The Most Romantic Spot in Vietnam

We spent the weekend at the Romana Resort & Spa in Mui Ne, a four hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City, which we would have to say is one of the most romantic places in the world. The gardens are absolutely beautiful and provide seclusion to each villa. Each of the villas also include a private pool and a view of the ocean. The weather was hot with the perfect ocean breeze. It makes me smile just thinking about it!

In addition to enjoying the private pool, lying on the beach and visiting the spa, there is lots to do in the Mui Ne area. We visited the red dunes which were a stark contrast to the ocean and usual lush greenery of Vietnam. There is also a golf course, white sand dunes, and a local fishing village - all trips that we decided to save for our next visit to Mui Ne.

If you are interested in seeing more of what the Romana Resort & Spa has to offer, check out http://www.romanaresort.com.vn/

Lots More Photos

Thanks to Jo-Ann's lead and a quiet Sunday afternoon, we have added photo album links to our blog page.  I tried to label the pictures but got tired after the hundred and something photo of more Angkor carvings.  The Angkor photos are a collection of photos taken by both Shane and I.  Thanks for taking so many awesome photos, Shane!

A Day at the Beach

With our house in relatively good order and another sunny day, we headed to Vung Tao on Sunday to sit on the beach. The coolest part about going to Vung Tao is, undoubtedly, the hydrofoil ferry trip. You speed along the Saigon River through, at times, relatively narrow channels to be spit out into the ocean at the coastal city of Vung Tao. We headed to Back Beach, a short taxi ride away from the hydrofoil port and rented some beach chairs and an umbrella with the droves of families also escaping Ho Chi Minh City for the day.  We hopped into a taxi just as the downpour started and had a front row seat watching the rain while we had a late lunch.

The hydrofoil which looked more like a Russian submarine than a boat.

Kevin enjoying the view and fresh air.

Vung Tau downpour caught on video.

The view through the rain.

Saturday Excitement

Today we got to chat with Jo-Ann, Jeff and Anushka.  It was wonderful to get to see little Anushka on the webcam!  

Jo and Jeff got a feel for how chaotic life in Vietnam can be.  We had people running around in the house... someone cleaning, someone fixing the air conditioner with our landlord and his brother directing.  Life in Vietnam is not quiet.  You really get used to having people around all the time. We have a security guard outside our door 24 hour a day and people are coming around all day to clean the house or the yard.  It means that we have more free time but it does take some getting used to.

Our regular visitor is the landlord - mainly because we have requested him to come over to show him something that does not work properly.  But tonight, while I was making dinner, he ran in the front door (we have to tell security to get him to at least knock) and in VietEnglish told us to come over to drink beer.  I was in the middle of dinner so Kevin went over and well, did he take one for the team!  He eventually came back with beer glass and can in hand after I shouted over the wall.  He thanked me for saving him.  Mr. Chung had him do a couple shooters of some mystery wine and enjoy a platter of meat which included pig's intestine.  Kevin said he sampled the items he could not recognize (is that really a good idea?).

Now Kevin is hiding out upstairs in case Mr. Chung decides to come back for him...

New Stuff

Last night we had a few new pieces of furniture delivered.

The upstairs sitting room.

The spare room with a fancy new duvet all ready for guests.

And then there is Kevin's new love, the bar!

Moving In

We are finally in our house!  Yah!  It was a flurry of activity in the yard this morning.  By 10am we had four security guards and a team of red-shirted Crown Relocation employees ready to go!  The guys shuttled everything into the house and went to work at unpacking and setting everything up.  It was a very slick operation.  Four guys working on putting together each bed was a sight to be seen.  It helped that Kevin had once put everything together so at least we had some idea how it was supposed to all work.

Once the dust settled and everyone was one their way, we finished up some of the organization and unpacking of clothes and shoes (yah, I finally have all my shoes).  

Tomorrow evening our living room furniture and bar gets delivered. Kevin ended up making an impulse buy this morning when he went out to pay for our furniture... yep, the bar.  It looked nice in the shop so hopefully, it looks even better in our house!

It's freakin awesome (K).

Canada Day in June

With school out in July and many foreigners away on their holidays during the summer months, Canada Day celebrations in Ho Chi Minh City are held in June. So this past weekend, we joined all the other Canadians and friends at the Canada Day party. A large tent had been put up which was a good thing because the rain came pouring down an hour before the event was to start. The result was a mudpit dance floor which made for a messy night! We were disappointed to see that there was no Canadian beer brought in and so it was Zorak, a local brand, all night. The entertainment was a band playing great cover tunes with a Talisman twist. The lead singer is the Talisman Vietnam GM and guitar is played by Talisman's Development Manager.

Good News lead by Paul.

Band groupies - from left: Steve, Kevin, Lori and Wa.

Some of the Talisman crew.

Kevin looked the part in his Team Canada jersey!

Squirrel Chase

So I really should have had my camera out but this all happened so fast...

Kevin and I were walking home one afternoon and saw a squirrel running straight for us. The squirrel didn't even see us though because he knew who was after him. Chasing the cute little rodent was a man who was being pursued by a woman with a long bamboo stick. At this point we are saying... 'is this for real?'

The man and woman chased the squirrel into a pile of garbage where the squirrel had taken refuge inside a rolled up carpet. We didn't stick around to see the outcome. I keep telling myself that they were just trying to catch him to keep as a pet. Kevin does not deny that we were watching dinner being caught.

Sunday Dinner

Not that going out for dinner is a real novelty now (in fact, a novelty would be a home-cooked meal) but I took out the camera at dinner tonight so it deserves post.  We tried out a new restaurant just a block away from the apartment called the Hideaway.  It was quiet and relaxing and most importantly, the food was excellent.  

Yes, Kelli, those are my real nails (and my $1.50 manicure).

Fresh river shrimp with risotto.

Weasel Coffee

After sleeping in following last night's gala event (which I forgot to take my camera to) and enjoying brunch at our favourite restaurant, Au Parc, we ventured into a shop selling souvenirs and coffee.  The woman offered us samples of Vietnam's famous weasel coffee.  The coffee beans are fed to weasels and then collected from the weasel feces.  No joke.  It is the most expensive coffee in the country!