Hanoi revisited - Nov 08

Below are photos that I took mainly at Hanoi. Although I went to Ho Chi Minh City too and in fact spent more time there, a tight work schedule did not allow me the time to do some sightseeing at the city.

As I was staying at the Tan Binh District, which is close to the HCM airport; there are no high rise buildings but electric cables filling up the skylines. Isn't the above amazing?

Unlike here in Malaysia whereby motorcyclists have to squeeze through heavy traffic of cars; in HCM city, cars actually have to squeeze through sea of motorcyclists and cyclists during peak hours. See footage below.

While I was there, I did not have many chances to try the local dishes. There were many street vendors selling Pho (Vietnamese noodles). However, I don't really fancy with the hygiene condition at these stalls. So, KFC and Lotteria were my safest bets for food.

Vietnamese dishes are generally very healthy and easy to digest. The Vietnamese takes a lot of vegetables in their diet and little meat. The dish above is considered "Meaty", with pork and prawns that goes well with shredded lotus roots + onions, tossed in fish sauce.

Perhaps such eating habit has to do a lot with its history and the wars. In fact, what i learnt from the locals is that when KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) was first open, not many can finish 2 pieces of chicken meat as they were not use to eat some much meat in a particular meal.


The salty sauce is the picture is a gem to me. It blends so well with the freshness and natural sweetness of the vegetable when consume. The sauce is made of fish sauce, pork lard and some spice and coriander. Just dip the greens into the sauce and eat, Yummy!

At Hanoi city, especailly at the Old Quarters, mobile vendors selling food and fruits are rather common sights.


There is this street in Hanoi that fill with stalls that make tombstone, like the above. Got any picture, anyone? Ha ha.

Housewives chatting at a stall that sells some puffs or fried pastry

The less busy street of Hanoi's Old Quarters. Compared to Ho Chi Minh city, I found Hanoi is a better place for me. It seemed less chaotic relatively to me and there is a sense of order in the air. After all, Hanoi is the administration capital, whereas Ho Chi Minh city is the commercial capital of Vietnam.

I bought some very interesting Vietnam Propaganda themed souvenirs from this shop - Dogma. Its first shop is located at Ho Chi Minh city and the one at Hanoi is their 3rd branch. This Dogma shop has beautiful and interesting revolutionary posters. Of course, they don't come cheap. The one I enquired was tagged with a price of USD 700. To get the feel of what the shop offers, please visit http://www.dogmavietnam.com/

Street hawker preparing and selling some yummy looking fried snacks at the corner of a cross junction. The owner seemed not very pleased with me taken her photo. Cheer up lady!

Travel agencies are everywhere at Hanoi tourist area.

Bicycle vendor selling straw made hats and baskets

Cross junction of a busy street. Everyone just squeeze through the traffic - people, bicycles, motorbikes and cars. I mentioned earlier that there is a sense of order in the air at Hanoi, however definitely not referring to its traffic. The traffic is chaotic but everyone seemed to be very alert about their surroundings.

Balloon seller like the one in picture can hardly be found in Malaysia nowadays. I still remember that I was so happy to get a balloon when i was a kid...that was thirty odd years ago.

This fountain roundabout is located at the north end of the famous Hoan Kiem Lake. It also marks the "main entrance" to countless shops at the Old Quarters of Hanoi. The renown Bobby Chin restaurant is located at the south end of the lake.

Hoan Kiem lake (Lake of a Restored Sword) is a very photogenic place. The name comes from a legend about a magical sword given by a giant golden tortoise to Emperor Le Loi to drive the Chinese out of Vietnam. After the war, while the Emperor was out fishing in the lake, the giant golden tortoise reappeared and claimed back its sword from the Emperor and took it to the depths of the beautiful lake.

I remembered I took so many photos during my my first trip here to Hoan Kiem Lake. It is a place where locals and tourists can relax at the lake shore. Seeing the image reflections of the sky, the swaying tree branches and the ripples created by the wind on the water, while enjoying an easy breeze has such a calming effect to one's mind.

Ngoc Son temple, a 18th century temple, is situated on an island in the lake. It offers some quietness and serenity to the minds of Hanoi people from the fuzz and buzz of the city. The island is connected to the mainland through the famous Red lacquered bridge.

Peace and quite at the lake shore.... if one can cancel off the noisy traffic at the background.

