Bett turns 60

Bett, BB, Tom, Kerry and Pete have just visited Hanoi for Mum's 60th Birthday. She had a good time seeing us here, a big thanks to Pete for making the journey seeing he was only here at Christmas.

Luang Prabang 7-10 February 2008

After Chiang Mai we still had a few more days to kill before I had to return to work so we hopped into Laos for a few days to a little place called Luang Prabang.

Luang Prabang is in northern Laos and is known for temples. I had booked us into a farm stay place. Avocado farm that is! Slightly odd but just what we needed. We had a bungalow on a block with grass and dogs and cats and kids and a random chook.

I think I now know what Sumo thought of my temple fascination when he visited us in China, because I have to say the temples were nice but there are about 40 of them in a 2km radius. A bit over the top.

Luang Prabang is a quiet relaxing little place with all the things you can do in and around Chiang Mai on a much smaller scale. Perhaps like Chiang Mai was 10 years ago. I thoroughly enjoyed myself there and would go again.

Chiang Mai 3-7 February 2008

Hanoi is freezing cold at the moment as we get the wind and suffer the horrid effects of the Chinese weather. Sorry to our Chinese friends who are having troubles getting home. Trev is still away, so Tom, Claire and I escaped the cold and went to Chiang Mai to see Dad, Dorklag and Pete for a few days.

Chiang Mai was gloriously warm. We considered it hot by our standards but still not quite hot enough to swim, although we did try for a brief moment.

The kids had a great time over there, running around on grass and having their first go at fishing at Dad's block in Bo Sang (otherwise known as Bonny Doon) and then a trip out to Mae Rim had them up close and personal with some elephants.

Australia Day

Most people know I get a little excited about Australia Day, and this year was no different. I would have loved to have been at Balnarring Races with the guys, but it was a little too far to come. So we had a party in our yard. It is freezing in Hanoi and the idea of a barbie couldn't be turned around, even as people were trying to skid out of coming. So it was much luck I managed to borrow a second barbecue to act as a brazier with a fire blazing.

Depending on the amount people consumed the next statement is up for debate.

Kel and Cosmina warmed us all up with some mulled wine, some being about 15 litres. And to the non acquainted this put more than a few on their ear.

Me, I stayed well clear of the wine, opting to stay on beer until the wee hours.

We had some educational things hanging around the place, with some tips to the new PM on what should and should not be on the new citizenship test.

And two naughty hand puppets trying to swindle some time off school for Aussie public holidays and then to make matters worse a drunk kangaroo trying to steal beer. Honestly, the behaviour of the kids toys in the presence of Mark!!

Twins on Camp

The twins have now been on their first school camp. What a hoot! Could you imagine attempting this in Australia - I doubt it?

As part of the IB course the Biology students were short on hours and with little time to make up the hours it was decided the best option would be to head on a camp to Cuc Phuong. Having been there over the holidays meant I knew what we were in for and we had a great time. The first night we went on a night walk in search of wild civets and lorises. Unfortunately the park is in a dire situation whereby their conservation efforts are almost undone by the hunters still within the park.

Leanne, Jill, Falk and Tilo some biologists and vets at various centres within Cuc Phuong explained their difficulties and in one word it must be DEVASTATING for them.

Not to dwell on the bad, we had a successful time and the students had a good time, most teachers had a good time and most importantly we are back on track for completing the coursework on time,

The photo is Mark (Geography teacher) and Hai, Sabah and Flo

Hoi An

Trev's trip away had a false start, so it was a busy day at Hanoi International Airport as I farewelled Annie, met Greg and collected Trev, and also Maddi (Helen's daughter) plus the array of Hanoi International School teachers who were returning from the winter holidays. With Greg in town Trev became the guide around Hanoi and then on the weekend we all headed down to Hoi An for a bit of touristy things.

Hoi An is known for its tailors, shoe makers and beach. None of these let us down at all, and it was nice to be out and about again and in warmer weather as Hanoi is fast cooling down.

Greg was feeling a little crook, so Trev and I headed off to the beach on bikes with kids in tow. We didn't get far before the locals were shouting at us telling us we were doing it all wrong, Which did nothing but annoy the heck out of me. So we returned to the hotel, put the kids in the pram and went for margaritas.

Earlier in the day we had called in to the Hai Scout Cafe and found it really friendly. We made reservations for that night and had a pleasant surprise to learn that the manager Phi, is good friends with our travel agent Nam. They are both KOTO graduates, KOTO is an Aussie run organisation to train street kids in hospitality. A very worthwhile cause and the we must say all the graduates we have since met are excellent at their jobs and understand exactly what you ask for.

