Chinese New Year by the Numbers

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…