Our Trip to Vietnam, March 2007

Over the past month or so I've been getting things together for this blog of our trip to Avah's birth country. A bit on the late side (I know!) now a year later, but hey it's now done and posted, yea! I tried to keep the photos and stories in order starting from the top to bottom. We want to thank everyone who has been so helpful and supportive over the past year. It's been a joyous journey then and now.

Starting out on our Trip to Vietnam...

Our gate in Osaka, Japan a happy site indeed!















http://www.tropicalisland.de/japan/osaka/osaka.html

http://www2s.biglobe.ne.jp/~ito-nori/spot/spot_kix.htm

Jumping to the Next Airport

Here is some of the artwork in Bangkok Thailand... I have to say also, the asian airports are very advanced. We stayed at one point in the "Lounge" we had a pass for this. It was just wonderful all the buffet food (can I say fresh, fresh and fresh!) was included and the bathrooms were amazing too! Advanced toliets and sinks that you had to think about and nice ladies waiting to hand you a clean, warm, cotton towel to wipe your hands on. Really neat, I never thought using the ladies room in a jiffy would be such a therapeuctic experience w/the soothing music playing, comfy chairs in the restrms, fresh flowers, and high quality lather soap and the whole 9 yards. I have never seen anything like that here in the US. As silly as it sounds it was a bit refreshing to see such care along the trip. I LOVE ASIA!














http://www.airportsuvarnabhumi.com/gallery/

Sleeping in the Airport

This was a bit brutal, sleeping here in one of the airports on these cold metal benches, not recommended. You could also hear the intercom so frequently it would always wake you for sure, just when you may be ready to doze off. But the funny thing is, I would love to hear it once again, only NOT at sleeping time, just for ole good time sake!






































This is no joke, as silly as it looks...

Vietnam Alas!

Here we are now, arrived in Vietnam safe and sound after a ver long 27hrs of flight time. Jet lagged and smelly from running around the airports (after being mis-directed to a gate we ran at least a full mile before getting to the correct gate.) But we were still moving and eyes still wide open. I honestly think we were on some kind of inner high, just being so excited to meet Avah and hold her close. Nothing seemed to really phase us much, we just rolled w/the punches and continued on w/butterflies in our stomachs wondering about Avah and what she was going to be like. She was our little mystery.

Pho for the 1st Time

Checking Out Old Quarter Hanoi

Chilling at Highlands

After a long flight and a 15hr sleep session, here we are w/our new friends (we met here in Vietnam) relaxing at one of the cafe's. We explored all over Old Quarter and decided to settled down for some cold drinks.

Experiencing the Busteling Streets

Old Quarter Buildings

Hanoi's Streets and Vendors

It's hard to describe the street crossing in Vietnam, that you so often hear about. Bikes and cars are everywhere going in every direction at the same time. Traffic lights are ignored for the most part. You just kinda wing it when it comes to crossing on foot, regardless. The bikers are pretty swift and move right around you, usually. I have to admit though I did swipe arms against one of them once, luckly it was not at a high speed. I was pretty impressed how they manuever around, it's seems so stressful. It's gotta be some kind of dance, there's art to it somehow.But it's so normal and common there. After a day you get use to it, and go along your way. You could tell who were the newcomers too, the ones who waited to cross the street w/wide eyes, those are the newcomers and we all have been there in the same spot.

Masks and other fine Artwork

Hanoi has many artists working on a variety of different projects. They paint beautiful paintings of people and many scenes abroad. Lots of the shops are filled w/art pieces to choose from.

Fresh Fruit and Vegtables for Sale

Everything looked so fresh and so good. I really got a kick out of the bright but super mini oranges the ladies would try and sell you along the streets in large baskets, but I don't have a picture of that.

Bamboo Shops

Milo Milk!

Mom-these picture's were taken just for you!

Birds, Cats and Dogs For Sale

It was very thoughtful how each street in the Old Quarter had only certain items for sale. One street would be just paints, oils and other chemicals. Another would be all baby items such as outfits, formula and toys. Then there was a street just of figures of Buddha and incenses ect... It was very organized and made it easy to shop for what you needed.

Shoes for Sale by the Dozens

It's a long story, but here are Steve's sweet new Nike's he got at the Shoe Market, he ended up leaving his old ones and 2 ladies fought over who'd get his old shoes. Anyhow, many of the shoes (or all) and the clothing are second hand in this market. I have to say though, the smell of raw meet on the 1st floor and the thift shop clothing on the second floor of the market was not a pleasant smell combination, it was very pungent.

In the Market

Looking below into the market buildings...