No Excuses!

 I have no excuses.  I have totally neglected the blog.  Yes life has been very busy and I cant even remember where I left off! We have just returned from a fantastic 2 week break in the Eastern Mediterranean and although I would like to say we have come back refreshed and ready to go, I think I need a holiday after my holiday! Just wanted to let you know the blog is still active and I promise to do better!  Will post a photo dump soon!

How many times is too many to do an XO Foodie Tour in Vietnam? I'm not sure but so far its not five!

So how many times is too many to do the same Motorbike Foodie Tour run by XO Tours in Ho Chi Minh City?  Well, so far it ain't 5!

Hang on, I may be wrong here.  I have actually lost count. We may have done more!  For regular blog readers you will know that we were lucky enough to live in Saigon for nearly 4 years back in 2010-2014.  We had the absolute time of our lives and it will always hold a special place in our hearts. During that time we met and became friends with Tung who back then was just setting up his new business.  The business model was touring around Saigon at night on the back of a motorbike, driven by the most amazingly smart and articulate young Vietnamese women in ao dai's, all whilst explaining the history of the city and its 24 districts and safely sampling the best street food the city has to offer. Hell yes!  Best idea ever!  Fast forward a few years and XO tours has been named as one of the top 9 food tours in the world by Forbes Magazine. He's an ideas man that Tung! Over 100,000 tours later and with an expansion into night sightseeing tours as well as photography tours, there really is something for everyone.

So when we had the chance to meet up with our old friend Jack who was going to be in Ho Chi for a week, we jumped at the chance to hop on a quick 2 hour flight from KL and met up to reminisce about the good old days!  Why do XO again?  Are you kidding me?  It wasn't even a consideration not to.  Firstly, the Saigon on our first ever tour back in the day actually in no way resembles the Saigon of today.  It is such an ever-changing and dynamic city. In fact, you could probably do this tour once a month and still see something new every time. The girls change (but they are always incredible, I don't know how Tung finds them!), the restaurants change, the menu changes and the routes are regularly changing also. I also get a real buzz out of going on the tour with people who have not done it before (although Jack is now a 2 time veteran!) and I get to see the pure joy on their face as we fly through the city, with every sight, smell and sound assaulting their senses.  Nothing like it.  I have recommended XO to so many people over the years and every single one without exception has told me upon their return that it was the absolute highlight of their time in Vietnam.  I suggest do it as early on in your trip as you can as it really does give you a feel for the city, and you will fall in love with it!  One thing that does not change is the moment at the end of the tour when the girls drop you back at your hotel and you have to say goodbye to a friend.  Seriously.  Every. Single. Time. I have to run away because I am in tears.

So below is a series of pics that encapsulate our Saturday night on the town with XO. This time we actually experienced something we had not experienced previously.  RAIN.  Only rained for about 30 minutes but I BLOODY loved it.  Exhilarating!  Enjoy the ride!!!

AND Nick got to watch the footy!!

Chinatown….Again

 Ok. So it appears I may be obsessed with Chinatown. It just feels so familiar. It’s bustling and fun with so much to explore. Yesterday I decided to ditch the Grab ride and make my way there via the new MRT station a stones throw from our place. As it has just opened it is free until the end of the month. A 300m walk, one train to Tun Razak Exchane, change and three stops and there I was. Probably 15-20 minutes in total. Traffic can be mad here especially when it rains so it is great to have a plan B. 

Super clean and organised. Just pay for a token from the machines (or free for now). You tap the token on the way in then insert the token on the way out. The maps are pretty easy to read but if you get confused the station attendants are all happy to help and understand English. 

Hungry when I got there (what’s new!) I grabbed a bite from the local food hall in the market. A wonton soup and a lime and sour plumb juice for a total of $5AUD. 

I spent a bit of time sussing out the prices on an amazing array of knock off goods but was not buying today. Just getting a feel of how far I could barter down. I did buy a bag the other day where the guy started at 380RM and I purchased for 80RM. You can take the girl out of Vietnam!!!

