create and apparently the kids loved it too...I got a nice text message from Michelle (Mum of Mai) the day after the party. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4hmd9Xxtp_Q/TVj0nBU8XOI/AAAAAAAAA5k/4qtvPE7rS1o/s1600/Mr+and+Mr+Hung.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4hmd9Xxtp_Q/TVj0nBU8XOI/AAAAAAAAA5k/4qtvPE7rS1o/s640/Mr+and+Mr+Hung.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr Hung and I with the finished product...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I had my last culinary adventure with Mr Hung last night. He had offered to take me to try to buy a platter that a pal in Sydney had requested but on that front we were unsuccessful. So to make up for the disappointment he took me to 'bbq chicken leg' street. It's a bit of a misnomer because there weren't actually any legs, just feet and wings...and pork ribs and a kind of bread and apparently sometimes even rats....but thankfully not on the evening we went. Anyway, getting back to the bbq chicken's feet. I have tasted the glutinous boiled chicken's feet available at yum cha in Sydney, nice but not enough meat on for me...well these guys had even less meat - but the skin! The bbq marinade was composed of honey and maybe fish sauce with a hint of chilli...wickedly good. We had two feet each then Mr Hung took pity on me and ordered me a wing...yummo! I'm going to have a good go at reproducing the lip sticking, tongue seducing smokey, sweet sauce when I get home. But this was just an appetiser and we soon jumped back on the bike to hit his favourite Pho joint, not far from West Lake. The pho was served with the 'chinese bread' - small sicks of fried dough that soak up the wonderful redolent stock and are just what the doctor ordered on a cold night. The pho comes with 'well done' beef and 'medium' beef. The 'well done' is a boiled rolled shoulder that has been sliced wafer thin, the 'medium is actually almost raw fillet that cooks in the stock very briefly. We loaded our bowls with lime juice, the pickled garlic that I have come to love, a hint of chilli for me a chunk for him and got down to the serious bisiness of slurping our way to pho heaven.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Mr Hung then did something that almost made me cry. He produced his much loved Chinese Swiss Army Knife in it's custom made holder and presented it to me in thanks for my teaching. I was gobsmacked. No matter that I insisted that his hospitality and kindness were all that I needed I could see that he was serious. Not wanting to give offence I took the loved knife and will cherish it. It will be the best reminder of all that I love about Vietnam, the generosity and kindness of the people. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's a shot of the lot of us outside the Hanoi Cooking Centre, if you are even in Hanoi you simply MUST visit, take a class or just snack on one of the many gorgeous dishes that come out of the kitchen. Tracey and her team are a sterling bunch of real foodies whose passion and commitment is a joy to see.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ZfUYP1ahgg/TVj0kKxlv1I/AAAAAAAAA5g/AZ9PgEq9bS8/s1600/HCC+crew+outside+HCC.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ZfUYP1ahgg/TVj0kKxlv1I/AAAAAAAAA5g/AZ9PgEq9bS8/s640/HCC+crew+outside+HCC.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'll miss you guys....</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have one more class to do at HCC...I'm going tonight to learn about 'Food from the Coast' - I love seafood and can't wait. Then it's on the plane tomorrow - home to friends, work and uni...I'm feeling sad and happy in equal quantities. I have no doubt that within weeks I will look back and my immersion in Hanoi with all that is good and not so good about it will seem like a dream. One thing I do know...I'll be back...it's like a welcome virus...it's in my blood now and I don't ever want to recover.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Ngairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03102488773835425223noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321808650144527383.post-66090299212160974362011-02-11T03:18:00.000-08:002011-02-11T03:18:27.510-08:00Last day with the Donkey Bakery crew....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fRFGEC2-Ni8/TVUagMrdWTI/AAAAAAAAA5U/SGbbjTISvXw/s1600/IMG_1714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fRFGEC2-Ni8/TVUagMrdWTI/AAAAAAAAA5U/SGbbjTISvXw/s640/IMG_1714.JPG" width="304" /></a></div><br />
Here I am in my lovely smart new chef's uniform made for me by Luyen Shell. If you are looking for any tailoring here in Hanoi she is the woman to see. Luyen has a very capable team of seamstresses working above her Donkey Bakery and you can be sure that the business is ethical. Luyen maintains that it is possible to make a profit and behave in a socially responsible manner and her thriving business is a shining example. Just check out <a href="http://www.donkeybakery.com/">www.donkeybakery.com</a> for her contact details.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TVUaCi-eeII/AAAAAAAAA5M/kjmf6X5mPyE/s1600/the+donkey+bakery+crew+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TVUaCi-eeII/AAAAAAAAA5M/kjmf6X5mPyE/s640/the+donkey+bakery+crew+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">here we all are, that's Luyen on the far left...</td></tr>
</tbody></table> I spent my last day there today working with her bakery staff. We made the wonderful fresh coconut cake and a wicked pineapple almond cake. Pretty soon Luyen will be operating a cafe in her premises as well as it being a retail outlet for her tasty doughnuts and wicked breads...watch out for the grand opening.<br />
I wish I could be there......I'll miss you guys!<br />
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<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 50% transparent; border: 0px none; padding: 0px;" /></a></div>Ngairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03102488773835425223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321808650144527383.post-2280179259812040542011-02-10T10:01:00.000-08:002011-02-10T10:01:47.810-08:00It's the final countdown!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OIVr7BhswDg/TVQHB_nXG8I/AAAAAAAAA4M/9MHcDZZawl0/s1600/son+khanh+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OIVr7BhswDg/TVQHB_nXG8I/AAAAAAAAA4M/9MHcDZZawl0/s320/son+khanh+7.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Son Khanh...with some lucky Tet money....</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tet has just finished here in Hanoi, it was a week of nothing. Pretty much everyone shuts down for the week. Those from outside Hanoi go back to their villages for the holiday to spend time with family. Much eating and drinking is done! It can be a lonely time for someone if they don't have family - much like our Xmas can be - luckily I have made two special friends here in Hanoi. Mr Hung; who I have spoken of often and Luyen Shell; one of the owners of Donkey Bakery. Between the two of them I was not left to moulder alone during Tet. I've already told you about the visit to Mr Hung's mother's place to watch her make Bang Chung, well that was followed up with a visit to Mr Hung's wife's parents home just outside Hanoi. He collected me nice and early one morning and we set off on the motor bike. Ms Hang's parents; Mr Hai and Ms Trong lived in Hanoi itself when she was a child, but have retired to the country home now. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TVQGuNBB6WI/AAAAAAAAA3s/rm04rgb5vg0/s1600/son+khanh+with+his+granny+Ms+Trong.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TVQGuNBB6WI/AAAAAAAAA3s/rm04rgb5vg0/s320/son+khanh+with+his+granny+Ms+Trong.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proud Granny Ms Trong</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TVQHMiR6-WI/AAAAAAAAA4c/f0frgOCwLOw/s1600/son+khanh+with+grandad+Mr+Hai+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TVQHMiR6-WI/AAAAAAAAA4c/f0frgOCwLOw/s320/son+khanh+with+grandad+Mr+Hai+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doting Granddad Mr Hai</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Her brother Mr Truong and his very new wife Ms Dao also live there. So there were 8 of us all including the gorgeous wee Son Khanh (Mr Hung's 8 month old son)togetherit turned out to be quite a party! We had a lovely lunch of all my favourites, Bun Ca, Spring rolls, Chicken, and one of the nicest salads I've had here - Kohlrabi and carrot - so yummy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RUxLfR9cOIc/TVQIW76hpoI/AAAAAAAAA4k/qjXvvDJiLhU/s1600/lunch+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RUxLfR9cOIc/TVQIW76hpoI/AAAAAAAAA4k/qjXvvDJiLhU/s400/lunch+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ms Dao organising our lovely lunch....</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mr Hai is Vietnam's number one Abba fan...I've never heard sooo much Abba before coming here. First thing on New Years Day (both of them) some nearby neighbour deemed it appropriate to blast out 'Happy New Year' by the toothsome foursome!!! I mentioned this in passing to Mr Hung as a bit of a joke and since Mr Hai doesn't speak much English all he heard was...Abba....so - you guessed it - he rushed off to put the album on...just for me. I had to laugh, what a nice man! They really were the most generous and welcoming people, I had quite the best day for ages. After lunch we assembled outside to had a group photo with one of the lovely 'bling' fireworks that are let off at festive occasions here. It's a long shiny tube that contains a small amount of gunpowder that expels an explosion of glittery confetti...fabulous! It's a shame I couldn't bring one home to Sydney through customs...hehehehehe.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tracey and I have been bartering cooking classes, I give her staff some pointers about pastry and she gives me entry to her wonderful Vietnamese cooking classes. Last Wednesday I was thrilled to take part in her 'Street Food' class. It starts, as they all do, with a visit to the nearby markets and a bit of an explanation about the concepts of Vietnamese cuisine...Tracey has lived here for years and really knows her subject. She is an informed and enthusiastic teacher who communicates her love of the country and it's food to us, her eager students. In the class I was shown how to cook a ripper Pho - the staple soup up here in Hanoi which we polished off piping hot standing round the stove. Then we learned to make Prawn Cakes - a type of fritter that is enjoyed all over the city - not always with prawn, sometimes with banana or sweet potato. Ours contained both prawns and julienne sweet potato and were tasty if a little filling. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N6JCFL4NYog/TVQN9X2Ps0I/AAAAAAAAA4w/C8j3I7ZdWsE/s1600/sweet+potato+and+prawn+cakes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N6JCFL4NYog/TVQN9X2Ps0I/AAAAAAAAA4w/C8j3I7ZdWsE/s320/sweet+potato+and+prawn+cakes.JPG" width="320" />-</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We also made Pho Cuon Bo - fresh spring rolls with beef. (The word Pho refers to the noodle, whether cut into strips or left as a sheet it's still called Pho) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_8U8YYbH06U/TVQODJikF1I/AAAAAAAAA44/zE5ZaVnfuNI/s1600/pho+cuon+bo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_8U8YYbH06U/TVQODJikF1I/AAAAAAAAA44/zE5ZaVnfuNI/s320/pho+cuon+bo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The salad was the iconic Green Papaya and dried beef (bit of a beefy menu wasn't it?) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--VegdKAVyhU/TVQOAeQrylI/AAAAAAAAA40/i0Z2VdVPL5Y/s1600/green+papaya+salad.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--VegdKAVyhU/TVQOAeQrylI/AAAAAAAAA40/i0Z2VdVPL5Y/s320/green+papaya+salad.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It was all rounded up with a beautiful silky Banana Che - a warm, sweet coconut soup containing caramelised banana, yummo! </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4ejWS-ykHrs/TVQNw5TCMqI/AAAAAAAAA4o/Xl9Gs_HG4Xc/s1600/finished+dishes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4ejWS-ykHrs/TVQNw5TCMqI/AAAAAAAAA4o/Xl9Gs_HG4Xc/s320/finished+dishes.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My efforts...before we went upstairs to enjoy our food with copious amounts of Ha Noi <br />
Beer.....wonderful!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uIKH1VwINuA/TVQN6khaZ4I/AAAAAAAAA4s/nLpj-4Hwu-w/s1600/street+food.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uIKH1VwINuA/TVQN6khaZ4I/AAAAAAAAA4s/nLpj-4Hwu-w/s640/street+food.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...a sample of the taste sensations that my fund-raising friends will be enjoying in Sydney when I get home....</td></tr>
</tbody></table> I've been spending a lot of time tootling around on my bicycle and despite the apparent chaos on the roads I actually feel a lot safer here than on Sydney roads. I was riding home from Luyen's at dusk the other night (after sharing a lovely lunch and a walk with her wee pup Mary) when the bats emerged. Thousands of tiny insectivorous bats appear round the edges of the lake to feast on the myriad of bugs that infest the fringes of the water. It's a very cool sight that for some reason I'd never seen before so I just had to stop and try to capture them on camera...<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Now we come to another in my series of 'hints for happy living in Hanoi'...where to find a great dentist!</div><div style="text-align: center;">About 3 weeks ago a big filling fell out of one of my back teeth and it's been driving me nuts ever since. Seriously the hole was big enough to hold a chicken drumstick! Anyway, my friends know what a complete baby I am when it comes to dentists...I go once every 10 years whether I need to or not! Well, Tracey gave me the name of her dentist promising that he was good. I finally got my courage up to go and was horrified to find that they don't automatically use numbing injections over here. I warned them that I would most certainly cry and/or scream without real cause. They took this as a joke...it wasn't! He started to drill, no pain, he looked worried - no pain equals a decayed tooth apparently - he continued drilling...then I finally felt a small spasm and jerked like a scalded cat! He calmed me down and continued drilling;..weirdly enough there was no real pain, just a couple of mild twinges which he worked me through and pretty soon it was all over! So now the hole is filled and I'm out of pocket the grand sum of $12.50. I should have gone at the beginning of the three months and had the whole lot done....but at least I have an excuse to come back. If you ever need a good dentist in Hanoi go to Dr Phuong. He not only runs two private surgeries but is also a lecturer at the Ha Noi Medical University. His website is www.nhakhoaphuong.com and I can't recommend him highly enough. The surgery was ultra modern and hygienic. The only thing that took a bit of getting used to was the fact that the surgery and waiting room are one and the same...life is lived in public here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I think Hanoi should replace Bali as the destination for Dental Toursim, it's cheaper here and Hanoi is much more interesting.....as long as you don't just want to laze around on the beach that is. I'm going back on Sunday so he can check on the filling and I'm going to take photos then so you can see I'm not lying!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For some time my mate John has been trying to convince me that long hair on someone my age is...well, ageing! I finally took his words to heart and went back to the lovely Mr Dinh for a restyle. I watched with mounting trepidation as he snipped, and snipped, and snipped...when he was done my head felt a whole lot lighter and hopefully you will agree I now look years and years younger....yeah right! ;-)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WBo3BONaAMM/TVQntOX6PkI/AAAAAAAAA5A/oVuISuCyPXI/s1600/Shauna+the+sheep+got+shorn+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WBo3BONaAMM/TVQntOX6PkI/AAAAAAAAA5A/oVuISuCyPXI/s320/Shauna+the+sheep+got+shorn+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm off to Donkey Bakery tomorrow for my last class with Luyen's staff. We are going to do tea cakes, a nice almond cake and a wicked coconut cake. I will remember to take a photo of everyone so you can put faces to the stories I've been telling. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>Ngairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03102488773835425223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321808650144527383.post-69469454590975991272011-02-03T09:24:00.000-08:002011-02-03T09:24:34.898-08:00Coming to the end....So my posting has slowed down, in fact everything has slowed down. I'm only giving two classes a week at Koto but am managing to get to the Hanoi Cooking Center and Donkey Bakery to share my expertise as often as I can. Last week was a week of Danish Pastries. I adapted a recipe to suit the Vietnamese quality flour and was honestly pleasantly surprised when they worked really well. The staff at HCC and Donkey really seemed to enjoy the sessions too.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TUq85aNKKgI/AAAAAAAAA1s/Gwk3hj7wFng/s1600/Danish.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TUq85aNKKgI/AAAAAAAAA1s/Gwk3hj7wFng/s640/Danish.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Back home I usually like to use peaches or apricots on the danish but they are not available here so we used roasted apples, banana and mango. Tracey suggested trying to make a frangipane with coconut instead of almond so we gave it a try...the idea is to try to introduce a 'vietnamese' flavour...another idea was to use a mixture of black sesame seeds and peanuts (the ingredients of a dessert made here called Che) which I really like and will try in the future. After our session of rolling, folding, and chilling Tracey and her crew were kind enough to invite me to their staff Tet Party at a local Lau place. That's hot pot to you and I...we had to sit on the floor (hard for this old chook) and nibbled on crispy fried frog (yes frog), some yummy crispy corn kernels, tasty seeds and garlicy greens...all this before the hotpot even arrived. It was lovely to feel a like a valued part of the team, even if just for a night. We ate, drank and toasted each other's good health.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">these are the wonderful green tea noodles we enjoyed...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TUrIvASL7oI/AAAAAAAAA2o/gWIYzW5xP1M/s1600/smile+with+the+frogs+leg.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TUrIvASL7oI/AAAAAAAAA2o/gWIYzW5xP1M/s320/smile+with+the+frogs+leg.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">me n Tracey with a juicy frogs leg</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TUrIyH4ceaI/AAAAAAAAA2s/NpgBe9rfpPA/s1600/the+lau+or+hot+pot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TUrIyH4ceaI/AAAAAAAAA2s/NpgBe9rfpPA/s320/the+lau+or+hot+pot.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the chicken hotpot...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TUrI0vPXopI/AAAAAAAAA2w/WAQ60jgDIjo/s1600/Tracy%2527s+lovely+staff.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TUrI0vPXopI/AAAAAAAAA2w/WAQ60jgDIjo/s320/Tracy%2527s+lovely+staff.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">some of Tracey's lovely staff..</td></tr>
</tbody></table> For whatever reason I seem to have been excluded from much of the social life at Koto. Most arrangements are communicated by email and, despite a request early on from David, I was never assigned a Koto email address...so I've missed pretty much every invitation that's been issued unless I've actually been needed to cook and I've missed every general meeting too. The upshot of which is that I don't feel an integral part of the Koto team. On the other hand Luyen and Tracey have been so hospitable and inclusive that I feel privileged to have been able to help contribute to their staff training. <br />
Koto is a great place that does a wonderful job training the kids so they can have a better life but honestly, I'll be glad to finish next Tuesday. I've revamped the pastry menu, delivered the advanced classes for the staff and trainees, mentored Doan as much as I could (given the problems with equipment and facilities) and thanks to Gary Miller and Andy Docherty over in New Zealand and their incredible wrangling of a new oven for the new pastry kitchen I really don't have to do anything else...:-) <br />
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I'm currently house sitting for Tracey as she and her family have popped over to Bangkok for a break and so I've been able to move into their place to look after their two cute wee cats. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TUrUpFT9alI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/wFKYvPj89XQ/s1600/the+cat+who+loved+sleeping+on+me..1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TUrUpFT9alI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/wFKYvPj89XQ/s320/the+cat+who+loved+sleeping+on+me..1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>They are funny wee things, they took a couple of days to get used to me but now happily sleep with me on the sofa and bed. They are free to come and go outside whenever they want but despite this I find it odd that even after being out in the garden for a while they come in to use the litter box...then want to go straight back out...they obviously enjoy the inside toilet! The house is situated next to a large pond and I was concerned at first by the plethora of mossies that are everywhere but so far I haven't been bitten...is there such a thing as a bite-less mossie? On the days when I'm not out with either Hung or Luyen I've watched nearly every dvd in house! It's been a massive week of movie madness...heaven! Having access to a washing machine has been a bonus too, I took the opportunity to give my hoodie a damn good wash. I never thought that washing clothes would be a problem here but it's been the biggest...go figure!<br />
