Cruising Halong Bay

With a typhoon hitting northern Vietnam, we hestitantly ventured to Hanoi and then on to Halong Bay for a weekend of boat cruising through this stunning World Heritage Site. Our boat, the Spice Cruiser, was lovely and with only seven other people plus our group of six, it was also quiet and relaxing. With the exception of the 30+ other boats in the bay, the scenery was terrific.

We started the tour from Hanoi where we spent three hours on a packed bus. But it wasn't quite packed enough that Chris, Kevin, Travis and Kailey couldn't have a game of crazy eight countdown! 

Cards made the three hour bus trip go much faster.

It rained most of the way to the bay but when we arrived, blue skies and sun were present for the entire weekend. The boat trip started with a delicious lunch while we cruised out into the bay. We then boarded a tender to visit the famous Surprise Cave. Although these are now dead caves (no stalagmites or stalactites presently forming), the caverns were quite nice. We discovered that Kailey's imagination allowed her to see numerous animals in the sculpted columns of limestone.  After we had worked up a good sweat going through the caves, we headed back to our boat to go swimming. Travis was disappointed when the tour guide would not let him jump off the top of the boat but he did take the lead by jumping off the boat's second floor.

Relaxing on the top deck.

Kevin and Kailey on the tender boat heading out to the Surprise Cave.

Travis jumping off the second floor.

Lori and Kevin enjoying the sunny weather on the top of our junk (the name given to boats in Halong Bay).

Chris and Gabby salivating over the prawns and vegetable bouquet.

We spent the next morning kayaking around the incredible islands and inlets followed by one last terrific meal on the boat. It was then time to check out and head back to Halong City for the trip back to Hanoi.

Sunset over Halong Bay.

Around HCMC

Lori and Kailey in front of the Cathedral.

Travis and Kailey trying out the local transportation, a cyclo.

Our evening Jenga tournament - Kevin was the big winner!

Vietnamese pho (soup) at Pho 24.

Touring Saigon

Our day of touring Ho Chi Minh City gave us the opportunity to show Gabby, Chris, Travis and Kailey some of our favourite spots including the Opera House, Ben Thanh Market, and Fanny's Ice Cream.  We had lunch at a local Italian spot in the hopes that we could convince Travis to eat something (no such luck) and then did a bit more shopping before our feet were tired and we had Mr. Phong pick us all up and take us home.

We had enough energy to try out the local past time which is played by kicking around something that looks like a plastic badminton birdie.  The sport is best described as Vietnamese hackie sac.  We will need some more practice before we are as good as the children we have seen playing in the park.

Kailey, Gabby, Chris & Travis with Uncle Ho.

All smiles at Fanny's Ice Cream Parlour.

Chris is getting ready to kick the bright pink birdie while 

Kevin, Travis and Kailey prepare for the rebound.

The Arrival of the Meyers

Chris, Gabby, Travis and Kailey arrived via Thailand last night.  We introduced them to some Vietnamese cuisine for dinner.  Today we are going to show them around Ho Chi Minh City. Our itinerary will include the markets because Kailey is excited about shopping and some Western cuisine as Travis has not been eating too much of the Asian fare!

Dinner on the Saigon River at Restaurant 13

Kailey and Travis hanging out this morning

Haven't We Been Here Before?

Unlike our trip to Canada, our trip home was fast and did not allow for many layovers.  We did hit the Hong Kong lounge again with just enough time for a Kilkenny.  

The flights were generally uneventful with the exception of the Hong Kong - Ho Chi Minh City leg when, just before landing in HCMC, our plane was struck by lightening.  The flash was incredible and the entire plane shook.  We landed safely in HCMC minutes later though and were fast asleep in our own bed in no time at all.

Kevin and his Kilkenny

Canada Farewells

Kelli and Bryce hosted a great farewell barbecue/baby shower for us on our final night in Canada.  The 'baby burgers' were a hit!  Thank you so much for planning and preparing for the evening, Kelli and Bryce.  It was great!  Thank you also to everyone who attended and for all the lovely books and diaper money.  Both will go to good use.

We were definitely sad to leave but we are excited about the coming months and our next trip to Canada when we will have a new family member in tow.

Here are some of my favourite photos from our last night in Canada.  For even more photos from our Canada holiday, click here.

Jo-Ann and Anushka

Gramma Mary and Matthew

Where did all the babies come from?  

Lori with Matthew, Krista and Gwen, and Jo-Ann and Anushka

Shawn, Kim, Matthew, Lori and Kelli

Kevin and Dad

Aunty Jan and Mom

Gramma Meyer and Anushka

Tasty Tom's

Kim, Matthew and I joined Jo-Ann and Anushka at baby yoga this morning. With the exception of Matthew staring down Anna's Freddy the Firefly and proceeding to grab it from her, the babies were very well behaved! After a fun hour of baby yoga, Kevin joined us all for lunch on Whyte Avenue at Tasty Tom's.

A table for six please.


Anna chatting with the group while Matthew snoozes.

Matthew loves his new Freddy the Firefly from Jo-Ann and Anushka (now he won't have to steal Anna's). He hasn't put it down since he got it. Sophie the Giraffe (which we got for Matthew) is getting much less attention.

Baby Boot Camp

It was a full day of fun and playing with Matthew. Kim also taught me a very useful tip - sleep when the baby sleeps.

Lori and Matthew napping after a busy day of playing.

Gramma Jean and Matthew enjoying tummy time.

Anna & Matthew's Playdate

Anna and Matthew met for the first time today. The Moms had a good time visiting while Aunty Lori hung out with her niece and nephew.


Anna and Matthew.


Matthew, Lori and Anna.

Surprise Baby Shower in Calgary

We wanted to see all our friends in Calgary so Shane and Suzy kindly offered their home and yard so we could have a bbq!  I had no idea that Suzy, Carly and Krista had planned it to be a surprise baby shower too.  It was an absolutely wonderful night visiting with friends and enjoying great food (thanks to everyone for bringing food) especially blue and white-iced Crave cupcakes which arrived with Carly, Tannis' carrot cake and Suzy's bacon wrapped chestnuts and brownies! 

Thank you all for the lovely gifts for Baby Meyer!  Krista and Carly, thank you so much for the cool diaper cake. We cannot thank Shane and Suzy enough for hosting and letting us stay at their home while we were in Calgary!

Jen and Lori doing the belly bump.

Jeremy and the youngest party goer, six-week old Maisey.

Carly and Lori.

Bev, Mabel, and Lori.

Jason, Kevin, and Jason.

Tannis enjoying a gin and tonic.

Kevin and Annika and the delicious cupcakes.

Kevin, Nat, Eve, Shane and Suzy.

Expectant mothers, Lori and Andrea.

Natalie, Nathan and the very sociable, Annika.

Kris, Shane, Erin and Natalie after feasting on bison burgers and salads.

Krista and Carly's work of art - a diaper cake.

Natalie and Eve (you can check out their blog too).

Krista, Lori and Suzy.

September Birthday Bash

To celebrate all the September birthdays, we had carrot cake and ice cream at the farm over the weekend.  

Happy Birthday, Jim (September 2nd), Dad (September 8th) and Gramma Sophie (September 11th)!

Jim, Gramma Sophie and Dad ready to blow out the candles.

Meeting the New Babies

After months of seeing our new niece and nephew over the webcam, we finally got to meet them both. Anushka came to the airport to pick us up and Matthew was waiting at the farm when we arrived. 

Kevin and Anna getting to know each other.

Anna and Lori posing for the camera.

Kevin and Matthew - nice smile, little guy!

Matthew and Lori - I got lots of smiles too but this was not one of those moments!