Day 2 - Saigon sites and street food tour

Still  being a bit jet-lagged I slept in and then had a leisurely breakfast of pho, coffee, and passion fruit. My first stop was the War Remnants Museum, which documents the atrocities of the Vietnam War including several moving exhibits showing the horrible and long lasting effects of Agent Orange on the Vietnamese people.  Following this museum, I visited the Reunification Palace, also known as the site where Saigon fell. 

The highlight of the day was a street food tour I took on motorbike at night! I won't lie. This took a bit of nerve. It turned out I was worried for no reason. My guide was an excellent driver, the food was all delicious, and I had no stomach issues. It was a great way to experience Vietnamese life and learn about Vietnamese culture from our students guides. 

Our guide explaining the ingredient in a special kind of spring roll. They were pink because of all the chili in them!

Me with my motorbike driver and guide

Touring the flower markets

Cooking and then sampling

Eating on the street

Vietnamese pizza made with rice paper, egg, corn and other ingredients

Trying a bunch of different custards

Arrived Saigon!

I arrived in Saigon yesterday morning. My flight was very nice. Cathay Pacific rarely disappoints. I was able to get a bit of shut eye on the flight so I had a bit of energy to take in some city sights. I first checked in at my hotel, the Cinnamon hotel in District 1. The staff are very friendly but the accommodations are only so so and no air conditioning. It's 31 C with high humidity. 

Managed to get to Ben Thanh market to buy some tshirts and then had a late lunch of chicken Pho and coffee. 

I got tickets to a show called Teh Dar at the Opera House through the hotel. It was an interesting blend of acrobatics using bamboo poles and baskets with dance and music. 

On my way to HCMC! 

Lunch of Pho Ga

Teh Dar Show at the Opera House

Performers posed for photos at the end

 

Statue In front of Opera House

Me inside awaiting the show.

School in Ba Ria -Vung Tau Province

As I mentioned a few months ago,  I am sponsoring the building of a small kindergarten in a rural area of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, near where Maya is from. This is a project that I have wanted to do for some time.  I am dedicating the school to my mom, and will be leaving soon for the opening!  Here are a few photos of the groundbreaking. I will be blogging about my travels, starting December 2.

 

 

 

Halloween

This year Maya went as "Rainbow Dash" from "My Little Pony" fame.  I especially like her multi-colour bangs!  Again this year, Aidan wasn't sure he wanted to participate.  But then at the last minute, he was able to squeeze into his costume from last year so that he could go out with his neighbourhood friends.  Here are a few photos from the night.

 

 

 

 

School Field Trips

 

One of the nice things about only working 4 days per week is that I have more time to go on school trips with the kids.  This fall I went on Maya's trip to the TIFF Lightbox where they had a workshop on stop motion animation.  Very cool.   The next week Peel Region had take your kid to work day, so Aidan came to my work to learn about environmental consulting.  My colleagues were very accommodating and spent time with him, including setting up a treatability test in the parking lot.

 

 

Me and Maya at TIFF

On the school bus with her new friend Emily.  Maya took this "selfie"

They created a cartoon animation by drawing on a white board and taking photo graphs every few minutes

Another photo of Maya with Emily

Maya with girls from her class

 

 

 

Aidan in my office for "Take Your Kid to Work Day"

Participating in an impromptu treatability test outside the office



The Best of the Summer

I can't believe another summer has come and gone.  This one seemed so short! Luckily the weather was beautiful most weekends.  Perfect for chilling at the cottage.. hanging out with family and friends.  Due to the warmer winter, the water was much warmer than usual (although still chilly :)) and much choppier than usual.  This limited canoeing some.  But all in, it was a wonderful summer with friends and family. Here are some photos from our time at the cottage...

Getting ready to roast massive marshmallows with cousins Justin and Dexter

Maya barely fit this one in her mouth

Justin is trying hard

Dexter succeeded!

Taking a ride on the 1000 ft+ urban slide - unfortunately it was not slippery enough for Aidan

Lunch on the deck with cousin Katie

Hanging out at Blue Mountain with Katie

Group photo with Aidan, Maya, Katie, Sarah, and Mike.  It was nice to see Katie and Sarah after such a long time.

We were happy that Grandma and Grandpa could join us for a few days at the cottage.  Here they are at Coffin Ridge winery in the big red chair.

Grandma with Maya

Grandpa with Mike

Maya impressed us with her waitress skills

We enjoyed the visit of Tash and his family

Aidan being really good with Tash's young son. 

Playing Pokemon Go with my new walking buddy!

An amazing sky at dusk

Canoeing on the Beaver River

Aidan seemed to enjoy himself!

Taking a break on the river

 

 Visit to the Meaford farmer's market

 

Maya with cottage friends Cloe and Ella

Touring the Creemore Brewery

They had free samples!

Checking out MIFF for Mike's birthday.  Tickets were easier to come by than TIFF!

Mike and Carol on a rare date night at MIFF.