After a fabulous trip to Nha Trang, it was time to get everyone back to their homes and into their normal routines again. We were SO thankful that so many of our family members were willing and able to put their busy lives on hold for a few days to spend time traveling with us. The time together was such a blessing and the memories are so sweet!
I don't have too many details to share about day 3 since it was mostly a car day. Remember how I told you we drove 9 hours to Nha Trang on the first day? Well...it certainly didn't take any less time to travel back! Only this time we took a completely different route. First, it was off to Uncle Hiep's house to drop him and Ba Noi off. Uncle Hiep lives way up in the mountains.
See that straight white line going up the moutain? Somehow, Jason, Janelle and I all confused ourselves into thinking that THAT was the road. I'm sure we were all thinking "how the heck is our van going to drive up a vertical road?" After all, Dad kept saying the road was a bit scary. What could be more scary than that?? Well, it turns out that "road" is actually a drainage pipe! Thank goodness! Some time later we all confessed that we thought the road was the pipe from a distance. Matt just shook his head...apparently, he's too smart to think that.
Finally, we made it to Uncle Hiep's house!
When we arrived we got to meet Uncle Hiep's wife and more cousins :) Everyone had huge smiles and they were just so welcoming! Even though we couldn't speak with them, again, there was an unspoken bond. They spoiled us with a huge spread of fresh fruits to eat and coconuts to drink from.
She was sooooo cute! This is my cousin, Hoai's, daughter. You'll meet Hoai in the day # 5 blog :)
I don't have too many details to share about day 3 since it was mostly a car day. Remember how I told you we drove 9 hours to Nha Trang on the first day? Well...it certainly didn't take any less time to travel back! Only this time we took a completely different route. First, it was off to Uncle Hiep's house to drop him and Ba Noi off. Uncle Hiep lives way up in the mountains.
About halfway up the mountain we stopped to check out a look out point...but, as is normal for Matt and I whenever we try to see a nice view (remember Hong Kong?), it was hazy and we couldn't really see anything at all.
Still, the look out point gave us a MUCH needed break from the extremely winding and bumpy road we were traveling on. Hello car sickness!
This picture brings a little preschool tune to my head: "one of these things is not like the others...one of these things just doesn't belong..." (Hint - its wearing a blue shirt) ;)
When we arrived we got to meet Uncle Hiep's wife and more cousins :) Everyone had huge smiles and they were just so welcoming! Even though we couldn't speak with them, again, there was an unspoken bond. They spoiled us with a huge spread of fresh fruits to eat and coconuts to drink from.
My cousin holding her niece
This is my aunt, Uncle Hiep's wife. Of course, the baby is in the picture too. Don't cute babies usually make it into every picture?? I just adore her little laughing face in this picture!
This is my dad with his cousin. Again, I just love this picture because of their happy faces! What are they laughing about? Oh, just the fact that my dad used to yell at him very harshly when he didn't study well as a child. Apparently, Dad's cousin got over it!
Sadly, it was time to leave Uncle Hiep's house which meant we had to say our goodbyes to him, Ba Noi and everyone we had just met. :( Of course, we couldn't say goodbye before taking the obligatory group photos!
The entire group...Dad and Vivi's family members combined!
Just Dad's side of the family
Hung, Uncle Hiep, Dad, Ba Noi, Jason, Uncle Hanh and me :)
Then came the goodbyes :( Our adorable grandmother was holding back the tears in the picture. We are so glad we finally got to meet her. I think it's safe if I speak for Jason and say we both miss her!
Dad saying bye to his mom until his next visit!
Bye Uncle Hiep! :)
Our next stop was just 5 minutes down the road to visit my grandfather's grave. Unfortunately, he passed away when my dad was only 10 years old. Uncle Hiep actually takes care of the grave even though he himself was only one year old at the time of his father's death.
The cemetery where my grandfather is buried.
Dad paying his respects to his father.
After we left the grave we continued another 3 hours to Vung Tau to spend the night at Uncle Hanh's house. When we arrived, my aunt and my cousin, Ngan (Hung's sister), were cooking up a storm for us! They made us so much delicious food and we ate until we were STUFFED! When dinner was over, Ngan and Hung sat down with us and we enjoyed getting to know them. We felt like we'd been around them all of our lives even though we'd only known Hung for 3 days and Ngan for 3 minutes :) We have plenty of good conversation and even ended up having a sing-a-long!
Kim, Ngan and Janelle
Dad with Uncle Hanh's wife
Matt even taught Ngan how to do the Texas two-step :)
...and while he was at it, he taught Hung too!
Jason didn't want to be left out so he busted a move too ;)
A good time was definitely had by all! What a fun way to end day 3!
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