Chinese New Year by the Numbers
I just got back from Chinese New Year trip last week. I have compiled some statistical data from the trip for the historical record:
2 – Countries visited (Vietnam and Cambodia)
23 – January, the first day of Chinese New Year and Tet (Vietnamese New Year)
45 - Dollars, the cost of a taxi in Hanoi during Tet festivities. It’s usually 15
30, Number of hours spend walking (roughly)
2 - Visits to Ho Chi Min related sites
1 – Number of cruised booked (To Halong Bay)
6 – Number of dog meat restaurants passed on the way to and from Halong Bay
2 – Number of hair dryers not working in the hotel
3- Number of dishes ordered that could not be delivered on the same day (banana bread, carrot cake, chocolate brownie. It was not a good day for dessert).
8 – People seen urinating on the streets of Hanoi and Siem Reap (yes, they were all men).
19 – Number of silk lanterns purchased
2 – Bowls of Pho eaten (I know, I should have had more, there was just so much great food).
20 – Hotel room cost per night in Hanoi
35 – Hotel room cost per night in Siem Reap
0 – Number of quilts I bought from Mekong Quilt, a project designed to help impoverished women by teaching them how to make quilts. Next time…
40 – Dollars Spent for a 3 day pass at Angkor Wat
4 – Hours spent taking a cooking class at Le Tigre Papier (delicious Cambodian food)
30 – Minutes spent with fish nibbling on my feet at a fish foot spa
2 – Foot massages received
5 – Average number of temples visited per day in Cambodia
4:45 – When I had to wake up to see the sunrise at Angkor Wat
2 – of February, the day I came back to Guangzhou
It was a great trip! I highly recommend visiting Hanoi and Siem Reap. Much to see, much to do, much to eat. I wouldn’t be surprised if I return to both locations soon. But, I have to go to Malaysia on Wednesday, so it won’t be this week. So many places to visit, so little time…
