Vietnam

Hustle bustle of the streets  in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) South of Vietnam

Vietnam! Can't say I'm well travelled but I really do believe that there isn't anything else quite like Vietnam in the world! The thing that hits you is the traffic. People commuting and transporting all sorts of things on their scooters...it's amazing how well the traffic flows even though there seems to be no road rules.

This was my third trip back to Vietnam - the first in 2005, the second at the end of 2010 and most recently in November 2011. Sadly this recent trip was to accompany my mum to my grandmother's funeral. I can't say i was close to her all that much but it always hurts to see your family in pain. After all family is everything in the Vietnamese culture - if you were to even entertain the thought of taking for granted your family - you would surely hear no end to how you an ungrateful being.

I love this photo...drinks on offer on the wall, the bicycle the scooter - so Vietnam!

I've grown to like Vietnam more and more as a country and come to realise the significance of this place for my parents especially. A lot of people love the tourist scene that Vietnam offers - but for me what I admire the most about this place is the absolute resilience that these people show. Despite the devastation that war imposed on this beautiful country, these people don't show any of the expected and certainly entitled emotions of such a horrific history. They don't feel entitled like so many of us do in the Western world - where we are honestly spoilt with comfort and stability. Vietnamese people really work hard, they don't have any resentment for the war that created so much suffering - they just get on with life and creating a better future for their kids.

A temple near Thu Duc a province in the South where my mum's family is from.

It's each generations wish for the next - simply put a brighter and better future. That same thinking is evidently alive for the refugees who fled Vietnam to places like Australia. My parent's generation worked hard to pay for a good education so that we could build a better future for ourselves and our families. I guess the same can be said for refugees of the Vietnam war. Their mentality is there is no time for resentment because that time is better used to build and support the next generation and their future.

This photo was taken from the 3 floor balcony of my grandmother's house in Cho Lon where my Dad's family is from.

Might explain why Vietnamese parent's have high expectations of their children. Because they have put their all into raising the next generation. I can only hope in some why that through the path I have chosen in life that I am able to give my parent's some sense that they have succeeded. Because when I think about the loss their suffered and the dreams that they might have had as youths themselves - I feel deeply saddened that they weren't able to fulfil some of their dreams - maybe to be a well educated professional with a world of opportunity.

Rain, rain, rain ...

It's difficult to describe Vietnam. It's a beautiful place. Slightly tortured by its past but always focused on moving forward. It is a place where the poor are very poor. You can see it all around you everyone is just trying to make some money and working really hard.

Taken from our hotel balcony in Thu Duc - a patchwork of housing and development.

The people are resourceful. They make what they can, grow what they can, sell what they can just to make ends meet. It's hard for me to talk it up per say. To say it was an awesome holiday...I just see Vietnam like that. Not with the links that I have to the language, the culture, the people. I just can't hide away in the tourist villas by the coast and be pampered and ignorant to the poverty.

I was so lucky to get this shot - just by chance i was standing on the road side when they came past. So not your cardboard carton of a dozen from the supermarket!

Despite my sadness for these people...I know that they don't want me to pity them. I love striking up conversation with complete strangers on the side of the street. They always love talking! They love to know if what you do for a living, where you are from and the most commonly asked question - are you married yet? They don't really get the concept that in Australia people do wait to get married!

I love the people the most! Cheery and full of stories to tell!

Just love this photos! Nothing says tropical like bananas!

Salt Slap

Portsea Front Beach - Bay side Ladder off of the Jetty

This dude popped up under the Portsea Front Beach Jetty - I couldn't help myself!

Busy weekend again. Went on an impromptu drive along the coast to a place called Portsea. Visited Sorento too but decided open ocean was the way to go rather then the bay.

Sorento - you can't escape the impact human development has on nature ...

Coming from South Australia I love open ocean. I look at the bay water especially closer into the city and I can't bring myself to swim in it. I know it's probably fine but still, open ocean seems cleaner or something.

Portsea was beautiful! I love how you can look out onto the beach from so high up! Great to see lots of surfers out there! The water was freezing my toes were going numb and it took a second attempt before i went for a very quick dip!

Surfers at play ...

