www.kiwithree.com: 2013

Xmas lunch

About to depart for a scrumptious xmas lunch

Two hours later, left the buffet but not quite back to the car yet

I was wondering why Seren was leaning on me. Imagine my surprise when I realised she had lost her foot. I was a little bit annoyed because it also meant her sandal was missing. With footwear I know I am meant to bring home a matching left and right after every outing

Unbelievable. Here we go again. I told her not to wave her foot about because it may come off. What if it had struck an innocent passerby?

Boat food and final thoughts

Not all water and cabin bread. In fact the food was divine with a heavy emphasis on sea food

Made from watermelon , pumpkin and carrot. A replica of our boat

We loved everything about Vietnam (apart from the dangerous driving). The service is the best I have ever had full stop. The people friendly and genuine. I could really do with going back to Hanoi and hanging around there for a week. We packed a lot into 8 days but next time we know to go longer. The other couple on the boat said Cambodia is a great place. I think that is our next trip.

Ha Long caves

We climbed up to enter the caves. Had a good view of our ship in the background.

Strange formations

Something tells me this may be a romantic couple cruise.

Unfortunately glynis was not feeling well and stayed on the boat. Food was great

Back to our boat and Seren checks to see she has still got me under her thumb

Ha Long bay floating village

Seated and ready for a row around the floating village.

They dispatched one of the fish from the holding pens. Glynis did not let Seren watch the fish getting knocked out. I did point out the irony as a few months ago she had taken Seren to a muay thai fight with lots of knockouts. I suppose the difference was no one was eaten

Watched Kung fu movies for over 40 years and finally get to wear the hat. I is happy.

Looks like every country has a hole in a rock

The inside of a cultivated pearl

Ha Long Bay ..few nights on a junk

Looking forward to a few nights on a junk

Very luxurious. Check out the dining room

Set sail through the hundreds of tiny islands

A bit windy but at least the head did not fall off.

Five passengers and eight crew made for a great trip

Exploring some of the small rock formations.

I think you know what is going on here. I finally found the panoramic feature on my phone

Play

Everywhere the children were playing

Marbles using bottle tops

Totally oblivious to us wandering through the game.

Someone has a great dad.
Built an enormous swing

We passed a local school so got our guide to give out some glow sticks to the pupils. Why glow sticks? You try going to a rave without one. Its impossible. It was better than sugar candy and easy to carry. We did have books pens etc but saved that for later on in Vietnam

The children liked them but it started to get a bit like a scrum.

In fact in the end kids were streaming in from all over the village. Our giude was overun and had to make a tactical withdrawl. One thing for sure , bet the disco was pumping that night.

Sapa shopping

During the trek we stopped at a cafe. The owner was constantly trying to kick the street peddlers out but to no avail. Here they are crowding around some poor sucker.

Hang on a minute. That's my wife.

"Hey guys look. She still has some money left."

"HELP"

They were also trying to persuade Seren to buy something. I explained to them that a six year old does not have any money. Seren was very good and kept on using the term "no shopping" which they understand.

In the end it was too over whelming for Seren and she started crying. We swapped seats to give her some distance from the eager entrepreneurs

Sapa, Day two

Two things I don't do well.

Cold and long walks. Glynis booked this trip. Next time lets do a self drive motorcycle tour somewhere hot.

Start of the 14km walk

Down the road past the service station. You cant miss it.

Some locals joined our hike

We were adamant that we were not going to purchase from them and made it clear.

Thought the hills and rice paddies we trekked

The path was slippery and wet in places. The locals girls were with us the whole time and sometimes gave a hand at the slippery sections.

I don't know why but it is not possible to travel with people and not feel a connection. These girls knew it. We did buy from them once we got to our first pit stop. There were very happy but I regret not buying more. A few dollars is nothing to us but important to them.