We started the day off with the Hotel's buffet breakfast which offered a small selection of both Eastern and Western food.
 |
| Pho, Pate Choux & Banh Uot with Cha |
 |
| Bacon, Sausage, Fried rice and Pork "Rip" haha |
 |
| Love Asian fruit ! |
After finishing breakfast we looked down to the bustling street below and saw a taxi pull up at the hotel.
Out came the driver who looked to be not a day over 16.
We retreated back to the room for a few minutes before setting out for the day's activities.
Down at the lobby there was a taxi ready and waiting for us.
It was the 16 year old guy ... !!!
After giving him the destination, the driver says to Cat "No problems sister" and proceeds to drive.
A minute or so later he says "Sister, you don't know how to get there do you ?".
Then he calls his Dad ...!
His Dad doesn't pick up so he really starts getting worried.
Finally the Dad calls him back and tells him where to go.
This driver could not drive manual, each and every near miss would send the taxi bunny hopping, jerking and jolting.
Were we in a taxi or riding a bucking bull ??!??
A general tip regarding Taxis (which we forgot ourselves this time around); Look for the Vinasun taxis. Avoid MaiLinh and private gypsy cabs like the plague.
 |
| Child seat |
 |
| Dien Ngoc Hoang Temple in Da Kao |
 |
| Turtle with a message ... literally ! |
After the Temple visits we starting our shopping.
First stop = Lacoste @ New World Hotel
 |
| Nothing to buy ... boo |
 |
| Workplace safety |
Next stop Union Square.
This upscale shopping complex was still under construction last time we were here in 2011.
Of course there was a Lacoste :)
 |
| uh oh ... it has begun |
You can never tell what you're going to stumble upon in Saigon.
This franchise impressed us.
After stocking up on some Make-up at The Parkson department store we continued onto the Vincom Centre.
In this shopping centre is the real reason why Cat wanted to come back to Vietnam.
She's beenthinking lusting about these green MK duck noodles for the past two years !!!
This franchise impressed us.
 |
| Cat perusing |
 |
| Vanilla, Chocolate and Caramel pudding |
After stocking up on some Make-up at The Parkson department store we continued onto the Vincom Centre.
In this shopping centre is the real reason why Cat wanted to come back to Vietnam.
She's been
 |
| So so happy |
 |
| Roast duck and rice |
 |
| Watermelon shake |
 |
| :) |
 |
| Inside joke between Cat and work friends |
Whilst we were shopping, the grey clouds came over the city and the heavens came bucketing down.
We retreated back to the hotel for the rest of the afternoon.
We set out to dinner at EON 51 @ the Bitexco Financial Tower.
The Bitexco Tower, also known as ICON 68 has retail space housing high end fashion and a multiplex cinema.
Not quite knowing how to get level 51, and with no clear signage we sauntered up to the concierge desk to ask for directions.
She gestures to two attendants, dressed like airline cabin crew and says, "They will take you up".
We are asked to confirm our details and led to a staircase which lead up and around a few corners and into a exclusive lift where we were greeted by more attendants.
This lift took us up to the 50th floor, some websites boast that the lifts in this tower race up to the top in no time.
This time however, felt like an uncomfortable eternity for Cat.
She was shifting uncomfortably as the attendant stared point blank into her face for the entire way up.
In real time though, the speedy lift pops our brains like bubble wrap and the doors open to a corridor sectioned off with red velvet ropes.
Four attendants dressed in black and red suits, lower their heads to greet us.
We're passed to a new usher, this one dressed finer than the last.
We are lead to another lift, this one is sleek with shiny crimson walls back lit and shiny white marble floor as though it was a prop from a Jackie Chan movie (Rush Hour).
Cat reacts to this as Cat does and begins laughing hysterically, (whilst the usher stands stone faced) and begins yelling in a 'lowered voice', " Jung Tao! Where is Jung Tao?".
Thankfully, the doors ping open and our usher delivers us to a room filled with stylish dark polished floors, and floor to ceiling glass showcasing the Saigon skyline as we've never seen it before.
This was Epicurean on 51.
 |
| AUD$144 |
 |
| Amuse Bouche ... Prawn Ceviche with Grapefruit and Green Papaya |
 |
 |
| Notice the Burberry Shawl draped? For those delicate guests who might feel cold |
 |
| Palate cleansers |
 |
| Cat misses her Bunny |
 |
| "I have been waiting for you Mister Bond!" |
 |
| Petit Fours |
Most degustations are drawn out for what seems like days. Each course taking a period of time. Cutlery is reset, glasses topped up, you're sitting, tapping your feet in anticipation for the next plate to arrive. This meal, was a seamless contemporary dance done in a revolving door. Come with no expectation, and leave surprised, elated and wanting more.
Buzzed from a magnificent meal, we decided to sweat it off by hitting the Ben Thanh night markets.
 |
| mmm ... I could have smashed some of this |
More eating and shopping tomorrow ... ;)
Same Cat time, Same Cat channel..bahahahahahah
No comments:
Post a Comment