I’m not sure that we could say that we were in Hanoi for a full 24 hours as we spent most of that time travelling to HaLong Bay. A beautiful, intriguing city. Definitely on the ‘must return’ list.
Kim and Hoan Kiem Lake
Early morning Tai Chi
Kim and a little bit of grocery shopping
I have decided that the Mekong Delta is one of the most beautiful places on earth, even more so given its troubled history. It is hard to believe that something as devastating as Agent Orange was once a real and very destructive threat in this region.
We travelled to Can Tho from Ho Chi Min City and then took a small boat to a fruit farm on one of the islands where we were able to home stay and get to know the area a little more. This enchanting place is definitely on my list of destinations to return to.
Our HomeStay
Aunt Anne biking around our island
Fishing!
The fruit was amazing!
Flying kites was a popular pastime
Watching kites
Drying rice wraps
Can you find the kite?
We travelled from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay where we stayed overnight on a boat, explored caves, and went kayaking. The misty February haze and fairytale like islands that seemed to appear and disappear with the blink of an eye, created this ethereal stillness. Although a bit chilly in February, we spent an evening visiting on deck of our little boat, and then started the next day with a Tai Chi class as we sailed between the islands, and then spent the afternoon exploring caves and kayaking throughout the Bay
Kim and Aunt Anne enjoying the view
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2015.12.12.
Apart from when I was a missionary, I have always struggled writing in a journal even though this has been encouraged since I was little. Even when I do write, I usually find that pictures bring back more memories than words. Here is my Dec 12, 2015.
A beautiful morning…
Mom and Dad, and Mr and Mrs Williams and nephew #2!
Old Chief
Our favourite hole in the wall restaurant :))
Grandma’s Carmels!
Saturday night groceries…
Christmas!
2015.12.12.
A traditional Christmas favourite for our family.
2015.12.10
My favourite Article of Faith is the 13th…
“We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
There are so many things that I love about this…but for me I particularly love the last component…..WE SEEK after the virtuous, lovely, of good report, and praise worthy. In a blessing I received as a teen, I was blessed with a love of those things which are ‘good and wholesome and beautiful in life.’ Despite the despair and darkness of this world, there is so much beauty! I sometimes find this love to be achingly overwhelming, almost soul eclipsing, and quite impossible to put words to. In the solace of quiet solitude, where minutes can slip by into hours, it is easy to lose your way in contemplation of the beauty of God’s works.
I most readily feel the love of God through the beauty of nature. I think for me it has always been this way…. This is where I am the most ‘me’
2015.12.06 2015.12.27
2015.12.06
There are a few places on this earth where I feel complete peace. Waterton has always been my home. I have learned some of the greatest lessons in my life in this beautiful place, and have felt the love of my Heavenly Father.
2015.12.01
This brought joy to my heart!
My Ordinary 