Cuc Phuong and Ninh Binh

On the 2nd of January Dad and Dorklag were the last house guests to leave, so Annie and I took the twins on a Vietnamese adventure. We headed about 3 hours south of Hanoi to Cuc Phuong National Park first and then on to Ninh Binh which is known as the Halong Bay of the rice fields here.

Cuc Phuong was great. It was nice to get away from the traffic and see some greenery. We met Tilo and Leanne who work there in different centres caring for and trying to conserve the local wildlife. I will be returning here in a few weeks with school for an ecology camp so it was good to have a bo peep first.

Next stop was Ninh Binh and we stayed at a terrific little place that was loaded with travellers. This really got us in the swing of things and we took a boat ride through some rice fields and caves and then decided we had had enough of Asian touts and hired bikes. The manager of the hotel we stayed at took me out so I could buy bike seats and then we took off down the back streets and out across the rice fields with two Kiwi girls. Our destination was Bich Dong Pagoda and along the way we saw turkeys, cows, kids of all ages, Grandparents of all ages, a funeral prosession and the odd tractor or 2.

It was a terrific ride and we could hardly believe we'd made a 24km round trip at the end of it.

Merry Christmas

Christmas Day has been and gone and we had a quiet relaxing day with Dad, Dorklag, Pete and Annie. Mac and Alex, 2 mates in Hanoi popped by for a festive drink but in all it was a lazy day with too much food and drink.

Tom and Claire won't remember much of it either all though they did like the wrapping paper and are more than equipped to hit the beach with all their new swimwear when the weather warms up.

We hope everyone had a good one and who knows where we'll be next year.

2007 Christmas Day

December Pics

December's photos

December has been a busy month so there are a few December albums, one for the Mui Ne Beach holiday and another for the Birthday Bash and that leaves the what few ordinary days we had.

Happy Birthday to Us

That's right we have made it to the ripe old age of 1. Can hardly recall where the time went but it has certainly been a jam packed year.

Don't forget to look at our web album using the link on the side of the page, but here are some snaps from our BIG Day!

2007 December 23rd Tom and Claire's 1st Birthday

Mui Ne

2007 December Mui Ne Beach Holiday

School is out and we are off to the beach. It was absolutely fantastic, relaxing and gave a new light on Vietnam.

Mui Ne is half way between Saigon and Nha Trang and is a quaint fishing village that has now been turned into a holiday mecca for the rich Saigonese. Having said this, we lived it up while we were there and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

The beaches are clean and there aren't too many hawkers and with the twins the little kids who are I guess about 12 years old trying to sell things completely forgot to put the hard deal on us and just sat on the sand and played with Tom and Claire.

In the heart of the fishing village people still use ox' to pull their haul like a horse and cart or more appropriately in a tractor as they had tonnes of things piled up. And the fishing boats are like big bamboo pots, about 2m in diameter out on the sea, no thankyou.

Well the kids got to swim in the sea and the pool, the grassy areas in the resort we were staying were terrific reprieve from the the dusty dirty tiles here in Hanoi and Claire became a little more steady on her feet.

November Pics

November's photos

Sorry been a bit slack lately with the blog but the camera hasn't stopped snapping.

We're Walking

What can we say, we now have our hands well and truly full. The sprites are mobile. Tom has been on the cusp for about six weeks, but after a few stacks he lost his nerve and reverted to crawling. But now they are both up and going. Claire seemed to not want to miss out on anything and just popped up and went.



Claire is still a little unsteady on the move, but very stable when standing around and has worked out a way to counter attack Tom's additional weight when they are both vying for the same position.

Terry Fox Run

As soon as I heard about the Terry Fox Run I had the whole family on the donation sheet and we were all set to attend.  Yesterday afternoon's festivities that led into last night festivities meant the early rise for a fun run, was not all that 'fun'.  We still made it Thien Quang Lake for an 8am start and joined the crowd to raise money for cancer research here in Vietnam.

So now the kids have another first to rack up, their first fun run and I tell you I would have much preferred been in the chariot than being the pusher.

House Warming

Yes we may have been here for 3 months, but in that time a lot has happened and Trev hasn't been here the whole time either.  So yesterday we had our house warming.  The party started around 2ish and besides a small ice drama, that being the lack of ice and the ice factory having closed, we with the help of Helen's maid found some ice in an old dumpster looking thing covered in doonas and old pillows.  Drama over, the drinks were chilled and the party began in force.