I decided to walk home which left me a sweaty mess but a total of around 8KMs for the day. Bonus was I found my “I’ll just have one drink” glass on the way home! 

Luciano's Italian Street Food - Seriously Great Italian food in KL!

Stumbled across a true gem today!  Not far from the office is Luciano's Italian Street Food.  I was looking for a quick lunch that wasn't Asian  but still quick and easy.  We are yet to find a great pizza here and I had seen some good reviews about this place. Quiddy and I ducked in for lunch and it didn't disappoint.  Authentic, simple and bloody delicious! Luciano is Italian and his wife Liz is Malaysian having lived in the UK for a few years. Everything is home made and you can feel the love in every bite.  They quite often sell out and when that is the case they close the doors and too bad...so sad.  Better luck next time.  Today we had a Margarita pizza for Q and I had a Beef Pepperoni Carbonara. It was absolutely divine! It was also lovely to chat to Liz as our order was being prepared.  Such a lovely couple.  They started the business just after lockdowns finished.  A quiet start but things are now doing well. I get the feeling this hidden gem will quickly become a firm favorite in town.  I know it will be for us! They are closed Mondays and close relatively early at around 7pm weekdays and a little later on the weekends.  The menu changes regularly with additions such as arancini and meatballs in the mix. Didn't get a chance to have dessert but will be back to try the panna cotta very very soon!

The homemade pizza base that is topped with all things Italian. 

Scarlett mentioned just the other day she missed chibatta. The bread here can be very sweet and we miss the Aussie stuff. My eyes lit up when I saw this.  I took 2 home and put them in the air fryer for a few minutes.  OMG.  I nearly cried.  So very very good!

It's only a small place so would recommend booking if coming with a larger group.  As everything is made to order., it's not fast food but its GREAT food!

 

Anniversary Weekend in Penang

 Nick and I recently celebrated our 25 year wedding anniversary.  I know right!  Crazy! We decided to take a bit of a road trip to Penang.  As much as I would have love to have flown, Nick was keen to hit the road.  It makes sense I guess.  The trip to the airport from home is around 45 minutes, then check in, one hour flight, taxis to the hotel etc.  By the time we would have arrived we could nearly have driven! All up it took us around 4 hrs each way and it was nice to see a bit of the countryside.  A quick stop for breakfast in Ipoh which is around half way and we were in Georgetown, Penang by lunch.

We stayed at the Eastern and Oriental Hotel on the very outskirts of the old town. The grand old dame is 138 years old but doing well for her age.  We stayed in the Heritage Wing which is the original section. I have to say although lovely it could do with a bit of a spruce up.  Apparently the newer section is a bit more flash and we would definitely stay in that wing next time. 

Our only real goal for the weekend was to explore the old part of Georgetown. Being an old British settlement the buildings are totally different to most of those in KL.  In fact Georgetown is a UNESCO Heritage Site which will give you some idea of how impressive they are! The streets are also lined with beautiful old Chinese shop houses with many now converted into hotels, restaurants and funky bars.  There is a Chinatown and a Little India as well as more Mosques, temples and churches than you can poke a stick at.  All in all plenty to keep us busy as we wandered around all day and into the evening.  Absolutely all doable on foot.  Mind you, it was hot.  I mean REALLY hot! Thankfully the pool at the E&O sorted that out pretty quickly.  Free canapés and cocktails between 6 and 7 also didn't hurt.  Well played E&O!

First a stop in Ipoh for breakfast.  Will definitely come back to spend more time here.

Eastern and Oriental.  Like stepping back in time.

Warning...mostly street art spam ahead!

Little India for lunch and to rehydrate. Man it was hot! (the weather as well as the lunch!)

Wanted to buy Scarlett a gift.  Pink or yellow.  I was instructed to burn them immediately.