It really does remind me of how beautiful Australia's coastline is! It's just gorgeous. The sand, salt and surf remind you that you are alive! A cold refreshing slap in the face - it makes you incredibly alert being in cold water. The waves just bash all the daily grind and worrying thoughts that occupied your mind.

Thumbs up to Portsea! Well worth the trip!

Inner Soul City Escape

I was totally spoilt the other weekend! Surprised by a little inner city escape to a secret location that I had no idea about until I was literally in the Crown Metropol hotel lobby! A very sophisticated lobby at that! Light and bright – I was glad to be out of the windy Melbourne weather. Feeling a little underdressed – well not so much the clothes but the fact that I had shoved some shoes into a supermarket Green bag! LOL not so sophisticated when compared to the demure of the Metropol’s palette of earthy tones, polished silver fittings and sheer crisp interiors.

(Sorry lack of photos of the lobby - was actually tyring to chill and not get all happy snap crazed!)

I love that font! I can spend hours at work just picking out the right font for a design so I love it when I see a unique font.

Some observations – the Crown Metropol doesn’t ooze European elegance – I’ve only visited a handful of 5 Star hotels in my lifetime so I say this when compared to the Four Seasons in Sydney (which is classic and grand with Marble tiles, grand gold fixtures and a pillow menu to die for!).

By contrast the Metropol is rather masculine, strong architectural design – might I add suitably so for the grungy Melbourne weather and equally edgy fashion and social scene. I took note of the great use of earthy tones –calm and quiet.

Monday morning hustle and bustle ... ah nice to sit back from it all!



Eureka to your left - sunrise on a damp city - intense sky

The view was a constant reminder of how hectic city living is but how nice it is to escape it. Sort of like being inside when it’s pouring with rain and there’s thunder – but you are sheltered and warm. It was interesting to wake up so refreshed and relaxed about having the Monday off whilst watching the traffic build up as people went to work on Cup Eve.

This inner city escape wouldn’t be complete without the extra pampering! I was treated to a lovely remedial massage (by my adorable other half) at the Isika Day Spa…divine! I mean seriously I love the feeling of physical tension just being released from your body! Definitely a great way to unwind then to top it off a pedicure – sitting in the chair soaking my toes while gazing at the view! Wasn’t so bad really!

Ah pedicure - nothing beats the feeling of happy clean feet!

Bright lights - Looking out from the 14th floor at night

I should also mention that they have a gym and infinity pool (beautifully designed) that has the best view ever! It’s on level 27 – it’s hard to not want to go to the gym or pool to do some exercise when you’ve got such a great view!

I know for certain I will be back … soon J

By day: looking Down from the 14th floor - hrt this photo!

By Night: looking Down from the 14th floor - hrt this photo but needed a bit of enhancing!

meet you at The Lui Bar

The Lui Bar - winding down after a long week of work at this bar was such a great end to the week!

The Lui Bar - the view was beautiful!

The Lui Bar is situated 55 floors up in the Rialto Building on Collins St, Melbourne. I follow Vue De Monde on Twitter and they tweeted about this place so was pretty excited to be able to have a look around on a fairly good Friday night. We called up and left our name on their list. You get to the building and they check you off against the list then they set the lift up to take you to the 55^th floor – which I noticed in the lift there is no button for that floor.

It was beautiful once we got up. My photography doesn’t do it justice at all. My camera definitely struggled that night. Lots of reflection from the lights behind me and you can even see my reflection if you look closely.

Very cool place – a must if you are looking for something with a view (obviously) and something to get you that little bit closer to Vue de Monde!

Chasing Cotton Candy Clouds

Pink Fairy Floss - my absolute favourite colour and flavour fairy floss!

I love fairy floss! Who doesn't love this sugary treat?! Stuffing my mouth with fairy floss brought back great childhood memories! Luckily enough I even had a go at making some today! A lot of fun!

It smells really sweet and I ended with bits of pink fairy floss in my hair as I headed back to the office but I really didn't mind! :)

Stupidly as a child I thought clouds in the sky were in essence floating masses of fairy floss. So you can imagine how devastated I was when I found out that it's impossible to catch a cloud and keep it in a jar LOL (if only!) 

I had grand plans as a child to get on a plane open the window and catch a cloud, which i would keep suspended in  a jar. What an imagination! I thought I had it all figured out - clearly not LOL.

