TRAVELLIVE 04-2016
Istanbul, the first days of spring… I’m warming myself in the sun on a café’s balcony in the Old Town. The sunbeams are as stunning as the fine strands of newly reeled silk. Meanwhile the old oak trees give their morning greeting to the glossy stone road as their red-brown leaves gently fall. The Old Town is still half-asleep, like a lazy girl who’s turned off her alarm after ringing the first time. Sunlight visits each street, dancing happily on passers-by’s shoulders, making the atmosphere more intimate to me – the traveler’s first time here. I feel more amorous in Istanbul. I’m enchanted by everything, from sweet lokum to the light sour ice-cream with ground ice on top, or from the gorgeous domes of hundreds of mosques and palaces to their uniquely designed windows, and from the discreet eyes of Muslim girls to the multitude of boards and posters with the images of Besiktas – the city’s legendary football team. I have fallen in love with Bosphorus Bay since the first time seeing the seagulls hovering in the open sky, creating invisible strings that connect the two continents – Asia and Europe. The clear blue sky is reflected on the deep blue sea, giving me tranquility. I drop my last Lira into the water of the Bosphorus, not to make a wish, but in hopes that they will preserve my memories here. And somehow, the water currents might bring them somewhere else to be found by me again, or might accidentally be stumbled upon by a boy who is playing with sand on a sunny beach. Tomorrow, I will go to Grand Bazzar, buy some postcards, and write something to leave beneath the sun near a mosque before sending them to some friends of mine. I do hope that these postcards, together with the coins, will inspire and attract more visitors to this land. Uhm… will you come there?
Istanbul, the first days of spring…
I’m warming myself in the sun on a café’s balcony in the Old Town. The sunbeams are as stunning as the fine strands of newly reeled silk. Meanwhile the old oak trees give their morning greeting to the glossy stone road as their red-brown leaves gently fall. The Old Town is still half-asleep, like a lazy girl who’s turned off her alarm after ringing the first time. Sunlight visits each street, dancing happily on passers-by’s shoulders, making the atmosphere more intimate to me – the traveler’s first time here.
I feel more amorous in Istanbul. I’m enchanted by everything, from sweet lokum to the light sour ice-cream with ground ice on top, or from the gorgeous domes of hundreds of mosques and palaces to their uniquely designed windows, and from the discreet eyes of Muslim girls to the multitude of boards and posters with the images of Besiktas – the city’s legendary football team.
I have fallen in love with Bosphorus Bay since the first time seeing the seagulls hovering in the open sky, creating invisible strings that connect the two continents – Asia and Europe. The clear blue sky is reflected on the deep blue sea, giving me tranquility. I drop my last Lira into the water of the Bosphorus, not to make a wish, but in hopes that they will preserve my memories here. And somehow, the water currents might bring them somewhere else to be found by me again, or might accidentally be stumbled upon by a boy who is playing with sand on a sunny beach.
Tomorrow, I will go to Grand Bazzar, buy some postcards, and write something to leave beneath the sun near a mosque before sending them to some friends of mine. I do hope that these postcards, together with the coins, will inspire and attract more visitors to this land. Uhm… will you come there?
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HANOI<br />
ASIAN - EUROPEAN<br />
FUSION<br />
As the blend of Asian and<br />
European flavors, Master Chef<br />
123's dishes prepared by the<br />
famed Michael Bao Huynh from<br />
New York will bring Vietnamese<br />
guests something both familiar<br />
yet foreign. Here, you will have<br />
a chance to enjoy more than<br />
200 fine dishes featuring culinary<br />
art from around the world.<br />
Some highlights include the<br />
truffle mushroom soup, foie gras<br />
cappuccino, sizzling Vietnamese<br />
beef, Korean style short ribs,<br />
marinated salmon, fennel, dill<br />
& lime dressing, red snapper<br />
escabeche with vegetables and<br />
mirin soy broth, sea bass with a<br />
vegetable ragout and clam, chicken<br />
clay pot rice, Thai BBQ chicken<br />
rice, and more.<br />
(MASTERCHEF 123<br />
RESTAURANT *123 Mai Hac<br />
De, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi *Tel: <strong>04</strong><br />
6261 3333)<br />
BARS<br />
PUBS<br />
&RESTAURANTS<br />
HCMC<br />
ENJOY AUTHENTIC<br />
VIETNAMESE DISHES AT<br />
MOUNTAIN RETREAT<br />
Located on the rooftop of a building in the center of Saigon, Mountain Retreat is a favorite<br />
authentic Vietnamese restaurant for many diners. The restaurant is designed in a mountaineer<br />
aesthetic with a simple interior of wood and bamboo. Amidst the yellow light and friendly<br />
atmosphere, diners can enjoy an array of Vietnamese dishes perfectly served with wine and distinct<br />
cocktails. The restaurant is an ideal place for relaxing and exploring Saigon with a lavish menu<br />
including authentic dishes and specialties from all three regions.<br />
(MOUNTAIN RETREAT - VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT *Rooftop 36 Le Loi, Ben Nghe<br />
Ward, Dist. 1, HCMC *Tel: 0907 194 557)<br />
HANOI<br />
THE IMPRESSIVE ART OF COCKTAIL<br />
MAKING<br />
Enchanting guests with its architecture featuring images of the Long Bien<br />
Brige, La Plume has been a favorite place for those who love simple yet<br />
delicious food, good coffee, and delightful cocktails. Located in the heart<br />
of the old French town, La Plume gives you a chance to witness the art<br />
of cocktail making performed by the champion bartender, Pham Tien<br />
Tiep. Mr. Tiep is always willing to share his extensive knowledge of tastes,<br />
balance, and new drink trends. Each cocktail at La Plume is not only a fine<br />
drink but also touches everyone's heart on an emotional level.<br />
(LA PLUME BISTRO & LOUNGE *3 rd floor. Press Club, 12 Ly Dao<br />
Thanh, Hanoi *Tel: 090 406 7686)<br />
HCMC<br />
TASTY LUNCH<br />
AT PACH CAF– &<br />
BREWERS<br />
Just a few minutes walk from<br />
Nguyen Hue Street at the center<br />
of Dist. 1 is Pach<br />
Cafä & Brewers,<br />
a stylish cafä that<br />
can meet every<br />
customers' tastes.<br />
Consisting of<br />
three floors with<br />
green corners,<br />
Pach offers guests<br />
fresh feelings to<br />
cool down on hot<br />
summer days. Familiar cuisines are<br />
sophisticatedly altered with new<br />
ingredients, further diversifying<br />
the distinctive dishes. Enjoy lunch<br />
withdishes changed daily and<br />
served with rice, bread, noodles,<br />
or pasta. The drinks will excite<br />
you as they combine Vietnamese<br />
fruits such as dragon fruit, fresh<br />
lotus, or black sesame. What<br />
could be better than cooling your<br />
hot day after a meal with adrink<br />
made of naturally fermented<br />
dragon fruit, something which is<br />
both good for your digestion and<br />
weight management?<br />
(PACH CAF– & BREWERS<br />
*14 Huynh Thuc Khang, Dist. 1,<br />
HCMC)<br />
16<br />
<strong>TRAVELLIVE</strong>
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