Phnom Penh dispatches: Lunch with the local workers; sticky rice with a small bowl of bitter chicken soup (US$1.50). See that round thing in the soup? It’s a Cambodian pickled lime and astringently sour. Not smart to scoff it whole – knowledge I learned after the fact. I’m damaged goods for a little while…
Breakfast
DON’T U HATE IT WHEN YOU’RE TRAVELLING AND…
Phnom Penh dispatches: Something in the water in South-East Asia makes my clothes shrink. A bit more each day until I go home. Hmmm. Anyway, lashing out for lunch today: delicious duck and fresh hand-made noodles ($US4.50) at one of my fav tourist eateries, Davids Noodles…
TRAVEL WEBSITES: WHAT CAN WE BELIEVE?
I have been banging on for at least 5 years, about the huge flaw in travel websites such as Tripadvisor: they are too open to manipulation. See the newdaily.com report: https://thenewdaily.com.au/money/consumer/2018/07/31/meriton-penalty-misleading-tripadvisor/
WINTER FARE IS SIMPLY … MOORISH
Halal Sample Pack for just $6.90. I could waffle on about the subtle mint yoghurt languidly counterbalancing the sharp, spicy sauce but, hey, this is just Lord of the Kebab in Fitzroy Street, St Kilda. Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton, join us for a halal lunch…
SO DELICATE, SO DELICIOUS…
The famous White Rose prawn dumplings of Hoi An: Compared to South Melbourne Market Dim Sims? Well, think of Snow White next to Shrek. I told the owner the “garnish” – crunchy dried, fried onion bits – made my hair re-grow, as I scoffed the lot. Tip: don’t eat the green thing in the dipping juice, it’s hothothothot…
DUCK OUT FOR A LIGHT BITE…
The words “light” and “duck” should not be in the same sentence when describing food; duck is fatty. But to borrow from incomparable TV cook Rick Stein, this duck congee (rice soup often unkindly named gruel or porridge) “is just so surprisingly refreshing”. Not unlike myself it is way better than it looks. US$1.30 at locals’ eatery, Hoi An, Vietnam
ACCOMM LUXURY AT A QUARTER OF THE PRICE…
This “Style Homestay” guest house in Hoi An gets best value on this Vietnam trip. I’ve done the US$13 a night guest houses in Ho Ch Minh City and DaNang, great for solo travel, but this for US$18 is couples standard: 98m sq, glass doors to huge balcony, street view, and 4-star standard bathroom. This is a lady pleaser. Hmmm now to find one…
LIFE-AND-DEATH DRAMA IN A VIETNAMESE SEAFOOD RESTAURANT…
“C’mon Harry, one last big effort and you’re over the top and we’re both free!” (Oops, wrong side – that’s the bucket of cockle shells destined for dinner. As they say, out of the frying pan and into the… or, why myopic sea snails stalled at evolution’s first step)
THIS IS A NEW SOUTH-EAST ASIA DINING EXPERIENCE…
A serve of fried pork, off the menu. And that’s exactly what comes. Huh? No steamed rice? Nope, that’s an extra “side”. Unusual for Vietnam, where servings are generous and staff are pleasant. Oh well, this is the “tourist area”…
THESE TASTY LITTLE GUYS ARE…
Vietnamese dumplings (ha cao, dim sum), perfect for a late breakfast, one serve (6) costs $1.20 Aussie in the “pricey” tourist areas. Hmmmm what’s Vietnamese for “more please”…
Haxtrax 