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Tet is a family time over here and tradition and superstition dictate strongly how important it is exactly who visits the home during the holiday because good luck (or otherwise) arrives with the visitor. So I wasn't expecting much in the way of invites; Thu from Koto did talk about having me visit but ended up not extending an actual invite. So I was thrilled when Hung extended not one but two invites to visit his family home and that of his in-laws. In addition to this Luyen asked me to lunch not once but twice over the week's holidays. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The first visit to Hung's house was to see his Mum make her annual mountain of Bang Chung cakes...apparently she uses about 20kg of rice! She and her neighbours sat industriously folding and packing the sticky rice, green bean and belly pork. It was lovely to finally meet Hung's lovely wife Hang and his gorgeous baby boy who completely stole my heart.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">green bean balls and the uncooked sticky rice...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">almost finished product...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TUrAF50-6AI/AAAAAAAAA2M/m2bD_eUcWJ4/s1600/Bang+chung+with+Hung%2527s+mum+9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TUrAF50-6AI/AAAAAAAAA2M/m2bD_eUcWJ4/s320/Bang+chung+with+Hung%2527s+mum+9.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a mould is used to shape the cake...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TUrATLdPXdI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/E1XIwn8UkTE/s1600/num+nums.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TUrATLdPXdI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/E1XIwn8UkTE/s400/num+nums.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">isn't he just gorgeous?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TUq_ubyWwNI/AAAAAAAAA1w/_fQX45Et3xY/s1600/the+proud+Dad+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TUq_ubyWwNI/AAAAAAAAA1w/_fQX45Et3xY/s400/the+proud+Dad+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with his proud dad....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TUrAVip4gMI/AAAAAAAAA2c/jQw0A7xUoIs/s1600/proud+Mum+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TUrAVip4gMI/AAAAAAAAA2c/jQw0A7xUoIs/s640/proud+Mum+3.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">by the end of lunch he has warmed up to me and I got this lovely smile out of him (on his mum's knee)...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>After lunch Hung and I head off on his motorbike so he can show me the Hanoi Museum. This museum was built to celebrate the 1000year birthday of Hanoi. It's a massive building constructed as an upside down pyramid. We find the place but unfortunately it's closed on Mondays...damn! So we do the tourist thing and take photos of each other outside!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TUrAJC5vm5I/AAAAAAAAA2Q/kurHeklUZfo/s1600/happy+new+year.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TUrAJC5vm5I/AAAAAAAAA2Q/kurHeklUZfo/s400/happy+new+year.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">standing in front of the huge Hanoi Museum...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The morning of the 2nd I cycled to Luyen's place for lunch. It's been so cold here lately that we are all well and truly over the weather. I can't tell you how happy I was to come out to a warm and relatively sunny day...mind you even when it's sunny the sky is still pretty grey...must be the pollution. Whatever...I was loving not needing to wear 6 or 7 layers of clothes for once.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TUrRGF9iWJI/AAAAAAAAA3M/9LimxpYbCgY/s1600/sunshine+on+West+Lake.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TUrRGF9iWJI/AAAAAAAAA3M/9LimxpYbCgY/s400/sunshine+on+West+Lake.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">looks spooky doesn't it?</td></tr>
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On the night of Tet Eve (Feb 2nd) there is a large fireworks display that can be seen easily from West Lake, Hung kindly popped round at 11.30pm to escort me to a good vantage point and the pair of us oooohed and aaaahed like a couple of kids. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TUrO3HFO4OI/AAAAAAAAA20/ELJeU3gBBfA/s1600/New+Years+Fireworks+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TUrO3HFO4OI/AAAAAAAAA20/ELJeU3gBBfA/s400/New+Years+Fireworks+5.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one of the floating restaurants in all it's finery cruised up for a good view of the fireworks...</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TUrO661_QgI/AAAAAAAAA28/J4tnL91jBTQ/s1600/New+Years+Fireworks+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TUrO661_QgI/AAAAAAAAA28/J4tnL91jBTQ/s400/New+Years+Fireworks+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I liked the reflection on the lake...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TUrO8f3N9yI/AAAAAAAAA3A/Hitd5I4HHbA/s1600/New+Years+Fireworks+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TUrO8f3N9yI/AAAAAAAAA3A/Hitd5I4HHbA/s320/New+Years+Fireworks+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and again....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TUrO5mF-EzI/AAAAAAAAA24/8StVKlcxuTI/s1600/Me+and+Hung+at+the+fireworks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TUrO5mF-EzI/AAAAAAAAA24/8StVKlcxuTI/s320/Me+and+Hung+at+the+fireworks.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fun at the fireworks...</td></tr>
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During Tet everything is closed down for the week; the beginning of the lunar new year is a much larger celebration than either Xmas and New Year. I've been posting photo's of the progressive increase of decorations around the place because it's been really nice to see the flashes of colour in an otherwise often drab, grey landscape. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the pagoda at the end of Tracey's road all gussied up for Tet...</td></tr>
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</tbody></table> That's about all the news to date, I've only got another two weeks left over here. I'll be giving two more classes at Koto plus spending two mornings with Doan refining the items on the new pastry menu. Then it will be goodbye to Koto. I've arranged to spend a day each with Hanoi Cooking Center and Donkey Bakery showing the staff some useful tea cake recipes. Sadly I have to spend time at the ruddy dentist too...a huge filling has fallen out of my back tooth and it really needs attention. Then it's another haircut and some shopping for gifts to say thanks to the people who have supported me in 2010. I love shopping even if it's not for me....retail therapy rocks!<br />
<br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Ngairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03102488773835425223noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321808650144527383.post-38476936314747251402011-01-26T04:12:00.000-08:002011-01-26T04:12:29.986-08:00cupcake class at Koto....Tuesday I di.d a cupcake class for the staff and students at Koto. I made rose and lychee cupcakes and Doan made his carrot and walnut. Then I demonstrated buttercream icing techniques and used some of the royal icing flowers that we made last week.<br />
<br />
I think it's better if I just show you the pictures.... <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TUALMgF-w5I/AAAAAAAAA00/DExWUge8-rY/s1600/IMG_1516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TUALMgF-w5I/AAAAAAAAA00/DExWUge8-rY/s640/IMG_1516.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">these are the carrot and walnut ones....</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TUALaN8PjDI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/n6jbtymryH8/s1600/IMG_1525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TUALaN8PjDI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/n6jbtymryH8/s640/IMG_1525.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and these are the rose and lychee.....</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> and after I finished the students got to have a play......pretty good eh?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TUALiOHNteI/AAAAAAAAA1c/oWIG9idQ_n0/s1600/IMG_1529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TUALiOHNteI/AAAAAAAAA1c/oWIG9idQ_n0/s640/IMG_1529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
It seemed to be universally enjoyed and the cakes were very nice indeed....you know it's a funny thing....I just can't understand why I'm not losing weight.....yeah right!Ngairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03102488773835425223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321808650144527383.post-76353704352168302452011-01-23T08:43:00.000-08:002011-01-23T08:43:32.498-08:00Bike ride to nowhere over the Long Bien Bridge.....On Sunday Rosemary had suggested we try riding over the Long Bien bridge. She'd been told that once over it you would be in the countryside with miles of traffic free roads to ride along. So we gave it a go...the bridge is a railway bridge with lanes on either side for two wheeled vehicles and the very rare pedestrian. It was a fairly nerve racking ride for Rosemary who is very new to cycling so she just kept riding while I would stop and start to take photos when the inspiration grabbed me.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxOd3otZ_I/AAAAAAAAAzM/oMjBW2XPKRk/s1600/Long+Bien+Bridge+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxOd3otZ_I/AAAAAAAAAzM/oMjBW2XPKRk/s320/Long+Bien+Bridge+1.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxOgmgdB3I/AAAAAAAAAzQ/HlbFk2_RYtM/s1600/Long+Bien+Bridge+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxOgmgdB3I/AAAAAAAAAzQ/HlbFk2_RYtM/s320/Long+Bien+Bridge+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxOiiulm7I/AAAAAAAAAzU/Kd4KaLamGWY/s1600/Long+Bien+Bridge+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxOiiulm7I/AAAAAAAAAzU/Kd4KaLamGWY/s320/Long+Bien+Bridge+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxOncOFqvI/AAAAAAAAAzc/JRac93d5Lww/s1600/Long+Bien+Bridge+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxOncOFqvI/AAAAAAAAAzc/JRac93d5Lww/s320/Long+Bien+Bridge+5.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this was only one of many football games we saw on our ride...a Sunday morning past-time like other a lot of other countries...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxOy32jq6I/AAAAAAAAAzg/l-6dLRp63D4/s1600/Long+Bien+Bridge+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxOy32jq6I/AAAAAAAAAzg/l-6dLRp63D4/s320/Long+Bien+Bridge+7.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">there were arable fields under the bridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxO1prl4-I/AAAAAAAAAzk/AXwmGsLAtAI/s1600/Long+Bien+Bridge+8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxO1prl4-I/AAAAAAAAAzk/AXwmGsLAtAI/s320/Long+Bien+Bridge+8.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this gave me pause until I saw that it was from a previous bridge...scary...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxO4AkXMwI/AAAAAAAAAzo/hYSxn5cD_dY/s1600/Long+Bien+Bridge+9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxO4AkXMwI/AAAAAAAAAzo/hYSxn5cD_dY/s320/Long+Bien+Bridge+9.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxO6HlvzXI/AAAAAAAAAzs/ui6PEbalOIw/s1600/Long+Bien+Bridge+10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxO6HlvzXI/AAAAAAAAAzs/ui6PEbalOIw/s320/Long+Bien+Bridge+10.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxO9HyfNoI/AAAAAAAAAzw/frKzXyoB36E/s1600/Long+Bien+Bridge+11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxO9HyfNoI/AAAAAAAAAzw/frKzXyoB36E/s320/Long+Bien+Bridge+11.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxPJm7X2SI/AAAAAAAAAz8/U4N2_buShSA/s1600/Long+Bien+Bridge+14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxPJm7X2SI/AAAAAAAAAz8/U4N2_buShSA/s320/Long+Bien+Bridge+14.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the wind nearly took this poor woman's load right off the rack on the back of her bike...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxPeAaaomI/AAAAAAAAA0A/dwQEdN70R2I/s1600/Long+Bien+Bridge+16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxPeAaaomI/AAAAAAAAA0A/dwQEdN70R2I/s320/Long+Bien+Bridge+16.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">looking down....</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxObjdPVrI/AAAAAAAAAzI/RLS77sFy47Y/s1600/Long+Bien+Bridge+18.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxObjdPVrI/AAAAAAAAAzI/RLS77sFy47Y/s320/Long+Bien+Bridge+18.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chuong Duong Bridge off in the distance...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxOj5oguNI/AAAAAAAAAzY/GhEgS7i42dg/s1600/Long+Bien+Bridge+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxOj5oguNI/AAAAAAAAAzY/GhEgS7i42dg/s320/Long+Bien+Bridge+4.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chuong Duong is for cars and trucks...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxOiiulm7I/AAAAAAAAAzU/Kd4KaLamGWY/s1600/Long+Bien+Bridge+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxOiiulm7I/AAAAAAAAAzU/Kd4KaLamGWY/s320/Long+Bien+Bridge+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long Bien is only for two wheelers and the trains...</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Once we got over the bridge we cycled round and tried to find a way to get onto the dyke so we could ride alongside the river. A very nice man directed us to a laneway which led to this lovely lookout.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxPC4PWm8I/AAAAAAAAAz0/P4ZMGLOKfQk/s1600/Long+Bien+Bridge+12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxPC4PWm8I/AAAAAAAAAz0/P4ZMGLOKfQk/s320/Long+Bien+Bridge+12.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxPHEGJEGI/AAAAAAAAAz4/bx_mdWGBwBw/s1600/Long+Bien+Bridge+13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxPHEGJEGI/AAAAAAAAAz4/bx_mdWGBwBw/s320/Long+Bien+Bridge+13.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">there were actually steps leading down to the river bank but the bank was too rocky for us to ride along so we gave it a miss...</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The ride was rocky but not that long so Rosemary suggested that we do one circumlocution of West Lake for exercise. I had my camera with me so took the chance to grab some shots on our way round.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxSFeZdbjI/AAAAAAAAA0M/3aA4Y_PFmUk/s1600/Random+Hanoi+stuff+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxSFeZdbjI/AAAAAAAAA0M/3aA4Y_PFmUk/s320/Random+Hanoi+stuff+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxSHo03nWI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/bWpMpIVcAsU/s1600/Random+Hanoi+stuff+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxSHo03nWI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/bWpMpIVcAsU/s320/Random+Hanoi+stuff+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hard to believe that something so flimsy can carry a person...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxSMNbmOsI/AAAAAAAAA0U/_t6XTudDNjY/s1600/Random+Hanoi+stuff+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxSMNbmOsI/AAAAAAAAA0U/_t6XTudDNjY/s320/Random+Hanoi+stuff+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the outrageous gates of a hotel...at least I hope it's a hotel and not a private house...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxSPUfZ9DI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/QowhOfyWsng/s1600/Random+Hanoi+stuff+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxSPUfZ9DI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/QowhOfyWsng/s320/Random+Hanoi+stuff+4.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the building that belongs to the gates...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxST3oL9gI/AAAAAAAAA0c/gUzBanRY3uI/s1600/Random+Hanoi+stuff+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxST3oL9gI/AAAAAAAAA0c/gUzBanRY3uI/s320/Random+Hanoi+stuff+5.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxSV7ufhcI/AAAAAAAAA0g/XMJdRZ4vZEo/s1600/Random+Hanoi+stuff+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxSV7ufhcI/AAAAAAAAA0g/XMJdRZ4vZEo/s320/Random+Hanoi+stuff+6.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I just love the embellishments...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxSZ-rpg4I/AAAAAAAAA0k/EV1WhcLcHl8/s1600/Tet+decorations+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxSZ-rpg4I/AAAAAAAAA0k/EV1WhcLcHl8/s320/Tet+decorations+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the pagoda is now decked with lanterns in advance of Tet...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxSjF3gz5I/AAAAAAAAA0o/hlWRtzsqWQA/s1600/Tet+decorations+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxSjF3gz5I/AAAAAAAAA0o/hlWRtzsqWQA/s320/Tet+decorations+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxSomgD2UI/AAAAAAAAA0s/ZCfrqThA198/s1600/Tet+decorations+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxSomgD2UI/AAAAAAAAA0s/ZCfrqThA198/s320/Tet+decorations+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I just love the splashes of colour the lotus lanterns add...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxSCaVOVtI/AAAAAAAAA0I/hQd3m7IQXbg/s1600/Beautiful+bride+freezing+for+a+good+photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxSCaVOVtI/AAAAAAAAA0I/hQd3m7IQXbg/s400/Beautiful+bride+freezing+for+a+good+photo.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a beautiful but very cold bride willing to suffer for a great photo....</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
After our epic non-ride and our 14km circuit of the lake we both felt a bit sweaty and decidedly hungry...time for lunch. Later Rosemary was kind enough to treat me to an acupressure massage at a place near her home. She'd found this place a while back when her knee was playing up and they'd really helped. The massage was strange; I'd never had an acupressure massage before, but I certainly felt the benefit of it later. After our massage we adjourned to the cafe on Yen Phu to enjoy some yummy Vietnamese yoghurt, mine with sticky rice and Rosemary's with coffee. While eating we discussed the pros and cons of a manicure/pedicure and came down in favour. So that's what we did...now my digits are pearly pink and trimmed to within an inch of my life. <br />
<br />
I finished my day with a visit to my favourite Bi Tet restaurant and I'm now watching the brilliant Boardwalk Empire...you wouldn't be dead for quids...right?.Ngairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03102488773835425223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321808650144527383.post-44493683713218103762011-01-23T07:44:00.000-08:002011-01-23T07:44:37.544-08:00Saturday at Hanoi Cooking Center and Sunday 23rd...the bike ride to nowhere...The Hanoi Cooking Center and The Bookworm (the other business that shares the space at 44 Cho Long) put on some fabulous entertainment to celebrate Tet on Saturday.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxIGRaDqFI/AAAAAAAAAzE/hbWL672A6Tw/s1600/dragon+boat+restaurant+-+west+lake+sunday+ride.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxIGRaDqFI/AAAAAAAAAzE/hbWL672A6Tw/s320/dragon+boat+restaurant+-+west+lake+sunday+ride.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the beautifully carved prow of one of the floating restaurants on West Lake...</td></tr>
</tbody></table> After Rosemary and I finished our obligatory weekend morning bike ride (twice round West Lake - with stops for photos, see above, and a cuppa with Luyen Shell at Donkey Bakery) we trundled along to Cho Long Street to check it out. A string trio was playing some lovely music as we enjoyed our lunch...I felt a bit sorry for them because they had to play in the courtyard and it was far from a warm day. By the time we'd finished our meals the 'entertainment' had arrived. There was a man making banh chung; the traditional sticky rice cake that is an essential part of Tet here in the North of Vietnam. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxAtQfiQFI/AAAAAAAAAyI/JwCUldgpEyo/s1600/Tet+cake+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxAtQfiQFI/AAAAAAAAAyI/JwCUldgpEyo/s640/Tet+cake+2.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">beginning the wrapping of the cake in banana leaves...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxAlqMhYfI/AAAAAAAAAyA/8-fRbVdVz8Y/s1600/Tet+cake+22.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxAlqMhYfI/AAAAAAAAAyA/8-fRbVdVz8Y/s400/Tet+cake+22.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the cake contains sticky rice that has been soaked overnight, green beans and top quality pork with enough fat to add some flavour...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxAjHqFGqI/AAAAAAAAAx8/ghgHmJS7Zr0/s1600/Tet+cake+18.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxAjHqFGqI/AAAAAAAAAx8/ghgHmJS7Zr0/s400/Tet+cake+18.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">after wrapping securely and tying with bamboo strips the cake is boiled for about 8 hours...</td></tr>
</tbody></table> The finished result is a glutinous dish that once unwrapped must not be cut with a knife - very important! - the bindings from the package are split into very fine but strong threads and used like a cheese wire to cut the cake into eight triangular portions. I'm actually going to Mr Hung's house on 31st so that his mother can instruct me as to the production of banh chung...watch this space!<br />
<br />
Another man was making gorgeous little 'stick' figures with sticky rice dough...a bit like play dough but much more malleable and they harden eventually. I was particularly fascinated by his incredibly dexterous modelling techniques. I wish I could mould icing the way he moulded the sticky rice dough. I've got a couple drying out in the hopes that they will make it home to Oz with me in February.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxDWt6lpOI/AAAAAAAAAyY/wQ6yFPzlkTA/s1600/sticky+rice+dough+figures+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxDWt6lpOI/AAAAAAAAAyY/wQ6yFPzlkTA/s640/sticky+rice+dough+figures+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the only tools he used were a knife and an old plastic comb with teeth missing...amazing...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxDRSUtwTI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/gb-UFS-PyAk/s1600/Franke.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxDRSUtwTI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/gb-UFS-PyAk/s400/Franke.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tracy's little girl Franke with here sticky rice toy...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxDTafbnsI/AAAAAAAAAyU/zMwnvq5jUM4/s1600/making+a+tiger+20.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxDTafbnsI/AAAAAAAAAyU/zMwnvq5jUM4/s400/making+a+tiger+20.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the texturing on the rose petals and the tigers extremities was done with the comb...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxDYbovgOI/AAAAAAAAAyc/eMcPDIJTnA0/s1600/sticky+rice+dough+figures+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxDYbovgOI/AAAAAAAAAyc/eMcPDIJTnA0/s400/sticky+rice+dough+figures+2.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I just think they are so cute, and each only took him about 5 to 10 minutes to make...so fast...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxDaVkuMPI/AAAAAAAAAyg/4n33VaE-Wvw/s1600/sticky+rice+dough+figures+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxDaVkuMPI/AAAAAAAAAyg/4n33VaE-Wvw/s400/sticky+rice+dough+figures+3.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we can't decide if it's a mouse or a cat...whatever - it's cute!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxDgnh52FI/AAAAAAAAAyo/LvA78tpAecc/s1600/sticky+rice+dough+figures+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxDgnh52FI/AAAAAAAAAyo/LvA78tpAecc/s400/sticky+rice+dough+figures+5.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">they were charging the grand total of 10,000vd per toy...that's 50c each...</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
