It a long weekend in Vietnam this weekend . Most of the people try to leave the cities and head out to outside destinations . Guess what that where I work . so instead of lazy moments of enjoying the Holidays . I am up to my ears with Guest -Expats, High Government Officials , Embassy Officials on R&R. So I am busy as heck.
I can wait for my own R&R to Saigon due in a few weeks . It’s my turn to get pampered
Usually test dummy end up smashed up on some simulated car crash.
Today our Thai Spa Manager asked me if I would be willing to test the Spa staff on the new treatments. I am willing subject for such pampering and so I blissfully enjoyed the Swedish aromatherapy massage for the 90 minutes.
The joys of working in my industry , Now I am just waiting for the new Executive chef to come hehehe.
Today I was able to slip in a rest day after 9 days of work. I left my place of my work and headed downtown about 30 mins drive
. I slip into an open coffee shop to taste what Vietnamese coffee was. Vietnam has yet to see a Starbucks but I saw Gloria Jeans Coffee in Saigon but that was about 686 KM away and I plan to taste the local food . Vietnamese coffee is pretty strong as they export a large amount of Arabica beans to the world.
Since it was a hot day with temperature reaching 32 C. I order a glass or iced coffee with milk rather the authentic Vietnamese Hot drip coffee . The waitress brought me a glass of iced tea. I took a sip, it was unsweetened tea with a hint of rice similar to some Japanese Green Tea in which some browned rice included.
After a minute my order of ice coffee arrived. Coffee was strong indeed but it reminded me of the coffee I used to usually have in the street cafés in Malaysia. You have to mix the concoction properly or you end up drink an overly sweet layer then a bitter black taste.
By mixing it you get a cool, mocha like drink.
I sipped my iced coffee and using the free iced tea to wash my palette. It was an excellent experience while I watch city buzzing around and Listening to chit chats in Vietnamese while drinking their own coffee.
As paid my bill of 10,0000VND or .77 cents US. I look forward next week to enjoy another morning there.
After a night of rains and strong winds
getting only 3 hours of sleep between Typhoon updates from the NOAA.
Joy is sitting down and enjoying a bowl of hot Tempura udon with Togarashi spice on the side.
A total comfort food for a chilly night.
