So I just got back from a six day trip to Bangkok and Phuket. It was definitely a much needed vacation after my Taiwan trip, which I have yet to post about also. Work has become more demanding and aggravating, to the point where I am actually going to sign up for Thai Boxing lessons to vent out my stress and get some exercise into my life.
I must say that this trip was definitely different than my others. I was a bit afraid traveling alone this time. At the same time I've learned some things about myself and about traveling alone.
I like to travel alone, because
#1, You get to meet people from all walks of life.
#2, Traveling alone also puts you into a position where you would do things that you never thought you would do especially in a foreign country.
Not that I did anything crazy or bad. But like riding on an elephant. I never really liked having close contact with animals, this time was no different. Heck! I was in Thailand and how many times am I going to be in Thailand? Once probably! (although I do have my mind set on backpacking Asia for three months, after my contract is over, but you never know whats going to happen.) Anyways, so getting back to having close contact with animals, you never know what the animal would do next. What if it gets wild and crazy on you! But for some reason, I wanted to ride on it and did it, although I was a bit scared. Especially when the guide got off to take some pictures of me alone with the Elephant. The other thing that I am afraid of is any form of a small boat/raft/canoe/kayak. Because I've flipped in a canoe before and it was just not a good experience. I went on this excursion where we get on kayaks to go to these caves on the Hong and Phang Nga Islands. I'm glad I did it. Because it's always cool to see God's creation in a different view/light! It's amazing actually!
Riding on the Elephant, while the guide was off taking pictures. I was pretty scared!
Part of God's creation! Isn't it beautiful?!
Going towards one of the caves.
Part of the culture is to light katongs.
The tour had us make our own.
#3, Being on your own schedule and doing anything you want on your own. Eating whenever and whatever you want. Just go with the flow.
#4, Learning the culture over there. You pay more attention to your surroundings when you are alone. I noticed a lot of things. Like...
*these Thai girls would be with these foreign men. I think there is some kind of service, which I hate to say. But the service is like renting the girl for a week or whatever time they are there. The girl takes them around and I guess other services are provided also. On one of my excursions though, I saw two couples/pairs like that. I guess the good thing is that some of these men actually treat the girls pretty nice. They talk like they're a couple with such care and gentleness, but when you listen to the conversation. It's very surfacey... if you know what I mean. It's like a getting to know you session almost. It's bizarre. But at least these girls are being treated right, at least the two pairs that I saw and had some sort of interaction with. It's a bit sad though to see this service being offered.
*the street vendors. They're everywhere in Bangkok. It's just like they plop themselves onto a corner with their cart and call it the night to do business there. I wonder how it's settled, where they do business. It's not like in NYC where they have permits and stuff to be street vendors. How do they claim their land?
Khao San Road, Grilled Chicken. It was not as tasty as a recipe that I made for Ash and Abe. I was really looking forward to this too!
I had this like 4-5 days in a row! One of the many stalls on the streets of Thailand.
The floating market. Even these boats set up shop at random places and rowing through the river. SO COOL! This is definitely one of the best experiences of my trip to Thailand along with the John Gray Sea Canoe excursion.
My LUNCH!
Rice with chicken, dried shrimp, either pork or chicken blood, cilantro and all the fixings! It was pretty good, texture wise and flavor wise. For less than a dollar US too!
Old lady making some dumplings! Isn't is freaken cool?! They do it on row boats!
Now the bad things about traveling alone.
#1, You can't eat as much as you would like. When traveling with an extra person or group, there is just so much more variety and excitement! Though it still didn't stop me from ordering two or three things at once.
#2, In the back of your mind you are always scared to be paired off with " the weirdo", who happens to be traveling alone too, on your excursions. Which happened to me this time! DARN IT EVELYN! WHERE were you when I actually need you to be around?! Maybe he thought I was a weirdo too. Seriously though, I know I just said I like meeting people from all walks of life. But I spotted this guy already once we got on the boat. He was wearing long pants, a button down shirt, shoes, carried a hat, and a bag with an umbrella, coke bottle and some other stuff. When we were going out to the islands and kayaking into the caves. Maybe a better attire fit for getting wet would've been better. He was also walking around aimlessly and staring at people. The guy actually reminded me of Ralph from Three's Company. Very awkward small talks. Very close body contact on the kayak which required us to lie down to get into the caves. AWK-WARRRRRRRRRRRRDDDD!
A video from the excursion. When we have to lie down to go through.
#3, For some reason, I really had an issue with directions in Bangkok. The public transportation system was great. Traveling on foot though, was a bit crazy for me. Either I lost my sense of direction or Bangkok is just confusing! It took me forever on my first day to find my darn hotel! Then I couldn't find a restaurant that some people recommended! I was just really frustrated.
#4, Living in style. I didn't stay at a fancy place in Bangkok, and I usually don't stay at fancy places when I travel alone. But for Phuket, I upgraded my stay into a resort/spa. It was a lot nicer than hostels and the other hotels I've stayed at. I am a bit afraid now that I stayed at a fancier hotel. You know that saying... "Once you go black, you never go back"? I feel like this is just like that. Once you go fancy, you can't go back to less comfortable places. YIKES! Let's hope that this isn't going to happen to me.
Now for the food! I didn't find any thai satays that we usually find, in thai restaurants back home. Maybe I'm crazy, but even in culinary school, I believe I was taught that satays came from Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. The peanut sauce kind, just that each variation had their own spices and herbs. I had curries, lots of seafood in Phuket, lots of organs and intestines in various soup noodles(something locals really ate a lot), fried meats on the streets, tried finding grilled meats on stick and papaya salads. I had a lot of fresh local fruits, cheap too! When they are exotic and expensive in America!
