The way to get to the cruise ship was to take a bus at 8am. So we had to get up early and have a quick breakfast. There was a man in the lobby who had a sign with my daddy’s name on it. Two other families joined us on the cruise. The bus ride was comfortable but long!
Getting ready to go
At the rest stop
At the dock
Too cool for school
Our cruise ship
When we got to the docks I was very excited. The weather was like spring time in Canada and it was a nice sunny day. To get to the cruise ship we had to take a smaller boat. When we got closer to the boat there was a pretty lady waving at us. They asked us to go upstairs to the dining room for a welcome drink and some information. Then they gave us our cabin keys and we went to our cabins.
The room had one large bed in the middle and two side tables. We stayed there until our first activity.
The activity was going to a beach called Titop Beach. He was the first cosmonaut and he holidayed there with Ho Chi Minh. There was also a staircase, 400+ steps, that went to the top of the island where you could take nice photos. My dad went up and mommy stayed with me. We went swimming and put Nathaniel’s feet in. After that we went back on the ship.
Titop Island
at the top
Ready to the cruise ship life
Our next stop was kayaking to a bat cave! I loved kayaking. I shared a twin kayak with daddy and he said we could go again in BC! We paddled from the ship through the bat cave. It was very fun because everything was carved out of rock and we saw a few bats fly around. After we went through the cave into a cul-de-sac we heard monkeys in the trees. I’ve never heard monkeys in the wild before it was really cool. Then we paddled back to the big cruise ship. After we dropped off our kayaks they let us jump into the water for a swim to cool off!
Into the bat cave!
and out again
Mommy, Mark (another daddy in our adoption group), and I went for a quick swim in Ha Long Bay. During our entire kayak trip the massage ladies were watching our babies. Both the babies and the massage ladies really liked the time together.
The babies with the massage ladies
Then we cleaned up and had dinner. It was a fancy dinner. After dinner we went to sleep in the beautiful comfortable bed!
At dinner, us with Scott, Sheila, and Dane; Mark's son Kai is sleeping in a car seat out of shot.
The next morning we went to Surprise Cave. It is the biggest cave in Ha Long Bay. In the first cave it was sort of small, but very amazing! There was even a pool of fresh water there. In the second cave I said, “Surprise!”, and then we went to the third cave and it was the biggest yet!
At Surprise Cave dock
After seeing all the caves we back to he dock and took the bus home. We were all tired and everyone had a bit of a sleep.
We don’t know when we’ll be home as we’re still waiting on paperwork from the Canadian side.
November 27, 2009 at 10:26 pm |
Hey everybody! Looks like an amazing time, I’m so happy everyone is healthy and having fun. Mo misses everyone and sends his love!
November 29, 2009 at 8:15 pm |
Hi Barb. I miss Mahoney too. Is he behaving? Has he given you a present yet?
November 27, 2009 at 10:40 pm |
Hi Petra,
It looks like you had a fantastic time! I was so curious about what it would be like! Thanks for the great blog and all of the photos, I almost feel like I was there with you! Welcome back to Hanoi!
November 27, 2009 at 11:25 pm |
Wow! What a fabulous trip. It looked like so much fun. I wish I was there too. You look like you enjoy the cruise life. I’m glad you finally had a chance to swim and you got to kayak. It’s great to read your blog. I really missed it while you were away. It’s Grandpa Barry’s run on Sunday, we will miss you there. We’re going for Vietnamese food in your honor after.
Love to you all
November 29, 2009 at 8:17 pm |
Thanks grandma. I miss you.
November 28, 2009 at 7:30 am |
What a wonderful adventure! Cruising, seeing bats, hearing monkeys, kayaking, exploring caves, and swimming! Your cruise ship looks just lovely! You all look so ‘cool’ and it looks like you are having a great time. The pictures are wonderful, they really give us an idea of how beautiful Vietnam is. I’m so glad you’re having fun.
Lots of love,
Clare
November 28, 2009 at 5:17 pm |
Thanks guys . I reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelly miss home.
November 28, 2009 at 8:45 pm |
Hey guys! I am loving keeping up with you all on this huge adventure! What a great idea this blog is….thanks for all the information about the area, Nate’s ancestry and the adventures you are having. Are the illnesses you face from new foods, insects or what? It seems like you all have been sick…
I look forward to the next blog!
Love, Dawn
November 29, 2009 at 8:19 pm |
We’re just tired so the germs are getting through. Daddy got strep throat and I got an infection in my pierced ear.
November 30, 2009 at 7:04 am |
Dear Pie,
What a fabulous adventure! It is so beautiful. I really wish I could have jumped into the water with your Mom, too. Your accomodations look so luxurious. Thank you for taking pics and including us all. It was great to see the big smile on Daddy, again.
We had a nice walk in the woods on Sunday with pho at Brian’s after. I kept looking for you, even though I knew you weren’t there.
Love,
Nana