Sunrise in KHE RO

We arrived to Khe ro at five thirty in the afternoon, not really late if you visit a city but with a mountain area like Khe ro, it’s really late. The sky started darker. Dinner with hot-pot and a lot of veggies were served.

After dinner time, the sky was completely dark, but there were tons of stars were shine bright. I stayed at a local house, you cannot believe if I tell you walls of that house were made from sold and straw. The weather was cold outside at night but it’s really warm in that house. Quickly chilling in the bed and falling sleep because of not only long day in the car but also the quiet atmosphere of mountain area.

Waking up early next day, the fresh air made my mind awake, breath full lung with the morning air and enjoy the mountain sight from the front yard. Take a walk around, realize that the house was surrounded by lychee trees and a small garden which they grow fresh veggies such as broccoli, cabbage or herbs. The fence of the house is made from bamboo and hibiscus trees. Hibiscus flowers were so fabulous.

 Having breakfast in the small kitchen placed right side of the house, beside the burner which they still use wood for fuel, so romantic, simple breakfast with noodle and veggies from their own garden. 

After filling our stomach, we quickly dress up a little bit and head to main road. Side by side the road, there are mountains and fields. The first place that I wanted to see is potato valley. The green of potato trees, the sun appeared behind the far mountain, a slight wind-blown. Everything joined together like the melody of morning mountain area band. Closing my eyes, using other senses to feel the fresh around me, I cannot forget that emotion. 

On the go to Khe vang, we see a lot of water buffalos wore small bells made from wood, really special.

CHE LAM - another special aspect of Vietnam cuisine

           Vietnam is an agriculture country, our ancestry used rice to survive.  Rice diet created chances for us to make tons of dishes, from that we even build our own food culture. We not only use rice to cook main course but also use rice to make desserts. If you visit our country, you will try pho, noodle  or spring roll, but you  seldom be showed “CHE LAM”  one of the most very Vietnamese dish that you cannot find anywhere outside Vietnam.

      From tradition, long long time ago, when our ancestry did have nothing  to worship during Tet holiday, still wanted to show their respect to Gods and their ancestry, they tried to find a special dish that is different from their normal day food, but because of the poorness, they could not afford anything. Until one day, they spotted they should use the familiar ingredients to create special dish. This way not only showed their respect to Gods, but also the respect to their own work – farming.

         Nowadays, although the machines are using to help people in order to make “CHE LAM” but it’s still really hard to make this dessert. From choosing materials to cooking, the process is complex and requires concentration from the cook. Ingredients are sticky rice, ginger, molasses and peanuts. The ingredients are listed shortly, right? But the way to make this dessert is really hard.