Our journey to Vietnam part 1

Just the word Vietnam conjures up so many emotions, many of them unsettling and this was one place I was very anxious about visiting.  We arrived at the airport and were met by an airport assistant to walk us through the immigration and visa process.  I would suggest this, as the only way to go as we skipped all the lines and confusion and had our visas and luggage in less than a half an hour.  As we drove to the hotel, we found out that this city is called the city of motorbikes.  There are 8 million people living in Saigon and 6 million registered motor bikes and that doesn’t count the regular bicycles.  They are like ants, they are everywhere and very few street lights or traffic direction.  We were told if you need to cross the street just be confident and start walking and the bikes and cars will go around you.  I will never complain about my husband or sons driving again.  I witnessed every type of person on these, business men and women wearing 6 inch heels, an entire family on one bike, a water delivery guy carrying 10, 5  gallon jugs, a man with boxes of copy paper and even a man and women nursing her child.  It was very frightening for me.  When we got to our hotel it was beautiful and our guide made us dinner reservations at a local Vietnamese restaurant across the street.  It was down an alley that opened up into about 3 restaurants and a very lively bar.  We walked over to the restaurant and they actually grabbed a table and stuck it behind a bush in the walkway of the patio area, I didn’t really know what to expect but it wasn’t bad.  I did have a really good drink. The next evening we went to the night market, the thing that stuck out the most here were the children selling the goods. I had little girls about 8 coming up to me to sell me items. I was also approached by young girls holding sleeping babies; this was very hard for me to understand.  We went on a little walking tour we visited a beautiful little church, a replicas of Notre Dame in Paris, it was beautiful.  Then on  to the Vietnam War Museum, I was a little young to remember this conflict but It really affected Bert and made me understand a little more about the part of history.  Then we found a little gem.  There was a new shopping mall down the block from out hotel so we decided to go through it, we entered the doors and found 6 levels, the main level was the high end level but every other level was everything you would ever need from a grocery store, to furniture stores, and one level was a food court with a wonderful French bakery.  Everything was very reasonably priced and someplace you would just pass on the street if you didn’t know about it.  I will write about our MeKong Delta experience in its own blog as it was very emotional.   I hope you enjoy some of the pictures I have posted and if you would like to see more visit my facebook page.

God Bless and Happy and safe travels.

Hong Kong quite the city.

Well the second leg of our trip is almost complete.  Three days ago we arrived in Hong Kong and we were greeted by a wonderful young lady named Rosita.  Yes that’s right Rosita.  Apparently most children are given a western name in addition to their formal name and because she was smaller than the girl in school that was named Rose she was called Rosita.  After we were greeted by her and a driver we were taken to an exquisite hotel The Peninsula, if you ever have a chance to splurge a little, everyone should experience this kind of treatment at least once in their life.   The hotel is 85 years old but the rooms are very modern and full of technology and the service an attention to detail is so far unsurpassed. We are on the 25^th floor the hotel only has 27 floors so we are nearly at the top and we look out at the Victoria Harbor.  A bustling harbor during the day and a beautiful sight of lights at night, almost all the buildings in the harbor join in this light show every night.  We did a 45 minute cruise on a Chinese Junket and watched the light show from the center of the harbor it was amazing.  On Sunday Rosita took us on a tour of the real Hong Kong.  When we arrived and walked around the town ourselves we just noticed the extreme amount of people, traffic, and congestion and thought oh my God this place is crazy, You could not go ten feet without someone trying to sell you a watch, handbag or wanting you to come to their tailor shop to be measured for a suit they would make for you in a few hours.  Yes Bert did follow one of them down a little alley to see what they had to offer and I’m thinking really we just got to Hong Kong and my husband is going to disappear in an alley?  It was quite the experience. But then we were introduced to the local side of Hong Kong.  Went to the local markets, ate Wonton Noodle soup, (yes I did step out of my box a little.) and had what they call milk tea.  We saw all their special herbs and some parts if animals I really never want to see again. She also brought us to a very special temple that was beautiful and serene.  I learned a lot about Hong Kong and its history that I never knew and it reinforced by decision to always have at least one day of a destination specialist when I travel.  On Monday Bert and I ventured out on our own, used the subway system which is clean, efficient and you would never know that there is really a city below city here.  It was very easy to use and we traveled to a Zen Garden and Nunnery.  The Garden was so peaceful and the nunnery (like a monastery), felt surreal.  You could feel the presence of a higher being surrounding you.  Now being the good Catholics that we are we had to find the Catholic Church and visit there a very quaint little church but that same serenity was there.  Hong Kong is a thriving City not a truly relaxing place to visit but for culture and business and shopping it is a destination that I am very glad I was able to see.  Today we venture on to Saigon, Vietnam, Ho chi Min City, whatever you want to call it.  I’m a little anxious about this destination as I have a feeling it is going to be very emotional.  I will write again in a couple of days until then God Bless. You can see more pictures on my facebook page.

