Expat Diary...journey to Vietnam

Colonial Charms of Vietnam with Cape Lux Travels

2012-02-27T20:42:00.002Z

Seek and you shall find...

Nam-Hai Sunset

I have been finding inspiration for our move to Vietnam in many areas since I last wrote

but none compares to the wonderful blog and website of Jean Wethmar @ The Cape Club.

When Jean wrote about the colonial charms of Vietnam, I admit, I was hooked.

Jean is an inspiration.

She has created personal tours of Vietnam, tailor made to suit your interests.

Jean provides all inclusive, escorted, Concierge Travel Services for the high-end traveller.

Small groups (8-14) are filled with like minded travellers...who love to travel, explore

and make the most of a travel experience.

You can read more of Cape Lux Travels vision here.

If you have a mind to travel to Vietnam one day, I encourage you to explore Jean's website and blog...

I promise you will not be disappointed. I subscribe to her posts and I have enjoyed each and every one.

You can click on the links below to discover Jean and the wonderful adventures

that are waiting for you...

From the Blog

Seek and you shall find...

The explanations to the photographs below are

available to you on Jean's website.

Images and references from The Cape Club websites noted below.

Website: http://www.thecapeclub.com/

Blog: http://vietnam-hiddenrichesofacolonialpast.blogspot.com/

A World Divded: England to Vietnam

2012-01-20T22:55:00.000Z

A world divided.

My Christmas movie stash.

A revealing image.

One foot in England.

The other in Vietnam.

Mrs. H wished for...

Granta Book of Travel

The Duchess of Bloomsbury by Helene Hanff

Downton Abbey Series 2

Lord Mountbatten

Indochine

Top Gear Vietnam

Mr. H added...

The Scent of Green Papaya

At the Height of Summer

Three Seasons

A Good Woman

Hamish Macbeth

River of Time by Jon Swain

I think he is prepping me for the move...

A Good Man.

You can find all of the above

in My Shop Around the Corner.

Me and Charlie Brown: Good Grief!

2012-01-13T09:32:00.000Z

Just had to put this out there...I am having a Charlie Brown moment.

The paperwork is flying in..visa's, health checks, schools, moving company.

I have looked at the shots required to move and decided that

we will be walking pin cushions when we are done.

As I write, I wonder. This time next year, I would have already lived

in Ho Chi Minh for six months. I wonder what I would have to say?

This will serve as a reminder...

to be continued, same time next year.

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188 days and counting...

2012-01-08T23:31:00.000Z

This is what you pray does not happen to your containers... a collision. :)

and so it begins...188 days and counting

The afternoon was spent pouring over the calendar. It is January 8th and I marvel how a year can go by so quickly. It is always like this when you are planning a move. Everything must be calculated with precision. Family, schools, pets, vacations and the most baffling of all....the transport of household goods. We arrived in England with two 40' containers. We plan to move to Vietnam with one container heading to Ho Chi Minh and the other to Sydney. I have to decide and divide. This one is new to me. When I think it through in my mind, I foresee an empty container gliding across the sea to Sydney. Well almost, there are one or two very large artifacts from Papua New Guinea in our garage that are still sitting in the crates they arrived in two years ago. I will gladly put them on the empty container to Oz.

Mr. H suggested we take all our artwork and ship it to Sydney so that we can start anew in Vietnam. I am still processing this idea and am wondering if he is delirious. Our house in Sydney will most definitely not be able to contain what we have picked up since leaving Australia seven years ago. In addition to the artwork acquired in New Zealand and England, we have two rather large marble elephants on their way from our trip to India in October. It's a wild, wild, world we live in.

Mr. H has started his journey. He left today for Vietnam, returning to the UK in two weeks. We then set off to Morocco for a holiday. We return to the UK and he sets off to Vietnam again. All this in the span of three weeks. It makes my head spin. His return to Vietnam will be permanent. I will stay in the UK to allow the children to finish the school year. This is a very common expat drill. It is the hard part as we will most likely seem every 8 weeks or so until we move on 14th July. I have done this before, for a year. I shudder as I recall the family 'group hug' we had before he drove off to catch his flight to England in 2009. We saw him every 8-12 weeks for a year. I feel for military families who know this as a fact of life. It is difficult, but we are seasoned and it is only for six months. We have faith.

So...Mrs H is running the ship..solo. The last time she ran the ship solo, she started a blog and stayed up into the wee hours of the night, giddy with delight. Oh dear, oh dear...what will she get up to this time?? :)

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Escape: Evason Ana Mandara, Vietnam

2012-01-08T17:34:00.001Z

One of my favourite parts about moving is planning holiday destinations. My job has just begun. The Evason Ana Mandara in Nha Trang, Vietnam is looking promising.

