LUST for LIFE

So far I’ve shared some glimpses of my visit to Vietnam, or Hà Nội to be more specific. Have uploaded pix of motorcyclists, Hoan Kiem Lake, etc. Not forgetting the ‘conical’ hats which hide the wearers’ faces.

Of course, there’s more in store. I shot something like 600 plus photos. That’s the beauty of digital photography - you just shoot to your heart’s delight as long as storage space permits - unlike film photography where we amateurs would be conscious of the cost factor. And there’s less room for errors; every shot counts.

Anyway, it takes time to go through and select those worthwhile images to be published. So please bear with me. Needless to say, it’s impossible to upload all of the shots. The bulk will stay archived on the back-up media.

That cute-looking taxi is a Korean-made car. Don’t think it’s available in Malaysia. BTW inflation in Vietnam was in the region of 25% in mid-2008. I read that a litre of 92-octane petrol (pumped by most motorcyclists) cost 19,000 Dong (about $1.10) in Feb 2008.

This gives a hint of what’s coming up for the next few postings. Yep, it’s on food. So stay tuned.

In the heart of Hà Nội, within walking distance, to the south of the bustling Old Quarter, rests a calm body of water – the enchanting Hoan Kiem Lake. Several of the city’s finest colonial buildings are located in the vicinity, including the French-styled Opera House and the History Museum.

The lake has a somewhat King Arthur legend behind its history. It’s said that in the mid-15th century, a giant turtle delivered a heavenly sword to King Le Thai To which he used to defend the country against invaders from the north. After the war, when the king was sailing on Green Water Lake, a giant turtle emerged near his boat. The king placed his sword in the turtle’s  mouth and disappeared in the lake’s depth. The king renamed the lake Ho Hoan Kiem (Lake of the Restored Sword) – the sword was given to him by the Heaven to fight the invading enemy; now that peace was restored, the sword was returned to its divine owner.

The lake is bordered by trees. On an islet, linked to the main land by a red wooden bridge, stands the small Ngoc Son Temple, dedicated to General Tran Hung Dao, a hero who defeated the Mongolians in the 13th century; and La To, patron saint of physicians. <Canon 350D: ISO 100; F/10; 1/160 sec>

When we’re in Hà Nội, the sun set around 5.10pm local time. This was taken at 5.33pm. <Canon 350D: ISO 800; F/4; 1/4 sec>

Canon 350D: ISO 800; F/4.5; 1/3 sec - 5.34pm

Like the elegant áo dài worn by Vietnamese women, the cone-shaped hat is also very much an integral part of the country’s culture. Weaved from palm leaves, the cone hat offers an effective protection for the wearer from the sun and rain

Judging from their khaki uniform, they are probably city council staff  <Canon 350D: ISO 400; F/11; 1/250 sec>

Two vendors on their round, hawking farm products  <Canon 350D: ISO 400; F/5.6; 1/160 sec>

Notice that Vietnamese women play an role in the economic activities  <Canon 350D: ISO 400; F/7; 1/160 sec>

This caption story starts with the lady in high heel shoes helping to adjust her companion’s helmet strap or something. And there’s the biker waiting patiently for someone. In the foreground, a young lady placing a heavy load onto her bike. BTW this was taken outside the Đồng Xuân market. <Canon 350D: ISO 200; F/7; 1/200 sec>

Friends and ex-colleagues of YC Chung (aka Chin) and his other half, Ee Mei, will be glad to know that their Coffee Ritual Cafe has relocated from its previous premises in Phileo Damansara to PJ’s Section 14, on the same street as TGIF. Just reopened for business a few days ago. And as Ei Mei said, the interior is still being decorated and spruced up.

As its name suggests, the cafe’s specialty is its range of coffee beverages. That aside, it has a wide range of menu for breakfast and lunch/dinner. The kitchen is headed by Chin’s sister, Esther, who had previously worked with Marché in Singapore and later the Swiss Garden Hotel, KL.

