Return to Saigon … from the U.S.A.

Apr 012013

Joe & Hai visit the USA

Hai and I are back in Saigon. Our 6-week visit to America – Hai’s first – was amazing!

Before we start sharing our latest Eating Saigon! food adventures, we thought we’d share some of our favorite moments traveling, and of course, eating our way, across California and Nevada, USA.

Lake Tahoe

In the morning of our second day in America, Hai had never seen snow. That same afternoon, Hai had discovered what SNOW is all about … in Lake Tahoe, California.

Death Valley

After a day playing in the snow, it was an 8-hour drive along the eastern side of California’s beautiful Sierra Mountains, across Death Valley, and onto Las Vegas, Nevada.

Joe & Hai taking a break from driving in Death Valley, California

Las Vegas

We had a truly wonderful three-days in Las Vegas sharing my sister Teri’s wedding among our family and good friends.

Congratulations Teri & Tom

Teri & Tom celebrate with their children

CONGRATULATIONS TERI & TOM!!

Jan & Hai & Antonio enjoy a beautiful day in Las Vegas

John & Hai at the golf course (eating)

Hai & Nicky “hiking” Palm Canyon

Palm Springs

Then, it was another long drive across the desert to enjoy several days visiting our friends John & Nicky in Palm Springs, California. Eating an American breakfast at a beautiful Palm Springs golf course, celebrating Modernism Week, and hiking through Palm Canyon.

An American Breakfast in Palm Springs

Mountain-man, Hai, hikes Palm Canyon

Thank God, Hai found Phở in America!

And always on the lookout for Phở in America, Hai thanked John for introducing us to Phở 533 in Palm Springs!

Bánh flan at Phở 133

THANK YOU JOHN & NICKY for a fun visit!!

Enjoying Laurie & Owen’s wonderful home in the Santa Barbara hills

Santa Barbara

Now, it was time to visit our friends, Laurie and Owen, who welcomed us to their amazing Santa Barbara, California home … and to cook them a special meal in a very special kitchen.

Hai and Skip preparing a special Vietnamese dinner

Hai and our new friend, Skip, spent a day together in Skip’s kitchen (it just might be the world’s most amazing private kitchen) – preparing a Vietnamese feast, including some yummy canh chua (sweet & sour fish soup).

Chef Hai working away in Skip’s kitchen

Dinner time in Santa Barbara

THANK YOU LAURIE & OWEN & SKIP for a wonderful visit!!

San Jose

And then back home for Joe, to the Bay Area, to introduce Hai to my life-long friends and enjoy time with Pat, and Tung and Tom and Jan and Antonio.

Pat opened her home to us, shopped with us at Costco for a suitcase full of “essential” food items to bring back to Saigon, and explored the local Vietnamese markets in “Little Saigon”. And yet again, we shared some wonderful meals together.

Seafood Relleno at one of Pat’s favorite Mexican restaurants

Hai and Rosie became best friends

Then it was onto the home of Tung and Tom and Rosie … where, again, we shared some wonderful meals together.

Tung & Tom in a dimly lit San Francisco Vietnamese eatery

Enjoying a Bánh Mì Paté at LEE’S Sandwiches

Holly & Seth in the beautiful Berkeley hills’ garden

Berkeley, Oakland

Continuing our journey northward, we landed at Antonio’s house. My niece Holly and her partner, Seth joined us and Jan gave us his special, personalized docent tour of the University of California’s amazing Botanical Gardens.

UCB Botanical Gardens’ #1 docent, Jan, leads a walk through the gardens

The beginning of a great Japanese dinner with Jan, Antonio and friends

And tirelessly, we continued to enjoy more amazing meals.

Dessert in a Berkeley Italian restaurant!

Hai about to climb San Francisco’s hills on a cable car

San Francisco

We took BART (the subway) across the bay and became San Francisco tourists for two days, enjoying Fisherman’s Wharf, cable cars, big hotels, and San Francisco’s famous gay neighborhoods. Such fun!!