The final prong to the cultural trident was a calligrapher who produced beautiful flowing symbols on traditional hand made paper. Rosemary went a bit mad and ended up buying 4 for family and friends. I asked for the symbol for the kitchen god but he couldn't do that so I got Good Luck and Good Health. For all I know it could say 'the owner of this scroll is a moron' but I don't care because it looks just lovely. It's anchored top and bottom with bamboo and has a wee chain to hang it on the wall. It'll be a lovely reminder of my time here.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxGb5WOzLI/AAAAAAAAAys/vK8YgUA_Hus/s1600/Caligrapher+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxGb5WOzLI/AAAAAAAAAys/vK8YgUA_Hus/s400/Caligrapher+6.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the young man is actually a student, he can sometimes be found working outside the ground of the Temple of Literature...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxGhz4g3dI/AAAAAAAAAy0/em_Phd-4k1o/s1600/caligrapher+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxGhz4g3dI/AAAAAAAAAy0/em_Phd-4k1o/s320/caligrapher+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">his traditional garb really added to the whole atmosphere...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxGlR2U-wI/AAAAAAAAAy4/n-FtDFGuqJc/s1600/caligrapher+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxGlR2U-wI/AAAAAAAAAy4/n-FtDFGuqJc/s400/caligrapher+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the banners were selling for 30,000vd ($1.50)...I hope he was working on commission because he did loads...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxGzYaIMRI/AAAAAAAAAzA/nc58ylRyc5k/s1600/Caligrapher+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTxGzYaIMRI/AAAAAAAAAzA/nc58ylRyc5k/s640/Caligrapher+5.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the hanging banner on the left with the two symbols is the same as mine...lovely isn't it?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>What an action packed day...and it wasn't over. That evening we took in a movie at our fave place on Hang Bai. The film was called Due Date with Robert Downey Junior and the fat guy from The Hangover. Rosemary hated it. It was a typical Hollywood piece of junk with two of the most unsympathetic and un-likeable characters you could imagine but I have to confess I laughed like a drain all the way through. There were distasteful jokes about all sorts of juvenile stuff and a running gag about the fat guy's dead father's ashes. The action sequences were so extreme and hair raising that I couldn't help myself from cheering and shouting along with the rest of the audience ...maybe in my old age I'm into a regressing mentally teenage boy...I'll be skateboarding and playing online war games next!Ngairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03102488773835425223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321808650144527383.post-47608866692496238212011-01-19T08:08:00.000-08:002011-01-19T08:08:06.257-08:00Coffee marshmallow and crazy cakes....Two days of making stuff that I've never done before...marshmallow and fudge. The marshmallow worked perfectly but the fudge turned out to be the chewy kind not the Russian fudge I was hoping for...ah well, you can't win 'em all. Here's the marshmallow...<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTcG6AHeq0I/AAAAAAAAAxI/5U5RHl14vmE/s1600/marshmallow+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTcG6AHeq0I/AAAAAAAAAxI/5U5RHl14vmE/s320/marshmallow+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTcG80qN1SI/AAAAAAAAAxM/1mOvOVzmByw/s1600/marshmallow+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTcG80qN1SI/AAAAAAAAAxM/1mOvOVzmByw/s320/marshmallow+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTcHANP9uyI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/BFP5BkMZMPw/s1600/marshmallow+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTcHANP9uyI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/BFP5BkMZMPw/s320/marshmallow+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>It was so soft and smooth, melt in the mouth...and so easy...<br />
<br />
Today I was asked to give a class on celebration cakes and no-one turned up! <br />
<br />
It ended up being Doan and I for the first 45mins, then Thu; one of the kitchen trainers arrived...wow...three of us! Thu then got on the phone and harassed two more people into coming which is possibly even more humiliating! Bit of a dissapointment but hey, if no-one wants to learn then I get more time off!<br />
<br />
I did two versions of the same little two tier cake, one for a wedding - white on white...and the other an over the top birthday cake using the royal icing flowers we'd been practicing last week. I used the RTR I'd made last week to coat the cakes and was really pleased with the result...not perfect but pretty smooth for the first go.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTcKf57JxzI/AAAAAAAAAxo/Gdgmwhyvklo/s1600/birthday+cake+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTcKf57JxzI/AAAAAAAAAxo/Gdgmwhyvklo/s400/birthday+cake+4.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTcKiATzMRI/AAAAAAAAAxs/Da7lvkcCnS8/s1600/wedding+cake+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTcKiATzMRI/AAAAAAAAAxs/Da7lvkcCnS8/s400/wedding+cake+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTcKlrUiGdI/AAAAAAAAAx0/QaitFAZE1GY/s1600/wedding+cake+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTcKlrUiGdI/AAAAAAAAAx0/QaitFAZE1GY/s400/wedding+cake+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTcKbepHiZI/AAAAAAAAAxg/ZbO73Tjehnk/s1600/birthday+cake+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTcKbepHiZI/AAAAAAAAAxg/ZbO73Tjehnk/s400/birthday+cake+2.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wild and crazy and a lot of fun.... </div>Ngairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03102488773835425223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321808650144527383.post-59756777012311720282011-01-19T07:34:00.000-08:002011-01-19T07:34:43.792-08:00Hanoi food with Mr Hung at the Hanoi Cooking Center...What a fun night, I was invited to participate in an evening learning to prepare and then enjoy a selection of regional dished from Hanoi. There were three other eager cooks so Mr Hung gathered us up and we dutifully followed him into the markets for a quick lesson in what and how to buy...<br />
I didn't take my camera so you'll have to take my word about the sights on view...huge live fish in constantly freshened water, massive frogs (farmed I'm told), loads of fresh fruit, veg and herbs, meat of indeterminate cut, meat very easily identified as cooked dog, eggs - free range chicken, duck, goose and egg with baby chicken inside (no, I didn't eat one).<br />
Mr Hung bought what we needed for the nights class and a couple of extra things, some bitter herbs (wild cosmos?) and a frog!!!<br />
My cooking buddy Nick ( a pom who now lives in Auckland) volunteered to try the frog - he's a brave man!<br />
Apparently he'd done the previous Saturday's class too and been game enough to try the 'egg with baby inside'...crunchy!<br />
The menu consisted of Seafood spring rolls (with a twist), caramel pork cooked in a claypot, banana flower salad, and a dessert of black sesame and peanut che. Plus frog and an omelet made with the bitter herbs.<br />
I think I'll just show you the photos...you'll get the picture.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb42Uv2GAI/AAAAAAAAAuk/ygckpsAnSG4/s1600/FROG+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb42Uv2GAI/AAAAAAAAAuk/ygckpsAnSG4/s320/FROG+6.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">frog...in the pan</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb5HS6WB4I/AAAAAAAAAuw/Au3wkNI8NwU/s1600/HCC+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb5HS6WB4I/AAAAAAAAAuw/Au3wkNI8NwU/s320/HCC+3.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">banana flower salad ingredients</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb5M46N1CI/AAAAAAAAAu0/Mca73SqEht4/s1600/HCC+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb5M46N1CI/AAAAAAAAAu0/Mca73SqEht4/s320/HCC+4.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">caramel pork ingredients</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb5SQSROfI/AAAAAAAAAu4/GLaHhT2C4Zk/s1600/HCC+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb5SQSROfI/AAAAAAAAAu4/GLaHhT2C4Zk/s320/HCC+5.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our culinary captain in action</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb5bwBBN6I/AAAAAAAAAu8/UTHKQwr6Shg/s1600/HCC+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb5bwBBN6I/AAAAAAAAAu8/UTHKQwr6Shg/s320/HCC+6.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the pork marinating in fish sauce, garlic, shallots and pepper</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb5n0z0oyI/AAAAAAAAAvE/v0SpZd_5boo/s1600/HCC+8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb5n0z0oyI/AAAAAAAAAvE/v0SpZd_5boo/s320/HCC+8.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red fruit (no idea of what it would be called in English) used to color rice for Tet</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb5w1N5AZI/AAAAAAAAAvM/nnm-QgXwSvM/s1600/HCC+10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb5w1N5AZI/AAAAAAAAAvM/nnm-QgXwSvM/s320/HCC+10.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">filling for Hanoi Spring Rolls - squid, prawn, fish, caramelized onion and....mayo! yes, mayo!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb51g4epkI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/eOVBD4bmxNI/s1600/HCC+11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb51g4epkI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/eOVBD4bmxNI/s320/HCC+11.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">rolling....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb59XW6WHI/AAAAAAAAAvY/bCcjg0QWyVA/s1600/HCC+13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb59XW6WHI/AAAAAAAAAvY/bCcjg0QWyVA/s320/HCC+13.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr Hung was made to produce 800 spring rolls every day of his work experience at a large hotel that will remain nameless...so now he's an expert!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb6LkdSreI/AAAAAAAAAvo/QTZrpPzYcDA/s1600/HCC+31.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb6LkdSreI/AAAAAAAAAvo/QTZrpPzYcDA/s320/HCC+31.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">baby bananas</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb6SP5MUCI/AAAAAAAAAvw/HZBDpCRBeOs/s1600/HCC+33.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb6SP5MUCI/AAAAAAAAAvw/HZBDpCRBeOs/s320/HCC+33.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">slicing the banana flower</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb6Vx5aVJI/AAAAAAAAAv0/SO2WO6kLuF4/s1600/HCC+34.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb6Vx5aVJI/AAAAAAAAAv0/SO2WO6kLuF4/s320/HCC+34.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">banana flower salad ingredients minus bean sprouts and coriander...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb6ZWay8KI/AAAAAAAAAv4/mw9v5kD2Zj4/s1600/HCC+35.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb6ZWay8KI/AAAAAAAAAv4/mw9v5kD2Zj4/s320/HCC+35.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sprouts and coriander</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb6cANezfI/AAAAAAAAAv8/-l_cIa-LGJc/s1600/HCC+36.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb6cANezfI/AAAAAAAAAv8/-l_cIa-LGJc/s320/HCC+36.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">slice the prawns lengthwise...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb6iGzxNUI/AAAAAAAAAwE/v7pHAjWrSxE/s1600/HCC+38.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb6iGzxNUI/AAAAAAAAAwE/v7pHAjWrSxE/s320/HCC+38.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">slice the pork...Mr Hung does it quickly...action shot...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb6rNLYPgI/AAAAAAAAAwM/d8gLqVCKFUA/s1600/HCC+40.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb6rNLYPgI/AAAAAAAAAwM/d8gLqVCKFUA/s320/HCC+40.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mix all ingredients except dressing and peanuts for garnish..</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb6u5yvNNI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/Xwqou9hWoGI/s1600/HCC+41.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb6u5yvNNI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/Xwqou9hWoGI/s320/HCC+41.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ingredients for black sesame and peanut che</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb6yA9QKlI/AAAAAAAAAwU/pSlAFJXOYQg/s1600/HCC+42.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb6yA9QKlI/AAAAAAAAAwU/pSlAFJXOYQg/s320/HCC+42.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">process the nuts and seeds...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb65qMd7LI/AAAAAAAAAwc/bW3lFXPWfec/s1600/HCC+44.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb65qMd7LI/AAAAAAAAAwc/bW3lFXPWfec/s320/HCC+44.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cook with water, sugar, coconut cream and nuts and seeds...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb7FCxieAI/AAAAAAAAAwk/KMFInZz3FFo/s1600/HCC+46.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb7FCxieAI/AAAAAAAAAwk/KMFInZz3FFo/s320/HCC+46.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">he scared the crap out of us all with this little conflagration....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb7JA9EGZI/AAAAAAAAAwo/jhRsRh1rDRo/s1600/HCC+47.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb7JA9EGZI/AAAAAAAAAwo/jhRsRh1rDRo/s320/HCC+47.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">banana flower salad and caramel pork</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb7O1jl46I/AAAAAAAAAww/oY6_pMpciHQ/s1600/NICK+WITH+BANANA+FLOWER+SALAD.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb7O1jl46I/AAAAAAAAAww/oY6_pMpciHQ/s320/NICK+WITH+BANANA+FLOWER+SALAD.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nick filling the banana flower boat....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb7UBqQd3I/AAAAAAAAAw4/gFCweg-EEHQ/s1600/SEAFOOD+SPRING+ROLLS+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb7UBqQd3I/AAAAAAAAAw4/gFCweg-EEHQ/s320/SEAFOOD+SPRING+ROLLS+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The spring rolls - that had been crumbed! Talk about French influence...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb7b7v3rYI/AAAAAAAAAxA/PRYyKMYkPR0/s1600/CARAMEL+PORK.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTb7b7v3rYI/AAAAAAAAAxA/PRYyKMYkPR0/s320/CARAMEL+PORK.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">close up of the yummy caramel pork...</td></tr>
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After the class we relocated to the warm and comfortable dining room upstairs to enjoy the fruits of our labors. The spring rolls were so rich it was almost unbelievable, the banana flower salad was crunchy, tasty and refreshing, the caramel pork was my personal fave...tender, sweet and salty and so moreish. I did try the frog...somewhere between fish and chicken but a bit strong for me. The dessert was a warm soup and had a great flavor, however it didn't blow my bubbles but I'm thinking of using the combination of black sesame and peanut in either a cookie or a cupcake...yummy!Ngairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03102488773835425223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321808650144527383.post-319538805421266492011-01-17T07:02:00.000-08:002011-01-17T07:02:21.792-08:00Birthday cake....On Friday I was told that a cake was needed for Monday, a cake to feed 160 people. It's Jimmy Pham's birthday next week but the staff and trainees wanted to celebrate his birthday with him early. Doan, Thu and I made the cakes on Friday. A bottom tier of chocolate mud, a middle tier of carrot and green apple and a top tier of Donna Hay's lemon flavored butter almond cake. We made some royal icing run outs of the koto logo...(remember the little abstract figures that I made xmas hats for in the restaurant?) It was the first time I've ever made run outs as well as Doan and Thu's...but they turned out OK. We also did some pink and white two tone piped flowers which were set aside to dry harden over the weekend.<br />
This morning Doan and I iced the three cakes with white royal icing. We made cake boards out of bits of wine boxes wrapped in tinfoil and cling film...you do what you have to do. The tins were donated by Frazer and Hughes in Sydney (thanks guys) so we were limited to making the cakes that size. I would have liked to have made the tiers more balanced but it's OK if a little solid.<br />
Anyway, we used the runouts, the flowers and the finished result was quite pretty in the end.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTRVdcxByJI/AAAAAAAAAuI/2rbUYnWU9t0/s1600/Doan+with+Jimmy%2527s+cake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTRVdcxByJI/AAAAAAAAAuI/2rbUYnWU9t0/s400/Doan+with+Jimmy%2527s+cake.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a very happy Mr Doan after we finished...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTRVgJJo0VI/AAAAAAAAAuM/0_WQRPY4prw/s1600/Jimmy%2527s+cake+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTRVgJJo0VI/AAAAAAAAAuM/0_WQRPY4prw/s400/Jimmy%2527s+cake+1.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it wasn't as wonky as it looks...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTRVicR41rI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/WKzZPaFZkAE/s1600/jimmy%2527s+cake+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTRVicR41rI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/WKzZPaFZkAE/s400/jimmy%2527s+cake+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the run-outs turned out really well in the end...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTRVknPg0vI/AAAAAAAAAuU/oKUD3DZXxR4/s1600/Jimmy%2527s+cake+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTRVknPg0vI/AAAAAAAAAuU/oKUD3DZXxR4/s400/Jimmy%2527s+cake+3.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and the flowers too...though I'm sure the ladies cake decorating guild would be horrified...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTRVqY1aR1I/AAAAAAAAAuc/tg7o_Q0HEfU/s1600/Jimmy%2527s+cake+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTRVqY1aR1I/AAAAAAAAAuc/tg7o_Q0HEfU/s400/Jimmy%2527s+cake+5.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">best of all...every skerrick was polished off later in the evening.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTRWXNaO-BI/AAAAAAAAAug/hKCFIdMtxcI/s1600/Gingerbread+house+that+I+set+fire+to.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTRWXNaO-BI/AAAAAAAAAug/hKCFIdMtxcI/s400/Gingerbread+house+that+I+set+fire+to.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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This is the gingerbread house I produced in the class I had run during the afternoon. I put the roof on then decided to show them how great the houses can look with a tea light candle inside...but there weren't any tea lights. We decided to try cutting up a normal candle...so I did...I lit it...the kids all applauded because it looked great.....then they started laughing and shouting hysterically because they'd noticed smoke coming out of the roof!!!! The bloody candle was way too high and had almost set fire to the bloody cake! The icing melted and one of the the roof panels slid off but we quickly blew out the candle and I managed to fix the damage pretty well - next gingerbread house will have smoke alarms installed.Ngairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03102488773835425223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321808650144527383.post-27676393098056800252011-01-17T05:07:00.000-08:002011-01-17T05:07:47.909-08:00Hue Spring Rolls....On the afternoon of Sunday 16th the staff of the HCC invited me to pop in to show them how to pipe icing flowers in return for a quick session teaching me how to make Hue Spring Rolls...or lacy spring rolls. <br />
Rosemary and I had ridden round West Lake (twice) and she had a report to finish before Tet so I jumped at the chance to fiddle with food!<br />
<br />
