Back in USA

Now at San Francisco airport with long layover till Atlanta flight, bummer. But will soon be home.

 It was a great trip . . . so many memories, new friends, gracious people, pictures, videos, post cards when no pictures allowed, blisters, dirty clothes and so little sleep - but definitely worth it 😊

We lucked out on 1st leg of 3 flights home and upgraded to first class

Taipei airport not only has Miss Kitty but also beautiful orchid garden, a delightful way to pass time.

After weeks of humidity and heat it is cold to us in USA.  We are tired and catching sleep as we can on planes and in airports.  Opened suitcases and have pulled out jackets.  For dinner hot clam chowder hits the spot

Soon boarding for last leg -- overnight flight and special thanks to Carol for agreeing to pick us up at 6:30 AM!

COPI is now busy  preparing for summer trip - anyone want to go??  Going to Halong Bay which is beautiful. Check their Facebook page - this weekend in New England and now have so many beautiful backpacks for children in VN 😀

So many children there with so little and many who have already been through more in life than anyone should have to go through. Yet their smiles so amazing and their gratitude overwhelming.

It is a country on the way up and the young have no time for the government. Tourism is booming with so many places to visit and beautiful beaches but those jobs do not pay a lot.  Decent paying jobs not easily available so they piece together income through several part time jobs, not ideal but they make it work. And they want to share what they have with us for which we are so grateful and appreciative.

Now after we do laundry we start task of downloading pictures and videos and sorting.  We will be sending out links of "final" products re trip.  And we need to hit Asian market for our mangos, pineapples and rice paper for Spring Rolls. 😆

THANK YOU for keeping up with us and hope you have learned a little about a country that has moved on and opens it hearts to Americans in a big way

Final day in Hue

As usual Chanel, our Hue guide and friend, came through with great spots to visit our last day in Hue.
First the restored palace of next to last Emperor before he acended to throne.

 Then down the road a bit to coffee shop that was home to "Queen Mom".  Lots of interesting pictures of the family on the walls and good Mango Smoothies.

Then onto Hue Cathedral - very modern and beautiful

Last stop was School for Gifted for Central area.  Our friend Tram graduated from the school as did Ho Chin Minh.

Notice the "modern" classrooms with chalkboards. . . if it ain't broke no need to fix it!?

Then a nice lunch and of course I had Fresh Spring rolls (once figure out how to make, since Vietnamese tell me easy, will be serving ) Chanel had Fish Hot Pot and Bob Tropical Pizza and new favorite lemon juice

Then one of those hard moments of this kind of trip. . saying Till we meet again. . .

Then off to airport and as usual Vietnam Air had flight delay 😣

Finally arrived in Saigon and thanks to lessons well learned from Chanel we did not bite when they tried to rip us off on taxi to hotel.  We had a good teacher in Chanel who taught us how to bargain and not be ripped off 😁

For final night enjoyed the Rooftop of The Rex Hotel.  Beautiful views of city on a clear night and singers belting out American music.

Who had nice seafood salad and who had desert?!?

Tomorrow we head back to air conditioned places, junk food everywhere and no rice for few weeks 😄  

We will miss the fresh fruits everywhere, beautiful flowers, gorgeous temples and pagodas, an incredible history, children laughing and playing, and most of all the beautiful Vietnamese people who set a high standard of being gracious and generous. 

Friends and Hue. Part 2

Tu Duc

Then back to Hue and once Tram off work we all went out to dinner at Roof[top of Imperial Hotel which has beautiful views of city. Along the way had some elevator picture fun

Tomorrow is last day in Hue and will hate to leave city and friends 😣

But will be nice to not be living out of suitcase we must admit.

Friends and Hue

In case you forgot your watch the elevators at our hotel tells you if morning, afternoon, or evening!

Bit of later start today so got in a morning swim before breakfast in garden

Then met up with Chanel and her good friend Tram, who introduced us to Chanel.  We know Tram as she was a translator for VWAM last year so was great to see her again.

After short taxi ride we arrived at Chanel home and were able to meet her parents, sister and some nieces and nephews. The home is in a village not very far from Hue that is predominately a farming area.  Chanel's mother fixed us a delicious lunch with fishes caught that morning, delicious green beans with tomatoes and mushrooms, and a soup.  Absolutely delicious meal 😊

Chanel's parents were farmers and her father, and grandfather, served in South Vietnam army during American War and spent a short time in re education camps. Like most Vietnamese we have met they have moved on and welcome Americans.

After lunch back to Hue as Tram needed to return to work, she teaches English. The rest of us headed out to see some more tombs/pagoda

Khai Dinh Tomb, next to last Emperor.  Beautiful mountainside location and worth climbing stairs as mosaics at tomb beautiful

Then onto newer pagoda Lady Buddha

And last but certainly not Tu Duc tomb.  Beautiful setting and as closest to Hue crowded

Continued in part 2