Anyways back to fairy-floss - so much fun whether you are eating it or making it, great subject to photograph basically because of the colour and the spinning motion :)

West end of Adelaide CBD

This is a photo from the Hawke building at UniSA on North Tce
(my old Uni wadup?! lol)

Foyer of the Hawke Building - sadly didn't get to checkout the SAMSTAG museum (wasn't open)

Shot from inside the Adelaide Convention Centre - where I had my UniSA Graduation Ceremony. Lovely Curved interior wall - love the sunlight peaking through too.

Took this photo looking up from the foyer of the Hawke Building. Stairs are incredibly packed almost makes you think you're going to bump your head but there is room :)

Photos from the west end of Adelaide. There is some good design going on - on a very small scale compared to Melbourne. It was nice to visti my old Uni as well - ah the memories!

Home is where the heart is

In my last entry I whinged about Melbourne trains so in the interest of keeping it positive I thought I’d blog about my beloved home town Adelaide. Affectionately known as Atown and rAdelaide it was where I was born and grew up until two and bit years ago.

Some snaps one of Adelaide’s main streets North Terrace. Nice wide footpaths and public spaces for people watching. The design of Adelaide makes sense for the pace at which this city moves. No trains on this side of the city and most areas of Atown are serviced by buses not trains.

Running the Rat Race

Sorry black and white photograpy addict! Shots from Southern Cross Station. It is architectually interesting and has that wow factor for such a diesel smelling place.

The biggest noticeable difference about Melbourne is its public transport system. Trains and trams. There’s this thing where it’s meant to be easy to get around through the train system and tram network. It does seem to work well but seriously has anyone who has been on a train in Melbourne thought to themselves – this is life sucking nonsense! The next time you get on a train look at it with a fresh pair of eyes and listen with a fresh pair of ears.

It makes this sound like you’re in a vacuum being sucked out into the ether or something. A one way passage that never deviates from the tracks already set – a bit of a metaphor for the way some of the passengers must feel about the daily rat race. How do you get off – what if you want to deviate from the ‘path’ already set?

I personally hate the train. Last time I got on a train was to get home from the airport after visiting friends and family back in Adelaide. It was such a stark reminder of how I don’t get Melbourne sometimes? People sit in silence under the worst possible fluorescent lighting. The inside of a train is lifeless – yet it’s purpose it to carry living beings to and from destinations. Clinical is how I’d best describe it. They could learn a lot from department store lifts that are more pleasant to travel in. It’s not like taking a train across the European countryside with snow-capped mountains and fields of green to view for kilometres on end – it’s far more dark, serious and listless.

Harsh perhaps – but I couldn’t wait to get off that train. You know something isn’t quite right when laughter seems out of place in an environment. You’d be shocked to hear laughter on a train I think. They’re not comfortably quiet and calm like libraries say. They’re just soulless places. Neither old world charm nor new age slickness just the worst possible mechanisation of life sucking and positivity zapping transport.

Big Brekky

Abstract photography?! Well not really my intention to get into abstract photography but I really like to shoot photos looking directly up to the ceiling. In this case the roof of a recent brunch gathering at Axil Coffee Roasters. The place reminded me of a tin shed – plenty of room for big groups (huge plus especially in Melbourne were the oh so trendy thing is to make everything small and pokey!). Was an ok breakfast, food wise - nothing worth raving about and no real complaints and great conversations flowing that morning!

I'm not a coffee drinker though so can't comment on that :)

Hello Hwaro & new found friends... ;)

he toughest thing about moving to a new city is having to start over and build new friendships. Especially when most people around my age are settled and finished uni they seem to have quite stable and tight knit friendship circles that there can be little room or need to expand on. Uni is probably a better time to make new friends in my opinion but hell I’ll keep at it! I don’t think people really get how isolating it can be moving to a new place. I still miss my friends and family back home a lot even though I’ve been away from Adelaide for two and half years now. The friends I made in Canberra were great too so miss them as well. It does take me a while to find my feet –at least a year I would say.

None the less - my wonderfully funny and good friend back home from uni days introduced me to a friend here in Melbourne recently. It’s really awkward at first to make friends with strangers but eating out and sharing a passion for food is always a great bonding experience!