We had a ball with the royal icing...you've seen the piped flowers, we also tried to do drop flowers and leaves too...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTQ6B4QWCAI/AAAAAAAAAs0/qVrfzgP-3-Q/s1600/royal+icing+piped+leaves.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTQ6B4QWCAI/AAAAAAAAAs0/qVrfzgP-3-Q/s320/royal+icing+piped+leaves.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">leaves....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTQ6Fd4ASfI/AAAAAAAAAs4/GQXSr9fcDNA/s1600/royal+icing+drop+flowers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTQ6Fd4ASfI/AAAAAAAAAs4/GQXSr9fcDNA/s320/royal+icing+drop+flowers.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">everything is set aside and hardens beautifully so they can be stored for ages</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTQ6Its53cI/AAAAAAAAAs8/bHEvdX2-dlo/s1600/royal+icing+drop+flowers+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTQ6Its53cI/AAAAAAAAAs8/bHEvdX2-dlo/s320/royal+icing+drop+flowers+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">little drop flowers with sugar pearls...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Icing session over then it was onto the spring rolls.....I think I will just show you the pictures rather than waffle too much...<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTQ7c7062BI/AAAAAAAAAts/6eoH8ZfJA1Q/s1600/ingredients+for+Hue+spring+rolls.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTQ7c7062BI/AAAAAAAAAts/6eoH8ZfJA1Q/s400/ingredients+for+Hue+spring+rolls.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ingredients, carrot, daikon, shallots, dill tips, mackeral...that's it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTQ6tV6dCDI/AAAAAAAAAtA/roBQiZJlfxU/s1600/julliene+carrots.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTQ6tV6dCDI/AAAAAAAAAtA/roBQiZJlfxU/s320/julliene+carrots.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">julienne the carrot</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTQ7faeA-hI/AAAAAAAAAtw/oJkL6X_OKQ4/s1600/julliene+daikon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTQ7faeA-hI/AAAAAAAAAtw/oJkL6X_OKQ4/s320/julliene+daikon.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and the daikon...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTQ7PT9hA1I/AAAAAAAAAtc/uSbaAa-eIYw/s1600/chop+shallots.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTQ7PT9hA1I/AAAAAAAAAtc/uSbaAa-eIYw/s320/chop+shallots.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">finely slice the shallots</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTQ7jgycDjI/AAAAAAAAAt0/9k3crVX1nPU/s1600/lacy+spring+roll+wrapper.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTQ7jgycDjI/AAAAAAAAAt0/9k3crVX1nPU/s320/lacy+spring+roll+wrapper.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The batter is a mix of rice flour, tapioca flour, egg and water...you dip your fingers in and quickly drizzle them over a hot pan...it's harder than it looks...you have to keep the bin close by when you're learning so you can quickly hide the stuff ups!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTQ7TnyPlMI/AAAAAAAAAtg/6uzSc8UBKnE/s1600/cook+till+firm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTQ7TnyPlMI/AAAAAAAAAtg/6uzSc8UBKnE/s320/cook+till+firm.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one of Mr Hung's ...mine were no where near as good...thankfully it didn't matter in the end...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTQ7o78HEyI/AAAAAAAAAt4/j-EX1rMIL2U/s1600/lift+from+pan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTQ7o78HEyI/AAAAAAAAAt4/j-EX1rMIL2U/s320/lift+from+pan.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">when it's cooked you simply lift it from the pan...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTQ7M3A9jjI/AAAAAAAAAtY/udnHxNv1t8A/s1600/and+repeat....JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTQ7M3A9jjI/AAAAAAAAAtY/udnHxNv1t8A/s320/and+repeat....JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a pile of wrappers...looks like spaghetti doesn't it?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTQ7scE1KsI/AAAAAAAAAt8/PpQAuS2oVJI/s1600/rolling+Hue+spring+rolls.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTQ7scE1KsI/AAAAAAAAAt8/PpQAuS2oVJI/s400/rolling+Hue+spring+rolls.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it took intense concentration to roll these filmy little numbers...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTQ7HLryhgI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/hgYzLOWolr4/s1600/wrap+filling+inside+two+wrappers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTQ7HLryhgI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/hgYzLOWolr4/s400/wrap+filling+inside+two+wrappers.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">after rolling - before cooking...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTQ7KGU5aAI/AAAAAAAAAtU/5J_f2BhlS7U/s1600/all+in+one+pan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTQ7KGU5aAI/AAAAAAAAAtU/5J_f2BhlS7U/s320/all+in+one+pan.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">start off shallow frying over a moderate heat...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTQ7EMvgFeI/AAAAAAAAAtM/5JkUzWGHyZM/s1600/till+golden+and+the+wrapper+is+firm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTQ7EMvgFeI/AAAAAAAAAtM/5JkUzWGHyZM/s320/till+golden+and+the+wrapper+is+firm.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">once cooked enough to become firm turn the heat up a bit to brown...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTQ7W6bCdFI/AAAAAAAAAtk/9fyb9u6aY7I/s1600/cook+till+golden+brown.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTQ7W6bCdFI/AAAAAAAAAtk/9fyb9u6aY7I/s320/cook+till+golden+brown.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">drain on kitchen paper...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTQ7Z0dnvDI/AAAAAAAAAto/f-uFXx0ZUVo/s1600/display+artfully.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTQ7Z0dnvDI/AAAAAAAAAto/f-uFXx0ZUVo/s320/display+artfully.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">display artfully round the dipping sauce....</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTQ696r0hzI/AAAAAAAAAtE/Q6oacx4bISw/s1600/serve+with+dipping+sauce+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTQ696r0hzI/AAAAAAAAAtE/Q6oacx4bISw/s400/serve+with+dipping+sauce+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">crispy on the outside, a multitude of textures on the inside...crunchy soft and juicy...yummy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>It was great fun and a real education to see how simple something so wonderful could be...apart from marinating the carrot and daikon in a little sugar, pepper and rice wine vinegar there was nothing ..extra added. Just fresh veg, herbs and fish!Ngairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03102488773835425223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321808650144527383.post-64594844493030178422011-01-17T04:42:00.000-08:002011-01-19T23:55:05.657-08:00a strange week...Through a combination of misunderstandings and apathy on my part (I got tired of forcing the issue) I've not had a lot to do lately. Mr Doan has been working full time at the restaurant and up till Thursday the oven in the training kitchen still wasn't working so I've had nothing much to do. So on Wednesday I went for a reconnoiter of the city. I had a list of things to achieve.<br />
1. Find the shop that sold the flower embosser - 100,000vd here, about $17 in Oz.<br />
2. Return to the DVD shop with my computer so I wouldn't buy anymore dud movies (that simply wouldn't play or were dubbed out of sync).<br />
3. Find and write down the address of the movie theater that Rosemary and I had been to once and never found again. <br />
4. Take the books I had already read back to Bookworm to part exchange for some new ones.<br />
So I rugged up...it's still pretty cold here, and set off; map in hand. <br />
Taking the scenic route over the causeway I had no problems getting to the place I thought the movie theatre was meant to be...one street over and hurrah...there it was 20 Hang Bai (near the corner of Hai Ba Trung) only a block from the lake. We like it because it's a lot cheaper than the big Megamovie theatre and there's a funny little restaurant nearby where we can eat inside (on these cold dark nights that's a drawcard).<br />
<br />
When I got to the lake I saw that some of the Tet decorations were up. Huge balloons that look like beach balls were bobbing over the lake, suspended by filament lines. <br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTEdRhxLLsI/AAAAAAAAAsY/prJ11J0vUog/s1600/tet+balloons+over+the+lake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTEdRhxLLsI/AAAAAAAAAsY/prJ11J0vUog/s400/tet+balloons+over+the+lake.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It looks quite whimsical; all the balloons dancing with their vibrant red tails flowing in the breeze.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTEdYWF4oVI/AAAAAAAAAsc/HQbejewbvHQ/s1600/tet+balloons+over+the+lake+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTEdYWF4oVI/AAAAAAAAAsc/HQbejewbvHQ/s320/tet+balloons+over+the+lake+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTEdhk3QOKI/AAAAAAAAAsg/PfE7IHUHpP4/s1600/pagoda+on+the+lake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTEdhk3QOKI/AAAAAAAAAsg/PfE7IHUHpP4/s400/pagoda+on+the+lake.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It doesn't matter how often I see this tiny pagoda in the middle of Hoan Kiem lake, I still stop and admire it's miniature perfection.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Entering the Old Quarter of Hanoi is not an experience for the faint hearted. The traffic is compressed into the tiny streets but dosn't seem to want to slow down. There is no space on the footpaths; they are for parking motorbikes on. Between the locals and the wandering tourists it's heaving with people. I've been lost in there so often that now I walk with my map in hand and stop and check it almost every cross street. My navigating served me well this time and I found my cake decorating shop in record time. Last time I was here with Doan the woman quoted me 110,000vd for the flower embosser. This time I found a young woman eating lunch with her mates. I was pretty much ignored outside so I went in and had a poke around. I've been watching You Tube instruction videos of how to pipe flowers. You need a flower pin, which is a thing that looks like a huge drawing pin. You hold onto the 'pin' part and pipe the flower onto the 'head' of the pin.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTQ0lovALeI/AAAAAAAAAso/eHl8FfD_4ZQ/s1600/royal+icing+piped+flowers+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTQ0lovALeI/AAAAAAAAAso/eHl8FfD_4ZQ/s320/royal+icing+piped+flowers+2.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first attempts with the piping pin</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTQ0htux6DI/AAAAAAAAAsk/HP1ZeholmCw/s1600/royal+icing+piped+flowers+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTQ0htux6DI/AAAAAAAAAsk/HP1ZeholmCw/s400/royal+icing+piped+flowers+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even the stuff ups look quite pretty</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTQ2pizi1oI/AAAAAAAAAss/xTftcKsy-J8/s1600/sticky+rice+on+the+bottom%252C+topped+with+shaved+green+been+and+pate%252C+garnished+with+sliced+sausage.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTQ2tiE197I/AAAAAAAAAsw/O8FQ7hQfTsY/s1600/comfort+food%252C+sticky+rice+with+pate+and+pork+loaf.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div> Well, I found one, made of plastic. I took it outside and asked how much. The young woman's pal translated my crappy Vietnamese and I was told 10,000vd (50c), fine, I got two. Then I reached for the embosser. I was told 90,000vd ($4.50)... a saving of 50c from last time. I countered with an offer 0f 100,000vd for the embosser and both flower pins. The young woman had such a fierce frown on her face... no...110,000vd. I couldn't stop myself from laughing out loud and making a frowny face too...she really was laying it on with the grimace. At that she and her pals couldn't help themselves and all cracked up giggling too. We all had a good laugh and she smilingly let me have my little victory. Just in case you think I'm being a miserable cow you can rest assured that the price I paid would still have been well in excess of what she would have asked of a Vietnamese. The average price we are asked it about 5 times the usual price. So while I'm happy to pay double or even triple it's always good to bargain...provided you do it with good humor and accept that there are times when the price is the price ( I've found that fabric sellers don't do much bargaining unless you buy large quantities ). So I went on my way, smiling and happy that I had checked off two of my objectives.<br />
<br />
I popped into Dong Xuan markets as I went past to check out material (I'm getting some stuff made up)...happened to glance over the banister as I was climbing the stairs and saw this wonderful angle...it's the dried fruit...looks great.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTRBmX45MII/AAAAAAAAAuE/LEunkSH4D1g/s1600/dried+fruits+at+Xian+Dong+markets+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTRBmX45MII/AAAAAAAAAuE/LEunkSH4D1g/s400/dried+fruits+at+Xian+Dong+markets+2.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at what's holding up the second tier...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
Number three was ticked off also - DVD shop found and DVD's checked before buying (out of 8 that I checked 3 worked). Then I headed for Bookworm. This wonderful little place is at the back of the Hanoi Cooking Center. They sell new and second hand books, but they also pay 1/3 of the marked price for your old books. I've been three times now, it's a great way to keep overheads low and yet still have plenty of reading material.<br />
Tracy noticed me as I passed the kitchen window and we had a nice catch up. When she heard that I had quite a bit of free time she offered me her Vietnamese cooking classes in exchange for presenting classes to her staff. I'd mentioned the croquembouche class I'd done at Koto so we arranged to do another the next day.<br />
It was a great success, Tracy's business partner Mr Linh took some amazing photos of the class but I've yet to get hold of them so please be patient.<br />
By the time the class finished it was 6.30pm and since his family were out of Hanoi Mr Hung and I set off on another culinary adventure...he took me to the 'sticky rice' street. It's the perfect food for the cold weather. A layer of sticky rice at the bottom of the bowl, topped with a thin of slivers of green bean 'dough' (the beans are cooked into a sort of dough, much like a very dense mashed potato but more solid) then either pate or the lovely Vietnamese 'meatloaf' and slices of sausage. It was really tasty and perfect for the shivery weather. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTQ2pizi1oI/AAAAAAAAAss/xTftcKsy-J8/s1600/sticky+rice+on+the+bottom%252C+topped+with+shaved+green+been+and+pate%252C+garnished+with+sliced+sausage.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTQ2pizi1oI/AAAAAAAAAss/xTftcKsy-J8/s400/sticky+rice+on+the+bottom%252C+topped+with+shaved+green+been+and+pate%252C+garnished+with+sliced+sausage.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is the sticky rice with the pate</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTQ2tiE197I/AAAAAAAAAsw/O8FQ7hQfTsY/s1600/comfort+food%252C+sticky+rice+with+pate+and+pork+loaf.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TTQ2tiE197I/AAAAAAAAAsw/O8FQ7hQfTsY/s400/comfort+food%252C+sticky+rice+with+pate+and+pork+loaf.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the pate on the left, pickles and with the meatloaf and yummy thin slices of spicy sausage...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
After that we had to pop into Mr Hung's favourite bia hoi in the old quarter...but the sticky rice filled us both up and we could only manage one drink before heading home. He was off to the country to cook for hundreds of people the next day as his brother was getting married.<br />
I had a disastrous start to the next day...but more of that later...Ngairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03102488773835425223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321808650144527383.post-47390503102110282232011-01-10T02:48:00.000-08:002011-01-10T04:36:53.490-08:00things I will never get used to and things I will never forget...<div style="color: red;">things I will never get used to;</div>seeing puppies in cages on the way to becoming dinner<br />
having to remember to put toilet paper in the bin and not the toilet after a wee<br />
being high beamed by cabs at night - they think it will encourage me to get in<br />
people smoking while I'm eating in a restaurant of cafe<br />
creatures I've kept as pets being looked upon as food<br />
the sight of live birds being hung upside down by their feet on sale at the side of the road <br />
snake wine<br />
the little girl who picked her kitten up by it's neck, the bony bit not the scruff<br />
excessive bamboo shoots in any dish<br />
the 'another day' attitude - mostly because I'm only here for three months and pretty soon there won't be another day<br />
rooms with tiled floors in a place that gets really bloody cold in winter - a rug would be good <br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="color: magenta;">things I will never forget;</div>the cheeky smiles on the faces of the kids<br />
the grace of the young women - even the old ones have their own gnarled beauty<br />
the way nothing is wasted - it's all salvaged and used again<br />
riding a bicycle on Hanoi roads - scary but actually safer than Sydney<br />
the wonderful people I've met<br />
the au dai<br />
every dragon I see on every pagoda - simply stunning architecture<br />
showing a deaf baker how to make pastry and seeing how quickly he got it <br />
how everyone jumps to help when someone drops their load off a motorbike - whether it's altruistic or just to clear the way is unimportant<br />
the strangers who smile when I practice my creaky Vietnamese<br />
coconut kem (ice cream)<br />
eating essence of water bug in my pho cuon dipping sauce<br />
being able to wear whatever you want and not be worried about looking like a dick<br />
being old in this country rocks - just call me chi<br />
watermelon that is tasty sweet and juicy - ditto for pineapple <br />
fresh herbs with everything<br />
West Lake, Hoan Kiem Lake - especially at night<br />
drinking at the bia hoi with Mr Hung in a busy intersection of the Old Quarter watching the world go by<br />
being able to live on $10 a day - that includes eating out<br />
<br />
to be continued.......<br />
<br />
I had no work today so I went for a walk. It's cold now so the swan boats are all tethered till things warm up.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSrhEHu1qiI/AAAAAAAAAsM/l3VGbPvur5k/s1600/swan+boats+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSrhEHu1qiI/AAAAAAAAAsM/l3VGbPvur5k/s320/swan+boats+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSrhHNL3ytI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/2bzKqGR-ApY/s1600/swan+boats+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSrhHNL3ytI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/2bzKqGR-ApY/s320/swan+boats+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">swans with the crest of a chicken?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Ngairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03102488773835425223noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321808650144527383.post-75183690288497539742011-01-09T08:39:00.000-08:002011-01-09T08:39:20.797-08:00Weekend of the 8th and 9th of January...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Weekends seem to be my time for adventures and this weekend was no exception. I finally took the plunge and rented myself a bicycle. After doing a little bit of research I decided to go with the popular choice. Ms Quan has a shop at 70 Hang Bac in the old quarter where she rents out motorbikes and bicycles by the day, week or month. The hometel receptionist rang and was quoted 300,000vd for the month to rent a pushbike (shortnose price) when I got there it had gone up to 400,000vd (longnose price) but it was still value for money so I signed the contract. I had to surrender my Aussie drivers License as security and was given a contract, an emergency contact number (in case of punctures?) and a basic but serviceable bike to ride off on. Negotiating my way out of the old quarter was scary enough but the fear factor was quickly surpassed by the hair raising experience of riding along Nghi Tam (very, very busy road) but I managed to get safely home without killing myself or anyone else.<br />
<br />
So Saturday morning Rosemary and I set off to circumnavigate West Lake. It's roughly 14km round so we had decided to do it twice (!!!!!) I haven't been on a bike in years but like they say...it's like riding a bike. ;-)<br />
We took off in a clockwise direction so that we could stay on the inside lane all the way and wouldn't have to cross intersections or oncoming traffic. It was actually a lot of fun.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSler9uguEI/AAAAAAAAAqk/JM2ebsxygL0/s1600/fishermen+on+West+Lake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSler9uguEI/AAAAAAAAAqk/JM2ebsxygL0/s400/fishermen+on+West+Lake.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fishermen on west lake viewed from Rosemary's balcony before we set out...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSleO9IzfmI/AAAAAAAAAqI/a3jj3z_yiBE/s1600/lotus+lanterns+outside+pagoda+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSleO9IzfmI/AAAAAAAAAqI/a3jj3z_yiBE/s400/lotus+lanterns+outside+pagoda+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the lotus lanterns in the huge tree outside this pagoda gates</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSleSTPLmII/AAAAAAAAAqM/sSiKQqfO-No/s1600/me+outside+temple+gates.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSleSTPLmII/AAAAAAAAAqM/sSiKQqfO-No/s400/me+outside+temple+gates.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yet another gorgeous pagoda we passed..the gates were locked but even the outside was spectacular</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSleVwk69xI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/25wMTPrHang/s1600/rosemary+outside+temple+gates+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSleVwk69xI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/25wMTPrHang/s400/rosemary+outside+temple+gates+2.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosemary</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSlepb6HvUI/AAAAAAAAAqg/VKwFFCL6meo/s1600/buddah.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSlepb6HvUI/AAAAAAAAAqg/VKwFFCL6meo/s400/buddah.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Buddha in the garden of the pagoda...I had to stick the camera through the bars of the gate for this shot...isn't it fabulous...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>When we got to the other side of the lake we turned off to visit Donkey Bakery and buy some more of Luyen's yummy bread. Just near the turn off there was yet another pagoda. This one contained a statue of the young Buddha in white marble...just lovely.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSlehwuMl0I/AAAAAAAAAqc/WSf4V3IV6Co/s1600/beautiful+white+buddah.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSlehwuMl0I/AAAAAAAAAqc/WSf4V3IV6Co/s400/beautiful+white+buddah.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I never tire of these beautiful and strangely calm oases amongst the bustle of the city.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The first circumlocution was easy, but the second started to tell on my out of practice muscles. The most telling was my butt...not used to riding a bike saddle it quickly became quite tender...I did a lot of riding standing up on the pedals...;-). I thought my legs would go first but it was actually my hands and forearms that started to ache. But not enough for us to stop and we soon made it back to where we'd begun...on the causeway. There was the last and best pagoda of them all. It's the oldest pagoda in Hanoi. Chua Tran Quoc pagoda's history can apparently be traced back to 545AD. What follows is an excerpt from a travel page;<br />
<br />