New Zealand a wonderful start.

 

So today is Thursday March 6, 2013,   I got on the plane in LA on Sunday and after about 5 hours it became reality I was traveling to the other side of the world.  The flight was good kind of like sitting in a theater, watched Good movies and the food was very good for airplane food.  As we landing in Auckland my anticipation grew.  What should I expect; what if there was no one there to pick us up.  What if it was a dream, but we got off the plane customs was a breeze and standing there when we got our bags was a delightful man holding a sign saying Gina and Norbert Kemper.  I have never been greeted like that.  He was our chauffer and led us to a beautiful BMW to a half hour ride to the Sofitel Hotel on the Harbor.  The hotel was beautiful and the people here are amazingly friendly.  I have never seen so many sailing boats and racing Catamarans in my life.  The town itself is a lot like downtown Denver but not as rushed.  Something like 90% of the population on the north Island live here, so there is a lot of people and so many cultures, this is really a melting pot.  If you are a sailing fan, the American’s cup is held here and the ships are fantastic.  We got on a ferry and road over to Devonport.  A very cute little town went back to Auckland and enjoyed a gelato (love it) with my husband as we watched the sunset on the harbor.  It started to mist and we went back to the hotel wondering what tomorrow would bring. The next day began being greeted by our same driver and taken to the airport for our 40 min plane ride to Napier.  Anxiety kicked in as I am not a fan of little planes, but Gina is learning to come out of her box.  The plane ride wasn’t as bad as imagined and when we landed, again there was a driver holding up our names.  We drove about 45 minutes to one of the most beautiful spots I have seen.  The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, we were personally greeted and given a tour, we were told to treat this as our home.  (Ya like my home has a beautiful golf course. With views looking out to a bay that will take your breath away), we were shown to our own private cottage, stocked fridge, heated bathroom floor a shower bigger than my bathroom at home and a balcony that is looked out to serenity.  As we were to be a dinner at 7:00 we had some time, so we walked they have many beautiful trails here and so off we went.  I need to thank my son Nick for getting me in shape, after an 8 kilometer walk I was exhausted but we witnessed breathtaking views and stood with a colony of gannets.  We return and dressed for dinner.  (Who new Bert would need a jacket for dinner; thank god they have them in all sizes for their guests.) We were greeted by a sommelier and enjoyed a wonderful glass of wine, a sampling of appetizers and then were served a wonderful dinner as we looked out to the golf course and the bay.  We enjoyed the Sunset as they played some soft jazz and big band music.  I sat and tears actually came to my eyes as I never thought a regular person like me would be able to experience this kind of service and attention.  I knew it was out there but I felt it was always reserved for someone else.  I thought I would always be on the giving end not the receiving end of this type of lifestyle .We returned to our cottage and fell into bed.  The blankets enveloped us like a giant marshmallow.  I slept like a baby.  Today we are going to hike to the lavender fields and enjoy a day by the pool.  Tomorrow we head to Hong Kong.  I hope you are all safe at home and I will right more from Hong Kong

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God Bless and safe travels.