1 day until Matt starts his course

I couldn't imagine that on that first day arriving in HCMC that I would feel as relaxed as I do now. I am now looking forward to the next few weeks, it will be a little difficult because Matt starts his course on Monday and it’s been so nice to be able to do things together. Now I have to brave Saigon with the kids, which I’m feeling confident about. At least we were able to check out a lot of things as a family, so now I have a good idea of good places to take the kids. Alex also starts school on Monday…with me as his teacher! I think we are looking forward to some routine…well I know I am!

We went on our first motorbike taxi ride the other day, Ashah has been adamant about getting on the bikes. It was only a short ride but both Alex and Ash had smiles on their faces the whole way home. Now they keep asking us to go on! You can hire a scooter for about $6 a day. I am sure Matt will hire one soon.

We’ve been meeting a few people, some from Australia. The other day we were at a Mall and there was another Aussie family with their 2 kids, 6 and 2yrs. They are also out adventuring, they’re here for 3 months while their house in Sydney is getting built, they decided to travel here instead of renting a house in Sydney, they had a lot of holidays owing from work. Another lady sold everything in Australia and is now travelling around!

Even with some of the Vietnamese, we are getting to know them and learning about their culture. We met a young man while we were booking our travel for Hanoi (he was the brother of the lady who was serving us). He began to tell us about the situation for young people, his parents live in the Me Kong Delta region which is about 6 hours away, they are very poor. Both his sister and himself came to HCMC to find work. They paid for private tutors to learn English, which cost them a lot and now they both have ok jobs - he works in a hotel and she as a travel consultant. They both only get 100USD per month as a wage. They both rent a room each that costs them 50USD not including utilities so that leaves them with just over 1 USD a day to do everything else. So their lives are difficult, and it’s difficult to get ahead. It makes me realize how grateful we need to be, and make the most of helping with what we have, our finances, knowledge and skills and of course even more than that letting people know that they can be set free from this world systems through Jesus Christ. As there is no greater joy than to know him.

Tonight we went out to an orientation dinner that was held by ILA the school where Matt will do his course. It was at the bbq garden and it was all paid for it was delicious! It was a nice time of meeting new people and great to see the other 17 people that are doing the course. There is an older couple, a few guys and girls, some people that have just arrived in HCMC and others that have been here for a while. I met a lovely lady that has lived here with her husband and 2 kids for 2 years, he husband is teaching in an international school. She is originally from Brunswick and has just signed on for another 18 months, she loves living here. We are really starting to love it too, and I know I will miss this place when I’m home, the hardest part is not letting the time just slip away…

Fun in the sun!!

We’ve been keeping very busy the last two days. Yesterday we visited a shopping centre called Diamond Plaza, it has a kind of ‘Time Zone’ place where the kids can play games, they had a lot of fun. After that we visited the Reunification Palace, it first had the French Political headquarters in 1885 and later was demolished through war and the Americans helped the Vietnamese to rebuild a new Reunification Palace. It had very beautiful gardens and fine ornate furniture, amazingly decorated. It’s still used for some events. For dinner we went to the BBQ garden where you cook yourself on a hotplate, we spotted this place a few days before and had to experience it.

Today we took the kids to the BEST water park ever! Dam Sen Water Par, it is about 10 acres with over 25 pools and attractions all within oriental landscaped gardens surrounding the pools. It had the best slides, wave pool and kids attractions ever. It had a flying fox that you launch off into a pool, you really put your fears and body to the test. Kamikaze High Speed slides. Not sure if Lisa and I had more fun or the kids!! The course starts next week and thought we would enjoy our last few days of no stress as a family. 

Day at the Zoo

The past 2 days have been really great. On Sunday we went to the Zoo, it’s amongst the botanical gardens, which is a beautiful parkland with mature trees, landscaped gardens and grassed areas. There was also a children's theme park with rides and games. The animal enclosures were a little old and probably not to the standards we are used to. But apart from that it was a wonderful day out. Ashah also decided to make some new friends, she actually went up to a group of school children with their parents, they were watching a dvd on their laptop on the grass and she just plonked herself down on their mat, they also offered her some food, which she kindly received and became one of the kids, she is really amazing us!

