If I'm not cycling or sleeping, I'm eating. I looooove Southeast Asian food, and I'm not being let down by the chefs, grandmothers, housewives, young men, street stall owner, cafe owners and others who have cooked for me on this trip.
Once I arrived unannounced at a home in Thailand. The monsoon rain had caught me out, and I was invited to stay the night. The grandmother got going in the kitchen, and the result was absolutely amazing!
In Malaysia I consumed large quantities of Nasi Lemak. One portion would set me back 1.50 Malaysian Ringgit (50 NZ cents), so why not have two portions?? I loved how they would frequently come wrapped in a palm leaf, that could be used as a plate when unfolded.
A cup of tea is presented beautifully and there are so many hot and cold varieties including green tea, bubble tea and here's a traditional Vietnamese ice tea:
Keeping in the drinks department, I have drunk many, many litres of coconut. It is such a great way to rehydrate. The best coconut I had was on the side of the road in Indonesia. I had pulled over to put sunblock on, and a mechanic across the road was signalling something to me. I crossed the road and with sign language, he offered me a coconut. He climbed up to get it straight off the palm. It was so fresh and yummy and tasted like it was slightly carbonated.
Tropical fruits in the tropics are amazing. Mangos are small and hard when bought in New Zealand, but here they are tasty and juicy. The variety of the fruits are so much better too. Pineapple is cut skillfully and beautifully while I wait.
One of the supermarket chains here in Vietnam have a deal going at the moment, where you can buy three icecreams for the price of two. Maybe, just maybe, I've eaten three icecreams in one go...
Finally, have you tried mango sticky rice? If not, your life is not complete. The mix of rice, coconut and mango is so yummy!
