Mekong Delta Adventure

This weekend we decided to take a little adventure. First we drove (well the driver brought us) about 1.5 hours away to the Mekong River. We got a tour guide and a tour for all of us for $30. Our tour guide referred to himself as Uncle Henry. The kids really liked him! We got in a boat and went to Turtle Island first. About 400 people live there. They make money by selling the fruit that grows there. We walked across the island (not very big) and got on another boat that took us to Coconut Island...which is described below. Then after that we got in these little boats and went through a canal. No engines on these things. There was a person in the front and a person in the back with paddles. They did not seem to mind since this is their income. At the end of the tour we got back on the boat we started with and had a coconut drink served in a coconut. Then when we were finished they cracked it open and made a spoon with part of the shell so we could eat the meat of the coconut. Very exciting day for all of us! There are a few more islands that we did not go to...due to it being another tour. So I am sure we will go back soon to the other islands!

Coconut Island

If I remember the story correctly...I think 4000 people live on Coconut Island and they make their money by selling....coconut products. Natalie helped the process of making coconut candy. Very good stuff. They even use the shells to keep the fire going under the pot. The first picture is of the kids standing next to the local taxi. Yes it is a donkey...and he brought us down the road to the bee farm where we had hot tea and very fresh honey. That is when we purchased coconut spoons, a coconut tea set, coconut candy, dried coconut pieces and coconut sugar coated peanuts. Oh and the name of the yellow fruit is a Jackfruit. Have not tried that one yet. Im sure we will soon enough!

More pictures of our adventure. Natalie was scared but willing to touch the snake. Grey was as far away from it as Danny was!!! The animal in the pic is a water buffalo. He was just hanging out on the island. At the end of the hot rainy day...Grey said he had a "very great day!"

FULL MOON FESTIVAL

Last night was the Full Moon Festival. For the past few weeks the kids have been learning about the vietnamese culture and the celebration of the full moon. Traditionally...the kids go all through the streets with a lantern and people give food and gifts to the children. They also celebrate by eating moon cake. So the kids made their own lantern at school. Natalie made the star and Grey made the boat. The first performance was from the K, 1st and 2nd graders. They sang a song and did a dance. I also filmed this occasion as I took pictures. I am a multi-tasker!! I did not get a good picture of Natalie because she was in the back row. After that we walked to the front of the school and watched a wonderful performance. There were drummers, stunt people, dancing dragons and the all lit up dancing dragon at the end. As soon as my battery is charged up on the video camera I will down load it to you tube and email the link. We all had a really great time! It can be so much fun learning the different culture!!!

I also want to take a time out for those affected by IKE. I have been keeping tabs online...looks like no power for my houston friends for a while. I wish everyone well and hope that you did not get too much damage!

Things found in my back yard today!

Pictures of the house WITH furniture

Here are some pictures of the house with things actually in it! We were able to move in August 26th. The furniture in the bedroom is for Natalie. It is all hand made and for a very good price. The bamboo furniture was also made here for a really good price! The little screen on the wall is a door bell with a monitor attached to it. SO when someone rings the bell we can see who it is. We usually have the gate closed so you have no choice but to ring the bell so we can see who is there and talk to them as well. The house has a ton of windows so we rarely have any lights on during the day. We have also come to the conclusion that the wood floors are VERY slippery...I have slipped down the stairs twice already! So the rule is "NO SOCKS ON IN THE HOUSE" unless you are playing slip and slide as the kids call it!