Had a great night out on what I won’t refer to as a double date but kinda was (eeew!). Great time at Melbourne Hwaro Korean BBQ (read Hwaro restaurant review here) was awesome! Definitely worth taking your family and friends to experience. The couple we dined with are real foodies and know their restaurants well. They always pick great places and know what to order off the often perplexing menu and choice available!

Such a gorgeous couple – really genuinely nice people! They even invited us back to their place and we seriously went to woollies and bought vanilla ice cream and then they proceeded to whip up some homemade butterscotch sauce (with actual scotch). There were 4 really happy campers that night! So yum!

Cumulus Inc. (once you get past the waiting)

Hell yes the wait to get to a table to feast at Cumulus Inc. was worth it! Great hearty food like the featured lamb shoulder! There's a lot going on in this photo but it really does capture the intensity of the place. It's busy, packed with people and it's all about the food! Very special experience and thanks to the friends that made it so! I felt quite at home with all the foodie talk and couldn't have been happier that night! That lamb shoulder was a must for the table and so glad we got it! Goes to show food really is for sharing!

Waiting for a cloud called Cumulus Inc.

Been meaning to do a blog post on this dining experience for way too long! I owe it to my lovely newly found foodie friends for their generosity that evening! Cumulus Inc. was a real dining experience! It's one of those trendy places where you can't make bookings (for whatever reason) so we got there enquired and were told an hour and a half. So what did we do? We didn't tell Cumulus to stick it...instead we put our names down and stuck it out! A wait is fine when you are not hungry but I sure was and getting grumpy! Anyway we made our way to near by eateries to partially fill our tummies on tapas before we finally head back and finally...wait some more (anti climax) but patience is a virtue and we did finally get a table and get to eat! Was it worth it though?

Pope Joan II

Just another shot of Pope Joan from where we were seated which is an undercover outdoor area with heating, further out the back there isn't any heating but there's plenty of seating when you combine the indoor and outdoor areas. Unfortunately I didn't take any shots of the actual food as I was too busy devouring it! nom nom nom!

Pope Joan

Can't take credit for this photo but I did do basic editing and it was originally a colour photo. I quite enjoy the composition of the random garden objects and there's something about the way the garden hose is so randomly looped around the tap but yet it looks balanced?!

Anyways...why this photo...and why the title? Because I am completely and utterly in love Love LOVE with this cafe called Pope Joan! It's a really down to earth place, with a veggie garden out the back and decking outside. It sees laid back people chatting over coffee in a trendy but not snobby environment. Cool enough for the young urban couples but calm enough for the young families with bubs.

Clearly i am in love with this place because the foooooood is fantastic! I highly recommend the pork roll Cuban style! Say yum to pickles! Highlight was the awesome gingerbread (it's not the biscuit type) more like the alternative version of banana bread (before bananas became so ridiculously expensive and exclusive to the wealthy!). The gingerbread is so full of spice and great in a spongy bread like slice! We actually took on the waiter's suggestion of having gingerbread served with whipped butter and some pear cider to wash it down. It was surprisingly warm that day in Melbourne so a cold cider and warm gingerbread was divine!

I was so impressed with the food I went back the following weekend and can't wait to go again. It could nearly become my weekly weekend 'brunch' venue (yet to find one in Melbourne - I'm terribly afraid of committing)! Still salivating! Will certainly be back!

Another plus when i returned the following weekend the waiter recognised me and said pear cider? In time I'm sure we'll be on first name basis - well one can hope :)

Light Minded

Same deal here photo didn't really pop with colour so i just adjusted a few things with my very basic windows picture viewer editing tools. I actually like that you can see reflections of the bottom lights in the windows of the building. I haven't really made a conscious effort to take photos with reflections - whether it be of light, the sky or people. Might have to give that a try this weekend. I'm sure it's harder than it sounds to capture reflections. Let's see how the Leica fares!