Today we had some one on one time with the boys going out for lunch and then the girls going out. Matt and Alex went out to a restaurant where Alex ordered Carbonara and Matt ordered a traditional Vietnamese dish, both meals were great. Then when Ash woke up we went to a street stall which was nice, we met an old lady who was very friendly and showed us how to eat our meal.

Absorbing the culture

We are now settled in our new guest house $175 USD a week (inc. b’fast) reasonable rate, Lisa is feeling better so we can all relax now, happy wife happy house. Now that we have a place to call our home for the next 6 weeks we are able to venture out and explore Saigon. We had a fresh, quality Vietnamese dinner down the street from our home under $10 bucks (family), can’t go too far wrong, there are hundreds to choose from.

Then we decided to walk to a night market, through a big park where I’m convinced everyone in Saigon must hang out on a Saturday night, 1000’s of people! Games and street vendors trying to sell you or Ashah every toy gadget imaginable, Ash just freely received them and was convinced this is a great place and then we had to kindly return the toys…then Alex was being targeted…they are acute and sharp on their selling techniques! By the end we taught Ash and Alex to say "thanks, but No," by waving their right hand making the No gesture and smile…it was cute!!

We stopped and talked to people tonight, had a good laugh and even prayed for a young man that really captured our hearts. We loved our walk and the kids have been so good…we plan to visit and make contact with a local Christian church community tomorrow. The world is rich in culture and diversity…exploring is essential and valuable, I recommend it even when you experience culture shock, you can learn so much about others and yourself.

Getting settled

Today was a good day, we managed to find a slightly bigger place that is quite comfortable, the kids still don't have their own beds but they're able to share a queen. It's very nice down here, in a quieter lane way and we are now on the bottom floor, most of the rooms that we looked at were on level 2 or 3.  I was now able to do the girly thing and unpack and make this home,  I can't tell you how I felt, so happy. Sometimes it's the simple things! The kids like it here too as they have a little more space to move around, we also bought them some toys today, so good to see them play. Alex bought some lego (Vietnamese lego) and Ashah bought a doctor's set, and as we speak she is checking Matt's heart with her stethoscope and now cutting him open and doing an emergency operation...

I'm starting to relax a lot more today, as it did take me a few days to feel ok. It definitely takes time to transition into another culture especially when it's so foreign. Yesterday we were eating at a restaurant and a man comes in and starts giving Matt a massage, right in the middle of lunch, I was on the floor, Matt's not usually into massages, this guy does the chop on his back and neck , then finger massage on the head, cracks his fingers, his back and neck, then to top it off he gets out a tissue and cracks Matt's ears! Poor Matt, we all couldn't help but laugh. This is really beginning to feel like an adventure

Just a note, I thought I'd worked out the whole facebook thing, but....now that we are in a new place I can't seem to use the same tricks, so for all those that use fb, I will let you know when we are on again. If you would like to send a personal message just send it to our email.

HCMC buzz

What can I say about this place it is buzzzzing! We have had some of the most amazing food today, you would never run out of places to eat here. There are outdoor kitchen, as you walk past the smells draw you in even if you’ve eaten already. The kids and I had a good rest while Matt was out looking for a longer term place for us to stay…hopefully we’ll find one soon. The sound of the motorbikes never stop here, they are so good at riding them and maneuvering around it is amazing to watch. After dinner tonight we went for a walk to the local open area a bit like a park, lots of things going on, people practicing dancing routines, guys playing Hacky Sack (which were very skilled) and a bunch of guys on rollerblades weaving around plastic cups placed on the ground in a line, Alex loved it. 

Leaving HK...

It was quite sad leaving HK, the people are so friendly and HK in general is so easy to get around, you feel quite safe and the weather was good...very cold towards the end. We left Cheung Chau Island in a rush because we were running late to catch the fast ferry, it usually takes about 20min to walk back to the port although I think we did it in half the time...running down the pathways and most of it downhill. I'm sure the locals thought these crazy foreigners. When we arrived  at central HK we went straight to the train station, you can check in your bags and they go direct to the airport so you don't have to carry them around. Then all you have to do is catch the express train to the airport which takes about 25 min.

