other sightings of Christmas 2009 in SEAsia

Here is some of the camera action.

Christmas 2009 in Saigon

German Fest tonight

Set to visit district north of us to experience Eurocham of VN.

Saigon First Christmas Tree Sighting! 25 Nov 09

First Christmas Tree Sighting of the Year. The temperature yesterday was in the high 80's with 100% humidity. There are no predictions of snow.

Happy Thanksgiving! What?

Happy Thanksgiving All! We enjoyed Southeast Asia turkey today - Chicken - with all the proper American fixings. Thanks another American family for bringing together several couples for a real giving of thanks.

Van here: "Why put Christmas tree photos on the page today?" you ask.
I spotted my first signs of Christmas season in Saigon so I just wanted to share what I'm finding. This is kind of like bird hunting. A new species comes into the area so you want to get it on film. Enjoy. Van

Maybe a motor bike won't be so bad

So we have been considering a motorbike for local transport... what do you think of this 3 wheeler? i could ride up in the front!

Mountain top view down toward our hotel, tall gray one near the beach.

Nearing the top of the stairs, Van will ascend the inside and stand inside His Left arm.



The view from the pagoda toward the land and mountain top...:-)

Hey youse guys! it is still as warm here as the day we took these shots. have a wonderful time together this Thanksgiving. We are so glad that you are not living far from each other. We love you and give thanks upon every remembrance of our relationship and the adventures we have all had together.

You see, the arms are raised in victory as it gazes over the seaside.




Statues lined the 900 step climb, near the top,we walked amid the flowers.










Here is the Pagoda in the sea. We will walk out to it at low tide, 0700.

A trip to the lighthouse gave us this first

vantage point of the statue at Vung Tao, after a 90 min hydrofoil ride.

We found this outside our coffee shop near campus! How fitting....

The Fruit Lady and Versace

On the "Beverly Hills" street of HCMC there are surprising scenes.

Pictures! They tell it all.

Hi Friends.

Van here. Pictures will explain a lot of our present story. With that in mind I'm trying out a brief photo journalism project. Enjoy. Van

Here is a street scene near our apartment.

Arrival in SE Asia

We left on Monday evening, 31 August and now it is 1030hrs on Wednesday, 2 September 2009. Today is their National Holiday! September 1 was somewhere from Sweden over mideast and India.

On the road again

Van and I left Sunday morning for a quick drive back to NJ and finally house pack out.

We arrived about 2000hrs and called in great friends, Chuck, Bob and Patti. They made the

kitchen pack out successful.

We departed to our accommodations in Bordentown for our heads to crash at 2330hrs.

family time in Kentucky

we welcome PJ back from a successful field training month.

NJ in the rearview mirror

Photo of PJ's first day at I.U. and he is about to be on the scene again!