My Tongue is My Weapon!

Heya Folks,

Sunday last we had the opportunity to watch BeePro 2010, an annual English Debating Contest right here in Hanoi. My fabulous friends Thu and Yue Ming were participating as team 'Walkie Talkie', and we were recruited as the cheering squad!
We spent the evening before preparing this ace banner and memorable slogan, and then did our best to cheer them through the grueling rounds of the competition. I was really impressed with the teams that took part, their creativity and ability to debate in English difficult topics such as Globalisation, Nuclear Power and Eco-Tourism. Impressive stuff indeed.

Sadly, Walkie Talkie missed out on the top prize, but nevertheless, had a great night. Well Done!

SarahHeadsEast xx

Singapore Sling

Heya Folks,
Tour of Asian Megacities part2......I have officially been in Hanoi for 6months, which means that it's Visa-renewal time! I chose the Asian Megacity of Singapore for my 'visa-run', and have just returned from a fab few days away in this metropolis. Just like Kuala Lumpur, the city and the mtro-system were an absolute breeze to manage, and the city had none of the scariness of London. It was clean, friendly, diverse and extremely efficient.

Although I was only there for a short break, I managed to explore Sentosa Island, billed as Singapore's 'Adventure Playground'. It didnt disappoint. The best part was going up the 'Skytower', the highest obsrvation point in Singapore, for a fab cityscape view that I missed out on in KL.

Later on I found my way to Siloso Beach, which was a fab place to relax for a few hours with my book and a 'Singapore Sling': Singapore's signature drink which was surprisingly strong! It was a perfect moment to marvel at another travel adventure successfully executed.

Later on I wandered my way through one of Singapore's shopping malls, of which there are many to choose from. Having been deprived of clothes for western sizes in Hanoi, I relished the opportunity to buy things that actually fit me and even bought a few things from the Marks and Spencers Singapore branch!


All in all it was a fab trip, but its equally fab to be back in Hanoi. After all, Singapore is a great city, but it doesnt feel like Asia. Once you step inside one of the many, many, many shopping malls, you could easily be in London, New York, or any other city. I did find hints of the bustling Asia that I know and love, especially in the 'Little India' district where my hostel was, but they were relatively tame compared with the chaos of Hanoi.

I arrived back in Hanoi in style. On the back of a motorbike, bugs stuck to my face and belly full of 3000 dong Pho. Is there any finer way to say 'I'm home'?

SarahHeadsEast xx

Food on the Move

Heya Folks,
A new phenomenon has swept across Hanoi, that of 'revolving' food. Saturday last, we decided to check it out. We each got an individual hotpot, in which to put various pieces of food which were transported around the restaurant on a central conveyor belt. You have to take your chances, and grab what you can, when you can, lest it doesnt come around again! A complete DIY meal which was great fun, especially because I could tailor-make mine to my vegetarian tastes!

Having not been to a revolving restaurant such as this before, it was a rather novel experience for me and I had great fun. Will definitely be making a return visit!

SarahHeadsEast xx

Ninh Binh

Heya Folks,
It's Reunification weekend in Hanoi, which means more fireworks at Hoan Kiem Lake, street parties, performances and Vietnamese people everywhere having fun. Lots of people get together with their families to celebrate this holiday, and I was lucky enough to be invited along to a few of them. Yesterday I took an overcrowded bus with friends to the city of Ninh Binh in Ha Nam province, to visit my friends' family. It turned out to be a very rural (Nagarkot-esque) smallholding in a small rural village way off the beaten track. Loads of animals there, including Porcupines! (of course! what else!). We enjoyed a delicious (if meat-heavy, ooerr) meal, and then took a boat trip amongst some gorgeaus rice paddies and in amongst limestone karsts. It was soooooo relaxing to get out of the city for the day, and I had a really really good time.


SarahHeadsEastxx

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Marmite

Heya Folks,
Looked who dropped into Hanoi last week! Friends of my Dad's, Angela and Jose, on the start of their three week trip through Vietnam. We met up for coffee on their first day here, and then later on I took them to NewDay restaurant, authentically Vietnamese and always very popular. After that I took them to meet my friends at the ever-popular 'Bia Hoi', and we had a great time chatting and drinking 10p Beer! I only wish they stayed longer in Hanoi so I could have shown them round proprly (and they could have helped out our appalling pub quiz team on tuesday night!), but they set off the next day for Sapa, and then on southwards.

I wish them the best of luck on their trip in Vietnam, it was great to meet them and I hope they had a great time in Hanoi!

SarahHeadsEast xx

PS - the blog title.....a little gift from Angela and Jose. Somehow, the world is more manageable armed with a jar of marmite. Thanks guys!