<span class="bodytext"><span class="bodytext"><span style="color: blue;">The history of Chua Tran Quoc can be traced back to 545AD, during a revolt by the Vietnamese against their Chinese occupiers. The national hero Ly Bon built a wood-and-bamboo citadel at the mouth of the Song To Lich. At the same time, he also built the Chua Khai Quoc, or Foundation of the Country Pagoda, by the banks of the Red River. Chua Khai Quoc was the original name for Chua Tran Quoc.</span><br style="color: blue;" /><br style="color: blue;" /><span style="color: blue;"> In the 17th century, Chua Khai Quoc Pagoda was moved to its present side on the peninsula in Ho Tay, and was renamed Chua Tran Quoc. Historian learned all this from a stelae found on the premises. The stelae dates back to 1639</span>. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSleZzunTII/AAAAAAAAAqU/Q0nFzh1GpVA/s1600/temple+on+west+lake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSleZzunTII/AAAAAAAAAqU/Q0nFzh1GpVA/s640/temple+on+west+lake.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pagoda is reached by crossing a palm tree lined causeway</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSleKGSDYQI/AAAAAAAAAqE/Dajw0Q50bv4/s1600/in+front+of+buddah+tower+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSleKGSDYQI/AAAAAAAAAqE/Dajw0Q50bv4/s400/in+front+of+buddah+tower+2.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In front of the tower of Buddhas</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSlec14Q8hI/AAAAAAAAAqY/LMIJCdt6wJU/s1600/tower+of+buddahs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSlec14Q8hI/AAAAAAAAAqY/LMIJCdt6wJU/s640/tower+of+buddahs.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aren't they stunning?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="bodytext"><span class="bodytext"> We returned to Rosemary's for lunch; hot smoked salmon open sandwiches on DB's Nordlander dark rye and sunflower bread...so good. That evening we wandered into the city to try to find the movie theatre again...I'd read in a paper that it was at 45 Hai Ba Trung st...(sadly neither of us had thought to write down the address the previous week)...but it wasn't. That's something about publications in Vietnam that really frustrates me, the maps show things as being on one street when in fact they are on a parallel street...well, it's close enough you can almost hear them saying as they draw it...not for this little black duck! Long story short...we missed the 5pm show and it was just too bloody cold to hang around for 3 hours till the 8pm session so we just wandered back to Tay Ho and went for comfort food at the strangely named Foodshop 45; which is in fact a fantastic Indian restaurant. I've been there three times now and everytime the food exceeds expectations. Other people have disagreed with me, so try it for yourself. The meals average 65,000 for a meat curry and 40,000vd for a vegetable one. We ended up having the eggplant in creamy sauce (superb), chicken Jalfrezi (wicked) basmati rice for 2, a nan bread and a roti, glass of wine and a beer and the total was 268,000vd ($13.50?) As I said I've yet to be disappointed by a meal there.</span></span><br />
<span class="bodytext"><span class="bodytext"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="bodytext"><span class="bodytext">Sunday 9th January.</span></span><br />
<span class="bodytext"><span class="bodytext"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="bodytext"><span class="bodytext">Sunday dawned overcast and drizzly but we set out to find the flower gardens behind Au Co where the farmers supposedly grow the flowers for Tet celebrations. On her way to my place Rosemary had met a chap who gave her instructions on how to get there....he said the words I always dread 'You can't miss it' well mate, let me tell you I can and I probably will! And we did! When you've got two geographically dyslexic women and a map scrawled on a business card with no street names...you can miss it. It took a bit of riding round on muddy, broken ground before we found the farms...but it seems the flowers are now being grown elsewhere because all we could find were cumquat bushes. But they looked very nice so we took some pictures of them anyway...a farmer happened to chance upon me standing in front of his tree (it was on the road) and tried to get me to pay him $1 or 20,000vd for the privilege...I laughed and responded that he could have 2,000vd! He had the good grace to laugh too and wish me a Happy New Year, I gave him the 2,000 and he accepted it wryly. We tourists are a constant source of amusement to the Vietnamese, paying for nothing! </span></span><br />
<span class="bodytext"><span class="bodytext">Anyway...here's the 2,000vd picture....</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSlmRJm_QAI/AAAAAAAAAq4/-iJon4ZGNzI/s1600/in+my+fabulous+poncho.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSlmRJm_QAI/AAAAAAAAAq4/-iJon4ZGNzI/s400/in+my+fabulous+poncho.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In my stunning and very effective rain poncho...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSlmomnetiI/AAAAAAAAArM/v8BMfmmqhvo/s1600/graveyard+amongst+the+ccumquat+groves+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSlmomnetiI/AAAAAAAAArM/v8BMfmmqhvo/s400/graveyard+amongst+the+ccumquat+groves+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiny pagoda in among the graves</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSlmWjNmfTI/AAAAAAAAAq8/kd--rNhsxp4/s1600/graveyard+amongst+the+cumquat+groves+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSlmWjNmfTI/AAAAAAAAAq8/kd--rNhsxp4/s320/graveyard+amongst+the+cumquat+groves+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The graveyard...like a mini metropolis</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSlmiPFhYUI/AAAAAAAAArE/BJaM9yn6ZEM/s1600/rosemary+-+action+shot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSlmiPFhYUI/AAAAAAAAArE/BJaM9yn6ZEM/s320/rosemary+-+action+shot.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Action shot of Rosemary </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSlmc41-r-I/AAAAAAAAArA/3n12bhmyAxQ/s1600/One+or+two+plant+pots.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSlmc41-r-I/AAAAAAAAArA/3n12bhmyAxQ/s400/One+or+two+plant+pots.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One or two ceramic plant pots...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSlmlk-J23I/AAAAAAAAArI/Eysr99Um8nU/s1600/cumquat+groves+behind+Au+Co+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSlmlk-J23I/AAAAAAAAArI/Eysr99Um8nU/s400/cumquat+groves+behind+Au+Co+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cumquat groves with the houses of Au Co in the background</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="bodytext"><span class="bodytext">It was still drizzling when we made it back to the road, Rosemary went home to do some work and I took myself back to the coffee shop on Yen Phu for some more of that wonderful yoghurt with sticky rice. This time I got a fermented yellow sticky rice...which tasted a bit like sherry...sounds revolting but was just amazing. The smoothness of the yoghurt was complimented by the sharpness of the fermentation and the texture of the firm but tender sticky rice just rounded the whole thing off. Just heavenly. Since it was a cold day I followed it up with a hot Vietnamese coffee 'southern style', the coffee comes in a bowl of hot water to keep it warm. It's a strong brew, laced with copious amounts of condensed milk. It's a bit like drinking coffee fudge!</span></span><br />
<span class="bodytext"><span class="bodytext"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSlqJtZs5HI/AAAAAAAAArQ/d5ieFkwNILY/s1600/Vietnamese+coffee+southern+style.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSlqJtZs5HI/AAAAAAAAArQ/d5ieFkwNILY/s400/Vietnamese+coffee+southern+style.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aahh, pretty...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="bodytext"><span class="bodytext">The total for my yoghurt and coffee was 30,000vd, about $1.50. Great for the tastebuds, great for the wallet.</span></span><br />
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<span class="bodytext"><span class="bodytext">I stopped in at one of the cafes on my way home to have a plate of com rang and got talking you a young woman newly arrived from Canada...one thing led to another and I took her back to the cafe so she could try the wonderful yoghurt too....pay it forward. Welcome to Vietnam Lelia! </span></span><br />
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<span class="bodytext"><span class="bodytext">Tonight Mr Hung is gong to take me to Hang Ga street and we're going to have another version of Pho Cuon (I spelled it incorrectly last time) this one is served with beetle sauce???</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSnIeFHFsyI/AAAAAAAAAro/0bqHHrV3P5M/s1600/mr+hung+my+culinary+guide.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSnIeFHFsyI/AAAAAAAAAro/0bqHHrV3P5M/s400/mr+hung+my+culinary+guide.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chef Hung, my culinary guide to Hanoi</td></tr>
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<span class="bodytext"><span class="bodytext">OMG! Tonight was a real experience...one of those nights that will never be forgotten.</span></span><br />
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<span class="bodytext"><span class="bodytext">Mr Hung picked me up from my hometel on his motorbike and took me to 14 Hang Ga in the old quarter, where the patron sits at her hotplates turning out some of the most delicate and tasty morsels I have ever tried. I did take a video but the blog wouldn't upload it...grrrrrr.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSnh5FFthtI/AAAAAAAAAr8/5mVhyt2KUgI/s1600/pho+cuon+as+done+by+an+expert.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSnh5FFthtI/AAAAAAAAAr8/5mVhyt2KUgI/s400/pho+cuon+as+done+by+an+expert.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pho cuon on the greased tray is rolled around the filling</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSnh8JVqjZI/AAAAAAAAAsA/5v3SbW7YXok/s1600/pho+cuon+rice+flour+batter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSnh8JVqjZI/AAAAAAAAAsA/5v3SbW7YXok/s320/pho+cuon+rice+flour+batter.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the batter and the cooking pot with it's cover</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="bodytext"><span class="bodytext">The fresh rice paper is made by pouring a portion of rice flour batter onto a taut piece of cloth stretched over a steaming pot of water. It is quickly covered with a lid and cooks in seconds. Then it's deftly picked up with a chopstick and moved to a surface that has been brushed with a little oil...in this instance the brush was made out of duck feathers. The a filling is applied, either pork, mushrooms or eggs. The egg pho cuon is a favourite for breakfast...we tasted it and I would love to have it for breakkie every day! </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSnCa140AZI/AAAAAAAAArY/NoaKYMFQ0wQ/s1600/pho+cuon+with+egg.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSnCa140AZI/AAAAAAAAArY/NoaKYMFQ0wQ/s400/pho+cuon+with+egg.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The egg is cooked on the same material as the pho cuon and is absolutely perfect, cooked but with a liquid yolk. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="bodytext"><span class="bodytext"> Mr Hung is a veritable font of information...I had been wondering about the instances of meningitis with people sharing food that is touched by everyone's chopsticks. But he said that when a person serves someone else they turn the chopsticks round and use the blunt end! Oh my goodness....so simple!</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSnjPvf1VlI/AAAAAAAAAsE/pUN1WVZYIpQ/s1600/mr+hung+demonstrates...serving+others+with+the+wrong+end+of+the+chopsticks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSnjPvf1VlI/AAAAAAAAAsE/pUN1WVZYIpQ/s320/mr+hung+demonstrates...serving+others+with+the+wrong+end+of+the+chopsticks.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span class="bodytext"><span class="bodytext"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSnGYh1CIxI/AAAAAAAAArk/fzSq6gFBWvw/s1600/mr+hung+demonstrates...serving+others+with+the+wrong+end+of+the+chopsticks+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSnGYh1CIxI/AAAAAAAAArk/fzSq6gFBWvw/s400/mr+hung+demonstrates...serving+others+with+the+wrong+end+of+the+chopsticks+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just turn them round and bob's your uncle!</td></tr>
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<span class="bodytext"><span class="bodytext"> Finally Mr Hung introduced me to the piece de resistance to the meal...water beetle essence! The water beetles are caught in the spring when they fly up from the rice paddies. Some of them knock themselves out banging into trees and then they are harvested. Mr Hung told me that when he was young he used to gather them up, not for eating but for selling. he could get about 500vd per beetle which he would save. Money in his pocket made him feel strong he told me...I know the feeling!</span></span><br />
<span class="bodytext"><span class="bodytext">The beetle is fried, then cut into three sections for eating. Or the oil is extracted from the body of the beast. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSnBpphkbfI/AAAAAAAAArU/fL0p21Zvm0M/s1600/the+water+beetles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSnBpphkbfI/AAAAAAAAArU/fL0p21Zvm0M/s400/the+water+beetles.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">scary looking mother's aren't they?</td></tr>
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<span class="bodytext"><span class="bodytext">One must be careful because the bug has a fearsome stinger, extending from it's mouthpiece...like a wasp sting but longer and at the other end. I was getting worried because I thought we were going to have to crunch down on one of these monsters but thankfully he was only intending that we taste the 'essence'. He called for and got a small bottle of clear liquid. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSnDAfyaY3I/AAAAAAAAArc/iaZNwEqgM4w/s1600/water+beetle+extract.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSnDAfyaY3I/AAAAAAAAArc/iaZNwEqgM4w/s320/water+beetle+extract.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2000vd a drop for the beetle essence, but a drop is all you need.</td></tr>
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<span class="bodytext"><span class="bodytext"> It smelled like a combination of perfume, citrus and antiseptic. Then Mr Hung dipped a chopstick into the oil then into a third dish of dipping sauce (in case I didn't like the taste). When I tried it, by dipping my pho cuon into the sauce, it wasn't so much a taste as an after taste. It sort of crept up on me. Not unpleasant by any means, just strange. It added another subtle layer of of flavor to the savory dipping sauce. I don't think I could have chomped down on the whole bug though.</span></span><br />
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<span class="bodytext"><span class="bodytext">After our delightful and slightly strange meal we adjourned to a nearby beer hoi for a fresh glass of Hanoi beer and a good gossip about cooking, baking and cake decorating. The 'bar' was a shop front located at the intersection of two streets in the old quarter. 'Tourist town' Mr Hung called it. Since the majority of the drinkers were not Vietnamese I could see his point. The waitress kept asking Mr Hung to translate Vietnamese into English for her...which he did happily. The beer comes accompanied by peanuts in the shell, I had thought that they were raw, but no, he tells me that they are boiled! This man is a veritable font of information!</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSnFLH2JKbI/AAAAAAAAArg/OZCqlhhp-80/s1600/the+view+from+our+beer+hoi.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSnFLH2JKbI/AAAAAAAAArg/OZCqlhhp-80/s400/the+view+from+our+beer+hoi.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from my seat...I love just you can just leave your scooter anywhere...oh that I could do that in Sydney!</td></tr>
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While we were enjoying our beers we also sampled a delicacy he called 'sour pork'. It's raw pork mince, cured then wrapped in guava leaf - for bitterness - sour goes with bitter.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSnIseVRJMI/AAAAAAAAArs/oQUKooSdnrk/s1600/then+in+banana+leaf.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSnIseVRJMI/AAAAAAAAArs/oQUKooSdnrk/s320/then+in+banana+leaf.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The outer wrapper is banana leaf</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSnI9amsAPI/AAAAAAAAArw/OSmXmkJK8nA/s1600/raw+pork+is+cured%252C+wrapped+in+guava+leaf.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSnI9amsAPI/AAAAAAAAArw/OSmXmkJK8nA/s320/raw+pork+is+cured%252C+wrapped+in+guava+leaf.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the inner is guava leaf</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSnJNINWzjI/AAAAAAAAAr0/CHiTYSS5Qc4/s1600/sour+pork.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSnJNINWzjI/AAAAAAAAAr0/CHiTYSS5Qc4/s320/sour+pork.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the cured pork in the middle is delicious...we dipped it in a chilly sauce that had overtones of tobacco to me...but then I could have been a bit tipsy by then!</td></tr>
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<span class="bodytext"><span class="bodytext"> Then it's wrapped again in banana leaf. I was a bit reticent, but it actually tasted really good...the sour, savory and bitter well with the slightly sweet and mellow beer. After our drinks I was in need of a WC but the patron of the bar refused to let me use theirs...no licensing laws here! Mr Hung took me to his previous place of employment - after the cruise ships and before the HCC (Hanoi Cooking Center)...it's a restaurant called 'The Little Hanoi Restaurant' which provides between 300 and 500 meals from this tiny little kitchen. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSnMwmPRlyI/AAAAAAAAAr4/WJR0WyZjiCw/s1600/Chef+Lam+of+Little+Hanoi+Restaurant.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSnMwmPRlyI/AAAAAAAAAr4/WJR0WyZjiCw/s400/Chef+Lam+of+Little+Hanoi+Restaurant.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chef Lam in his kitchen</td></tr>
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<span class="bodytext"><span class="bodytext"> The current head chef Mr Lam was happy for me to take this photo...the kitchen was so well organized, spotlessly clean and the <u>four</u> people in it worked together in an efficient, easy manner. Mr Hung told me that when he worked there there would be, </span></span><span class="bodytext"><span class="bodytext">on occasion, </span></span><span class="bodytext"><span class="bodytext">six chefs in this space! They would have to be Vietnamese...6 Europeans wouldn't fit! (By the way the loo was wonderful too...as they can only be when you're desperate!) He tells me that the food is good, but it's so beyond my budget that I won't be going there any time soon. It was pretty full of Europeans so it's pretty popular and obviously doesn't need my support...:-)</span></span><br />
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<span class="bodytext"><span class="bodytext">So another exciting weekend comes to an end...I'm back in my hometel watching Mel Gibson in a remake of an excellent English tv series - Edge of Darkness - and surprisingly he's not making a total hash of it...wonders never cease! (Mind you the presence of Ray Winstone probably helps)</span></span><br />
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<span class="bodytext"><span class="bodytext"><span id="goog_1857500827"></span><span id="goog_1857500828"></span></span></span>Ngairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03102488773835425223noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321808650144527383.post-32871567014429042372011-01-07T01:18:00.000-08:002011-01-09T00:13:27.604-08:00How to constuct a chocolate croquembouche...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSbPkJ0lr0I/AAAAAAAAAog/HaGhEAfN9WY/s1600/some+of+class+18+and+ms+Thu+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSbPkJ0lr0I/AAAAAAAAAog/HaGhEAfN9WY/s400/some+of+class+18+and+ms+Thu+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ms Thu (one of the pastry chefs) and some of the trainees of class 18 who enjoyed my session</td></tr>