One of my last nights in Bangkok. Yes I ordered 3 things for myself!
A very local noodle dish. Pig's blood, tofu, intestines, liver, lungs and noodles.
Khao Sao, Curry Chicken noodles.
Baked Fish wrapped with Banana Leaf. I love the flavors of lemongrass and Kaffir Lime Leaves.
That's how long I've worked. My first long term full time job! I've survived probation, I'm past the 6 month mark. I am actually proud to say that I've made it this far. Given that at times I want to drink myself to death after work (don't worry I am not an alcoholic). I do understand why people in the hospitality/cooking industry do drugs or drink a lot! It's a pretty stressful and demanding job.
I've SURVIVED! Through the 7 months, I've seen people come and go. Some are still going. I must say that it's pretty sad to see some of these guys go. Especially when they're really good workers and are reliable. Yet there were newbies that didn't make it. They've had experience before, but just couldn't get use to the Club's mentality, rhythm and pace. I know that I shouldn't compare myself to them. But it makes me pretty darn proud that I got through it and am sticking around. Even if I have to have a drink or two after work!
My pace has picked up. I am no longer that scared to be on the line by myself. I've managed to knock out nine tickets at once by myself. I pretty much can work any station except for Chinese. If only I knew how to toss that darn Wok, then I would be good.
I've learned a lot in the past seven months. A lot about people, a lot about the kitchen and a lot about myself. I'm still learning and that's good. Life is always about learning.
One thing I have yet to learn is... Why are people never satisfied? No matter how much you offer. There is always someone who is complaining?! Please enlighten me!
I am going to end this post with pics of most of my team at work! These are people that I can rely on and have relied on in the past seven months. Without them, I wouldn't have survived! There wouldn't be a club for people to go to without them either! Cheers!
So here is a quick recap of Vietnam. I know I am lame.
Official Day 2, we started out early with breakfast from the hotel. It was pretty decent. Fried Spring Rolls in the morning! YEAH! Then we headed off on a tour to the Cu Chi Tunnels. How people fit into them and crawled through them or squat walked through them... I have no clue. I went in, attempted a few steps and found myself backing out. It definitely was made for real Asians and not us big Americans, as the world knows us as.
We tried shooting a few rounds while on this tour. Pretty fun, but I was scared my ear drums were blown away!
Can you say Psycho?!
When we were heading back, I was afraid for our lives. Vietnamese drivers are crazy. They go onto which ever lanes they choose to, even if the lane is meant for cars coming your direction! = 1 I don't know about my fellow travelers, but I was hoping to make it out of Vietnam alive so I can continue on my traveling/food adventures else where in the future.
After returning back to Ho Chi Minh city safely we ran in the rain to our next good eats.
We went to Madame Ngoc's Com Nieu Saigon, for dinner. This is also where Bourdain went!
Blood Cockles with Tamarind Sauce
Morning Glory with garlic
Caramelized Catfish.
This is what they're known for. They crack the rice pot that they use to make this rice, which also gives it the crust. They then toss it between two people in the room and serve it with the sesame, scallion, oil topping. It was delish!
And because all my trips are about eating, I have to try everything that I possibly can. We went back to the market at night and I got some grilled meats and fresh fruits! What?! Don't you guys eat more after dinner?!
Day 3: Mekong Delta
What we saw...
Vermin alcoholic beverages that is suppose to make your man "love you long time". Ehhh no thanks!
Fresh coconut candy. That's really like coconut taffy.
Little kids singing Vietnamese Opera.
Little boats taking us from point A to point B on the Mekong. Thank God I didn't fall into the water!
Bees. We got to touch the hive and also have some tea made from fresh honey.
Old lady who suckered me into buying one of her pomelos! I'm a sucker for the elderly and little kids. If they ask me to do anything, I would probably do it 90% of the time.
I was scared, I hate small boats. I've had a bad experience.
Dinner we went to a place where it's a set up like a hawker station, but way fancier in terms of decor and price.
Morning Glory again. aka Tung Choi in Chinese. Coincidentally I am living on a street with the same name. = )
(from top to bottom) Coconut Shrimp, Shrimp and Pork with Glutinous Rice Crepe, Roasted Pork Belly with Vermicelli, Tamarind Crab.
Breakfast at Benh Thah before we leave for Hanoi.
I had some Banh Beo- Rice crepe- (more pudding like texture) with Dried shrimp, pork roll, cilantro, scallions, peanuts, fried garlic and nuoc cham sauce.
Day 4: HANOI HERE WE ARE!
The search is still on for the best Banh Mi! Oh man... this would definitely be one of my top ones. Grilled bread over charcoal! Life is good!
Day 5: We went to another one of Bourdain's eats. Bun Cha. IT WAS GOOD and CHEAP! I freaken love SE ASIA!
Vermicelli served with Fried Pork Spring rolls, Charcoal grilled pork patties right out on the street by these ladies. The spread has the greens, nuoc cham, and mint leaves. Sweet, savory, crispy, crunchy, earthy, and the bbq grilled taste all in one dish. LOVE IT! I love the balance of SE Asian cuisine.
Day 5(last day for me, while Eve continues along on her trip): Breakfast Pho, Halong Bay, Grilled meats with new friends...
God's creation always amazes me! BEAUTIFUL!
Once again, I would like to survive this trip please!
There is something about the sun/sky that makes me calm.
Grilled pork, unripe mango and grilled squid. Pop a squat on the street and you're good to go with the locals!
And of course my last banh mi, this was the worst that I've had.
I think Vietnam is definitely a place worth visiting. I would go back to visit after I travel all of SE Asia first. Let me know if you need any information on the places. Also, if you have other recommendations of places to eat and things to see, please let me know!
