Vietnam

Where to begin? There is so much to post about this trip. So many little details and fun things to share. And of course, pictures!!!

First off, we had 15 amazing ladies in our group. Everyone got along, there was no drama, and we all had a fun time. We arrived in Hanoi on Friday afternoon. The weather was warm, with blue skies and a slight breeze. First stop, the Opera House. We took a few pictures, had a bathroom break and headed out on a 30 minute rickshaw tour. I LOVED it! A highlight of my trip for sure. A little scary sitting in an open air cart heading into the crazy chaos they call traffic....but fun none the less. Enough of the fun stuff, we were off to shop. That was the sole purpose of the trip remember. First stop, lacquerware. It was beautiful and cheap. I bought salad bowls and coasters, plus 2 Vietnamese figurines for $15. Next stop, dinner. Traditional Vietnamese food. So delicious!! We were tired and needed to check in. So off to the hotel we went.

Day 2 started with shopping at a ceramics village. Beautiful ceramics lined the street. Vases, tea sets, figures, bowls, plates. I made a few small purchases and am still a little upset that I didn't get the pair of 2 foot tall elephants for the house. Terri and I were going to share the shipping cost of a small crate and have the ceramics sent to Seoul. The shop was wasting time though and it didn't happen. Oh well, it wasn't meant to be.

Next stop, Hoa Lo Museum (aka Hanoi Hilton). This was a prison during the war. Where John McCain spent 7 years as a POW. It was truly very interesting. But I did have a hard time in there. I couldn't even go in some of the rooms my emotions were on edge.

After the museum we had Vietnamese lunch. The more shopping at a silk village. We saw them dying and weaving the silk. We saw the silk worm and cocoons. Then of course shopping for silk. Mostly scarves, pajamas, tops, handbags.

Next we headed to a handbag store called Ipa Nima. I had not heard of this shop before this trip. But apparently celebrities carry these bags and pay thousands of dollars for them. Our group raided the boutique as if we were on a feeding frenzy. The bags were gorgeous and the prices outstanding (aka affordable). We left on a shopping high and headed to dinner.

The restaurant, Bobby Chinn's is owned by...Bobby Chinn. A mix of chinese, french, vietnamese fusion cooking. So good!! But this may have been the culprit of my tummy troubles that followed me around for the next 3 days. (ugh!)

Early Sunday morning, we boarded the bus for a 4 hour ride through the country to our destination Ha Long Bay. It was a beautiful, bumpy, ride. I saw men and women tending the rice patties, working fields with ox and old fashion till. The simple life for sure.

Ha Long Bay was different from what I expected. It was very touristy with hundreds of Junk boats on the bay. We had a boat all to ourselves. Once we were out on the bay, it was very peaceful and relaxing. We made a stop to take a tour of a cave, then back on the boat for lunch and a tour around the bay. When the tour finished and we were docked we headed into town for some more shopping and dinner. Then back on the bus for another long bus ride.

Monday was our final day in Vietnam, but we still had all day for more shopping before heading out at 11:30 pm. We did stop and see Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum. Then some fun boutique and art shopping, lunch and even more shopping.

I don't know how, but everyone was able to pack their bags that night and not go overweight. We had a late checkout then headed to dinner before leaving for the airport. It was an amazing experience and I am so thankful that I was able to visit Vietnam. I have the BEST family for letting me go and enjoy this opportunity.

(pics to come in separate posts)