The website says...

Nha Trang is the coastal capital of Khanh Hoa province, Vietnam. Its legendary pristine beauty is known throughout Southeast Asia. A place of soft white sand, surrounded by warm, turquoise waters filled with an abundance of sea life and dotted with islands. The 7 km long, palm-lined sandy beach makes Nha Trang one of Vietnam's most popular destinations for Vietnamese and visitors alike. A backdrop of mountains to the west and north not only provide picturesque scenery, but serve to protect Nha Trang from the rest of the country's weather patterns.

Nha Trang enjoys the well deserved reputation of having the best climate in Vietnam, with an estimated 250 days of sunshine a year and temperatures between 24 - 38 c. The rainy season starts at the end of October until January lasts towards the end of the year. As for the rest of the year clear blue skies and a mirror like sea are almost guaranteed.

images and info here

Even better... I found it via an iPad App, the Conde´ Nast Traveler 2011 Gold List App. A great way to travel the world!

image as noted above

Tika travels the globe...

2012-01-06T11:06:00.001Z

It's a dogs world...

I am not sure which is more stressful, moving your family and household contents or moving your pet across the globe. I would have to go with pet. Our beloved springer spaniel, Tika, was born in Victoria, Australia. We were living in Sydney at the time and were in search of the perfect puppy for our family.

We had recently jumped off the 'expat express', bought a house and were staying put for a while..or so we thought. A few years on, we moved to New Zealand...a relatively easy move for us all. 'Like for like' is what I would say, although, I know many Aussies and Kiwis who would beg to differ. Let's just say we were in the same hemisphere.

A few years on...England, oh dear, now that would be a change...and it was. The photos on this post were taken, one snowy cold morning, on the day she was dropped off at our home in Surrey. Her New Zealand dog tags were dangling from her collar as she looked upon the vast whiteness around her. Let's just say, there were lots of giggles from our family as she discovered snow for the first time.

And here we go again..to Vietnam. This one is tricky...it is not a dog friendly nation...or so I hear. On top of which, rabies is common. I have been in deep consultation with the pet moving company to sort this all out. My biggest worry, is her age. She is nine years old. I know she can make the journey to Vietnam...but what about the next spot? There will be strict quarantine laws leaving Vietnam to our next home. Vietnam is a 'Non-Approved Country' in the eyes of many countries. Quarantine will be at least three months. At 12-13 years of age? Will she make it? If you are a dog owner, you can see my concern.

Even thought she drives me mad sometimes,

I can not imagine life without her. I will have faith.

If you are moving your pet around the world, speak to your Veterinarian first. They can find out about vaccinations shots etc... I suggest you get as early a start as possible. We had to start Tika on vaccination program, nine months before leaving New Zealand. Every country is different. At the end

of the day, you are putting the welfare of your dog into the pet transport company. You want to be sure

it is one you are comfortable with. We can only imagine what our dogs must feel like, you will want to

ensure it is the safest and most comfortable transition possible.

Here we go...off to get another stamp in Tika's pet passport.

I have been meaning to write a story about Tika for our family.

'Tika Travels the Globe'. I must put that on the 'To Do' list when

we settle in Vietnam. :)

images~me

Top Gear Vietnam..loved it!

2012-01-03T00:00:00.000Z

Several people have asked if I had seen the BBC production, Top Gear: Vietnam Special. It is not a show that I follow and the thought of watching men talking about cars did not exactly run my motors... :) couldn't resist. Saying that, I added it to my Christmas wish list. I received not one but two segments for Christmas. The Vietnam and Botswana specials.

I sat down yesterday in an attempt to tackle paperwork that has been accumulating in great masses this past month. I decided to pop the DVD in to watch while I worked. Well...let's just say, that I did not get any paperwork done and absolutely loved watching the show. I laughed, I smiled and then decided that perhaps moving to Vietnam wouldn't be such a bad thing after all. There is hope. :)

source

You can view the show HERE.

My thanks to Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond
and James May for a fabulous show.

Richard Hammond

James May

Jeremy Clarkson

From your newest fan.

Images and Video via Top Gear

Finding France in Vietnam

2011-11-30T17:53:00.001Z

Note to Self: Must check out this book by Luke Nguyen and

brush up on my Vietnamese cooking.