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These photos came from an advanced class I gave for staff and trainees...apart from a bit in the middle of the process where I forgot to take photos (doh!) it's pretty self explanatory. When constructing any croquembouche you will need to make your puffs first. I made mine on the previous Wednesday when I was teaching about choux pastry in general. As long as they are pierced to release the steam and properly cooked they should stay crisp, you can also freeze the empty puffs. (Defrost then refresh in the oven for 10mins or so before use) I try to make more than I need and in varying sizes so that as the cone gets narrower the puffs get smaller. It just looks neater that way.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSbOwH7ha4I/AAAAAAAAAoc/TORsR8Bgyxk/s1600/Begin+with+a+cardboard+cone%252C+staple+what+you+can+reach..JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSbOwH7ha4I/AAAAAAAAAoc/TORsR8Bgyxk/s400/Begin+with+a+cardboard+cone%252C+staple+what+you+can+reach..JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Create a cardboard cone, secure it with staples to where you can reach...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSbQ6HoPD5I/AAAAAAAAAp0/e5Frnaca20I/s1600/Make+sure+all+the+edges+are+secure.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSbQ6HoPD5I/AAAAAAAAAp0/e5Frnaca20I/s320/Make+sure+all+the+edges+are+secure.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Use a nice wide sticky tape to secure all edges</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSbQpRNdMgI/AAAAAAAAApk/5JuZyo08Npo/s1600/Fix+a+length+of+string+to+the+top.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSbQpRNdMgI/AAAAAAAAApk/5JuZyo08Npo/s320/Fix+a+length+of+string+to+the+top.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">attache a length of string to the top of the cone...make sure it moves freely </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSbPzrChgMI/AAAAAAAAAow/3Q8b7br6xbc/s1600/tie+a+pen+to+the+string+and+measure.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSbPzrChgMI/AAAAAAAAAow/3Q8b7br6xbc/s320/tie+a+pen+to+the+string+and+measure.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">use the pen to mark a straight(ish) line at the bottom of the cone</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSbQC2w65SI/AAAAAAAAApA/XDcnaB7ffoQ/s1600/after+trimming+the+base+cut+into+the+line+all+around+the+bottom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSbQC2w65SI/AAAAAAAAApA/XDcnaB7ffoQ/s320/after+trimming+the+base+cut+into+the+line+all+around+the+bottom.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">make cuts up into the card as you would if you were lining a cake tin</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSbQTjJ29rI/AAAAAAAAApM/48TuJHQkQs4/s1600/Center+it+onto+the+board+you+want+to+use+and+press+down.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSbQTjJ29rI/AAAAAAAAApM/48TuJHQkQs4/s320/Center+it+onto+the+board+you+want+to+use+and+press+down.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">press down to flatten base, try to center the cone on the board you wish to use</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSbP2ameFkI/AAAAAAAAAo0/qT-z3IQnaKM/s1600/Use+small+pieces+of+tape+to+affix.++If+your+board+is+soft+you+can+staple+first+then+cover+the+staples+with+tape.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSbP2ameFkI/AAAAAAAAAo0/qT-z3IQnaKM/s320/Use+small+pieces+of+tape+to+affix.++If+your+board+is+soft+you+can+staple+first+then+cover+the+staples+with+tape.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">if your board is soft you can staple first but always cover staples with tape...this board is hard so I just used short lengths of sticky tape</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSbP-7l3xOI/AAAAAAAAAo8/PSqxCnC9AWM/s1600/A+slicon+brush+is+best+-+easier+to+clean+and+no+hairs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSbP-7l3xOI/AAAAAAAAAo8/PSqxCnC9AWM/s320/A+slicon+brush+is+best+-+easier+to+clean+and+no+hairs.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">invert the cone over the melted chocolate and begin painting</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSbQmogSiAI/AAAAAAAAApg/De2Ll_XIyGo/s1600/Finish+by+painting+the+base+to+cover+all+the+card.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSbQmogSiAI/AAAAAAAAApg/De2Ll_XIyGo/s320/Finish+by+painting+the+base+to+cover+all+the+card.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">finally paint over the tape at the base of the cone - I prefer a silicone brush because it never leaves hairs and is easier to clean</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSbPsk52e2I/AAAAAAAAAoo/DcuQO3rbRks/s1600/The+completed+cone+looks+like+a+chocolate+witche%2527s+hat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSbPsk52e2I/AAAAAAAAAoo/DcuQO3rbRks/s320/The+completed+cone+looks+like+a+chocolate+witche%2527s+hat.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the finished cone looks like a chocolate witches hat</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSbQgAVd7CI/AAAAAAAAApY/0lwk8dYhWRM/s1600/Dip+the+puffs+before+you+fill+them.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSbQgAVd7CI/AAAAAAAAApY/0lwk8dYhWRM/s320/Dip+the+puffs+before+you+fill+them.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">you should have already made a small hole in the base of the puffs when they first came out of the oven to release the steam</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSbQjUpGpDI/AAAAAAAAApc/QqLjjvREVr8/s1600/Dipping+first+blocks+off+any+holes+in+the+puff+that+the+cream+may+squeeze+out+of+when+piping.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSbQjUpGpDI/AAAAAAAAApc/QqLjjvREVr8/s320/Dipping+first+blocks+off+any+holes+in+the+puff+that+the+cream+may+squeeze+out+of+when+piping.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">if you're careful you can use that small hole to hold the puff while you dip it</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSbQ3u5ujxI/AAAAAAAAApw/-bvHu3Q6h_I/s1600/Lay+your+dipped+puffs+a+safe+distance+apart+on+a+plastic+or+baking+paper+covered+tray+till+dry.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSbQ3u5ujxI/AAAAAAAAApw/-bvHu3Q6h_I/s320/Lay+your+dipped+puffs+a+safe+distance+apart+on+a+plastic+or+baking+paper+covered+tray+till+dry.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lay them well apart so that they can dry - dipping before filling avoids the problem that occurs from time to time - of the filling squeezing out of tiny holes in the choux</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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Now here we have a problem, because I was teaching and concentrating on what I was doing I forgot to take photos...first you need to fill the chocolated puffs. I used coffee pastry cream, chocolate pastry cream and whipped cream with vanilla (but you could simply use cream with booze in it...Kahlua, Brandy or Baileys would be nice) Once filled then you need to stick the puffs to the cone. You must only apply one level (or ring) of puffs at a time. Any more and the weight of the higher puffs can and will pull the whole lot down. Place one layer of puffs round (by dipping the unchocolated side in the melted chocolate then sticking that to the cone. Keep your fingers very clean, if you get any melted chocolate on them wipe it off immediately or you will end up with ugly fingerprints all over your puffs. Once you have a layer you can wrap a loose sheet of cling film round them to provide security then put it in a chiller to set. Once it is set you can do the next layer, chill, repeat and so on and so forth. Don't try to rush it at this stage or the whole shebang could topple all over the place...trust me it's happened to me and it's not fun!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSbRHRu85RI/AAAAAAAAAp8/T48RH9aCcOM/s1600/placing+the+final+puff+on+top.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSbRHRu85RI/AAAAAAAAAp8/T48RH9aCcOM/s320/placing+the+final+puff+on+top.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">keep the smaller puffs for the top of the croque and a nice round one for the very pinnacle</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSbQcNK6aPI/AAAAAAAAApU/l8i0vn17ERE/s1600/complete+tower.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSbQcNK6aPI/AAAAAAAAApU/l8i0vn17ERE/s320/complete+tower.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the finished croquembouche...now for decorations</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSbQs38NvqI/AAAAAAAAApo/4Uc0ATPqPGw/s1600/gold+spatters.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSbQs38NvqI/AAAAAAAAApo/4Uc0ATPqPGw/s320/gold+spatters.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">everyone stood back while I spattered the croque with gold food colour</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSbPpcXZlFI/AAAAAAAAAok/zFUyUxkcNeM/s1600/spattering+with+gold+food+colour.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSbPpcXZlFI/AAAAAAAAAok/zFUyUxkcNeM/s320/spattering+with+gold+food+colour.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love doing this, the spatters look like little gold stars</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSbQQnG8K7I/AAAAAAAAApI/JbQxLL787R0/s1600/applying+the+runouts.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSbQQnG8K7I/AAAAAAAAApI/JbQxLL787R0/s320/applying+the+runouts.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had to make some chocolate run-outs because the strawberries I asked for weren't ordered...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSbP7E2rMeI/AAAAAAAAAo4/ZTkveMQoIUQ/s1600/using+melted+choc+to+stick+on+runouts.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSbP7E2rMeI/AAAAAAAAAo4/ZTkveMQoIUQ/s320/using+melted+choc+to+stick+on+runouts.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">you should use a piping bag to secure the run-outs but we were running out of time...sorry...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSbQMqmJo1I/AAAAAAAAApE/SnErh3zQSVg/s1600/applying+runouts+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSbQMqmJo1I/AAAAAAAAApE/SnErh3zQSVg/s320/applying+runouts+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the run-outs were white and dark chocolate with a little gold food colour</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSbQX6VaCxI/AAAAAAAAApQ/tZbmJHhHaNo/s1600/chocolate+croquembouche+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSbQX6VaCxI/AAAAAAAAApQ/tZbmJHhHaNo/s640/chocolate+croquembouche+2.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the finished croqembouche...it was sent to the restaurant to be eaten at the Friday night staff drinks...</td></tr>
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</tbody></table> So that was my Friday...this evening I'm off to find some Jazz to groove to with my mate Rosemary...see ya...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Ngairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03102488773835425223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321808650144527383.post-9350240313312121842011-01-05T06:21:00.000-08:002011-01-05T06:21:12.036-08:00Monday 3rd January...<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSRoMLu7-eI/AAAAAAAAAoA/Id7yb-jZeDc/s1600/Neat+vine.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
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Just a quick post about today... Rosemary goes for a long bike ride every morning that she's not working so I decided to start my day by taking a 'cultural' walk. I wandered through town and found Lenin Park where an austere image of the great man stands proudly. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSRoItQzBRI/AAAAAAAAAn8/l0JsO6FZqkA/s1600/Lenin+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSRoItQzBRI/AAAAAAAAAn8/l0JsO6FZqkA/s320/Lenin+2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSRn074BcTI/AAAAAAAAAng/bl5JrQm5eMM/s1600/Restaurant+dog+coming+to+bite+me....JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Near by there was a huge tower with some intriguing brickwork. In the garden round the tower there were huge trees with a fascinating tracery of vines on their trunks...like something out of a Tarzan movie. </div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSRn3PAJSEI/AAAAAAAAAnk/jg6CiZ3yp7U/s1600/citadel+tower+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSRn3PAJSEI/AAAAAAAAAnk/jg6CiZ3yp7U/s320/citadel+tower+2.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The citadel tower.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSRoMLu7-eI/AAAAAAAAAoA/Id7yb-jZeDc/s1600/Neat+vine.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSRoMLu7-eI/AAAAAAAAAoA/Id7yb-jZeDc/s400/Neat+vine.JPG" width="300" /></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSRn_zBYFfI/AAAAAAAAAns/bIvUjc0rkXY/s1600/Fake+wall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSRn_zBYFfI/AAAAAAAAAns/bIvUjc0rkXY/s400/Fake+wall.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside the Army Museum there was this wonderful looking wall, I took this shot then cracked up when I got closer and discovered that it was actually made of plastic...like a billboard but without the advertisement. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSRoCavLHsI/AAAAAAAAAnw/H0dD0IZ5La4/s1600/Hero%2527s+monument.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSRoCavLHsI/AAAAAAAAAnw/H0dD0IZ5La4/s640/Hero%2527s+monument.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the Hero's Monument...the building you can see through the hole is Ho Chi Min's mausoleum where his mummified body is stored (you can just see the Ho Chi bit of his name. People will queue for hours to be hustled through past the body...I can't say I've got any enthusiasm for a visit.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSRoFHzV6mI/AAAAAAAAAn0/XmxsGSdequQ/s1600/Hero%2527s+monument+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSRoFHzV6mI/AAAAAAAAAn0/XmxsGSdequQ/s400/Hero%2527s+monument+3.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from across the street...the paving around the monument is absolutely spotless...swept clean as a whistle.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Later in the day Rosemary and I met up and decided to take in a movie. We checked out a theater that we'd seen the day before where the movies were shown in English. Some theaters dub the movie and some use subtitles, this one uses subtitles. We decided on The Tourist starring Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie. It was only 45,000vd to get in ($2.25!) and since the next session was not till 8pm we went for an explore in the neighborhood. We found a cool Doc Marten shop which had some amazing boots for sale. A pair of white ones with silver tracery up the side caught my eye but they were millions of dong, the equivalent of $225us. Too rich for my blood. Rosemary was trying on sandals but her feet are narrow so they didn't fit her...they fit me though and were really comfortable too, and they were half price - only $46.50aus. So I bought them as my xmas present to myself <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSR6F_1DcKI/AAAAAAAAAoY/c113As2ZSio/s1600/My+beautiful+DM+sandals.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSR6F_1DcKI/AAAAAAAAAoY/c113As2ZSio/s400/My+beautiful+DM+sandals.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My smashing new sandals...all ready for the Australian summer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>By this time is was too cold and dark to sit on the street to eat so we lashed out and went into an actual restaurant to have dinner. It was a strange place offering everythiing from bacon and eggs to tofu and seafood. I thought about a 'berger' but decided finally on a prawn noodle soup. When it arrived there were three huge chunks of pork floating on top. I called the waitress back, pointed at the photo on the wall which had visible prawns then pointed at my plate. She smiled knowingly and used my chopsticks to fish around under the pork...yep there it was...one of two wee prawns! In the end it turned out to be very tasty anyway so I munched down happily.<br />
We were amused to see a family come in for dinner with their little dog. Apparently there's no such thing as Health and Hygiene rules over here. We did snicker about how vigilant you would have to be taking a dog to a restaurant...I know...simpleton humour!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSR3NSgGNGI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/llUKPzaQRyE/s1600/Dog+in+restaurant+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSR3NSgGNGI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/llUKPzaQRyE/s400/Dog+in+restaurant+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quite cute, it looked a bit like a white peke.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSR3PphcdyI/AAAAAAAAAoU/NBwTIyJZ2VU/s1600/Restaurant+dog+coming+to+bite+me....JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSR3PphcdyI/AAAAAAAAAoU/NBwTIyJZ2VU/s400/Restaurant+dog+coming+to+bite+me....JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I bent down to pat it but the owner quickly warned me off...apparently it was in for dinner too and wanted a bite of me!</td></tr>
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After our meals and a shared plate of fresh fruit the bill turned out to be quite reasonable after all.(only 60,000vd each) we set off for the movie theater. Thankfully the sound was loud enough to drown out the noise of the audience using their mobile phones all the way through (well, they weren't listening to the dialogue were they?) and the seats were really quite comfortable. The back's sort of tilted back like a mini Lazyboy recliner but they didn't lock in place, so you spent the night almost rocking back and forwards; a bit unsettling but I got used to it quickly enough.<br />
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What a busy weekend we'd had, we'd found the markets, a great movie theater, and I'd discovered Rosemary's favorite street-side restaurant. <br />
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</a></div>Ngairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03102488773835425223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321808650144527383.post-75741519642304324812011-01-05T04:32:00.000-08:002011-01-09T00:04:37.456-08:00Sunday January 2nd.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSRWBR15OxI/AAAAAAAAAnU/cabNYEDHRyU/s1600/Red+Bridge+on+Sword+Lake.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSRWE4NKVyI/AAAAAAAAAnY/LnSq-bPAtPM/s1600/Roast+Lamb.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSRWE4NKVyI/AAAAAAAAAnY/LnSq-bPAtPM/s400/Roast+Lamb.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roast lamb with all the trimmings</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSRWHxFlG0I/AAAAAAAAAnc/c7loS5hN-sw/s1600/Sunday+lunch.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSRWHxFlG0I/AAAAAAAAAnc/c7loS5hN-sw/s400/Sunday+lunch.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Self portrait...silly but sometimes you just need to record the moment.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>My pal Rosemary and I had quite a busy time of it this past weekend. On Sunday I decided to have a roast lamb dinner at the Hanoi Cooking Center. It was expensive but every now and then I get the urge to eat something familiar.<br />
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Afterward Rosemary and I decided to combine a good walk with trying to find out what kind of fabric we could find at the two big markets. If you know me you will know that I'm geographically dyslexic...well, apparently so is Rosemary. So it was with some trepidation that we set out armed with our (not always accurate map) but we managed not only to find our way but to find it quickly and easily! The first fabric market is near our area of Hanoi, it's called Dong Xuan Market. In the middle of the market there a huge warehouse type building where they sell dried fruit on the ground floor entry, shoes and crap inside and fabric and clothing on the second floor. I found a gorgeous tomato red chiffon to make another Donna Karan dress (that I have a pattern for) and I wanted some stretch net to make a sort of cardi but it proved elusive, so we set out for the Hom markets down in the Hai Ba Trung District.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSRV-JT6BAI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/rlESzF9vbbg/s1600/Protecting+the+pagoda.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSRV-JT6BAI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/rlESzF9vbbg/s400/Protecting+the+pagoda.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guarding the temple!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSRVf3rirtI/AAAAAAAAAm0/hNHdsYg3YF4/s1600/Baby+tiger.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSRVf3rirtI/AAAAAAAAAm0/hNHdsYg3YF4/s640/Baby+tiger.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isn't this little munchkin just adorable? I just love the animal suits!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The way took us through the middle of the Old Quarter then down beside Hoan Kiem lake in the center. If one follows Hang Bai it turns into Pho Hue. On that very corner where it crosses Tran Xuan Soan is the entry to the market building. However we were intrigued by the many fabric stalls along the street outside. I found what I was looking for, in navy unfortunately but it'll do.<br />
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On the way back the sun had set and the wonderful fairy lights that I love so much all came on and turned the drab buildings that you see in the daytime into veritable fairy palaces. Even the trees are decorated, though Amanda did tell me that now it's not so legal to incorporate trees anymore...because of the fire risk perhaps? <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSRV-JT6BAI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/rlESzF9vbbg/s1600/Protecting+the+pagoda.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSRVvsEP0dI/AAAAAAAAAnA/0x2f5CxdXt4/s1600/Fairy+light+heaven+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSRVvsEP0dI/AAAAAAAAAnA/0x2f5CxdXt4/s640/Fairy+light+heaven+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lights pulsate and create 'droplets' down through the mass of fronds...it just looks spectacular.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSRVzqUOI2I/AAAAAAAAAnE/cf8mYOI6kj8/s1600/Fairy+light+heaven+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSRVzqUOI2I/AAAAAAAAAnE/cf8mYOI6kj8/s400/Fairy+light+heaven+3.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even a plain old draped tree looks something special at night.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Walking back past the lake at night is a great experience too, the small pagoda in the centre of the water is lit up also. In fact everything is...the red bridge that links the land to the large Pagoda is positively startling, it flashes different colour script...I captured the yellow phase..... <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSRWBR15OxI/AAAAAAAAAnU/cabNYEDHRyU/s1600/Red+Bridge+on+Sword+Lake.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSRWBR15OxI/AAAAAAAAAnU/cabNYEDHRyU/s400/Red+Bridge+on+Sword+Lake.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Red Bridge to the Large Pagoda </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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Many of the trees round the lake shore have brightly coloured lamps in them too, which look like large xmas baubles. It really transforms what can seem like a bit of a drab and dirty city during the daytime.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSRVcF1PxmI/AAAAAAAAAmw/uN_VvwYdtNg/s1600/The+pagoda+in+the+middle+of+Sword+Lake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSRVcF1PxmI/AAAAAAAAAmw/uN_VvwYdtNg/s640/The+pagoda+in+the+middle+of+Sword+Lake.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the small pagoda, you can just see some of the 'tree lights' in the background. I love the way this pagoda looks day and night...a perfect miniature.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> On our way home we wandered through the street where the shops sell decorations for xmas and more importantly for Tet. It's like Ali Baba's cave down there. We were transfixed by the sheer lusciousness of the gold and red. It's all plastic or paper but fabulous just the same. I saw some pink and yellow flowers that I'm going to go back and get so I can make mobiles out of them...a permanent and cute reminder of my stay here...but I need a Vietnamese mate to tell me how much to pay! I don't mind paying 150% but sometimes you get asked for so much over the odds it's ridiculous.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSRVlKH9hPI/AAAAAAAAAm4/hKRiKLeDJFk/s1600/Decoration+street...like+Ali+Baba%2527s+cave.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSRVlKH9hPI/AAAAAAAAAm4/hKRiKLeDJFk/s640/Decoration+street...like+Ali+Baba%2527s+cave.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tet decoration street.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
