collage: yellow bird

We're flying home today! It's going to be a brutal flight.... nine hours from Saigon to Tokyo and then an eight hour wait until our next long flight back to Vancouver.... arghhhh. Something tells me I am going to need some sleeping pills.... I wish I could fly like a bird, but I guess that would mean i wouldn't be able to sleep.

leaving the beaches of vietnam

We have just arrived back in Saigon from Nha Trang, and I still feel a little wired from all the traveling. Nha Trang was awesome.... lots of sun and sand along with the laid backness of most beach towns. We did a nine hour boat tour yesterday where we got to snorkel, visit some local islands and swim, as well as visit an aquarium that had sharks and sea turtles... although one of my most favorite parts of the trip was when my husband Roger was dragged on stage to sing "Yellow Submarine" with the local boat band, who also happened to be the crew, oh, as well as the cooks. I think I drained most of our camera battery filming that sequence. I was a little nervous getting on the boat - fear of sea sickness, food poisoning, and inadequate bathrooms kept flooding my head... but alas, everything was fine... yay! I braved the seas, ate mystery dishes including some fruit and even used the creepy squat bathroom (oh the horror). We're here until Sunday and then its back home to Vancouver... I can't believe time has gone by so fast!

happy valentine's day! - encore

Ok... since Valentine's Day falls on the weekend this year, I figure instead of posting just the one card, I would post another today to keep the love vibe going all through the weekend. xoxo.

happy valentine's day!

It's a perfect day to kiss and hug a loved one, family member or friend... or maybe even send them a card. I remember in elementary school, there would always be a classroom party on Valentine's Day. Everyone would tape a big manila envelope to the front of their desks, and we would all walk around and deliver each other's cards, all the while ingesting mass amounts of sugary treats. Too bad we still don't have this tradition as adults... although I guess it would be a bit weird and might create "harassment" problems in the workplace... so perhaps, best to leave it to the kids. Happy Valentine's Day!

vietnam on valentine's day

It's Valentine's Day here today in Vietnam and there are vendors up and down the narrow streets of Hoi An selling bunches of roses and chocolate. Given that I feel like I am melting every time I go outside, I'm thinking buying a box of chocolates on the roadside here isn't that good of an idea. Today we headed up to see the Marble Mountains... basically a series of pagodas and worship sights that have been literally carved into the mountain and its many marble caves. Why I thought it would be a nonchalant easy promenade, I'm not sure. At times we were scaling narrow slippery steps in the dark with our guide reassuring us that all was OK.... all I kept hearing in the back of my head was an ambulance siren. It was well worth it in the end, I'm glad we did it. As for Hoi An, it such a cute town... I have already broken down and got a pair of sandals made as well as a winter pea coat... Roger broke down as well and got two jackets made... now we just have to figure how to get it all into the suitcases. I think we have to leave here soon before we buy too many things! Will update again soon when we're off to Nha Trang!

vintage marimekko

I love Marimekko patterns. One of my most favorite pieces in our house is a framed vintage Marimekko wall hanging that we stumbled upon at a vintage furniture store. We didn't buy it at first, although I longingly thought about it. Then by pure chance, we saw it for 50% off, so we snapped it up! I wish we had more wall space in our house to add more Marimekko!

vietnam continues

Yesterday we said goodbye to Saigon and left to venture to Hoi An. What a huge difference -- from urban sprawl and bustling city life to scenic views of the countryside. We are on the top floor of our small hotel, with an excellent view of an expanse of rice fields.... its beautiful! Roger woke up to a distant ringing of a gong travelling accross the fields. Walking around the old town last night, there are rows and rows of shops lit up with beautiful Vietnamese lanterns as well as rows of tailor shops ready to make anything from suits, to shoes to backpacks... all customized to fit. I am looking at my suitcase and thinking... I should have really brought a larger one. I wouldn't be surprised if many of these shops can make luggage as well, so perhaps my problem is solved. Ok.. off to trek to the old town and discover the sights. Will update again soon!!!