Tuesday 1 September

Well we're into the final third of the year, time has just flown by it is quite scary how quickly its gone.

We didn't make it to the Vietnamese restaurant last night as we didn't feel the best so we went to the restaurant in the hotel. They have a great menu, a lot of variety and the quality is excellent, just like the breakfasts.

A few families flew home today, their time here finished. It is amazing how quickly you fall into friendships with people, however brief, when you are all on a similar journey. Some of them will be much missed, but all of their support was appreciated.

Today we went to NAGU, it is the shop where they make the special Vietnamese teddy bears. They are beautiful. We have ordered one that comes with jacket and hat and it will be ready for us on Saturday. We have asked for the Vietnamese star to be embroidered on one paw and for the name to be embroidered on the other. The shop has a very calming ambiance. The we slowly walked up the side streets to the top of Hoan Kiem lake, but on the opposite side to that which we normally stroll along. It seemed that the streets we went up today were full of silk fabric shops and the tailors. It was fascinating, they were alive with colour and vibrancy. You could literally walk into some of these places, be measured and go back tomorrow to collect your finished outfit or suit. They were all vying with each other trying to persuade the passers by that their shop was the best.

We noticed that outside a number of places today they had small alters and were burning offerings - quite often pretend money. Pieces of fruit, glasses of wine and incense sticks were also adorning many of them. This is to bring health, wealth and happiness and in celebration and thanks for the National Day tomorrow. The streets are now adorned with flags and bunting, many have lights across them and last night for the first time they were lit. I think tomorrow will be quite a celebration and a really enjoyable scene to be part of.

We have had quite a relaxing day today, finishing off our preparations, making sure we are ready. Bottles sterilised etc. Dennis has had a hair cut - very smart! And we are both off for a massage in a while. Not sure what our dinner arrangements are as yet - depends how we feel after the massage I think. Mind you I do have some red wine left so I feel sure that I might manage a glass or two.