Motorbike can fetch up to 4 passengers, I have seen it. The one above only shown 3. Such riding required good balancing skills and team work.

Peaceful looking country side. During the war, I wonder how many people have their blood spilt onto the same ground.

Vendor selling Baguette at the road side. Baguette - a very French influence in Vietnamese's diet

Typical building architecture in Vietnam - narrow, deep and tall.

I end this entry with a picture of the berry looking fruiting bodies of a Palmiceae plant at the lobby of a hotel.

Cute things

I was there at Johor Bahru City Square yesterday and by co-incident, there was this road show about ASIMO - Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility - a robot, made by Honda!
Oh man, it is really cute and how i wish I have one. Afterall, my birthday is coming soon. Ha! Ha! For more info and clearer view of this adorable robot, please visit the Honda's website: http://www.honda.com.my/asimo/

ASIMO Runs!






ASIMO exercises and dances!




Speaking of my birthday, those dearest bosom buddies of mine sent me the most sweetest beearlied birthday gift i ever received.. See below.

It Has Been Long

My last entry was in September 2008. Many incidences have happened in Malaysia.

Examples...

1. RPK has been released from ISA by Court decision but the Home Ministry is trying to overthrow such decision and now is making its appeal. This is because such decision demonstrated that the ISA arrest of RPK was purely politically motivated and this make some high profile ministers look really bad.
2. Law Minister Zaid Ibrahim's noble resignation for disagreeing and going against the government's (or some high profile ministers') will to use the Draconian law of ISA to their oppositions.
3. Najib rose to power in UMNO and scandals that were previously considered linking to him, like the infamous Atlantuya murder case is suddenly declared to be resolved after dragging for so many years since 2006. A.R.A.Baginda, who is one of the main suspect of this case and who was Najib's buddy is now a freeman. He even came out to defend Najib and his wife's innocence and has publicly announced about his intention to pursue his doctorate degree in UK (So, possibly will never come back to Malaysia). B.Subramaniam, who was potentially a key witness of the case is still missing and not even the Malaysian police force and Immigration Dept. know his whereabouts (Shock! Surprise!). The Russian Helicopter deal / scandal, which was made when Najib was the Minister of Defense, is now covered and brushed off by the government.
4. Also, JAKIM wanting to issue fatwa that Yoga is un-Islamic and forbids Mulslims from practising yoga.
5. The suggestion of opening up UiTM to Non-Bumis was heavily protested by UiTM students and its Vice Chancel or (who happened to be an UMNO strongman and who happened to be a pioneer of setting up UMNO sort of student society during his University years in overseas)
6. Government's denial of failing in protecting Penan aboriginals' human rights and claimed foreign media reports of employees of a large logging company in raping Penan women in Sarawak as lies.
7. Policemen harassing peaceful Candlelight vigil against ISA.
8. Malay student NGO accusing the Penang local council for violating the Malaysia Constitution by naming road signs (that direct tourists to tourist spots) in languages other than Malay and English, whereas road signs in Johor can be named also in Jawi (Arabic).
9. Credit crunch in the US. Its effect rippled across the world, lead to world financial crisis and progressing to world recession.
10. Malaysian government still claims its economy is OK and safe while other countries already taken measures to protect the economy.
11. Inflation has reached all time high in July 08 and the situation doesn't seem to improve in real terms.
12. Palm oil and petroleum (main commodities and sources of income to Malaysia) prices have fallen sharply.
13. To cushion the economy downturn, under the stewardship of Najib, the government directed a huge sum of people's retirement fund from EPF to one (and only) investment company (i.e. all eggs into 1 basket), with the aim to keep stimulating the Malaysian economy.
    
    So, nothing seems to have changed in Malaysia. The ruling party still rule and divide by playing the race and religion cards. They are still Draconian and power hungry, and favor the ideology of "Ketuanan" which is racism in disguise in another name. The police force is still seen like to harass and intimidate normal citizens and the oppositions, still favor protecting the politically rich and powerful; instead of divert its resources to protect justice, upholding just laws, and fighting the ever increasing crime rate in Malaysia. The ruling elites, who claim to be the interest protectors of one race, are still seen comfortably siphoning people's money into their pockets instead of channeling to the poor and needy - even from their own people. Yet, they blame other races for taking away their people's wealth and privileges.