From Amazon UK

Product Description

"Indochine" sees Red Lantern's Luke Nguyen revisit his beloved Vietnam and seek out the food and cultural remnants of this former French colonial empire. On his regular visits to Vietnam today, Luke is often struck by the appearance of people wearing berets, speaking French and the aromas of coffee and butter emanating from cafes and patisseries. The recipes and accompanying stories showcase the French influence upon Vietnamese history and cuisine. Against a backdrop of grand colonial hotels, bars, restaurants and terraces, to private estates dressed in antiques and textiles of the period, Luke talks to chefs, bakers and family members to extract the very essence of French-Vietnamese cuisine. From coffee and croissants at breakfast to high tea and supper, Luke unravels the origins of Vietnamese dishes such as pho, which began life as a 'pot au feu', and experiments with new versions of traditional Vietnamese food. "Indochine" appeals to lovers of French, Vietnamese food and travel alike. This title is from the author of best-selling cookbooks "Secrets of the Red Lantern" and "The Songs of Sapa". It features vibrant food photography shot entirely in Vietnam and more than 100 regional recipes showcasing Vietnam's French culinary roots.

About the Author

Luke Nguyen opened his award-winning restaurant, Red Lantern, in 2002 with his sister Pauline and her partner chef Mark Jensen. Luke's TV work includes Food Safari and Heat in the Kitchen, and he currently hosts his own cooking show, Luke Nguyen's Vietnam.

Other books by Luke Nguyen

HERE

Radio interview with Luke on ABC Australia on 8 November 2011 HERE

christmas trees and motor bikes

2011-11-28T09:48:00.001Z

source

As I start to decorate our home in England for Christmas, I wonder what Christmas will be like for us in Ho Chi Minh next year. We have a 7ft ariticial tree for those occasions when the local trees will not do. When all trees are measured and compared to American Christmas trees, I admit it is a challenge and we end up using the artificial more than not. This year, an English tree it will be.

As I put up our decorations, I can't help but wonder what size tree I could get on the back of a motorbike or bicyle for that matter. I will be back with more on that thought, this time next year. :)

Down to business....

2011-11-23T11:32:00.001Z

I thought I would move past the 'pretty pictures' and get down to business

with highlighting a few facts in the document that Mr. H passed on to me last week.

It has been sitting on my desk....waiting for a read. Let's see, where do I begin?

Vietnam is a Communist Party-dominated constitutional republic

...time to brush up on Political Science

Ho Chi Minh is one of the most densely populated urban areas in the world

....I may have to rethink riding my bike in the city.

Vietnamese usually have three names, the family name, a middle name

and a given name. The family name comes first and around 50% of the population

has the family name Nguyen....come again?

Traffic drives on the right...can do

A few Health precautions...

Mains water should be boiled or otherwise sterilised before drinking

....note to self, stock up on bottled water

Unpasteurised milk should be boiled

...note to self, stock up on boxes of UHT milk

Preparation will be needed for Malaria, Cholera, Rabies, Yellow Fever,

Avian Influenza (bird flu), Dengue fever

...I stopped here, too many to list... hmmmm.

Hospital care.. fly to Thailand or Singapore for anything other than basic treatment

....I have to think on this one.

At this point I decided I was moving into information overload

...need to see more pretty pictures. :)

Packing Decisions...me and my bike

2011-11-20T10:38:00.000Z

source

Thinking about my English bike (notes on my Love Affair here) and if I would have any luck riding it on the streets of Ho Chi Minh. My guess is that anyone who has been there would think I was dreaming....

I am going to have to decide whether to take it with us to Vietnam. We plan to put most of our contents in storage and ship it to Australia where we plan to move after our posting in Vietnam. The bike is on the list. Should I or shouldn't I take it with us to Vietnam? I think I should... Adventures on my English Pashley bike..in Vietnam. There is bound to be at least one opportunity, wouldn't you think? I may not be brave enough to tackle the ambitions of the person in the photo above...but I think a flower basket shot on the back of my bike might work....

source

I wonder if our dog, Tika, would ride in it.... :)

Decisions, decisions....should I take my bike or

pack it up for the next stop on the Expat Express?

What say you?

My Pashley :)

Posted at my blog, Collage of Life

Comments to this post..here

Blow...Wind...Blow..

2011-11-17T15:37:00.001Z

"Twenty years from now you will be more

disappointed by the things

that you didn't do than the ones you did do.

So throw off the bowlines.

Sail away from the safe harbour.

Catch the trade winds in your sails.

