Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
So I have been in in Vietnam for nearly a month now and I have learnt a lot about the culture. In the south they said that the northerners eat monkey brain and the northerners say the southerners do! If the Vietnamese smile and say yes when you ask something they haven't understood you and just want to please.
In the various visits I have made to Hanoi I have noticed the huge build up to tet, the lunar New year which they celebrate this year on the 10th February. The Vietnamese treat this as their biggest holiday of the year,buying and wearing they newest and best clothes while cleaning their houses top to bottom and decorating with peach blossom treas or kumquat trees to bring them luck in the new year. Things are starting to close down for the celebration which I am pleased to see although I suspect lots of the tourist restaurants and shops will remain open which is a little sad. Today I sat by the lake in the city centre while they planted the last of the flowers (a display to make even the flower markets of Amsterdam seem small) and test the sound system for the fireworks display that will happen. They have decorated everything possible with symbols from Vietnamese and Chinese culture, some based on the star signs. I have found that some of the most seen symbols mean longetivity and double happiness. I am finding myself wishing everyone happy New year which feels strange as we are now over a month into ours! Which brings me to my almost half way point in my trip.
Following our trekking in sapa, our sore legs ventured to halong bay to marvel at the caves and rocks jutting out of the water on a beautifully clear day. The sun even shone for a short while. We enjoyed some amazing local food in attempt to satisfy our returning appetites after both being a bit poorly. In the last few days of Hanoi exploring we found the museum's b52 bomber remanats and other things in a USA army machines graveyard. Strange place but calum loved it! After a sad farewell to calum, who has hopefully left with fond memories of Asia?! I have ventured to my cheap hostel for my last night in Vietnam. I am leaving bright and early at 5am in the morning to travel to Chiang mai in Thailand. in Chaing mai i am going to work th the elephants, i am hoping it is good as i hope it to be!
Today remains a sad day, it is the day that we say a final goodbye and allow great grandad to rest in peace. I am with you all in spirit and wish I could be there. Take care. Xx
- comments
Karen A great service for an amazing guy. You can tell that even though he was 98, he ment a great deal to an exceptional amount of people. I truly loved that man.This is what Jack wrote I Think we can all say this WE TRULY ALL LOVED HIM and he will be greatly missed by all. Glad your enjoying youself it sounds great.
Natalie Ahhh I want to go to Vietnam - can't wait to see your photos! You must be very excited about the elephants - hope it is everything you want it to be. I had a really strange dream last night... I went to work and you were sitting there on your own at the computer, so obviously I went and asked why you were there. You said you went to Thailand for 2 weeks but then missed England too much so you'd spent the last 3 weeks in Wiltshire with Calum, and had been hiding out at Rosie's for the last week working in secret!!!!! So I had to come on your blog and make sure you were well and truly still in Asia Can't wait to hear more adventures! Only 9 days until Canada now! Miss you xxxx
omie en opa Ha Becky, eindelijk de olifanten. Daar ging je toch voor he? Heel veel plezier en dat moet wel lukken. Natalie are you going to Canada? Have a nice time. To both of you: be careful and enjoy your holidays. Love from omie and opa.
Natalie James and I are off to Canada skiing! Hope you and Opa are well and it's not too cold in Holland. xx
Becky Have an amazing time in Canada! :) no injuries though please! I have arrived and am at the most amazing place...there are elephants just outside my room and a new baby a few meters away! We are bathing them and feeding them! Dreamworld:) I will update my blog again when I am back in Chiang mai town but I am safe and happy here! Love to all xxx ps. Check out the elephant nature park website savetheelephant.org for pictures of where I am!