Up to the roof deck on the 23rd floor to Shri in the Centec Tower. It does not sound all that high, but it has the best views in town bar none. We had ice coffee which is always good in Vietnam. One thing I remarked on to Piers is that everyone is always gracious to us , even when you go to a classy restaurant and just order an ice coffee. I really wonder if you went to the top of the hub dressed in shorts and a t- shirt whether they would even seat you- or if you could just have a coffee.
We were not hungry at all but knew we should go out (now 8pm) especially as Mr Son had recommended a Restaurant for us. He sent us to an area called the Refinery which is a converted opium refinery down an alley where 5 or 6 restaurants all face each other in a courtyard. At "Hoa Tuc" we had mustard leaves rolled with crispy vegetables topped with a big prawn and spicy beef salad with kumquat, baby white eggplant and lemongrass. Just a light meal as we were still full from lunch and iced coffee.
Across the street was a huge hooka (club. Piers could not believe I had never had shisha. There were lots of flavors and we went for rose which is apparently relatively traditional. I had no idea what to drink while "shishaing", but I saw some others with a beautiful silver tea pot on a silver tray- so I ordered rose tea (there were again lots of choices). Piers was drinking whisky over gaa (one of the words I have learned.
Let me deviate for a moment- the reason I know the word for ice (gaa) is because the Vietnamese like their beer served warm poured over a cylinder shaped piece of ice (2inch diameter by 3 inches long). Beer is our main libation. I also know the number 3 (ba) because one local beer is called 333 (or ba ba ba).
Now back to my original story- the manager of the club was really friendly and he agrees to take a photo of us and email (as I had not brought my phone (ie camera) since it was pouting out when we left the hotel by foot for dinner. I hope I will be able to add light to the photo when State side as it was really one of the most fun evenings. Waiters are very attentive, frequently turning the small squares of coal (about the size of 4 old fashioned small sugar cubes). I did not seem to ever be able to really get a good lung full of the "roses" until I realized that I was doing my usual reverse breathing. I have had a lot of opportunities to work on breathing correctly on the back of the bike.In correct breathing, the diaphragm descends during inhalation and downward pressure causes the abdomen to billow outwards. Breathing out, the diaphragm moves up into the chest, causing a slight drawing inwards and upwards through the abdomen. Whereas in reverse breathing, the abdomen moves in on inhalation and out on exhalation. I've been working in this for almost a year now- it has been very difficult for me to relearn to breath. I first discovered I was breathing wrong when I worked with REX, Mary Cerulli's amazing trainer. In the beginning, even with all my concentration, I could not expand my diaphragm when inhaling. I remember lying on the floor with a tuna can on my stomach and trying to make it move up! Wow- this was definitely another segue...on the bike I force myself to breath correctly do I won't have a panic attack when a huge bus in coming straight at me.
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