Riverboat escapades.........

Well, after teaching for 5 weeks, the Tet holiday, or the Lunar New Year is finally upon us and we now have 3 weeks to do whatever we want! The teaching work here is only what I can term as amazing. The students are all wonderful and a joy to teach and for the first time in my life I can actually say that I have found something I thoroughly enjoy doing and that maybe now, finally, I seem to have found complete and utter contentment in everything I do.
So, all that was left for me to do was head out onto the Dong Nai river, get out of Bien Hoa for an hour or so and spend a few hours revelling in some serious drinking and fun with the teachers and staff at our school. Even at this time of year, the weather is better than the summer in the UK and steaming down the river for a few hours was just the tonic we needed after the oppressive heat of the city. The temperatures are always in the 30s and while I do love the heat, a few hours respite never goes amiss! At least my new palm tree collection seems to revel in the warmth of these tropical climes :)
As usual, the beer flowed, the karaoke machine almost exploded and the food was eaten heartily and thankfully not thrown overboard due to excessive over indulgences. I am so happy to be here, if only I had found out about this jewel, nestled in the heart of Asia sooner, then I would of no doubt come over here a long time ago.
Over the last few days we have been invited to countless parties by the students at the school and Tet doesnt even start until 26th Jan, so all I can say is God help us!!!
Mark, Michael and I have been toying with the idea of getting out of town and heading down to the beach at Vung Tau for a few days although in all likelihood we will probably head off to Da Lat instead where it is much cooler due to the fact that this town lies at a much higher elevation than the surrounding area. However, I need to get my motorbike fixed first. The blasted thing is falling to bits and I know that any day now the wheels are going to fall off and im going to become a permanent fixture between the twin rear axles of an articulated lorry.
Admittedly, ive made a few New Years resolutions. No 1) Stay single, despite all the beautifully alluring women here, I must resist temptation and keep my chastity belt safely secured, getting involved out here will only lead to trouble. 2) I must stop drinking beer and then driving home at night on my motorbike, if I hit and damage one of the beautiful palm trees here, or even worse the cycads then I will never forgive myself, assuming I am still alive to care that is..... and finally 3) I must do my best to try the highly recommended dog meat that abounds here. In Vietnam, you can take the term 'Hot Dog' quite literally :)
Anyway, enough banging on from me......... ive had one too many beers and I need my sleep, enjoy the pics :D

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