Ho Chi Minh City New Years and Tet

We loved Phnom Penh for its anything goes madness, but the order of HCMC was quite a relief. We like to try to walk as much as possible, but Phnom Penh was the only place we had to take a tuktuk-- after being hit by motorbikes a few times.

 

One of the best parts of Phnom Penh was staying at the workshop of the Cambodian Handicraft Association. This group helps women with various physical disabilities (like being deaf or those with issues walking from polio) learn job skills as well as english and life skills. It was really great to meet them and see their work. We found them on airbnb. We were sad to leave because we really felt welcome and enjoyed our time there.

Three Phnom Penh food highlights were Dosa Corner, Alma Cucina Mexicana, and the Sesame Noodle Bar. The huevos rancheros at Alma rivaled some of the best I've had in the southwest. They even had chilaquiles, which I rarely see outside of AZ and Mexico. It's funny that I've had to go to Southeast Asia to get good Mexican. Back home in New England, the Mexican is really mediocre. My only complaint about this place was that it closed at 2pm, or we would have gone back for dinner. Dosa corner was also great and offered a pretty excellent variety of dosa. The Sesame Noodle Bar was also great. The pickled okra was inspiring. I think I'll grown some in our garden when we get back-- that's how good it was.

We arrived in Ho Chi Minh City as everyone was gearing up for the lunar new year celebrations. It's the year of the goat, if you couldn't tell from the awesome golden goats for sale on this street corner. Almost every street had someone selling some new year related treat like ornamental garlic towers, trees, or specially shaped fruit.

This is the view from a public bus of some great banners. This guy was blasting ACDC while driving his bus. It was pretty awesome.

everyone must have a holiday tree and many are strapped to the backs of motorbikes whizzing by 

 

gearing up for the main event-- just a little traffic

Daphne wishing you all a happy new year

There were some pretty wild crowds. So after some really tasty street food, we decided to make our way back to watch the fireworks out of our hotel window.

Week 5 - Heading to Can Tho and around the Mekong tomorrow