Light Hearted

Ok so i have to be honest this photo was much more 'grey' and didn't pop with colour when i took it but some fiddling with saturation, tint and exposure settings helped  to bring out the neon-ness (is that a word?!). I'm really happy with how it has turned out with very minimal post production editing on it. I have no idea how to use photoshop so trust me it didn't take much to bring the colour to life. I was absolutely mesmerised by the scene of this alley way called La Trobe Place which shoots off from Little Bourke Street where all the cool asian eateries are. It really did fit well with the China town in Melbourne feel. Made me think I was in Japan or something like that! Worth checking out if you are in the area. Think shooting up to the sky made for an interesting angle and capturing the light that spills onto the brick wall from a different perspective. Kind of reminds me of how as a kid you saw the world - always looking up to big adults and things that are generally just beyond their reach.

15 minutes of last minute light

So this photo is quite interesting due to all the architecture and the geometry provided by the pattern on the ground. I've heard that the best times for photos are the first and last 15 minutes of the day. That's not a very big window of time really. I can't say I enjoy shooting objects when the sun is setting but certainly the sky is always brilliant. You can see Eureka tower and this area is pat of the visitor centre in the Royal Botanic Garden - Melbourne which i think is such a beautiful space. Though i still love the Sydney Botanic Garden more just because you can see the harbour from certain spots - and you can't beat that!

Engineeeeering!

Interesting subject matter to photograph. Not my usual interest but I do like the challenge of finding something interesting no matter where I am. I guess I am finding value in heading to random places/events and taking the Leica with me and aiming to at least take a few interesting shots even if they don’t make the blog in the end – it’s all a bit of fun.

AUDI

So you haven’t heard it from me already. Yes I do love AUDIcars! I mean love love love them! It might be self-indulging but this love affair all started because I share my initials with the AUDI TT. Recently hit up the International Motor Show at the Melbourne Convention Centre. Pretty awesome! I have been to car shows before but it’s been a while and AUDI has really strengthened its presence and image. Not sure about the burn orange colour – it seems very Nissan inspired but it’s nice to see a pop of colour in the collection! I can only dream of ever owning one! But hey it's fun to just get up close to some stylish cars. You can certainly appreciate the design without necessarily owning it I guess :)

Where did the sun go???

In all honesty it is perfect blogging weather today in Melbourne. It’s completely miserable outside overcast, windy and wet. Possibly the worst combination for weather on my day off work too! So I thought I’d put up a photo from about 3 months ago. I remember it being a very balmy night beautiful colours in the sky – quite enchanting.

I took this photograph in some ‘sunset’ or ‘silhouette’ mode on the Leica D-Lux 5. Leica has a ridiculous number of modes that just do amazing things – and like I’ve mentioned in my other posts any help from a camera is welcomed by the amateur photographer in me lol.

Anyways it’s a great photo to remind me of the fact that Melbourne does get great weather. Winter is never easy and I guess no city is really all that ‘fun’ when it’s cold and wet. So my point – can’t wait for some warmer weather! But for now hot water bottles, heaters and hot tea are my best friends for the winter time at least.

Transport [me] - Fed Sq.

Taken inside a pub called Transport right in Federation Square! Had the idea to take a photo using the reflection of the mirrors on the ceiling. Makes for an interesting shot – if I don’t say so myself! LOL

Queen Victoria Markets

The Queen Victoria Markets are so awesome! Coming from Canberra where I grew to really love farmers’ markets and the like I was absolutely in love with the Vic Markets. You could seriously blow all your money at this place on good cheese, fresh produce and fake designer bags! I love the vibe. I definitely noticed how much energy there was in the fresh meat section. They really yell the prices all day long! The fruit and veg section was predictably laid back and the deli goods area was just oozing a ‘ we know we have the goods’ kind of attitude!

Power House Pup!

What a lil power house dog! Such a tough little thing! Couldn’t resist had to take a photo. The owner was probably out and about enjoying the Queen Victoria Markets. That annoying Melbourne wind was out bringing with it quite a chill but clear skies and sunny makes for happy browsing at the markets!

Footy Crowds

First timer to the MCG – it was actually good fun! Though being with the boys means your ear gets a good bashing from all the yelling. Do they not realise that the players can’t hear them?! LOL
 
Quite different to watching it in the telly. Definitely feel the energy that the crowd creates. This was the Melbourne vs. Essendon game. Melbourne had a good win! But it was a very messy match!

Definitely an excuse when at the MCG to eat junk food and people watch! Such characters at the footy!