Explore. Dream. Discover. "

Wise words

by Mark Twain

I am waiting on that wind....

image

Jolanta...the dog whisperer

2011-11-14T08:30:00.001Z

I just told our housekeeper, Jolanta, that we are moving. Jolanta is from Lithuania, she moved to England with her husband two years ago to start a new life. She has an 18 year old son who has stayed behind, he tried living here but realised his heart belongs in Lithuania. We have connected and I have been here before. What starts as housekeeping soon expands to dog walking, house sitting and then babysitting. We are off to Australia in a few weeks...she will move in while we are gone to keep things on track.

I told her we were moving...and her face dropped. She tells us often how much she loves looking after our home and family. Our dog, Tika, does double spins in the air when she sees Jolanta at the door. Jolanta is a dog whisper...she whispers to her all day long, I don't know what she says but our dog is as loyal to her as any other.

This is the first step...I write about it because that is what you do in a diary. Someday I will reflect, as I pick up the threads of my life in a new country and weave a new story.

I finished my talk with Jolanta by saying..who knows, we could be back again, sooner than you think. We will hope together. :)

Thank You Millie!

2011-11-13T16:55:00.001Z

I started blogging two years ago, with our move from New Zealand to England. If you blog, you may recall that feeling when people first start commenting on your blog. It is pure joy. Millie @ The Laurel Hedge by way of the Adelaide Hills in Australia was one of those people. Mother to five boys with a talented 'Partner-in-Renovating', (MOTH), she is an absolute delight. I am just as happy today to read her posts and comments as I was two years ago. She honored me with this post recently.... I am so very touched. I know I will come back to it many times...and for that I send my sincere thanks to Millie. :)

"FOR JEANNE...
12 November, 2011

Many of us read this week that our dear Bloggie mate Jeanne & her family over at Collage of Life have received news of their next posting. They are off to live in Vietnam in 2012. In her inimitable style, she's up for the challenge, so here's a little taste of what's to come Jeanne - from my very favourite homewares company Vagabond Vintage. Full screen & volume on & I promise you'll be transported to this magical destination in a heartbeat. It's the weekend, so go enjoy!"

Vagabond Vintage Vietnam 2011 from Arthur Thompson on Vimeo.

a few words on moving on...

2011-11-09T10:44:00.000Z

Our move is going to happen in various stages. Mr. H will move to Ho Chi Minh first while I hold down the fort back in England. School years have to finish, packing has to be done and plans have to made as to how we will make the transition. We are not new to this scenario. We spent a year apart, with Mr. H in London for a year while we stayed back in Auckland to finish the school year. Having teenage children adds another layer of complexity to a move. In my mind, thier wellbeing has to come first. We all managed to see each other every 10-12 weeks. It was a long year but we grew in many positive ways as well. I always look for the silver lining in every cloud. If you look hard enough, you can usually find one.

I am lucky in that I have this time up my sleeve. In most cases you have a few weeks to work with or three months at best. It is November 2011 and I have until June 2012....a bit of breathing space. In the meantime, I have to create a list of what needs to be done. It always starts with the things we do not want to bring with us. Can I just say, I have created this list for four moves and each time, those same things end up being shipped along with us. This time...I will really make the effort...really. :)

Vietnam in Photos

2011-11-09T10:32:00.000Z

Today I am doing a bit of forward thinking. I am laying the groundwork for our move to

Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh) next year and decided I should first see where it is actually located. I am not sure why I thought it was an island...I now stand corrected. It helps to get your geography in

perspective when you are making a move. :)

image

Mr. H handed me an enormous document to read that will tell me all I need to know.

Being a visual person, I like to look at the photos first and read the copy last.

This document does not have photos...so...I decided to find my own.

I admit, I went for the nicest photos first but it is early days...

I am getting myself motivated and to do so...

I have to do it my way. :)

image

I don't know about you...but I am starting to think Vietnam will be

an interesting place to live. I also think I am going to need lots of visitors

to show around. We can go sightseeing, take cooking classes,

take the cameras for a spin, do a bit of spa hopping, go shopping in the markets.....

how does Jeanne's Vietnam Bloggers Tour sound? Any takers?

This post was created at Collage of Life...comments to this post can be found here.

Taking Notes...

2011-11-08T11:35:00.000Z

From Mille @ The Laurel Hedge on Vietnam....
You'll love it, the influence of the early French occupation is still really evident in the food. Wonderful buttery croissants, pastries & bowls of steaming cafe au lait for breakfast. And then there's the glorious local & regional food- yum. And don't forget the divine Amanpuri resort is a quick plane ride away on the west coast of Thailand overlooking the Andaman sea if you need some 6 star pampering. What an adventure you have ahead of you Jeanne!
Millie xx ................Thank you Millie!

