They came, they saw and they conquered. And now I miss them. It's actually been three weeks since my sisters and almost-brother came to visit us in Saigon. They stayed here for a week - too short, but we managed to pack a lot of activities (and a lot of eating!) in the 7 days that they were here. Nov 2, Friday was the day they arrived. We were too excited to see each other we forgot to take the reunion airport pic! We remembered to take it just before we left Hung Vuong 2 (where we live) that night:
On their first night, it was dinner in Ben Thanh market where we sampled fresh spring rolls, pork barbecue, fried clams with garlic, red snapper (or simply tilapia!) and hot vit lon otherwise called balut. Yes, balut exists in Vietnam and it is eaten in a very saucy manner - with matching "throne" where you put the egg and teaspoon.
Day 2, we were off to Mui Ne in Phan Tiet for some sun, sea and sand and more. I love Mui Ne - it's not only a beach but there are loads more to see like the white and yellow sand dunes, the red canyon, fishing village, and fairy stream. Unfortunately the Red Canyon was closed on this trip but we managed to see all the other sights plus lounge in the beach and pool for some quality bonding time and great food. Dinner was spent in Luna D' Autonno, which they absolutely loved. The pizza and pasta were perfect to cap off an adventurous day.
We went home the next day and the rest of the time flew by so fast. On the days when I had to work, I booked them to a trip to the Cu Chi tunnels and Mekong Delta where they had their share of the culture and history of Vietnam. On their last day, they hit the museums and did some heavy duty city walking (and map reading - we armed them with a map of Saigon and left them to their own devices). In between, of course we spent time for shopping and lounging and seeing the sights. Mags had his share of the Vietnam coffee experience, where after two glasses of robusta coffee, he felt jittery and restless and unable to sleep til dawn. Haha. Apart from that, it was all about food: Temple Club, Luna, Ngon, Windows Cafe, and Black Cat on the last night for the Big Cheese Burger.
One thing was for sure - it was never without our friend, Tiger.
.... or Miguel, or Zorok, depending on our mood and who was available:)
It was fun and tiring, but ultimately it was just great to be together again. But as most vacations go, it ended and it was pretty hard to get back to normal after 7 wonderful days of togetherness.
In the airport, we didn't cry over goodbyes but afterwards we had to admit to each other that when we had gone our separate ways (me at home alone and them in the pre-departure area) we cried. Well the world turns - Julia after that weekend started with a new job, Tenten back to her day job and then the more enjoyable night job of singing in a band, Mags back to cooking school and playing in the band too, and well, Lem and I, we continue to survive the Saigon life while always longing for home and if that can't happen yet, the next big vacation.
In the meantime, in able to cope with the perils of our mundane existence, we have taken to planning our next reunion and this time it includes Cambodia plus more of Vietnam sometime next year. Can't wait for that, but there's another reunion that happens next month and this time it's no where else but home.
See u soon girls...and boy - and well, everyone else! More of our pics are in my multiply, here.
On their first night, it was dinner in Ben Thanh market where we sampled fresh spring rolls, pork barbecue, fried clams with garlic, red snapper (or simply tilapia!) and hot vit lon otherwise called balut. Yes, balut exists in Vietnam and it is eaten in a very saucy manner - with matching "throne" where you put the egg and teaspoon.
Day 2, we were off to Mui Ne in Phan Tiet for some sun, sea and sand and more. I love Mui Ne - it's not only a beach but there are loads more to see like the white and yellow sand dunes, the red canyon, fishing village, and fairy stream. Unfortunately the Red Canyon was closed on this trip but we managed to see all the other sights plus lounge in the beach and pool for some quality bonding time and great food. Dinner was spent in Luna D' Autonno, which they absolutely loved. The pizza and pasta were perfect to cap off an adventurous day.
We went home the next day and the rest of the time flew by so fast. On the days when I had to work, I booked them to a trip to the Cu Chi tunnels and Mekong Delta where they had their share of the culture and history of Vietnam. On their last day, they hit the museums and did some heavy duty city walking (and map reading - we armed them with a map of Saigon and left them to their own devices). In between, of course we spent time for shopping and lounging and seeing the sights. Mags had his share of the Vietnam coffee experience, where after two glasses of robusta coffee, he felt jittery and restless and unable to sleep til dawn. Haha. Apart from that, it was all about food: Temple Club, Luna, Ngon, Windows Cafe, and Black Cat on the last night for the Big Cheese Burger.
One thing was for sure - it was never without our friend, Tiger.
.... or Miguel, or Zorok, depending on our mood and who was available:)
It was fun and tiring, but ultimately it was just great to be together again. But as most vacations go, it ended and it was pretty hard to get back to normal after 7 wonderful days of togetherness.
In the airport, we didn't cry over goodbyes but afterwards we had to admit to each other that when we had gone our separate ways (me at home alone and them in the pre-departure area) we cried. Well the world turns - Julia after that weekend started with a new job, Tenten back to her day job and then the more enjoyable night job of singing in a band, Mags back to cooking school and playing in the band too, and well, Lem and I, we continue to survive the Saigon life while always longing for home and if that can't happen yet, the next big vacation.
In the meantime, in able to cope with the perils of our mundane existence, we have taken to planning our next reunion and this time it includes Cambodia plus more of Vietnam sometime next year. Can't wait for that, but there's another reunion that happens next month and this time it's no where else but home.
See u soon girls...and boy - and well, everyone else! More of our pics are in my multiply, here.
1 comments:
next time, leslie love naman ;)
looks like you kids had a whole lot of fun! bring me to that desert when i come visit you again
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