of mashed avocado and some poached chicken breast on toast. Downed them with a few bottles of beer after a full day of bathing in powdery mildew out in the vineyards. The job was shitty to say the least but thank God my work mates were great 
Click on the pic to view the whole set on Flickr!
2004 Muddy Water Estate Chardonnay: Clear pale gold-lemon yellow and a shade of light green hues. Flinty but with a disturbing musty cardboard character on the nose; smokey and plenty of oak. Sharp, white fruit core, bitter lemon and unripe grapefruit flavours. Med+ acidity; med length.
2009 Muddy Water Estate Pinot Noir: Ruby-garnet core; a little cloudy. Bright red fruits, cherries, spice and good vanilla/oak aromas on the nose. Quite tannic on the palate; muscular and texturally sound; dark chocolate – more savoury than sweet really. Med to med+ acid; med finish. A food wine. Needs time for the elements to meld together.
2009 Muddy Water Slowhand Pinot Noir: clear magenta-red core. Muted nose of morello cherry and blackberry jam with a touch of jasmine tea leaves. Tart, lots of dark chocolate, coffee beans and oak flavours on the palate. A tinge of greenness was detected in the wine but with good acidity and a med+ finish. Most elegant and pleasing of the line-up even though Belinda said it had a few rough edges (that seemed to work).
2009 Muddy Water Hare’s Breath Pinot Noir: Bright purplish-red core with a strong magenta rim. Sweet vanilla, oak, ripe black cherries were quite lifted. Perfumed and candy-ish. Pretty tannic on the mouth, again the fruit profile took a backseat while the texture of the wine took centre-stage. Quite a lot of oak and cedar on the palate – definitely needs time to tame those unforgiving tannins.
Two years ago, I came out from my performance appraisal feeling disillusioned, crest-fallen and bitter. Little did I expect an offshore assignment to Vietnam thereafter provided me with unspeakable relief and comfort. Honestly, the first impression I had of picturesque Vungtau is still quite vivid in my mind right now. A healing place – that’s what I told suyin and ah tan back then.
The cà phê sữa đá at M&K Cafe is still as delicious as ever; the contrasting flavours of the bánh mì is as good as I remembered it to be. Walking down the streets in Vungtau again, I can’t help but wonder how my life would change by accepting the offer to relocate to this socialist country, where a lot of fond memories (of people I met) took place.
Is this gonna be a turning point in my life? I don’t think I have the answer yet. For now, I need to concentrate on getting the job done and press on for my own goals. I just hope the uncomfortable feeling deep down will continue to serve as a constant reminder of why I said yes to my boss in the first place.
First chopper, checking in at 0600hrs tomorrow. I forgot how much I disliked waking up so early and dragging my big fat arse to the helibase. It’s just all too familiar. But I don’t think I would mind a nice cup of cà phê sữa nóng at the break of dawn.
When I looked at the details of the package presented before me, I knew Vietnam would be a distant memory. After more than 4 years of repeated promises, I think there’s little faith left, if any. Of course, I wouldn’t discount the possibility of a counter offer, but the damage has been done, and there’s no healing any mortals could offer.
Looking at the brighter side of things, I guess the laughable meagre compensation took away the disturbing uncertainties, and my heart and mind, at long last, found peace with one another.