Well now we are in Vietnam...very humid and heat (compared to HK), the sound of buzzing motorbikes is amazing. Ashah was sitting on my lap in the taxi, we had the window down, the bikes were coming so close I could have reached out and touched the people. Ashah loved it, she was amazed with all the bikes and people. The city is definitely alive, lots of people and smells of food wafting through the air...I'm  sure tomorrow we'll be able to see a lot more.

Love this place

As we walked the narrow concrete undulating pathways you could hear music of a flute playing up in the homes above. Matt piggy backing Ashah and Alex and I arm in arm, chatting and hoping we could find our way through the maze of homes that were 2 or 3 levels high. Finally just as we realised we were now lost in the maze we saw a man (with English) who helped us with directions...we hadn't gone to far wrong. It was good to see the way people really live and smell the smells coming from their homes.

There are no cars or motorbikes on this Island, their main form of transport is a bicycle, everyone rides, balance is not an essential quality because there are adults riding around with training wheels...you are never too old to learn to ride!

We cannot boast of a authentic and delicious lunch today...get ready for it...McDonalds! Alex said we must do what the kids want too!  But with a little difference, when I asked for 2 happy meals, the young man asked if I wanted fries or corn, and I could also order milk in a small 226ml carton, and can I say I love their sundae's, they have a sprinkle of nuts. Overall we've had a very relaxing time...now we need to pack again as we head off for the next part of the adventure, Vietnam.

freeeezzzzing...

Today the rain did stop which was good, so we decided to take a walk down the mountain. The scenery is beautiful, we are so glad we came here, it is really special. A very cute fishing Island bustling with people, restaurants and market stalls. Today for lunch we went into a eating place that had no English writing, obviously not promoting westerner to dine, but that did not stop us. They placed a menu on the table that had pictures which was good, along with a pot of tea and a bowl of boiling water...as I poured my tea a lady from the another table stopped me and began to show me, the bowl of boiling water was to wash all your dishes before you drink or eat from them! I must say we had the best meal at this place, best bbq pork and vegies (+other meals) all for  less than $30. I went down with thongs and a light shirt, Alex was also freezing, we had 2 goals - eat, which we had done, and shoes & jumper for me, and something to keep Alex warm...my feet were so thankful for the $3 shoes and cosy jumper and Alex so happy with his beanie it made all the difference. We had fun today...this is a very peaceful place, so clean, and the kids (& us) had a great time at the park.

Cheung Chau

Today we made our way to Cheung Chau Island about 35 min fast ferry from HK island. When we woke up this morning it was pouring rain. A few days ago I had done some research on the directions of how to get to Bethany (the place where we are staying) you need to walk up a very steep hill about 1km, I think that it would have been ok, but when we get off the ferry it is still raining heavily. So I carry Ashah, and Matt has both our bags, and we only have 1 umbrella. I thought at one point I was going to pass out, rain pouring down on Ash and I with Alex trying his very best to follow us with the umbrella so we wouldn't get wet, and Matt getting soaked. I can't tell you how relieved we were when we finally arrived. Where we are now is a christian retreat, it is really beautiful and a great place to relax. We are right at the top of the Island, and if it wasn't so overcast and raining I'm sure we would have a fantastic view. But the room is very comfortable and they have a lounge where the kids can play. Hopefully in the next day or so it will clear up and we can get around a bit. Its nice though, to be warm and chill out in our room.

Night Out

Hi everyone this is Alex...tonight we started the night on the tram to Causeway bay we went to have dinner..then we came home on the train and stopped at JUSCO the shopping mall,  there was an arcade on the children's level I played lots of games and had fun after that we had a crepe ice-cream they were really nice. When we came home we watched a movie called Enchanted, I liked it!

