Back in the U.S.A.

We are now back home - doing laundry, paying bills and catching up on sleep. It was a tough trip back. As mentioned before, Trey wasn't feeling too well the few days prior to travel. His usual exceptional timing kicked in and he was at his most sick for the travel time. A bit of puking in airports, high high fever, and overall yukiness for the 30 hour trip home. Poor kid. But we are home and happy with some incredible memories. The trip was all I could have hoped for. My traveling group (shown below)could not have been more fun. I have spent 5 years dreaming of our return to Trey's birth country. New dreams are now being formed for 2017!

A full day in Hanoi. Puke.

This was our one full day in Hanoi. Trey has been struggling with a bit of a fever and sore throat so was glad he got a great nights sleep. This morning we waled down to the mausoleum / living area of Ho Chi Minh. It is a beautiful walk and where I used to run most days when we were here. Love that part of the city.
This afternoon we went to the water puppet show. So much better than last time. Trey was so excited to see it, but then fell asleep about half way through. The plan was to do a bit of shopping and have dinner at a fave spot, but Trey was complaining about being tired so we headed back to the hotel for a nap. He woke with crazy fever and losing the little bit of lunch he had. Poor kid. Last night in Hanoi spent in hotel with rice and sprite (Trey) and tiger beer (me) from room service. We still have most of tomorrow to enjoy - our flight isn't until 11pm. Fingers crossed he wakes up feeling better, and that I don't catch it for the long trip home!
Time to pack.....

Last stop - Hanoi

Sitting here in my room at the Anise hotel brings back all kinds of memories. This is where Trey and I spent the final 4 weeks or so 5 years ago. It is really cool to be here again, of course under much better circumstances. More on what's happening in Hanoi in a moment.
We flew to Hanoi from HCMC on the 27th. We left early on the 28th for. 4.5 hour drive to Halong bay. We spent that afternoon at the Asian equivalent of "Wally World"! It was actually kind of a cool little amusement park, but I think there were maybe 10 other people in the entire park. Kind of cool, kind of creepy. But a fun dolphin show followed by a very strange monkey and croc show (don't worry, they weren't in the ring at the same time!). The next morning we cruised Halong bay. It was pretty foggy making the views not what they could be, but still pretty spectacular. The best part was hopping into some little rowboats to go into parts of the bay you can't get into on the bigger junkets. I loved it, fog and all!
After lunch back on the bus to Hanoi. Quick repack, a little dinner and grab the night train to Sapa. The train took over 8 hours to go only 200 miles. It was not my favorite part of the trip, but Trey loved it.
Sapa is as beautiful as I imagined....I think. Most of the amazing-ness of the area was covered in fog. But We hiked to the top of dragon mountain for beautiful views of the town, walked up by a huge waterfall, and checked out the local market. Sapa is a really cool town with a great vibe. And, lucky for me every other store sold Northface (I think the real stuff but not entirely sure) since it was WAY cold/damp than I thought it would be. Day 2 we visited Cat Cat Village. Trey was bummed that he only saw one cat, but I think the pigs, views, crafts and hike made up for it.
The night train brought us back to Hanoi Got reacquainted with the city and had dinner at the pizza shop of a man we knew from being here last time.
Two more days in Vietnam. As I sit listening to the horns honk I am so happy. To have the opportunity to come back, and do it with such wonderful people. I am so lucky.
Happy new year!

Ha Long bay and Sa Pa

Two of the most beautiful places in the world. Both almost completely fogged in! Oh well, having a blast. Just heading to Cat Cat village. Will post some details tomorrow when we get to Hanoi. NYE will be spent on the overnight train. Trey thinks it is SO cool, I think it is a night of no sleep and worrying we are going off the tracks!!!!! Happy New Year my friends!

Epic

The past 2 days have been in.cred.ible! Yesterday (Christmas day) started with our usual breakfast delicious. The kids then realized that the staff had hung gift bags for them in their Christmas tree. So sweet of them! The people here have made this such a special stay. We then read the real Christmas story followed by lots of Christmas songs. It hasn't felt like Christmas here and, but that made it all come real.
We walked to a smoothie/ice cream store for lunch. The smoothies were the perfect way to kick the heat. An amazing bonus was the gal who ran the place invited us all back for dinner tonight! Said her mom is a great cook and they would love it if we came back. Wow. After some hanging out by the pool the owner of our hotel offered to take Trey and I for a scooter ride. The absolute best way to get a feel for the town. I am amazed how much this place has changed in the past 5 years. The thriving waterfront is one example. The bridge by the market is another as it opened up a whole new part.
We ended the day with a great pizza party. It took 4 hours plus to get our pizzas- they were delivered in waves and a power outage meant the last few were cooked over coals - but great!
Today. Holy cow. We did the "hot tour" of the area. That meant a boat picked us up at the hotel. First stop was brick making. Way more interesting than it sounds. Second stop local fruits and traditional music. Stop 3 coconut juice. Stop 4 coconut candy (eating it while still warm is so good). At this point the kids got back on the boat and we rode bikes to where they make sleeping mats. The kids took a motorized rickshaw to lunch while we go to cruise on the narrow, beautiful paths. Follow this with a delicious lunch followed by riding in tiny canoes back to the boat. A beautiful, hot, entertaining way to enjoy Ben Tre!
Tonight dinner at the smoothie gals was the best meal we have had on this trip. No better way to end this amazing stay in Treys birthplace. Banh Xeo, soup, spring rolls, fried rice, corn (Treys fave). Follow this with so many beautiful fruit plates.
Tomorrow we head to Hanoi. We will be in the north for the rest of the trip. Time to put away the swimsuits!

Christmas Eve

And what a Christmas Eve it was. Not really sure I can put today into words. We got to Ben Tre last night after about a 7 hour drive. Walked through town to a fantastic place for dinner. I may need to walk the route again and get some photos.
This morning we headed over to the care center where Trey spent his first nine months. Only one of the nannies are still there, but they called two others who came right over. It was beautiful to see their response to the kids, and the kids to them. We spent a few hours there talking (through an interpreter) and playing with the babies. Some of our travel group brought gifts for the older kids so as a thank you the kids sang a song for us. So cool!
Tonight we went to a Christmas buffet. Our hotel owner warned that they can get a bit vicious getting to the food. Happy to report no injuries.
Tomorrow we have nothing planned except enjoying Christmas. And hopefully getting my laundry back .... Details.
Merry Christmas!

Fairy stream

On our last day at our beautiful beach resort we did a little hike up the fairy stream. It was a pretty cool stream that runs through the red sand dunes. We hiked up to the top of one of the dunes for some awesome views. We didn't actually see any fairy, but some beautiful sites and a few cows. Lots more pool time and a bit on the beach to watch crazy kite boarders.
On our way to our room tonight we stopped by the pool where a trio was rocking a bit of Simon and Garfinkel. Good in any country!
Tomorrow will be (another) long drive as we head to Ben Tre. It will be about 7 hours - but based on our ride here that can mean almost anything!
I have cool pics, but alas the iPad won't allow me to post.