I was just lucky to have such a wonderful weather in Hanoi November last year. Bach (pronounced as Back, a Vietnamese whom I befriended when I was there, we became best of friends) told me that they just had a week of flood, over knee-high water covered the whole of Hanoi after a continuous rainfall for days. It took the cityhall almost a week to clear the debris and mud that flooded the city. Cars were damaged and so were properties.

When I arrived, it was just a week of settling down after the flood. Everything seemed normal, if I was not told of the flood, it wasn't obvious. I did notice mud on the sidewalks, but that was like some leftover debris from construction sites. I was surprised when Bach told me about nature's onslaught.

Hanoi seems to be so resilient to a lot of going-ons or had-beens. And yet so humble and hard-working. It was really relaxing sitting beside Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Returned Sword) while watching so many people sitting around enjoying the peace albeit the noise of traffic around it. Everyone was doing something but I did not feel the busy-ness. Someone approached me and tried to chat me up asking questions, speaking a little English. He asked where I was from, what do I do, where do I live, what is it like in Malaysia, and finally asking if I would like to get some of his books and postcards. I often like to talk to these sales people, I like the sincerity in them, I like the way they approach a sales and I also like the way they ask questions. They were so friendly, they were really interested to know about me as I would be interested to know about them too. I will look at the products, if I want to, I will make an offer. If I do not want the products, I will just politely decline. The conversation was always smooth and no hassle. Anyway, I always welcome sales talk, I really like to just listen with an open heart, there is always something I can learn from the person who sits in front of me.

I sat at Hoan Kiem Lake overlooking the Tortoise Tower which has its remnant in the middle of the lake. The temperature stayed between a cooling 20℃ to 28℃, just perfect to sit outdoor. There were lots of willow trees all around the lake, some have bent so low, they almost touch the water. The willows take to the flow of the wind, sway softly along as if that is naturally what they are there to do - all day long, just dance to the mischievous play of the wind.

I read Somerset Maugham's "Of Human Bondage" while looking up occasionally to see people walking past and enjoying tea. Some having lunch everywhere beside the lake. I was impressed with the way Hanoi has built itself to be like a garden city where their citizens can come out to sit and play in the open. I guess we did not have that here in KL, no wonder the scene of people having food in a group at Hoan Kiem Lake fascinated me so much.

Just walking around the lake brings you to the island-temple known as Ngoc Son Temple, very picturesque footbridge. I did not go in because I was more captivated with the scenery outside the temple. It was founded in the 14th century.

Bach told me later that the Vietnamese don't actually have a religion. So, I said what are they praying in the temples here in Hanoi. He said they are just praying to the ancestors. So, their ancestors become their "god", and this is passed down through generations.

And I also learned that the people have to pay for education in Vietnam. I told Bach that in Malaysia, education is free from 7 years old onwards until we are 18 if we choose to stay on to study. Aren't we a fortunate lot to be Malaysians?

1) Visit Van Mieu, the first university of Vietnam.. (maybe the first in Indochina)?

2) Visit Patin Square and took photo with Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

3) Take photo with Lenin (you don't have to fly to Russia for that...)

4) Checkout Malaysia Embassy (it seems like much beautiful than any government building at Putrajaya)..

5) Get tired? relax yourself with Vietnam coffee or Hanoi Beer (Bia Ha Noi)...

Last 10th July, was the amazing day for my two nephews. It was their first ever experience travel by flight, and we choosed AirAsia to make it happen. Our flight to Ho Chi Minh was at 7.25 am. That means we had to check in 3 hours ealier and make a move from our house by 4.30 am. Yes. 4.30 am. Just imagine how 4 and 3 years old boys want to wake up that early right. Indeed. But once their mums say.."come on boys...we have a flight to catch up!". They suddenly blink their eyes and ask, " aeroplane? kapal terbang?" and ten minutes later they were ready.

Once arrived at the LCCT Airport, the two little cats hang around here and there. Go here. Go there. Settle everything, we walk to the departure hall. Again this two little cats keep busying themself untill its time to depart. All the way walking to the plane, the boys was so excited seeing the big gigantic plane. They cant shut their eyes and keep saying, " oooo the plane is big. Bigggg"

I'm so overwhelming by this precious moment. Their happy feelings, you cant trade it with anything in the world. And I believe their mums feel that way too.

Inside the plane, of course the two little cats wants the window seating. All of us were a bit worry if they scared once the plane take off. We were wrong! They say..." wahh...best! No scared!" Then they start walking around. Walk to my seat. Walk to Tok Ma seat (their grandmother).

We safely landed at the Ho Chi Minh International Airport. We take a taxi to our hotel Saigon Pink 2. All the way, we can see the traffic was so hectic. Seriously crazy. They did not follow any lane. The truth is NO LANE! We check in at Saigon Pink 2 Hotel. The hotel is very convenient in terms of accessiblity to the very famous Ben Thant Market. Just 3 minutes walk and we were in the Ben Thant. For muslim tour, there are severals Halal muslim restaurant. The very, very, near to our hotel is the V.N Halal Restaurant. The food is good and you should not miss the Vietnam Coffee.

