Travelogue around Asia Pacific Part II

 Hanoi -The bustling city of Hanoi is known for its rich culture, history, and vibrant nightlife. It is home to some of the most breathtaking views of the cityscape, especially from the Top of Hanoi, the tallest sky bar in the city. At 65 storeys, the stunning view from the top and the live music that fills the air make it the perfect place for a night out with friends. As we reach the top of Lotte Hotel sky bar, we felt the chilly winds of Hanoi cut through our clothes.  We knew that it was going to be a cold and windy night, but the stunning 360 view of Hanoi was worth the visit.   It was probably the shivering look of us that the waiter brought us blankets. Willy covered in a blanket As we settled in and ordered our drinks, we felt the cold winds picking up.  The kind lady waiter asked us whether we needed blankets and it was a resounding yes.  Signature cocktail The live band continued to play in the cold wind and as the night progressed, the city light...

 Hanoi - Hanoi is known for its rich culinary scene, and one restaurant that stands out for its delicious food and stunning decor is Cha Ca Thong Long. Located in the heart of the city, this restaurant offers a unique dining experience that is sure to leave a lasting impression. Cha Ca Thang Long The restaurant is named after its signature dish, Cha Ca, which is a Vietnamese-style fish dish that is cooked with turmeric and dill, and served with vermicelli noodles, peanuts, and herbs. Cha Ca Thong Long has been serving this dish for over 100 years, and it is widely regarded as the best in the city. Cha Ca dish cooking over a hot stove The secret to the deliciousness of Cha Ca Thong Long's Cha Ca lies in the freshness of the ingredients. The fish used in the dish is sourced daily from local markets, and the turmeric and dill are hand-picked from nearby farms. The result is a dish that is bursting with flavor and aroma, and is unlike anything you've ever tasted before. Rice noodle...

Hanoi - After our 'Obama Bun Cha' and with some time on our hands, we went to visit the Hanoi Imperial Citadel.  As I walked through the gates of the Hanoi Imperial Citadel, I was transported back in time to the 11th century, when the citadel was first constructed. The citadel, also known as the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, served as the political center of Vietnam for over 1,000 years. It was the seat of power for the Ly, Tran, Le, and Nguyen dynasties, and is considered one of the most important historical sites in Vietnam. A citadel is a type of fortress that is typically used to protect a city or important site from attack. The Hanoi Imperial Citadel was built in 1010 by Emperor Ly Thai To, and was the political and cultural center of Vietnam for centuries. The citadel was strategically located near the Red River and was surrounded by a moat and massive walls that were up to 12 meters high and 3 meters thick. In 2010, the Hanoi Imperial Citadel was designated a UNESCO World...

Hanoi - Bun Cha Huong Lien is a small restaurant located in the heart of Hanoi, Vietnam. It gained worldwide recognition when it was featured in an episode of Anthony Bourdain's hit travel show, "Parts Unknown," in 2016. The episode featured a meal shared between Bourdain and former US President Barack Obama, and the restaurant has since become a must-visit destination for foodies and travelers alike. "Vietnam, it grabs you and doesn't let you go. Once you love it, you love it forever" - Anthony Bourdain Obama was here! The restaurant's signature dish is bun cha, a Vietnamese dish that consists of grilled pork served with rice noodles, herbs, and a fish sauce-based dipping sauce. The pork is marinated in a special blend of herbs and spices, giving it a unique and delicious flavor. Bun Cha Bun Cha Huong Lien is a small, unassuming restaurant that seats only a handful of customers at a time. It is located on a quiet street in Hanoi's Old Quarter, away...

Hanoi - Around dinner we were hankering for Vietnamese food and went to Dong Xuan Market but the famous Night market is only happening on the weekends.   On Monday, it has quieten down with few shops opened - not interesting so we went searching for food.   Came to this restaurant packed on the ground floor with Vietnamese so it most be good; the waiters guided us up to the 2nd floor.    We ordered our food from the menu and next came the shock! This auntie was coughing into our vegetables and served that bowl of vegetables to us - we looked at each other and laughed in disbelief.   As we were thirsty we order drinks.  Edmund look at her coughing and she covered her mouth but managed to scoop up the ice into the cups for us - Edmund was the brave pathfinder who drank the ice tea.   Bun Ca Bun ca is a classic and healthy Hanoi-style Vietnamese noodle soup. The broth is savory, flavorful, and slightly sour, and is stuffed full of veg...

 Hanoi - We went to have our lunch.  Lesley and Edmund has not arrived yet to Hanoi. Nice chill sushi lunch with Willy Salmon belly sashimi  Sushi set  Fried seafood udon

Singapore - After our Lawn Bowling competition, I drove to Old Airport Road Hawker Centre with Edmund and my youngest son, Paxton to have some delicious lunch. Chaw Kwa Teow - a perennial Singapore favourite - a long queue for this stall with yearly awarded Michelin stars.  Lao Fu Zi Fried Kway Teow Light Fried Kway Teow Dark Fried Kway Teow A delicious amount of flavour with Chinese sausages, cockles and dark sauce to make this dish a darker look.   Tou Fu with Ginko nuts Tou Fu with Grass Jelly  Famous Soursop juice A good lunch with sensory overload of delicious Singapore food .

Singapore - I was introduced to this game by Edmund, and we practice a couple of times together.  On Saturday, we competed in the National Singles 21 Shots up and it was fun.   My son, Paxton participated too. Pax playing in the rain Me on the lawn bowl