By the end of our day we were both tired and hungry - albeit very proud of ourselves for having negotiated the city and the markets without getting lost. So we set forth for Rosemary's favorite food place right on the bank of West Lake. She very kindly treated me to a meal of Pho Cuon, fresh rice paper rolls. The place was pumping when we got there and we didn't want to sit inside but sadly there were no emptly tables outside. No problem... the nice man that owns the place just grabbed another plastic table, a couple of those tiny stools and set us up under a tree right next to the lake a bit further down the road...so efficient.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSRV6SbFGuI/AAAAAAAAAnM/NzdPRRLR1Zs/s1600/Pho+Quon+-+fresh+rice+paper+rolls.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSRV6SbFGuI/AAAAAAAAAnM/NzdPRRLR1Zs/s400/Pho+Quon+-+fresh+rice+paper+rolls.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rolls get dipped in the yummy pickles in sauce...which is enhanced by a bit of chilli sauce.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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The rolls were fresh, fat free and plentiful and the grand total of 30,000vd (about $1.50) for each of us.<br />
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We chowed down, said our good nights and went our separate ways and thus ended another great day.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TSRVcF1PxmI/AAAAAAAAAmw/uN_VvwYdtNg/s1600/The+pagoda+in+the+middle+of+Sword+Lake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Ngairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03102488773835425223noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321808650144527383.post-26395995190065648362011-01-01T10:30:00.000-08:002011-01-01T10:30:37.672-08:00New Year's Day....My New Year's Eve was a sedate affair spent with some pals; a couple of glasses of overpriced vino at a posh hotel (not my choice) ending the night at 1.10am. But at least it meant I didn't have a hangover the next day...and sure enough New Year's Day dawned warm, if not bright, a perfect day to take a walk.<br />
I wandered up to Xian Dieu to drop off some dry cleaning and just because I was there HAD to pop into St Honor. I couldn't resist buying a couple of their beautiful cakes (their baker is French and it shows). I took a strawberry tart and a chocolate eclair in a neat little box and strolled off to wander around the lake. Mr Hung from the Cooking Centre had told me of a great cafe in a street nearby, Yen Phu, but I'd forgotten the address. I text him to ask and before I knew it he'd rung back and we'd arranged to meet. Hung is a passionate and enthusiastic chef who has a real interest in making and decorating cakes. It was as if I'd known that he was going to ring when I'd got the two cakes...like I'd known I'd have someone to share them with...(I couldn't possibly eat two cakes all by myself could I?)<br />
I got to the cafe first...it's a tiny narrow space that covers three stories. The cafe is famous for it's 'weasel coffee'. This is a type of coffee that is eaten by a civet cat and the animal poos out the beans which are then harvested. Apparently the gastric juices of the civet cat (or weasel) give the coffee it's distinctive taste.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9hKV4WIiI/AAAAAAAAAmE/Dkp2nAgAKRs/s1600/Weasel+poo+coffee.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9hKV4WIiI/AAAAAAAAAmE/Dkp2nAgAKRs/s400/Weasel+poo+coffee.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can actually see the poo holding the coffee beans together!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9hjj-zqbI/AAAAAAAAAmI/iTLFEC0TQlE/s1600/weasel+poo+coffee+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9hjj-zqbI/AAAAAAAAAmI/iTLFEC0TQlE/s320/weasel+poo+coffee+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks like chocolate peanuts or something similar!</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;"> It must be good because it sells for about $3000 a kilo! </div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9fWoGSeWI/AAAAAAAAAlc/56KeeR5A-zU/s1600/Best+coffee+in+Tay+Ho....JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9fWoGSeWI/AAAAAAAAAlc/56KeeR5A-zU/s320/Best+coffee+in+Tay+Ho....JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Could it be any narrower?</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9fe_jDYgI/AAAAAAAAAlg/NFjEzp8YI7k/s1600/The+old+but+still+efficient+equipment....JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9fe_jDYgI/AAAAAAAAAlg/NFjEzp8YI7k/s400/The+old+but+still+efficient+equipment....JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The equiment is old but still does the job.</td></tr>
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I arrived before Hung and sat myself at a tiny table downstairs. The waiter bought me a noh-da iced coffee (literally translated as brown ice) without having to be asked. It was strong but not bitter and just sweet enough with the perfect amount of condensed milk. Next thing Hung arrived and in my haste to jump up and greet him I managed to tip over the entire glass! I am such a klutz. Thankfully he is well known and managed to smooth things over. We relocated upstairs which is apparently more comfortable and left the mess behind. I was pleasantly surprised to find Miss Huong from Koto upstairs having a drink with a previous graduate from Koto. Introductions were made and the four of us shared the cakes with our coffee's. A quarter of a cake is so much less damaging to the thighs. Miss Huong and her pal left and Hung and I enjoyed an in depth natter about cakes, icing and techniques. It's fun to find someone who's as obsessed as me.<br />
I had heard that yoghurt was a delicacy enjoyed in coffee shops in Hanoi but had never tried it... I'm not that fond of yoghurt. However Hung enthused about the stuff made at the cafe and insisted we try his favorite version... with sticky rice. The yoghurt is usually served frozen with a smidge of coffee for flavour. When the glass arrived it looked a bit odd...black grains on top of the creamy yoghurt; I thought the rice was going to be quite chewy but it wasn't at all. One must stir well before enjoying.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9gFbugGJI/AAAAAAAAAlo/CA6qq3jFk5A/s320/stirring+in+the+sticky+rice....JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sticky rice yoghurt...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9gOnaEFpI/AAAAAAAAAls/oD5XBcVZAAU/s1600/me+with+the+sticky+rice+yoghurt....JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9gOnaEFpI/AAAAAAAAAls/oD5XBcVZAAU/s320/me+with+the+sticky+rice+yoghurt....JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see the layers in this shot.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9gb1uKcqI/AAAAAAAAAlw/czoFwpBbEco/s1600/this+tastes+sooo+good....JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9gb1uKcqI/AAAAAAAAAlw/czoFwpBbEco/s320/this+tastes+sooo+good....JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It tasted much, much better than it looked.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9h6S00wMI/AAAAAAAAAmM/YorwUoDkBgU/s1600/Mr+Hung.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9h6S00wMI/AAAAAAAAAmM/YorwUoDkBgU/s320/Mr+Hung.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mate Hung, a great guide to the culinary delights of Hanoi.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"> I have to confess that the sticky rice was so good I could have eaten the whole glass twice over. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Before I realised it hours had gone by and it was time to go visiting my pal Rosemary at her apartment overlooking West Lake. There were sights to see on the way...</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Even more xmas madness...</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9oC0zEKBI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/8Gibee2_WZ4/s1600/More+xmas+madness....JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9oC0zEKBI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/8Gibee2_WZ4/s400/More+xmas+madness....JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Let it snow...let it snow...let it snow...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9oVshR_iI/AAAAAAAAAmU/mXJLZyeqeZE/s1600/and+more+xmas+madness....JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9oVshR_iI/AAAAAAAAAmU/mXJLZyeqeZE/s320/and+more+xmas+madness....JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santa takes a little tumble...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9ojHHoeEI/AAAAAAAAAmY/wmighjtTRhw/s1600/Nice+to+think+that+you+find+kiwi+saints+here...eh+Bro.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9ojHHoeEI/AAAAAAAAAmY/wmighjtTRhw/s400/Nice+to+think+that+you+find+kiwi+saints+here...eh+Bro.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice to see there must have been a Kiwi saint in Hanoi at some point..eh bro?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9o8ZU5cfI/AAAAAAAAAmc/YY_v69lagOg/s1600/secure+scaffolding+Vietnam+style....JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9o8ZU5cfI/AAAAAAAAAmc/YY_v69lagOg/s400/secure+scaffolding+Vietnam+style....JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a lot of O H & S here in Hanoi..I asked the chap on the second floor if I could take a shot..he looked a bit bemused as to why I would want to but nodded anyway.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"> After a bit I found Rosemary's place on Tran Vu. Rosemary is here in Vietnam working on a road safety program...road safety in Vietnam...bit of an oxymoron. We ensconced ourselves in comfy chairs facing the verandah with a glass of wine in hand and enjoyed the view of the lake with it's kitsh little swan boats. Before too long we had solved the problems of the world, agreed on dinner (pasta with marinara sauce) and decided that Rosemary's needed to set up her own blog. While I cooked dinner she logged on and began the process. By the time dinner was ready it was well and truly night...and the lake looked spectacular.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9tZR0zkCI/AAAAAAAAAmo/Q1jYhH77h90/s1600/West+Lake+at+night..JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9tZR0zkCI/AAAAAAAAAmo/Q1jYhH77h90/s640/West+Lake+at+night..JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a large floating restaurant that looks a bit drab during the day...spruces up well at night though doesn't it?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9tobeOZII/AAAAAAAAAms/9HwwzFk1_fA/s1600/Floating+restaurant+and+the+causeway+at+night..JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9tobeOZII/AAAAAAAAAms/9HwwzFk1_fA/s640/Floating+restaurant+and+the+causeway+at+night..JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The same restaurant and the lights of the causeway that connects Tay Ho with the city.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">After our pasta Rosemary made a yummy dessert of some early stawberries, passionfruit pulp, brandy (well it is the holidays..) and more yoghurt! It was just a perfect end to a yummy meal and gave me just the energy boost I needed to embark on the walk home.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>So to the end of another great day...good friends, great food and the sights and sounds of this amazing city.Ngairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03102488773835425223noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321808650144527383.post-82427126365032478792011-01-01T08:43:00.000-08:002011-01-01T08:43:42.089-08:00Dream bottle ceremony...It seems to me that this ceremony has been developed so that the trainees can get some sense of just how far they can travel during their time at Koto. The new class is asked to think about what dreams they have for two years hence - at the end of their training. They draw pictures, write on small bit of paper, and generally create small tokens to represent what they are hoping for. Then they put them into a small glass jar. On the Monday before xmas the ceremony happened. I was downstairs in the kitchen finishing off some work so missed the beginning...but from what I can gather it comprised of quite a few speeches...how very surprising. By the time I got upstairs a trainee from the previous class was making a speech,<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9HfPPJxgI/AAAAAAAAAkY/Ra67APn--5I/s1600/Mai+makes+her+speech.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9HfPPJxgI/AAAAAAAAAkY/Ra67APn--5I/s400/Mai+makes+her+speech.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mai from class 17 - presumably telling her story.</td></tr>
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then a trainee from the class undergoing the ceremony made a speech, then the M.C. for the night (the life skills teacher in her beautiful white au doi) made a speech,<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9Ibt33UNI/AAAAAAAAAkg/dRSd1gJNWW4/s1600/closing+remarks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9Ibt33UNI/AAAAAAAAAkg/dRSd1gJNWW4/s320/closing+remarks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Jimmy Pham made a speech, then finally the guts of the night began. We were all given candles to hold and the lights were dimmed. Jimmy lit the first one then used it to light the next...and like the spreading ripples on a lake each person lit another's candle and so on and so forth.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9JCSJqCxI/AAAAAAAAAkk/bV-lHKldK6Y/s1600/Jimmy+Pham+lights+the+first+candle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9JCSJqCxI/AAAAAAAAAkk/bV-lHKldK6Y/s320/Jimmy+Pham+lights+the+first+candle.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jimmy lights Ms Hang's candle.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9KGbDgCnI/AAAAAAAAAks/GgaVnpWLYTI/s1600/Amanda+comforting+an+emotional+trainee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9KGbDgCnI/AAAAAAAAAks/GgaVnpWLYTI/s400/Amanda+comforting+an+emotional+trainee.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The young woman on the left was so emotional that Amanda had to give her a cuddle.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9LxxK-eQI/AAAAAAAAAk4/KkqcOmLDP1c/s1600/the+emotion+is+starting+to+show.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9LxxK-eQI/AAAAAAAAAk4/KkqcOmLDP1c/s400/the+emotion+is+starting+to+show.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The trainees waiting to approach the cabinet and present their Dream Bottles.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9NkIaAViI/AAAAAAAAAlE/QXAh1JJcreA/s1600/lighting+the+candles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9NkIaAViI/AAAAAAAAAlE/QXAh1JJcreA/s400/lighting+the+candles.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's me third from the right...I'd forgotten my camera so cadged these photos from Mr Tang</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9JfeQSl5I/AAAAAAAAAko/tMdX946K-cU/s1600/crying+time.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9JfeQSl5I/AAAAAAAAAko/tMdX946K-cU/s320/crying+time.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By this stage the emotion was getting to me too...there were quite a few tears...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9K2nb6sFI/AAAAAAAAAkw/mxzV-6fmB2U/s1600/placing+the+bottle+in+the+cupboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9K2nb6sFI/AAAAAAAAAkw/mxzV-6fmB2U/s400/placing+the+bottle+in+the+cupboard.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Placing a bottle in the cabinet.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After all the trainees had delivered their 'dreams' the lights came back on and I dried my eyes. Class 18 filed back into the middle of the room and formed a group. I waited to see what would come next. When the first bars of Abba's 'I dreamed a dream' began to play I couldn't suppress a groan...not because I dislike the song - but I just knew that if the kids sang it I would damn well cry again...and sure enough...I did! Oh, my god, I was like a cheap drunk at the end of New Year's Eve...bawling like a baby! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9LYa7DhaI/AAAAAAAAAk0/2ogOdIl0Lro/s1600/singing+Abba%2527s+I+have+a+Dream...jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9LYa7DhaI/AAAAAAAAAk0/2ogOdIl0Lro/s320/singing+Abba%2527s+I+have+a+Dream...jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I dreamed a dream...I crossed a stream...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9NEUsMjFI/AAAAAAAAAlA/K_zov9zsYvo/s1600/happy+it%2527s+all+over.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9NEUsMjFI/AAAAAAAAAlA/K_zov9zsYvo/s320/happy+it%2527s+all+over.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These kids just looooove a photo op...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After it was all over there were photos, of class 18...then of any and everyone who could cram themselves into the frame. Afterward we relocated en-masse upstairs to start the party! Each department had been asked to provide something towards the buffet so I made a platter of brandy balls, but using white chocolate ganache instead of dark and cranberries instead of sultanas.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9PeOzupZI/AAAAAAAAAlU/UUbYwQUFKQg/s1600/and+then+the+party....jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9PeOzupZI/AAAAAAAAAlU/UUbYwQUFKQg/s320/and+then+the+party....jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jimmy serving his famous seafood and corn soup.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9OfMMgdvI/AAAAAAAAAlM/5N1snJ6eu54/s1600/a+past+graduate+and+a+trainee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9OfMMgdvI/AAAAAAAAAlM/5N1snJ6eu54/s320/a+past+graduate+and+a+trainee.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9O6klG68I/AAAAAAAAAlQ/91Bc4NamQHs/s1600/yummy....jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TR9O6klG68I/AAAAAAAAAlQ/91Bc4NamQHs/s320/yummy....jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yummy!!!!</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I made the mistake of being a bit slow to get upstairs and by the time I did there wasn't a lot left to eat...the trainees love their food and when they get the opportunity to try something out of the ordinary they descend like a locust plague - bless them...lol...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pretty soon the music cranked up, the kids began break dancing and it was time for this old chook to wend her weary way home for a nice cup of tea and a lie down. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Ngairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03102488773835425223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321808650144527383.post-73994648196484481112010-12-27T06:57:00.000-08:002010-12-27T21:55:08.079-08:00Koto's christmas party....Tonight was the xmas party at Koto. Each member of staff was given the name of a trainee to buy a gift for...limited to 100,000vd value. I took up the challenge with great relish and shopped around to find as many bits as I could. Eventually I decided on a pair of diamonte hair slides, a cute pink hair band and a pair of snuggly' Fendi' gloves...and the wee girl who got the gift seemed very happy with it all.<br />
The party started with xmas carols and a bit of a talent show. As it was obviously all in Vietnamese I had no idea what was going on so I think I'll just post the photos and you can draw your own conclusions....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRiglO6addI/AAAAAAAAAik/Bkq4vtaD0xI/s1600/Appreciative+audience+at+the+xmas+party.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRiglO6addI/AAAAAAAAAik/Bkq4vtaD0xI/s320/Appreciative+audience+at+the+xmas+party.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Appreciative audience...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRigoAq3DlI/AAAAAAAAAio/pbUNg7pmUkQ/s1600/Mr+Doan+and+his+cute+wee+bub.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRigoAq3DlI/AAAAAAAAAio/pbUNg7pmUkQ/s320/Mr+Doan+and+his+cute+wee+bub.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr Doan and the gorgeous wee daughter of Ms Hung.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRigsAVjfKI/AAAAAAAAAis/cR4x64UPH1s/s1600/Mr+Hai+with+his+scarf.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRigsAVjfKI/AAAAAAAAAis/cR4x64UPH1s/s320/Mr+Hai+with+his+scarf.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr Hai in his scarf...all the trainees made scarves for the staff.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRigwSVCSUI/AAAAAAAAAiw/yFTVCl_iLyI/s1600/xmas+party+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRigwSVCSUI/AAAAAAAAAiw/yFTVCl_iLyI/s320/xmas+party+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tree decorated with the cards the trainees made for the staff.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRigzgc28jI/AAAAAAAAAi0/PwziXL0AU0Q/s1600/xmas+party+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRigzgc28jI/AAAAAAAAAi0/PwziXL0AU0Q/s320/xmas+party+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the kids put on little shows...I have no idea about what but it went down well...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRig2hbPREI/AAAAAAAAAi4/rCGfylA75sU/s1600/xmas+party+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRig2hbPREI/AAAAAAAAAi4/rCGfylA75sU/s320/xmas+party+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This little mite thought it was hilarious...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRihAYK1AII/AAAAAAAAAjE/j-WgHpgHeIA/s1600/xmas+party+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRihAYK1AII/AAAAAAAAAjE/j-WgHpgHeIA/s320/xmas+party+5.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More playacting...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRikYQ59jgI/AAAAAAAAAjM/O1ad1KABIgg/s1600/Vietnamese+santa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRikYQ59jgI/AAAAAAAAAjM/O1ad1KABIgg/s320/Vietnamese+santa.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our very own Vietnamese santa...</td></tr>