In Ho Chi Minh, we spent most of our time at Ben Thant, the Nite Market ( oh..not to mentioned that the Nite Market is just infront of the hotel). You can find loads of fruits and good qualities handmade item. We bought loads of souveniers. You can get t-shirt written Saigon at 2 dollars each.

We also take a famous tour to the Chu Chi Tunnel. This place is about 2 hours journey from Ho Chi Minh center. Half way, we dropped by at the Handicapped Handicraft Centre. Here, you will be surprised how the handicapped people are capable to. All the art works are very-very good. Thums Up to them.

Another very best moment is when all of us rendevous the city by trishaw. Hahaahah.....8 trishaw! Its cost us 20 dollar for 10 of us. Again, the two boys was so happy and excited as it was the first time they ride a trishaw. We see the famous Notredamme, the Post Office, lay our bumps for a while at the Mekong River just to snap a picture.

This are some shots while we are in Ho Chi Minh.

Sadly, we have to leave Ho Chi Minh. The three super duper days for us. Of course for the two little boys. They are jumping, running and sliding at the Ho Chi Minh Airport. Too bad our flight back to KL is at night. So the boys keep wondering why they cant see the plane clearly. So funny! Loads of thanks to AirAsia that make their dreams come true and they are so happy being in the AirAsia Flight.

Earlier in April, with a lot of doubt, I took this little boy to Vietnam.
A lot of comments and concerns about bringing a little kid to a destination that ....might require physical endurance, lack of suitable entertainment and maybe hygiene and well being.

I packed ..... 30kg worth of food, drinks and toys, enough to cater to this little boy's need for the next 4 days , away from his comforts and safety pillow.

To the thump thumpp of my heart, our big goodie bag didnt reach Hanoi.
Oh god, my nescafe was also in that bag.
And my "thinking too much" brain (as my friend calls it) was thinking waaayyyyyy too much.

Anyway, we were whisked from the airport for a 3 hours journey further away from our big bag.

So, we went to Hualong Bay.
Currently in the World Heritage list as one of the beauties of the world.
Unspoilt, ancient, old world.

And on the cruise we went, early on the next morning.
Wooden ship? boat? what do you call it, I still havent figure it out till this moment.
Maybe about 50-60 of them at the jetty.

And this little boy got his groove :)

Yeayy yeayy yeayy I love it here.

Our cruise was only the shortest 4 hours.
Some we saw packed for a 2 nights, 3 nights , a week cruise and god knows where they went.
It was totally quiet.
Far away from school, far away from my car, far far away ....total serenity.
Only the driver and the cook to tell the story, if ever there's one to tell.

We arrived on an island.
And was told to take a hike ..... up the steps into a cave.
That's where i found i had a little problem with my ankle.
Managed to crawl out to the sunlight direction, onto the boat,errrrr ..... ship, and with a big relieve.
It was then ,time for lunch

Lunch was beautiful.
Nothing like what's inside our missing bag.

It was a beautiful experience, and everytime I ask the kid how he felt, his answer was "Best !! Best!! Best!!!
I truly didnt expect this answer from him.
And he went back to school telling everybody how "Best" Vietnam is.
(He actually skipped school for this trip)

We are a family of 4 who had the adventure of a lifetime travelling from Melbourne, Australia to Vietnam in April 09.

Trip of a lifetime

We travelled Airasia for the first time from Melbourne to KL and found them to be great. Yes things are simple, but the airline staff were so friendly and unspoilt by working for the" major frills" airlines! Travelline with 2 children can be hard and the staff were always happy to see the kids and very open and friendly.

Baby gets some much needed sleep at LCCT

We had planned this trip to Vietnam as Andrew and I were to be married in Mui Ne Beach with all our family present. We then backpacked from SOuth to North covering more than 1800kms going as far as Sapa to the hill tribes.

Boys trekking

Black Hmong

Stopping over in KL we had a bit of a wait after a flight delay onward to HCMC but we managed to busy ourselves for 8 hours at the LCCT and only had McDonalds twice!
We met some beautiful trainee flight attendants who were more than happy to take our 9 month old baby for a cuddle and proceeded to take their photos holding her!
The changes in 3 weeks at the LCCT were amazing, I cannot imagine it when I see it again in NOv! ( free seat deal! lol)

Our favourite places in Vietnam were Hoi An and Sapa. WE found everyone to be so friendly for our whole trip, very helpful with everything and so interesting for us to be immersed in another countries culture.

Local delights

Over the 4 weeks away we went on 5 flights, 3 sleeper trains, 4 buses, 2 cyclos and 4 motor bikes! WE tried many new foods, made many new friends, and enjoyed the culture shock so much!

Mui Be beach, Phan Thiet

My 4 year old, proudly told his Kinder class this morning that he had been on 5 planes, AIRASIA he keeps saying, they are red!

thankyou.