Kenny helped us arrange a highly anticipated trip to Ha Long Bay, THE sightseeing place I've wanted to see ever since picking up my first book about Vietnam months ago. How badly? Well, if we couldn't go today and we got the "free to leave" clearance in the next couple of days, I would want to stay an extra day just to go there. Couldn't rationalize coming this far around the world and missing this place. So the tour bus arrived this morning a little late and we and theMausts load into a van which seemed pretty well loaded to begin with, mostly with Japanese tourists, with NO kids.... I bet they were thrilled to see US pile in!!!!
It was a long ride in a crowded van to Ha Long. Cindy met new friends and charmed them with her stories!!!
Well another driving adventure ensued, first through the busy old quarter and streets of Hanoi, and then for the 100+ km drive to Ha Long. Very interesting scenery to be taken in, lots of rice fields, water buffalo, lots of farming going on, and some just beautiful countryside.
It took some 3 hours, and the sun finally poke through (it looked like it was gonna rain all day when we woke up, as it looks almost every morning here), which just made it hotter and hotter. The sweat was pouring down by the time we got on the boat, the "Hai Long", for a "three-hour tour"...
Our boat for our excursion into Ha Long Bay We had a group of about 15 people on a "junk" boat, gas powered, and a cabin inside with tables for "dining". There was also a deck upstairs to hang out and really enjoy the scenery. I won't say much, I'll just post a bunch of pics and maybe a video clip to try to capture the grandeur of this little excursion. It was truly a magnificent place to see!!!
4 comments:
WoW! And by the time I had posted my last comment, Howie had posted today's blog!! This has truly been an amazing experience for you, and you will be able to show this to Molly as she grows so she may learn about her roots and heritage and her journey to becoming your daughter. Thank you for sharing it with us.
And Emma has had the best "field trip" EVER!!
Brit
hello all...So glad to read all of these posts thanks to Howie....Wonderful with all of the pictures too. Glad that you were all able to enjoy yourselves over the weekend....Hoping that all goes smoothly for the appointments on Monday...Are Cindy and Jerry scheduled for Monday too????
Ok Howie. You are officially hired to be the tour guide when it is time to go to Guatemala!!! Love the pictures and the info. Start brushing up on your spanish when you get home & have all of that free time!! It sounds like you guys are having a good trip. That's great. Tell Emma to get an agent!
Katie,
Got your message, I was coming home from night shift and Freddy was dropping the kids at daycare at 730am.....i love you too, stay strong, you are at the end now.......soon you will be safe and home.I have stopped crying, I see the joy in all of your faces and all my worries are over. You are a beautiful family and this was an awesome experience for you. All the ladies of the MOG are updated with Molly, she has already touched so many people...Stay strong Katie, I am right there with you, stay strong, you ARE coming home SOON, I promise. I love you all,
Lyn
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