We are back......did we or didn't we.....
We left the internet cafe and called a taxi, a vietnamese local had written directions to the snake restaurant on our lonely planet map. We showed the taxi driver who looked at us with a little horror in his face. He called up his boss to find out where it was, and started driving. 10 minutes later we were over the bridge in a part of Hanoi no other westerners go. We were very nervous. I (Chris) had been a bit cockey about eating snake earlier in the week, but now all i wanted to do was tell the driver to turn around and take us back to Hanoi. Sam was a bit like at our wedding - nervous the week before, but fine on the day.
The taxi driver had to stop twice to ask directions (not a good sign), we turn down a small dirt track street, and pull up by some guys house - its now that Sam gets nervous. Some part of us hoped that the resturant would not be open - or even exist. We ask the driver to wait for 2 minutes, we walk into his house and see the pickled cobras in his lounge.
He and his wife can't speak a word of English, but he beckons us with a big smile to his back yard. It's here that he keeps his snakes in a large cage. He gives us both
an umbrella and tells us to stand back, he opens the door to the cage and walks in.
Its Sams worst fear and she tells me that she doesn't feel well and doesn't want to do it. I agree and we decide just to watch as the snakes rear up and dart at the guy stood in thier cage. We have no idea what flavour of snake was in the cage, apart from the cobra and python that we recgonised from nature programs.
He comes out of the cage and we ask how much for one snake --- $50 !!!! NO WAY, we say we can't afford it and start to leave.
But then he pulls me back and shows me his menu. Oh - yes we can have Snake soup, snake spring rolls, and Cobra Wine (Picked Cobra with snakes blood).
The taxi driver agrees to wait, but indicates that he won't eat with us - he will go down the road.
We agree on a price and order the lot.
He pours one shot of cobra wine, which I split and make him drink first. he necks it, then its my turn - check out the regret in my smile....
It tastes kind of rank, but hey - i downed it and its all over.
This guy has a missing finger because a King Cobra bit him and he had to immediately chop it off!
Next is the snake soup. It looks a little thick and slimy. Sam takes the first, her second and third gulp. Her face drains of blood and she looks at me in horror.
I take my first gulp - it tastes like mushroom soup and the snake meat tastes is tough and chewy and looks like snake...
He then brings out the spring rolls... This time Sam tuks in, and I think it's horrible. We order some beers, neck them, pay a fortune then run to the taxi. The driver can't believe that we ate it, and neither can we..
Back in Hanoi we order a bottle of Shiraz to take away the taste.
Theres one thing we will never be doing again, and thats ask you lot what we should eat for Christmas.
Love you long time
Chris & Sam
P.S Snakes doesn't taste like chicken - it tastes like SNAKE !
The taxi driver had to stop twice to ask directions (not a good sign), we turn down a small dirt track street, and pull up by some guys house - its now that Sam gets nervous. Some part of us hoped that the resturant would not be open - or even exist. We ask the driver to wait for 2 minutes, we walk into his house and see the pickled cobras in his lounge.
He and his wife can't speak a word of English, but he beckons us with a big smile to his back yard. It's here that he keeps his snakes in a large cage. He gives us both
an umbrella and tells us to stand back, he opens the door to the cage and walks in. Its Sams worst fear and she tells me that she doesn't feel well and doesn't want to do it. I agree and we decide just to watch as the snakes rear up and dart at the guy stood in thier cage. We have no idea what flavour of snake was in the cage, apart from the cobra and python that we recgonised from nature programs.
He comes out of the cage and we ask how much for one snake --- $50 !!!! NO WAY, we say we can't afford it and start to leave.
But then he pulls me back and shows me his menu. Oh - yes we can have Snake soup, snake spring rolls, and Cobra Wine (Picked Cobra with snakes blood).
The taxi driver agrees to wait, but indicates that he won't eat with us - he will go down the road.
We agree on a price and order the lot.
He pours one shot of cobra wine, which I split and make him drink first. he necks it, then its my turn - check out the regret in my smile....
It tastes kind of rank, but hey - i downed it and its all over.
This guy has a missing finger because a King Cobra bit him and he had to immediately chop it off!
Next is the snake soup. It looks a little thick and slimy. Sam takes the first, her second and third gulp. Her face drains of blood and she looks at me in horror.
I take my first gulp - it tastes like mushroom soup and the snake meat tastes is tough and chewy and looks like snake...
He then brings out the spring rolls... This time Sam tuks in, and I think it's horrible. We order some beers, neck them, pay a fortune then run to the taxi. The driver can't believe that we ate it, and neither can we..
Back in Hanoi we order a bottle of Shiraz to take away the taste.
Theres one thing we will never be doing again, and thats ask you lot what we should eat for Christmas.
Love you long time
Chris & Sam
P.S Snakes doesn't taste like chicken - it tastes like SNAKE !
posted by Chris at 9:18 AM
8 Comments:
Good effort peeps! That snake soup sounds awful - at least you could down the wine :D
Sounds like you're having a great time over there though. We missed you pair in Obergurgl, but we had an ace holiday.
Right, back to highly venemous turkey sandwiches for me!
oh my god guys - that's so grim! you are so brave for doing it!! hope that you feel okay today! i am hung over as a dog.
Fantasmagorical mateys! Well done. However, one of those things that I can live without doing, myself. Bet that bottle of Shiraz never tasted so good.....
Deb
XXX
That pickled snake would go a bomb in the local Fish and Chip shop.
Mum says she is glad its all over.Hope there have been no nasty after effects
The look on Chris's face was sheer fear
But Well Done(not like the snake)
The above is from Mum and Dad with clumsy fingers(still shaking from last night)
hiya, well done for eating that! i wud neva of bin able 2 do that!! we r avin our x-mas dinna 2day! yum! luv jessica xxx
Guys I've got a full bottle of snake whiskey here with your name on it when you get back. ALL yours!
I hoped this was not staged like the first Moon Landing :)
Well done guys, there's a story to tell your grandchildren.
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