Good morning, Viet Nam!!!!!!!!

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Good morning, indeed - and an early one for all of us. Wake up calls started as early as 2:00 a.m. (for the team) and 2:30 a.m. for the passengers. Up and at 'em - coffee and pastries in the lobby - lovely touch at such an early hour. So great to see Jenny May downstairs at that crazy hour - superb customer service, that's for sure.

On the bus, down the road and off to the airport - The Chinese prefer that charter planes come and go 'at the crack of stupid' (translation: unbelievably weird hours in the middle of the night, LOL!) - not always a fun time to be up and travelling, but always exciting to be on our way to a new adventure. Great spirits on the bus - and we're on our way to Viet Nam. Remember Robin Williams in the movie "Good Morning, Viet Nam!" - I can hear the sound of his happy voice.

Most enjoyable flight to Viet Nam - always great to see the crew again - we all come to know each other very well as we spend all this time together on this particular trip. They were telling us great stories about their own travels around Beijing - including attending a tea ceremony, and the experience of eating centipedes (ewwwwwwww!).

Once the door of the plane opened, the humidity hit and hit hard - it was 30 degrees celsius and sunny. Nice day! Getting through Customs was a breeze - a nice welcome by some young Vietnamese gals along with flowers - and we're on our way to the Sofitel Hotel. I've been here 2x before- for many of the passengers, this was the first visit and they were stunned and shocked by all the scooters, bikes, etc. on the roads. You've really got to see it to believe it!

We've got quiet time/free time for the afternoon - everyone appreciated that - and then, off to a dinner cruise on the Saigon River.

Such a perfect evening for a cruise down the river - a very comfortable boat, a perfect breeze, great food (we do like to eat!), music, conversation, laughs, some dancing - it was a really fun evening for all.

And back to the hotel and tucked into bed. This was a very long day for all of us - we get a normal night's sleep tonight - and it will feel soooooooo good! Because, we are rearing to go tomorrow - off to the Mekong River and so much more. Y'all be sure to come back - you hear?!!!!!! Love reading your comments - thanks for being with us.

(Good night, Mom. I love you!) (and P.S. - Staciann - thanks for keeping me updated on DWTS!!!! I so appreciate you!)

Happy Pat

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Photos

Our 'welcome' to Viet Nam
with lotus flowers for all of us

Comments

[Carrie]

Thank you!
Pat, just wanted to let you know how much I am enjoying my virtual tour around the world!

[michael-ann]

Viet Nam
This is one place I really want to explore; "Off the Beaten Palate" Fam tour please! xo

[Blaine Rapp]

Having way too much fun
As always Pat you seem to be having way too much fun and you always do such a great job with your informative blogs. -5 here is morning in Whitehorse but sunny (for the few hours the sun is up!)

[jan bradley]

Enjoying re-travelling with you!
Hi Pat, I have tried submitting comments previously but they don't seem to be accepted. Am trying again to say how nice it is to follow you around the world. It is exciting to read about the places we haven't been to but also it awakes memories when you are in place we were with you. This year's group being amazed by the traffic in Vietnam was certainly one of those - those thousands of scooters going in all directions will never fade in our mind! Keep on enjoying!

[Lynn Lewis]

Tour
I'm really enjoying all the comments and pictures from your trip. Brings back great memories of Viet Nam as you know how much I enjoyed it there. Keep up the great work.

[Darleen Witmer]

Vietnam
Terrific post and yes it is a beautiful country, but hot :) Lots of scooters.

[Lynne Gerryts]

Ila with the tea cups photo
She's not trying to put those in her purse is she...lol. Viet Nam sounds wonderful...can't wait to hear and see what tomorrow brings! Love you Mom and Dad P.S. - after first page of photos, captions get all mixed up....? Pic of Pat and Gord G says "My bedroom" lol

[Happy Pat]

Thanks for your comments, Lynne
Your parents were able to read your comments tonight, as I sat in the lobby and gave a 'blog briefing', LOL - many of the passengers wanted to add e-mails of family and friends. Yes, I had some challenges with the blog when in Beijing ('big brother' watching?????) - kept getting kicked off, and when trying to label/load photos, they kept scrambling, etc. - so, no wonder there was a weird 'caption' on the photo of your Dad and I, LOL!!!!! All is well. Am really enjoying getting to know your parents. They are quite adventuresome and so much fun to be with! Pat

[staci blank]

viet-nam
Pat, i can not get over the congestion of the neighborhoods. i feel like i can't breathe just looking at the pictures. I never felt so grateful for all of the space i have outside my front door!!!! The bikes are so neat. Why do they have all the flowers on them? Was that a special one?? The food in EVERY PICTURE looks phenom, and for a foodie like me....they also instantly induce starvation....GREATTTTT. The hotel rooms look cozyyyyyyy too. xoxo

[Hannie Nierop]

Vietnam feels like home!
Hi Pat, thanks for sharing your experience with me. Every time I open up the email I cannot wait to read up on the tour. As for the bikes in Vietnam, I just have to look outside (I live in Holland) and see the similarities. Enjoy your trip!

[muriel williams]

good morning viet-nam
thanks everyone for your comments. bonne fete ellen from viet-nam. on to cambodia tomorrow. mw

[Joan Heels]

Hello all ...
A special 'hello' and best wishes to all the travellers that were on the 2010 trip. I'm enjoying following this Blog so very much. A special greeting to Matt. Hi, Matt, from your seat pal on the 2010 trip, Joan.

[Hotel Nikko Saigon]

Viet Nam
This will be a unforgettable experience for you. Welcome to Vietnam

[Valencia Ray MD]

Perspective
As a very young child, Viet Nam subconsciously conjures up thoughts of war....seeing it here gives a totally different viewpoint - nice!