Coffee Ritual is at 35 Jalan 14/20, 46100 Petaling Jaya. Tel: 012-2960251 / 012- 2019935. Opens Mon-Sat 10am-11pm & weekends/public holidays 9am-10pm. Pork free. No alcoholic drinks.

(Free 1-hour parking for customers who spent RM30 & above.) 

My wife and I were the first customers on its first Sunday opening when we dropped in for breakfast. Chin recommended the Turkey Toast Crêpe (with mozzorella cheese, salad and cream sauce). It’s good choice!

My wife Helen opted for the simple breakfast set.

During our stay 5D4N stay in Hà Nội, including an overnight stay in Ha Long Bay, I’d observed that Vietnamese women are a hard working lot. They’re actively involved in various trading activities. As the photos show, many women have strong necks too! They can easily balance a heavy load on their heads as they walk along the busy streets.

<Canon 350D: ISO 400; F/7; 1/80 sec>

<Canon 350D: ISO 200; F/10; 1/160 sec> 

As you can see, motorbikes are used for various purposes including transporting bulky and heavy goods. This was taken outside the Đồng Xuân Wholesale Market. <Canon 350D: ISO 200; F/5; 1/200 sec>

Bikers waiting in line for parking spaces…they have to pay a fee.

While waiting for the coach to pick us up outside the Đồng Xuân Market, spotted this small boy riding pillion on a bike. I was about 70 metres from him. When he saw me aiming my camera at him, he looked down. <Canon 350D: ISO 200; F/8; 1/200 sec>

The streets in Vietnam are crowed with bicycles and motorcycles - the main mode of transportation in this country with a population of 84 million. A report says that at end-1999 there were some 20 million bicycles and 5.6 million motorbikes. Annual sales of bicycles and motobikes are estimated at 1 million and 1.5 million respectively. <Lumix FX9: ISO 200; F/2.8; 1/8 sec>

In Hà Nội alone - a city of about 3.4 million people - there are some 1.4 million bikes registered as at end-2007 compared to 20,690 auto vehicles. BTW note the low hanging cables. <Lumix FX9: ISO 100; F/2.8; 1/15 sec>

Have bikes will travel…it’s so convenient, getting you along lanes where vehicles can’t pass through. The ladies were doing their shopping as they sat on their 2-wheelers. <Lumix FX9: ISO 200; F/2.8; 1/8 sec>

Fancy having a haircut in the open? In a public place with people walking past? I recall having seen roving barbers on their bicycles in my neighbourhood during my younger days. I don’t think the younger generation can see this in Malaysia today.

<Lumix FX9: ISO 100; F/2.8; 1/60 sec>

This barber also provides another service - removing ear wax. It’s located on a busy street in the city’s Old Quarter, with numerous tourist-class hotels, tour agencies and food stalls. This was taken with my compact digicam, as my wife and I were walking back to my hotel at night. When I pressed the shuttle button, horror of horrors, the flash fired. I’d earlier set the flash to ‘off’. I just continued walking, looking in another direction!

<Lumix FX9: ISO 400; F/2.8; 1/60 sec>

Vietnam is a fascinating country. At every street and corner, you’ll probably come across a sight that’s unique to its way of life or culture. Take for instance the scene in the above photo… guess why these people - mostly foreigners - are sitting around? Well, they’re actually enjoying their bia hoi. <Canon 350D: ISO 1600; F/4.5; 1/15 sec>

Bia hoi is the Vietnamese draught (also draft or tap) beer. Not only is it fresh and tastier but it is also much cheaper. It is only VND 3,000 per glass. That’s less than RM1 per glass (1,000 Dong = RM0.21). These bia hoi joints are the local hanging-out scenes. You sit on low plastic chairs or stools by the road side, sharing experience and news with fellow country men or travellers over a beer. Plenty of cheap snacks to go with the beer too. <Canon 350D: ISO 1600; F/5; 1/25 sec>