Rainy Saigon

We were sat in The Refinery - one of our favourite brunch places. It's an old opium refinery and is in one of the few lovely old buildings in the centre of town that they haven't knocked down to make way for big city developments. It was a good reminder of the reason that we are here - it was like being on holiday sat outside in the warm. Suddenly the heavens opened and it packed down with rain. The rainy season storms are amazing here. I just love sitting in the shelter while it pours like crazy then stops just as suddenly. A Sunday morning well spent.

Only in Vietnam

Last week we had a fire drill. This means that we had pink smoke streaming out of the building; the guards got out the hoses and started spraying the building until the fire brigade arrived (almost didn't get here as they were stuck on the bridge in a traffic jam) then they continued by showing how high the water could go and soaking us all. All this for a practise. The kids thought it was brilliant.

Photos

Gem and Mum - you were asking for pictures. Here is one of our gym!

A night on the river

We went to Kim (in the white flowery dress) and Helen's birthday last night. It was a really relaxed evening. I didn't drink much as I didn't want to undo the hard work at the gym over the past couple of days - I have 5 pounds to shift! Gareth and I had food at the Mekong Merchant - a really good outdoor place in An Phu (area near our school) then walked over the The Boat House, by the river, where Kim and Helen had designed their own cocktails. It was a quiet evening and not too much of a late night. I know it looks like I have no top on in one picture - unfortunate angle!
We only have 3 days of work this week, then a 4 day weekend. I think I can make it through! Last week's early mornings were a bit painful and a shock to the system. Then only 8 more weeks then home - hooray!

Excess packaging?

They just love it in Vietnam: Brie in foil, in a tin, in a box, in a plastic container...

One more week

These are some photos we took on the day we left Phu Quoc. It's so nice to get back from holiday and still have another week to relax at home. We normally have to go straight back to school. I have the gym and a visit to the tailor planned today. I bought some really nice printed material in the market yesterday and I want to get a skirt copied along with a couple of tops. I hope they turn out well it's sometimes hit and miss.

Same same

Here are some photos - one of me Gem! We had cocktails on the beach to watch the sunset. Unfortunately it's been really cloudy so not seen the best of it yet. No real news. We've been here almost a week now and have just been reading, sleeping, swimming and eating. It's so relaxing I had no idea what day it was when I woke up. Back to Ho Chi Minh tomorrow but we still have another week of no school. Got some jobs to do and phone calls to make so hopefully it ill be a productive week. Anyway back to my book - the 5th this week!

More Snaps

Still chilling out!

Very relaxed not much to say apart that we can't even lift up our arms as we are in such a deep state of relaxation. It is amazing. I have never felt like this before. At night time it's dad quiet - only the sound of the waves - I sleep like log. I've been getting some wedding orgnisation stuff done - by contacting dress shops and the place where we are getting married. All very exiting!

Beautiful Phu Quoc

I really can't find any words to describe this place. This is true paradise. There isn't a sound except for the sea. There are very few other people here and they are all here to relax. There are no big party bars or hawkers selling clothes along the beach. Just beds, sand and palm trees. If you are looking for an excellent getaway then this is it. I have never been anywhere more perfect in the world. It's definitely a place to bring guests.
The flight was about 50 mins from Saigon. When we landed the plane came right down as if to land on the sea then the runway practically started on the beach. We were picked up at the airport and 10mins later were on the beach. Our room is a 10 second walk on to the sand. The seafood comes in fresh on the boat and we have a fresh lunch of squid, mackerel, crab or prawns with rice. It's very plain but really tasty.
I can't believe that we have been here for 2 days already – I have read 2 books already and have done a lot of sleeping. This is a great holiday. I think this can be our early honeymoon as I know we couldn't find anywhere better. I love it here and don't want to go anywhere else!

New Shoes and Painting!

I have had a really crazy week. I have been out every night this week it was quite depressing because every night, when I got back, Gareth was already in bed asleep - exactly what I wanted to be doing. I had Oklahoma on Thursday and Friday night - the kids really did well after the not-so-good rehearsals of the previous weekend. I now feel like crap and cannot stop sneezing. I hope I'm not ill tomorrow.
I have been trying to get more motivated with painting. It's been a really long time since I did anything I liked. I have done one painting I'm happy with - inspired by photos from Mexico. This is one I have just started. I'm not quite happy with it but will try to persevere. It's taken from a photo of some tulips I took in Chicago a while back. I have one similar back at Gareth's house that I did from the same photos, but I wanted this one to be a great big flower. I need some tips please?
These are the shoes I had copied in Mandarina (171 Le Thanh Ton). It's a great shop where you can take in an old pair of shoes and have them copied in any colour. I chose this green colour for my school shoes that were about to fall apart. I think I'm happy with them - I just need to wear them round school for the day to see if they are as comfortable as the old ones!
Watching the world go by from Highland Coffee - Gareth with an espresso as usual...


Here is the guy who fixed the soles of my old shoes. He was playing a complicated chess-style game with all his mates while doing my shoes.

Long time no blog

I apologise for my lack of interest in updating my blog, but not much has really been happening. After a very busy birthday weekend I have been taking it easy.

On Saturday Maz, Ben and baby Max came over. He was feeling a bit sorry for himself as he had a cough. I went shopping in the afternoon. I haven't spent anything on myself in ages, so I treated me to some really nice L'Occitane facial stuff and some make-up. I was very pleased with my purchases. Nothing like a bit of retail therapy! In the evening we went to a new bar in town to watch the football. I sneaked off to meet a friend for a glass of wine and a chat and came back once it was all over. Although I have my fantasy football team I still don't find it that interesting to watch.This Sunday I was very good and did my bit for school, by playing cello in the Oklahoma musical rehearsal. We have the final performance in less than 2 weeks, so it will be keeping me busy. It was nice to play again.

I promise that I will make a real effort to take some photos this week!