</tbody></table> We had to make all the desserts, we made a trio of Buche de Noels, carrot cakes, mudcakes and tropical trifles with tropical fruit and a huge gingerbread house display.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRikcBjlbkI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/6zsqT2YPa34/s1600/B+de+N+times+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRikcBjlbkI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/6zsqT2YPa34/s320/B+de+N+times+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our interpretation of Buche de Noel</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRikfv1dPPI/AAAAAAAAAjU/hdrMbgB2g58/s1600/Carrot+cakes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRikfv1dPPI/AAAAAAAAAjU/hdrMbgB2g58/s320/Carrot+cakes.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carrot cakes...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRikpVPLM7I/AAAAAAAAAjc/CQbaUkQCc_k/s1600/finishing+mudcakes+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRikpVPLM7I/AAAAAAAAAjc/CQbaUkQCc_k/s400/finishing+mudcakes+2.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr Doan finishing the mudcakes...</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRiklGs9eAI/AAAAAAAAAjY/vyGXf8TlJnM/s1600/Doan%2527s+mince+tarts.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRiklGs9eAI/AAAAAAAAAjY/vyGXf8TlJnM/s320/Doan%2527s+mince+tarts.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doan's mince tarts...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRikuozkd3I/AAAAAAAAAjg/kU7spEe-718/s1600/Vietnamese+gingerbread+house+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRikuozkd3I/AAAAAAAAAjg/kU7spEe-718/s640/Vietnamese+gingerbread+house+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Vietnamese gingerbread house display...bit rough but it did the job...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRilSerLb5I/AAAAAAAAAjo/3zF6MnWdF_A/s1600/VGH+cafe.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRilSerLb5I/AAAAAAAAAjo/3zF6MnWdF_A/s400/VGH+cafe.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had to have a cafe on the side...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRilWZUtFQI/AAAAAAAAAjs/hImrlmHrp6E/s1600/vgh+vespa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRilWZUtFQI/AAAAAAAAAjs/hImrlmHrp6E/s400/vgh+vespa.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> ...and of course there had to be a scooter....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>So now xmas is over and things can settle down a bit...well, I hope they can. Next post I will show you some of the photos of the Dream Bottle ceremony; a moving and important step for the new group of trainees.Ngairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03102488773835425223noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321808650144527383.post-67021894409123956362010-12-26T02:46:00.000-08:002010-12-26T02:46:28.385-08:00More random stuff....In the shopping center I go to is a play area for kids...the parents pay a fee and the kids are looked after by amiable young women for the duration. I chanced upon this group of wee poppets the other day...wearing their santa hats they just looked too cute for words.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRcWywdDzcI/AAAAAAAAAh0/99bCieu9g8E/s1600/xmas+munchkin+madness.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRcWywdDzcI/AAAAAAAAAh0/99bCieu9g8E/s640/xmas+munchkin+madness.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Couldn't you just eat them all up?</td></tr>
</tbody></table> I was saving so hard for this trip that I hadn't had a hair cut for the whole of 2010 so decided to take my chances and check out a Vietnamese hairdresser. I did a bit of research on The New Hanoian's website and found Mr Dinh. He's trained by some whizkid stylist and speaks excellent English. For the grand sum of 200,000vd (about $10) he gave me a smashing do. He cut in some subtle layers and trimed off all the dead dry ends. The heavenly head massage the shampoo girl gave me was pretty incredible too.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRcYnkWcQDI/AAAAAAAAAh8/tD6HgJqcgdo/s1600/new+hair+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRcYnkWcQDI/AAAAAAAAAh8/tD6HgJqcgdo/s400/new+hair+2.JPG" width="376" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty good eh? </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Hoan Kiem lake in the middle of Hanoi is a favourite with residents and has quickly become a favourite place of mine too. As you stroll round you find little surprises, like the lotus sculptures in an earlier blog, and today I found these. I'm not sure if they are meant to be deer but that's what they look like to me.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRcZf37r1-I/AAAAAAAAAiA/KIzraZQ3fDQ/s1600/deer+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRcZf37r1-I/AAAAAAAAAiA/KIzraZQ3fDQ/s400/deer+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRcZyw-sHgI/AAAAAAAAAiE/wpcg9eQ-JNo/s1600/deer+near+the+lake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRcZyw-sHgI/AAAAAAAAAiE/wpcg9eQ-JNo/s400/deer+near+the+lake.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think this one needs a bit of a haircut too...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I liked this display inside a shopping center in town too...there were actually small fish swimming around in amongst the rubbish and plastic plants.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRcap7YVjcI/AAAAAAAAAiI/N6fEttVrgpM/s1600/shopping+center+display.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRcap7YVjcI/AAAAAAAAAiI/N6fEttVrgpM/s640/shopping+center+display.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pond and a half!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRcaypqJ5PI/AAAAAAAAAiM/TT-UvVQqnR0/s1600/shopping+center+display+close+up.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRcaypqJ5PI/AAAAAAAAAiM/TT-UvVQqnR0/s400/shopping+center+display+close+up.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's hard to believe that anything could live for long in here...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Well, that's it for now, it's 6pm on Boxing Day and I'm about to chow down on some super sweet watermelon (have to do something to make up for all the fried stuff this morning!) and watch some of the dvds I picked up today....Harry Potter here I come. To anyone reading this I hope your Xmas day was restful and relaxing and that you have a fantastic New Years.Ngairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03102488773835425223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321808650144527383.post-47984342144704882272010-12-26T02:17:00.000-08:002010-12-26T02:17:26.246-08:00Boxing day.... I spent Xmas day at the home of Tracy and Andreas, with their pals and a few hyper excited kids. It was a lovely day once I actually found the place...Vietnamese number the alleys front and back so I managed to get totally lost - twice. It took a couple of pathetic phone calls to Tracy and for her to leave her guests and come looking for me...just in time as the rather large and unfriendly looking dog was beginning to growl at me...not fun! Anyhoo, I got there and within seconds a glass of bubbles was placed in my slightly sweaty hand and the day began in earnest with a pedicure from a 5 year old!!! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRcC7WKjGJI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/HGvRqgRmuI4/s1600/xmas+day+paint+job.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRcC7WKjGJI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/HGvRqgRmuI4/s320/xmas+day+paint+job.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone had to have their nails done by Tracy's 5 year old...Franke </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
What a lovely bunch of people and what a lovely meal. We enjoyed a cold collation of some German salads - herring and potato - courtesy of Andreas, Tracy's beautiful cured salmon and dips, prawns, yummy cold meats and some of the nicest cheeses I've had in ages...all followed by a melt in the mouth duck cassoulet. At that point I could have quite happily curled up my toes and died...life seldom gets much better!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRcCnuIB4BI/AAAAAAAAAf8/aj8RrgY6HH4/s1600/xmas+day+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRcCnuIB4BI/AAAAAAAAAf8/aj8RrgY6HH4/s400/xmas+day+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ulrika, me and Rosemary after setting the world to rights over a few glasses of bubbles.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRcCsdaFhNI/AAAAAAAAAgA/NUIavU4x3jg/s1600/xmas+day+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRcCsdaFhNI/AAAAAAAAAgA/NUIavU4x3jg/s400/xmas+day+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ours eye's would meet over the table and I sensed a certain attraction burgeoning.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Then there was an hilarious Kris Kringle game where everyone who bought a present could pick one from the box...or steal one from someone else...it got quite confusing but very funny as the shenanigans got into full flow.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRcC3y_v6gI/AAAAAAAAAgM/waydqf22fvw/s1600/xmas+day+cynthia.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRcC3y_v6gI/AAAAAAAAAgM/waydqf22fvw/s400/xmas+day+cynthia.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cynthia picked some gorgeous porcelain bowls.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRcCvkr6OHI/AAAAAAAAAgE/H9__Jr5FatA/s1600/xmas+day+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRcCvkr6OHI/AAAAAAAAAgE/H9__Jr5FatA/s400/xmas+day+5.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Which were quickly 'stolen' by Rebecca</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRcC-vhMtRI/AAAAAAAAAgU/kOA-GjPjZrc/s1600/xmas+day+rebecca.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRcC-vhMtRI/AAAAAAAAAgU/kOA-GjPjZrc/s400/xmas+day+rebecca.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Triumph!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRcCzm6_CSI/AAAAAAAAAgI/_ZGgyZBCM3Q/s1600/xmas+day+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRcCzm6_CSI/AAAAAAAAAgI/_ZGgyZBCM3Q/s320/xmas+day+4.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ulrika and Peter Fritz</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRcCieUCfLI/AAAAAAAAAf4/KnJVMU2-DZY/s1600/xmas+day+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRcCieUCfLI/AAAAAAAAAf4/KnJVMU2-DZY/s400/xmas+day+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peter Fritz was pretty happy with his Mum's choice, and strangely enough no-one wanted to 'steal' them????</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRcDKghJryI/AAAAAAAAAgc/6U9d1uLwujM/s1600/xmas+day+zorran%252C+andreas+and+pedro.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">-<img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRcDKghJryI/AAAAAAAAAgc/6U9d1uLwujM/s400/xmas+day+zorran%252C+andreas+and+pedro.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andreas (flanked by Zorran and Pedro) kept encouraging 'theft' to continue the game.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRcDEBmdj6I/AAAAAAAAAgY/F8X9SOPYXM4/s1600/xmas+day+rosemary.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRcDEBmdj6I/AAAAAAAAAgY/F8X9SOPYXM4/s400/xmas+day+rosemary.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosemary was more than happy with her calender.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Before I knew it the party was over and we staggered off into the evening, Cynthia, Rebecca and Rosemary dropped me off on their way home and I fell into bed and pretty much passed out...Merry Christmas!<br />
<br />
<br />
Boxing Day dawned early...too early...with Doan sending me a text at 8.30am asking me what time I wanted to start work?!? OMG! 'Tomorrow' I responded, 'when my hangover has gone.' Feeling quite nauseous and with a bit of a headache I remembered why I stopped over indulging in the booze some time ago...not nice. Only thing for it was to drag my sorry carcass out of bed and head into town for greasy food and fizzy drink!<br />
<br />
Amanda had given me the map location of that wee place we'd been to before and I set out to see if I could find it and her DVD shop for some entertainment. Geographically dyslexic I may be but this time I managed to stay focused and achieved my goals. I decided to walk into town - for some much needed exercise - fortified myself with a Pappa Roti - the grandfather of all buns (starch and a little sugar - just what the doctor ordered!) found the DVD shop and bought myself some rip off movies (I know, but when in Rome) and eventually made my way to the Cathedral. The cafe is set up against the wall of the huge church so easy to find. I ordered one of everything and tucked in.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRcJ2mBeEII/AAAAAAAAAgg/iV99vgIUFV0/s1600/boxing+day+lunch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRcJ2mBeEII/AAAAAAAAAgg/iV99vgIUFV0/s400/boxing+day+lunch.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A large and small samosa, a spring roll, a bun and a won ton, pickles, salad and pickles and a very cold and much needed coke! All this for about $2...it's almost criminal.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>A little further along the street I saw this entry gate to a temple bedecked with the colourful flags. Just lovely.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRcMK3O2kwI/AAAAAAAAAhM/VDzbvjP5IZQ/s1600/temple+gate+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRcMK3O2kwI/AAAAAAAAAhM/VDzbvjP5IZQ/s400/temple+gate+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRcMTml83TI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/LLWAo83T0Gk/s1600/temple+gate.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRcMTml83TI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/LLWAo83T0Gk/s640/temple+gate.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I just love coming across these little havens amid the hustle and bustle of the city.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRcOrbmZJYI/AAAAAAAAAhg/1vzpPwJKobk/s1600/xmas+madness+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Fortified with fat and sugar I wandered back towards Hoan Kiem lake to work some of it off. The Old Quarter is usually uncomfortably packed with tourists, bikes and whatever but today it seemed a little less frenetic. I was enjoying my stroll when I came across this fabulous display of xmas over zealousness! I did warn you...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRcORnAaXhI/AAAAAAAAAhU/4PDyU8J0DpM/s1600/xmas+madness+4.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRcORnAaXhI/AAAAAAAAAhU/4PDyU8J0DpM/s640/xmas+madness+4.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do you believe this?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRcSUXubsSI/AAAAAAAAAho/1npmW744OBs/s1600/xmas+madness+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRcSUXubsSI/AAAAAAAAAho/1npmW744OBs/s400/xmas+madness+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It almost made me feel cold!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRcOcFglGTI/AAAAAAAAAhY/PNhfYjQ1ypU/s1600/xmas+madness+1.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRcOcFglGTI/AAAAAAAAAhY/PNhfYjQ1ypU/s640/xmas+madness+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a little bit of xmas cheer?</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Ngairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03102488773835425223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321808650144527383.post-20444212640362575852010-12-22T01:59:00.000-08:002010-12-22T01:59:38.934-08:00Random stuff....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I had a working weekend, making RTR icing with Doan and some xmas mince tarts with Luyen, but my pals David and Amanda were on the prowl round the old quarter and took this cool shot of a very inventive warning sign! Hole in road!!<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRG_-51XwhI/AAAAAAAAAek/wrpxl1FvFTY/s1600/warning+sign+in+Hanoi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRG_-51XwhI/AAAAAAAAAek/wrpxl1FvFTY/s400/warning+sign+in+Hanoi.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's sitting in the hole it's warning about...clever!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
I've been trying to remember to take photos of my meals for you. This is com rang or fried rice. It came with a bowl of dressed cucumber, which I may add is nothing like the bitter, watery, nasty stuff I won't eat at home. It's crunchy with a firmer texture a delicate refreshing flavour and with none of the bitterness at all. The soup was a delicate chicken broth loaded with fresh coriander and some slivers of tomato. I love my com rang here, it comes topped with very fine shredded dried pork or beef - yummy and there are jars of pickled raw garlic and chilli on the tables too so you can add even more flavour if you need to. The cost? 20,000vd ...about $1.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRHAQO7UsXI/AAAAAAAAAe0/pfneAQHRN_k/s1600/com+rang+-+fried+rice.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRHAQO7UsXI/AAAAAAAAAe0/pfneAQHRN_k/s400/com+rang+-+fried+rice.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No one cares about the chipped china when the food tastes so good!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>One of the ubiquitous sounds of Hanoi is the cockerel's crow, especially if you happen to be near a chicken restaurant. The birds are a strange collection of types, some normal (or what we would consider normal) and then there's the 'dinochook'! The 'dinochook' bears less resemblance to a chicken and more to a T Rex or a raptor of some kind...take a look. These strange looking birds scrounge around in the refuse for food and live right beside one of the busiest roads in Hanoi but I've never seen one wander onto the road...street smart! However given their diet and environment I haven't been feeling like eating a lot of chicken lately!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRHAJEWJjII/AAAAAAAAAes/aS2lp0Gt3Ng/s1600/chicken+anyone.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRHAJEWJjII/AAAAAAAAAes/aS2lp0Gt3Ng/s400/chicken+anyone.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alongside a normal size chook</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRHALzEf0mI/AAAAAAAAAew/uVIRZoy_ddM/s1600/is+it+a+bird%252C+is+it+a+raptor.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRHALzEf0mI/AAAAAAAAAew/uVIRZoy_ddM/s400/is+it+a+bird%252C+is+it+a+raptor.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part vulture perhaps?<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Straight after taking the 'dinochook' shots I looked up to see a veritable swag of Santas coming at me down the laneway...I dont know what it was in aid of but it looks hilarious.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRHArS69slI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/hw85G4EbLyY/s1600/xmas+madness+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRHArS69slI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/hw85G4EbLyY/s640/xmas+madness+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even the Vietnamese were taking photos as they came...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRHAwCOwEvI/AAAAAAAAAfU/SRXtgIcCqwA/s1600/xmas+madness+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRHAwCOwEvI/AAAAAAAAAfU/SRXtgIcCqwA/s640/xmas+madness+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and came.....</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRHA0yohMwI/AAAAAAAAAfY/Tg7EL7hHr20/s1600/xmas+madness+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRHA0yohMwI/AAAAAAAAAfY/Tg7EL7hHr20/s640/xmas+madness+3.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and came! The third one back had his nose sticking out of the mouth hole of his beard...he looked like a yeti!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The country is gearing up for Tet at the moment, apparently Xmas is looked upon as a fun American thing to do - lots of tinsel 'snow' and funny clothes but Tet is the main holiday. I passed the water park - which is of course closed for the winter - but saw these gorgeous things on a stage of some kind. I couldn't get close enough to see exactly what they were but it looked like fabric stretched over a frame...a bit like the lanterns used at the Chinese Lantern Festival in Sydney.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRHAnpVePsI/AAAAAAAAAfM/vAfKVH7mezs/s1600/somethings+about+to+happen.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRHAnpVePsI/AAAAAAAAAfM/vAfKVH7mezs/s400/somethings+about+to+happen.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorry about the angle I was sticking my camera through wire mesh.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRHAgNACz5I/AAAAAAAAAfE/fpAt4b58Q6E/s1600/getting+ready+for+tet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRHAgNACz5I/AAAAAAAAAfE/fpAt4b58Q6E/s400/getting+ready+for+tet.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful crane's behind!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I guess you might want to see some of the work we have been doing of late - when there's been an oven to use and when we've had a kitchen to get into. We made my yummy xmas mince tart filling with a few minor changes to the fruit content - dependent on what can be found. Here's a shot of Doan using the cutters donated by Frazer and Hughes in Sydney to create lovely little minis for the restaurant. Doan is going to be running the pastry section and in that role he will also be training the kids coming through who have an interest in pastry.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRHAUYOO4EI/AAAAAAAAAe4/g1z_Q1DyXyI/s1600/doan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRHAUYOO4EI/AAAAAAAAAe4/g1z_Q1DyXyI/s400/doan.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy in his work.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRHAZIdQ7SI/AAAAAAAAAe8/DeLWRzFyVJU/s1600/doan+making+mince+tarts.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRHAZIdQ7SI/AAAAAAAAAe8/DeLWRzFyVJU/s320/doan+making+mince+tarts.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRHAc47i_oI/AAAAAAAAAfA/vk4SS0U3E9Q/s1600/f+%2526+h+cutters.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRHAc47i_oI/AAAAAAAAAfA/vk4SS0U3E9Q/s320/f+%2526+h+cutters.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The other thing we've been doing for Xmas are making one or two gingerbread beach babes... 83 today and another 80 tomorrow...I'll be going into ginger overload soon!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRHAjhMKjOI/AAAAAAAAAfI/gXOEjZUheNE/s1600/gingerfolk+for+xmas+day.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRHAjhMKjOI/AAAAAAAAAfI/gXOEjZUheNE/s400/gingerfolk+for+xmas+day.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't forget your sunnies....</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRHAFRDtT7I/AAAAAAAAAeo/3XKwpgsg5K4/s1600/bondi+beach.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRHAFRDtT7I/AAAAAAAAAeo/3XKwpgsg5K4/s400/bondi+beach.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Does it remind you of Bondi?</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>That's it for now, I'm about to get ready to go to the Xmas party at Donkey Bakery. I went there yesterday afternoon to help prepare two Buche de Noel for the buffet. I've never done one before but it's just a Swiss roll slathered in buttercream to make it look like a log...we used some of the RTR I'd made and fashioned holly leaves and berries. I am going to make some for the Koto Xmas do on 27th so I'll remember to take photos then.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4m3Q0qbnCg/TRHAwCOwEvI/AAAAAAAAAfU/SRXtgIcCqwA/s1600/xmas+madness+2.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a>Ngairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03102488773835425223noreply@blogger.com2