Auskick Saigon

Fantastic to see the great sport of AFL football being nurtured in the kids of Saigon!  The lament of many an expat parent is the lack of wide open spaces for the kids to just hit the grass and expend some of that pent up, apartment living energy.  Auskick Saigon has started up again and this time is located at the Australian RMIT campus in D7.  There was a fantastic turnout for yesterdays first session and the kids had a blast.   Not only are they getting a chance to run off that energy but they are learning the art of the great game that is AFL or Australian Rules Football.  It is very professionally run with the kids starting with warm ups, followed by drills then finishing with a short game.  The kids can then hang around to watch the "old" boys of the Vietnam Swans do their own training.  A great initiative that allows the kids to see the benefits of training and how one day they can be just like their dads!  (minus the beer at the end).  There is no prior knowledge of the sport previously required and it is open to anyone who is interested.  

A New Player in the Saigon Meat Market.

I am as excited as a kid in a lolly shop!  I probably should rephrase that as a Saigonese carnivore in a new Aussie butcher shop!  It is with great delight that I introduce you to a new player on the scene in Saigons often sadly underwhelming meat market.  Tra Vy Butcher Co (click on the name to go to their web page) has opened in Phu My Hung and I popped down for a visit this morning.

Tra Vy is owned and operated by one of our very own Aussie expats and fellow Vietnam Swan, Travis Fallon.  Travis, who is a butcher by trade when back in Australia, has opened his butchery in Phu My Hung and now must finally be relieved that I will leave him alone and stop asking "when are you going to open...I need some real sausages!" 

Us Moggys love a bit of good old fashioned bangers, mash and beans and these are sure to fit the bill.  A really wide variety of flavours all made by Trav and preservative free.

The man himself.  Trav as I mentioned is a butcher back in Aus and now one of my favourite people in Saigon!

Porterhouse heaven.  I can almost taste the garlic and mustard butter I am going to dollop onto these babies.  The meat comes from my home town of Melbourne.   It is all fresh so you can freeze it when you get home and have a stash at hand.

I did a bit of a double take (pun intended) when I saw the girls but was soon distracted by the scotch fillet!

I was doing a little happy dance when I saw the array of beautiful Aussie red meat on offer.  Not JUST red meat...but REALLY good quality red meat!  Trav also does home made chicken Kiev's,  marinated chicken skewers and wings,  beef and chicken mince and roast lambs and rib racks.  A more comprehensive list including prices is below.  They are open 7 days and also deliver.  Their web page is www.travysbutchershop.com and you can even order online.  Now I just have to find a high protein diet because my BBQ is calling me

Location
A007 Nguyễn Văn Linh
Hưng Vượng 1, Phú Mỹ Hưng, Q.7,
Hồ Chí Minh City, Việt Nam
Phone
085 410 3214
090 399 8036
090 399 8018
Hours
Mon - Sun 8am - 8pm

Hot off the press.....Vietnam Swans Back to Back Indochina Champs!

Big congratulations to the Vietnam Swans on the successful defence of the title of reigning Indochina Champs.  Well done to the guys, supporters and sponsors.  No doubt the celebrations will be soon in full swing in Vientiane, Laos.  I was going to put some champagne on ice for Nicks return tomorrow but after 4 games of footy in one day I think I will hold the champagne and put him on ice instead.  He should be walking again by Christmas.  Go Swannies!

Banner another cracking effort by Ross McRae.

Wait...that's not a round ball!

For those of you who never thought you would live to see the day....the man who's sporting career has been dominated by the beautiful game has gone to the dark side.  Who says you can't re-invent yourself post 40.  Great photos courtesy of Mr Ross McRae and The Vietnam Swans.

As far as you know it was a goal ok?

Vietnam Swans Video

Here is a short movie of all of the action from Tuesday nights big game, Swannies V Royal Australian Navy.  AFL is certainly alive and kicking in Vietnam thanks to the Vietnam Swans.  While I don't think channel Nine (or whoever is televising this year!) will be hiring me any time soon, I thought I did manage to get some good stuff considering I was chasing 2 kids, playing frisbee, drinking a Tiger beer and filming with a still camera at the time.

Vietnam Swans V Australian Navy...sort of.

This week the HMAS Huon and the HMAS Yarra are in town!  They are Australian Navy minesweeping vessels on a bit of a good will tour.  The Vietnam Swans and Yarra/Huon  got together on Tuesday night to slug it out for the Phoenix Cup Perpetual Trophy. The Trophy is a spent shell donated by HMAS Darwin when the Swannies hosted a match against her on 29 September 2009. The Vietnam Swans are the custodians of the Trophy which is played for whenever an Australian warship visits Vietnam.  So far, the Swannies have played the RAN Fleet Units twice (HMAS ANZAC (Aug, 2008) and HMAS Darwin (Sept 2009)) and have been lucky enough to win on both occasions.

The kids were excited to be able to walk on some green stuff!  REAL GRASS!

The Moggys

The blending of two cultures.  AFL footy with Vietnamese flags for the goalie.

Unfortunately half of the Navy team got stuck in traffic on the way back from Vung Tau.  It was a twighlight match so time was of the essence.  Jumpers were swapped and some Swannies became Sailors.  Game on.

The line up

Ummm...Nick, you look stuffed and they haven't started yet!

One of my favourites.  Vietnam has very few coins in circulation.  What do you do in a country like that at the coin toss?  Why Rock Paper Scissors of course!

All that grass was a little bit too much for Quiddy.

.....and Scarlett.

What it's all about.

Thank goodness for glow in the dark shoes as darkness falls.

Go Swannies!  The final score.

Our past diggers would get a grin out of this one.  What better use for a hat!

A big thanks went out to Dan who was an important part of making it all happen....and for the cold beers afterwards.

Catering by Al Frescos.  Snags on the BBQ and a few coldies.

A poignent moment as Phil lights the 3 candles representing 3 people from the Swannies family who have sadly passed away.

For Dan's Grandmother, Sticky and little Phoebe.  May you rest in peace.

Scarlett enjoying the sugar high of lemonade.

Some presentations.  What Navy guy would not want an unwashed Swannies jumper as a momento I ask?

Australian Consul General Graeme Swift presenting the winners trophy.

Footballers are footballers all over the world.  The two best on grounds in one final competition.  Who can shotgun a can of Tiger?

...and the Swannies finish with another win.  As they say though....Football was the real winner (and it's a game of two halves!)