Amanpuri Resort in Thailand

All suggestions/recommendations welcome!

To Vietnam With Love- A Travel Guide

2011-11-07T14:37:00.000Z

It is time to start building my Vietnam reference book library. This is the first one for my shopping cart. I was sold half way through the Table of Contents.

Editor: Kim Fay

Photographer: Julie Fay Ashborn

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Moveable Feast...A tasting menu of exotic flavors.
Secret Gardens...Where to hide away from the touring masses.
Retail Therapy...An insiders/ primer to boutiques and markets.
Into the Wild..Outdoor experiences for adventurous travelers.
When in Rome... Lessons on living local and making yourself at home.
Paying it Forward... Suggestions for giving back while you're on the road.
Resources for the Road...Practical advice to help you prepare for your travels.

To Vietnam with Love: A Travel Guide for the Connoisseur
"Born from the Southeast Asian guidebook that The International Herald Tribune's Thai Day hailed as a guide with depth and color that most of [its] competitors lack, To Vietnam With Love: A Travel Guide for the Connoisseur launches the To Asia With Love series. This beautiful, full-color guidebook features a collection of personal essays by savvy expatriates, seasoned travelers, and inspired locals. Each reflection on a favorite dining, shopping, sightseeing, or cultural experience is paired with a practical fact file, so that readers can follow in the writers footsteps. From staying overnight with a local hill tribe and climbing Southeast Asia's highest mountain, to touring historic French villas and getting involved with local charities, every recommendation captures a distinctive aspect of the country." This and more on Amazon, here.

where in the world?

2011-11-06T07:01:00.000Z

The first question I had to ask myself is 'where in the world is Vietnam?'. I had a vague idea but when it comes to Asia it is like playing a game of darts in my mind....and I always miss the target. We played a guessing game with friends before we announced where we were moving to Vietnam. There had been so many locations suggested prior to this that I did not want to announce it until we were absolutely certain. Even as I write, I still think that things could change again. What is ever certain in life? I will leave that thought as is.

One of our clues was that it was a thin long country bordering an ocean. We will be living in Ho Chi Minh City...bordering the South China Sea. I am excited to think of the travel possibilities when I look at this map. I could apply a dozen little markers to the places I would like to visit during our time living in Vietnam. I might as well start now: Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Burma, with visits back to China and India. That is a lot to think about on a Sunday morning before my first cup of coffee.

I will leave it on that thought....until the next one...

image via The World Maps Photos

spin the globe and a postscript

2011-11-06T06:35:00.001Z

"Theatrum Orbis Terrarum" (Theatre of the World) c. 1570

We are spinning the globe at the moment as we await news on our next assignment overseas. Rather, my head is spinning as we await the news. This is all happening a bit too soon for me. We are only coming up to two years in England. It will have been our shortest posting so far. So here I sit...waiting to spill the beans. I have been here before. I nearly blurted out six months ago that we were moving to Central America...but we are not. I nearly blurted out three months ago that we were moving to Switzerland...but now we are not. I nearly blurted out two weeks ago that we were staying in London...but we are not. Can you see my point? Until we know for certain....

It is Friday, the day when most news is announced. Mr. H is coming home early. What could it be this time? I have an idea, but I can't say for certain. To help keep my sanity, I am playing a guessing game with my friends on Facebook. I provide a few clues and they give me their guess. It has been an interesting trip and a lot of fun for me. Care to join in? Here are the clues so far....get ready to play 'spin the globe' to see where the H's will live next...

Clues....

Mr. H is thrilled...Mrs. H is speechless

The country has red in it's flag

English is not it's first language

On the globe, it is a long thin country bordering an ocean

It lies between the equator and the Tropic of Cancer

Another clue coming shortly, any guesses so far?

Before I sign off for the night, I want to thank you all forseeing me through the week with your thoughtful comments. I have closed down one blog, merged another and have changed my look countless times. It has helped to keep me 'grounded' and your comments have made all the difference.

For that I send a big thank you!

Best wishes for an adventurous weekend to one and all!

Jeanne :)x

POSTSCRIPT:

UPDATE... are off to Vietnam ( Ho Chi Minh) in the latter half of 2012.

Thinking on Vietnam and Asia..food, travel, silk, antiques,

photography, voluteer work...the list is starting. :)

My first thought went to this movie..if you are just waking up, Good Morning!

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