On the move !

Hello friends!  This past week, I have done the most travelling I have ever done in such a short period of time!  Last Thursday we left Phnom Penh, Cambodia, heading for Vietnam!  When we arrived in Ho Chi Minh City, where we decided that there wasn't much we wanted to do, so we headed to the train station and we booked an overnight ticket to Nha Trang, (along Vietnam's coast)!  Arriving at 5am, groggy eyed and tired, we embraced our new location.  Can you say paradise!  Everything about Nha Trang reminded me of Kelowna, but nicer!  With pom trees everywhere, close to 6 foot waves crashed the beach!  For the day we explored the city by bicycles.  The following day, we took a 15 min gondola ride, the highest in the world - 60 m - across the greeny-blue waters to Vin Pearl Land.  They call it the Disneyland of Vietnam, full of amusement park rides, a full water slide park, arcade games, shops, 4D rides, an aquarium, and a night water/light show, this place was a kids dream!  The beaches on this side of the water had some of the finest flour like sand I have ever come into contact with!  A dream!  We had fun!  It was another early start for us Sunday, ( 4:30am ) where we had to catch a train by 5:30am to Hanoi (northern Vietnam).  However, this was a 24 hour train ride - can you believe it!  Thinking I would be as antsy as ever, I actually really enjoyed it, well the day time part of it.  Throughout the ride, we were given the opportunity to see some of the most lush, green, and most beautiful mountains and country side I have ever seen, and hey, I live in the province which is home to the Rockies!  The train went through some of the most remote and untouched areas of Vietnam, giving us spectacular views.  At one point we were on the edge of the mountainside overlooking the Chine Sea!  We could see the waves crashing against the rocks at the bottom, like something from a movie!  The night portion of the train ride wasn't so great.  Hearing the roar of the train against the tracks kept me up all night.  Regardless, we arrived safely in Hanoi!  We took a taxi to one of my long lost friend, Mary Ettner's apartment!  For those of you who don't know, Mary and I attended CLBI together as first years.  It just so happened that she moved to Hanoi, 6 months ago, to do an internship with LCMS.  So here we are, reuniting after 3 years across the world!  It was so refreshing to see a familiar face!  She showed us around the city for a bit, introduced us to some new Vietnamese dishes, and helped us find a hostel and book an out trip for tomorrow!  Tomorrow we are heading out to Halong Bay, 3ish hours from Hanoi.  From there we will be setting sail on a boat, where we will be sleeping for a night and exploring caves, as well as kayaking through the bay!  I apologise  for the lack of pictures being shown to you all and am hoping I can upload some soon!  Perhaps, when we are back from the Bay because we will be staying in Hanoi until Sunday and should have lots of time !  Thank you for you continuously praying for us!  The Lord's blessing us richly and abundantly each and every day, showing us more and more of His creation and wonderful people.  Vietnamese are some of the nicest people and show much hospitality.  Although Hanoi is the most polluted city in South-East Asia, I really think I will enjoy our stay in this buzzing, busy city.  The entire population rides a motorcycle, I have never seen anything like it.  Like a pack of wolves howling in the moonlight, this city never sleeps!  The Lord's love and peace to you all !