Second country in 5 days

Macau isn't a place thats spoken about very much - a tiny country with less that 500,000 population was colonised by the Portuguese in 1511 and they stayed for 442 years, leaving in 1999. So as you can imagine you can see their influence in many aspects of Macau. The signs are written in 3 Languages, Cantonese, English and Portuguese, the architecture is distinctly different and their style of food has a Portuguese twist.  Today thanks to Janice and her sister Rachel we did not stop sampling Macau's best delights from fancy Portuguese style restaurant, to pepper pork pies, Portuguese egg tarts (which were delicious), chicken mince patties stuffed with mushroom, jerky, almond biscuits and handmade noodles...Macau has a hybrid and unique culture which gives the city an air of romance and nostalgia with its cobbled paths, lamp posts, old red doors, big iron gates and Baroque style architecture that sits side by side shrines, temples and Chinese gardens. It was really beautiful!

Alex and Ashah have been fantastic, they are both becoming real adventurers and Alex especially loves learning about the different places including the history...Ashah continues to draw people and make us all laugh! It is a real privileged to be here, we are also very grateful to Janice (who stayed with us in Melbourne for 3 months) and her sister who have had so much patience with us and have spent many hours organising our itinerary, we couldn't have done all this without them.

Lantau to Mong Kok

Today we started at 8.45am and we arrived back at 9pm...It was an amazing day of seeing new things and trying lots of new foods. We went on another cable car which Ashah hearing we were going said "not again, we have to all hold hands." The cable car ride went for 25 min and was about 1000ft off the ground at times, including above water, but I must admit it was the best way to see the coast line and the mountain areas. We also visited the biggest Buddha which they say is about 180 metres high, there were lots of people burning incense and gold paper to help them with good fortune. We then made our way to Tai O fishing village which was so quaint, lots of small lane ways and specialty shops selling dried fish and squid and the famous XO sauce, Janice also helped us to taste glutenous rice cakes filled with sesame seeds, a kind of caramel that they spread between 2 crackers and put a stick in it like a ice-cream..nice, we also tasted bbq squid. Later in the night we returned back on the cable cars and made our way to a popular district in Kawloon and had traditional street food, omelette with oysters and various delicious vegetables, but not snake as some were having! We later went to the first street in the main district of Mong Kok, so many bright fluorescent lights...

Ocean Park

Ocean Park is amazing, so many things to do and see, the kids loved it. Very tired and all in bed now...Alex and Ashah are coping really well, and enjoying all the food, they are in their element just as much as us...Alex especially loves soup dumplings, these are dumplings with meat and soup inside the actual pastry, they are amazing.  Went on a cable car tonight Ashah wanted us all to hold hands, poor thing first time I've seen her scared...but a few seconds later she was happy to open the window and look out! I must admit I was praying during the whole trip, it was so high up, it just confirmed my fear of heights...but we all managed to get on land safe and sound.

Amazed...

Sometimes it's difficult to absorb everything...I kind of feel like I'm in a dream, I really am blown away with how beautiful HK is, the night lights and the old boats on the water with tall skyscrapers surrounding the coast line with mountains as the backdrop, its like nothing I've ever seen. The food is also amazing here, at the restaurant we were at tonight there were whole roast ducks coming out every 5 min, and we saw a waiter taking a brown ball to a table and giving one of the diners a golden hammer to smash it with, we later found out that there was chicken inside that is steamed for 6 hours and you have to pre order it the day before. HK is really so clean and the people are very friendly, a wonderful place...Ocean Park tomorrow!

Ashah's question to us

"Does this place have a drink a water, or no" she was thirsty and not sure if HK has water to drink

We have arrived in HK!

The flight was really easy and  Alex and Ashah were fantastic! when we arrived we could smell the difference in the air...We then caught a train inside the airport to collect the luggage, it went about 80KM/hr the kids were holding on for their life. Janice was waiting excitedly for us and we were so happy to see her face. Janice stayed at our house for about 3 months and we loved having her with us. We all then caught a double decker bus to the place  we are staying...now out for diner

Count Down!!

Only 2 days to go, we are ready for the adventure and are basically packed...to be honest I haven't packed a thing, my wife Lisa has done all the packing to the point that I can't find anything?? We would love to keep in contact and hear about what is happening in your lives too!!

We love learning about new cultures and particularly Asia, we hope this will be a journey that will continue to shape us as a family. We value God and are challenged by the life of Jesus, how he valued people and transformed humanity for all time. Our desire is to be more impacted by how he lived, what he thought was important and what he is communicating to us. There can be no happiness if the things you believe in are differnt from the things you do.