Twinkle Tour

Ho Chi Minh City glows florescent during the holidays, and many people park their motorbikes for fantastically kitsch photo opts. Pam and I went into the city last night to witness the revelry and grab a bite to eat. Here's what we saw...


This picture isn't as clear as I would like it to be, but if you look closely, you can see a Vietnamese flag in the background. Viet Nam played Malaysia (in soccer, of course) last night and was picked for the favorite. They lost (sad saps), but the crowds still waved the flag all night long.

I leaned out into the street to snap this shot--woman vs. the wild.

Christmas in front of the Sheraton Hotel.

Snow in Viet Nam. Louis Vuitton's decoratons were all the rage.

Two Of My Favoirte Things

Michael and the Roach...

The other night Michael captured a cockroach under a coffee cup with a magazine. I stood behind the balcony and shrieked until Michael made me face my fears, pick up the man-made trap, and gently usher the roach down seven stories. I did it! Goodbye, fearless roach.



The walk to school is under construction, which means there are angry, loud trucks and frustrated taxi drivers every square inch. But, my favorite sight can still be seen on the side of the roads. Today, on my way to work, I captured one of the many street sweepers who cleans and endless amount of debris from the overworked streets in Phu My Hung.

Christmas in Nam

"Let it snow" is pasted on school windows and shop windows all over the city, and if there's one thing we're not getting for Christmas, no matter how much we pray to Santa, it's snow.


I'm not sure life gets much better than this. Happy Holidays, everyone!

Vietnamese: Who Mattered Most In Asia in 2009

Yeah, these guys are pretty good, but I think they forgot to place me on the list.

Big things happened on the world's fastest moving continent in 2009 -- boasting big people behind them. From art to politics to adorable military fashions, the pace and magnitude of Asia's growth and change has been dizzying, led by the men and women (and children) we've compiled below.

Vo Trong Nghia: Bamboo architect (Vietnam)

Vo Trong Nghia is building himself an enviable reputation. And he’s doing it with bamboo. A pioneer in green architecture, Vo Trong Nghia designs modern buildings with a traditional Vietnamese twist. His innovations, such as a culture centre shaped like a bird’s wing and a central pond for natural cooling, are sustainable, affordable and inspiring. In 2009, the architect took home two prizes at the prestigious International Architecture Awards in Helsinki.

Doan Nguyen Duc: Major dong seller (Vietnam)

Real estate magnate. Forest products developer. Rubber plantation owner. Resort owner. First owner of a private plane in communist Vietnam. As chairman of the Hoang Anh Gia Lai conglomerate -- which anticipates US$150 million in profits this year -- this carpenter-turned-entrepreneur is Vietnam’s most high-profile businessman.

Read more: Who Mattered Most in 2009 in Asia | CNNGo.com http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/none/who-mattered-most-2009-regional-978863#ixzz0Zjm6qWOK

Travels 2009-2010

There are so many cheap and wonderful places to travel in SE Asia. Last year, Michael and I walked all over the world and plan on doing the same this year. Here is our itinerary for 2009-2010.

1. September: Hong Kong(karinna)
2. September: Mui Ne, Vietnam(karinna and michael)
3. October: Bali, Indonesia (karinna and michael)
4. November: Hoi An, Vietnam(karinna, michael, kris, betsy)
5. December: Luang Prabang, Laos (karinna and michael)
6. December: Krabi, Thailand (mark, elle, carolynn, michael, karinna)
7. February: Bangkok, Thailand (megan, dan, michael,karinna)
8. March: Beijing, China (IB Training)
9. March: Spring Break—No plans yet, but maybe, India!
10. April: Siem Reap, Cambodia (ambika, karinna, michael)
11. May: Mui Ne, Vietnam(karinna and michael)

Soon Enough

Two more days until we board the plane and wave goodbye, for two months, to memories of exploding elbows, glass in the feet, food poisoning, taxi cabs, friendly smiles, wonderful coffee, our luxurious apartment, and new friends. It’s been quite a year, Saigon. I’ll be on the coasts of the USA, but will be back soon to kiss your hot steamy lips once again. Soon, soon enough.

Beach Time!

This weekend 18 ladies from Saigon South International School will be traveling to Mui Ne by train for some much needed beach time. We have a little over three weeks left of school, so we're finishing up final projects, entering grades and writing finals. I've been to Mui Ne two times this year, this is my third, and every time I've loved walking down the white, sandy beach, getting a massage and eating the fine food. A hedonist, I am. Hedonism aside, we'll focus on yoga this trip. My yoga teacher from Saigon Yoga is coming with us to Mui Ne and teaching three classes over the two days. Here's to sand and sweat--cheers!