About 40 people came by during the day and evening and the new BBQ had a workout.

It was going to be themed in bad taste to go with the current equine flu back home and the thought that Tuesday's big race may be cancelled, but with that all going ahead we just had a BBQ.

The photo is of Claire and Park a spouse of one of Jo's workmates and there are plenty more photos are in Tom and Claire's webalbum.

Playing Tourist

It's been a while since we have been able to enjoy playing tourist in Hanoi.  In fact since starting the new job at the same time Trev left for work it seems we have been doing the same ol' ritual of work and home.  Trev arrived home on Saturday and on Sunday we were off on a day of sight seeing and long brunches.

First stop as Trev had never been there before was KOTO and a walk by the temple of literature, we did the non touristy route via bathroom street to get a longer shower hose, then from breaky it was on to the Military Museum on Dien Bien Phu.  We had an interesting look around here and the number of conflicts the Vietnamese have been involved is endless.  They had a good display of relics with some English and French scripts to help get the gist of what they were of.

We then jumped across the road to see Lenin.  This statue is apparantly the last statue of Lenin in situe, all others have been removed to places various for preservation ie museums.

From Dien Bien Phu we headed in to the old quarter, past St. Joseph's Church and around Hoan Kiem Lake.  It was then decided to head home and we decided to continue the walking way we had started and meandered through back streets, getting slightly lost while enjoying the sounds and sights.

Watch out Casey Stoner

It's official I have now had a labotomy, or so it seems I must have.  I say this as I am now hooning around Hanoi on a motorbike.  Yep that's right.  And it feels awesome.  Wind in my hair, smog on my face, horns in my ears  Oy Zoi Oy!!!!!

When I first arrived it was hard enough just crossing the road, now I am out there whizzing past people, dodging every man and his dog literally and adding to the traffic congestion.

First step Hanoi, next step Phillip Island !!!!

Terry Fox Run

I've just been thinking about the events of the past few weeks at school and in the community of late.  Last weekend we went to the Humanitarian Services for Children Vietnam fundraiser and had a terrific time, this week our school had their annual International Week which raises money for the Peace Village and Friendship Village.  They both do terrific work rehabilitating victims of agent orange.  And now another event coming up is the Terry Fox Run.  Our school is putting in a team and the event is basically a fun run to be held on the 4th of November here in Hanoi.  The run is world wide now and funds raised will go to the Hanoi Cancer Centre and the HCMC Cancer ward.

I know that Movember is coming up again in Australia, so I won't ask for any donations here, just hope your 'mows' all come out again this year.

September Photos

September's photos

Just follow the link to the photos from September, or Dad if you want to see old photos go to the right hand side of the page where it says Tom and Claire's web album.

Time flies

My oh my! What a month. Time flies when you're having fun, and even when you're too busy to notice.

The job front has improved and I am now working for a reputable mob, as a secondary teacher. I have my work cut out for me as I'm learning the topic before delivering it and in an unfamiliar curriculum. But there is light at the end of the tunnel and its not an oncoming train.

Trev left about a week ago to go back to work, he is doing a stint between Darwin and East Timor - I think?

A very old friend from Cairns responded to an email earlier in the month saying she was bringing a school group to Hanoi and would be arriving in 11 days. Well the 11 days have passed and we caught up on Monday night and had a fabulous time. She is heading south with the school group and will have to send me the ins and outs once she is home and in her new place. So it's not just me that things are hectic for, signing home papers the day before heading overseas is outrageous. Nevertheless - Congrats Fi and Steve on becoming mortgage repayers.

Last night was the mid autumn festival. This was my favourite festival in China, and here it was a little disappointing. The weather was terrible, raining and overcast weather will always make moon watching evenings a little dull. In China it was a huge celebration, here perhaps I don't know any Vietnamese people well enough yet but it just seemed like another day. I bought Miss Diep my lab assistant a bunch of flowers and this morning she gave the kids traditional toys in response, she also told me that the Moon Festival is for kids not adults. And I must say this made a lot of sense as I didn't see anyone exchange moon cakes here which was done freely in China between acquaintances and good friends, although they were everywhere to be bought. The toys were completely unexpected and unnecessary but delightful all the same. Tom has the co-ordination to bang his drum and takes great pleasure in doing this and then having a big hearty laugh which then cracks Claire up.

Well the month is nearly up, in summary the kids got their first teeth, their first cold, Claire is now crawling and Tom is half way to walking - pulling himself up on everything and the Pies didn't make it to the Grandy and I changed jobs. All in all, things are beginning to settle down here - I say tongue in cheek.