A night of luxury.
One of the things that Izzy and I love the most about traveling is that everything is so far removed from our regular lives. Every now and again, though, we all need to feel the comforts of home right?
On our final night in Ho Chi Minh City we went to the Opera House and booked tickets to the Hon Viet 'The Soul of Vietnam' show, which is exclusively performed on the 15th and 23rd of each month only. Tickets were available in A class ($24 USD), B class ($20 USD) and C class ($5 USD). We splashed out and went with A class seats, in the VIP area right up the very front. $24 on this side of the world is a lot of money - around 3 or 4 nights of accommodation per person, so already this felt like a big deal. Off we tottered back to our hostel and got as glammed up as our backpacks would allow - Izzy in a shirt, and me in a pretty black dress. Both outfits complete with our only pair of footwear at present - jandals. Hah!
We were instructed to arrive half an hour before the show, where photos were taken with the cast, free (and lethal) coconut wine was served alongside crystalised ginger and roasted cashews. The show was a series of small plays portraying traditional Vietnamese stories. It was delightful, and aesthtically very pleasing, although admittedly it was nowhere near on par with New Zealand's performance standards!
After the show we spontaneously decided to splash out and eat somewhere deliciously expensive. We love street food, and especially love the 75c-$3 price range for a meal, but tonight was occasion for something else. We went to a gorgeous wee Italian restaurant called Ciao Bella. Full of expats, this restaurant was on 4 levels and was totally buzzing with excitement and very fat wallets.
Coming from Wellington we are used to impeccable service, fine wine and the most glorious food. It's been three and a half months since we have had all three of these luxuries coincide at once, but tonight was about to make up for that. We totally lapped up the attentive and thoughtful hospitality. Free (and unlimited!) warm baguettes with whole bulbs of roasted garlic and fresh pesto dips. Free Italian champagne. Free limoncello to round off the meal. Ah, yes.
Over baguettes we got chatting to a Taiwanese couple from California at the next table, who so kindly shared their pizza with us. Between the pizza, baguettes, an entree of goats cheese stuffed zucchini flowers and wine however, I almost had no space left for my Gorgonzola and sage stuffed ravioli. Almost.
Here's the best bit. Our two hours of total bliss, incredible food, delectable wine and fine service at one of Saigon's loveliest restaurants cost a grand total of $36 USD. They even fitted me with a (very non-Italian) fresh jasmine bracelet as we left the restaurant. Sweet!
An hour or two in the jazz bar left us totally unaware of the change in weather outside. We were surprised to walk out into the midst of a storm, but were well looked after by locals with umbrellas who escorted us to the nearest taxi, giggling away as I stopped to jump in a puddle. From the taxi, I had a lovely lady jump me from one street food stall shelter to the next until I was safely back at our hostel doors, where I looked back and saw Izzy wading his way through the rain. Oops!
On our final night in Ho Chi Minh City we went to the Opera House and booked tickets to the Hon Viet 'The Soul of Vietnam' show, which is exclusively performed on the 15th and 23rd of each month only. Tickets were available in A class ($24 USD), B class ($20 USD) and C class ($5 USD). We splashed out and went with A class seats, in the VIP area right up the very front. $24 on this side of the world is a lot of money - around 3 or 4 nights of accommodation per person, so already this felt like a big deal. Off we tottered back to our hostel and got as glammed up as our backpacks would allow - Izzy in a shirt, and me in a pretty black dress. Both outfits complete with our only pair of footwear at present - jandals. Hah!
We were instructed to arrive half an hour before the show, where photos were taken with the cast, free (and lethal) coconut wine was served alongside crystalised ginger and roasted cashews. The show was a series of small plays portraying traditional Vietnamese stories. It was delightful, and aesthtically very pleasing, although admittedly it was nowhere near on par with New Zealand's performance standards!
After the show we spontaneously decided to splash out and eat somewhere deliciously expensive. We love street food, and especially love the 75c-$3 price range for a meal, but tonight was occasion for something else. We went to a gorgeous wee Italian restaurant called Ciao Bella. Full of expats, this restaurant was on 4 levels and was totally buzzing with excitement and very fat wallets.
Coming from Wellington we are used to impeccable service, fine wine and the most glorious food. It's been three and a half months since we have had all three of these luxuries coincide at once, but tonight was about to make up for that. We totally lapped up the attentive and thoughtful hospitality. Free (and unlimited!) warm baguettes with whole bulbs of roasted garlic and fresh pesto dips. Free Italian champagne. Free limoncello to round off the meal. Ah, yes.
Over baguettes we got chatting to a Taiwanese couple from California at the next table, who so kindly shared their pizza with us. Between the pizza, baguettes, an entree of goats cheese stuffed zucchini flowers and wine however, I almost had no space left for my Gorgonzola and sage stuffed ravioli. Almost.
Here's the best bit. Our two hours of total bliss, incredible food, delectable wine and fine service at one of Saigon's loveliest restaurants cost a grand total of $36 USD. They even fitted me with a (very non-Italian) fresh jasmine bracelet as we left the restaurant. Sweet!
Why stop now? We walked to a cute little jazz bar we had spotted around the corner, paid the exorbitant cover charge of $4, and spent almost as much on 2 cocktails each as we did on our meals at Ciao Bella. Again, coming from Wellington we are spoiled for choice when it comes to good music - something we have missed so much over here. Gangnam styles is about all they play for fun in Asia. They think it's awesome. The live jazz was incredible though, such a treat! It always amazes me that no matter what nationality a person is, they sing faultlessly like an American.
So after a night of non-backpacking style bliss, we fell asleep in our bunk beds smiling and content... Before waking at 6am to lug our packs down to the bus station to catch a small bus to the next city, where we are staying with a local family. Life is a beautiful thing.
“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”
- Mother Teresa
hi ms.sam, i love your blog, so cute!
ReplyDelete-summer, from ELC :)