Even though we took the bus a lot, Wes LOVED it!
While we were exploring Nha Trang, every bus we saw he thought it was "his" bus and he wanted to get on and go for a ride! Phew, we're lucky to have a 2 year old who enjoys bus rides!! Last year he was the same way! We're glad he hasn't outgrown it yet! We'll have to see how many trips we can squeeze in while he's still enthusiastic about the bus! ;)
The countryside was beautiful!
Wes was excited at the beautiful fish tank in our hotel!!
He was counting the fish and because they kept swimming around, he was recounting them and getting higher and higher! (He can count up to 29 now!) It was so funny.
A break from Vietnamese cuisine: pizza!! Nha Trang is QUITE the beach town. Filled with cafes, coffee & icecream shops, street vendors, souvenir shops, art galleries, & museums, we really loved it!
haha, I love this one! It looks like Briana is about to devour the fresh mozzarella / tomato platter!
The Italian owner of the restaurant really loved Briana!)
Since the waves on the beach were SO BIG, we took full advantage of this little park right beside it! Wes loved it!!
"Our" little spot on the beach where we camped out for the next 2 days
As is true in Asia...there is always someone selling you something on the beach!
It's okay...I don't mind! If I want some local food, or fruit, or a new book to read, or pearls, or sunglasses, or paintings...I didn't have to leave my lounge chair!! :D
Wes' favorite seller was the lady who sold hot corn on the cob! She frequented our lounge chairs, knowing Wes loved when she stopped by!
It was so relaxing! Can you believe it...I even read a book? For fun! From start to end! What a great vacation!
In the evening we went out to explore the town, the shops, and the Night Market!
We love night markets and always try to visit them when we travel to new cities! This one did not disappoint!
Eating pho with a child on your lap requires special skill.
This town really knows how to deck the halls! It was great for fostering Christmas spirit, even with the warm sea breezes and palm trees!
Wes found a street food vendor selling...that's right... corn on the cob! :)
When we needed a break from the beach (well, when the kids needed one! I could have spent the rest of my life parked on that lounge chair!) we headed off to explore some history, culture, and art at the Historical Village. It was a little delicate for an energetic two year old, though, so we didn't spend a lot of time. (the secret of traveling with children is having flexible plans!)
So...instead of the Historical Village, Wes & Daddy had a hot dog date!
Wes ate TWO!! Guess all the fresh air gives a little guy an appetite! :D
A few more photos of our final day in Nha Trang:
Out for Indian food! One of Joe's and my favorite!
I tried to duplicate an adorable photo of my brother and his baby girl having a sword fight with their knives at the table. We quickly had to retrace our steps, take the knife away, and remind Wes that you do NOT do that with knives. He was starting to use butter knives in many ways that they were not designed for! haha, we have the photo, but it was an overall bad idea. ;)
Briana was sleeping under the nursing cover.
Those things are the BEST! I use it ALL the time!! Thanks, Bek & Junes!! <3 br="">
Enjoying some sand-free space where Wes could play!
Yay for coffee shops!!
I love this pic! You KNOW that Briana just wants to reach out and grab Daddy's coffee!
Since we were taking the Saturday overnight bus back to HoChiMinh City, we packed our bags and said goodbye to the friendly staff at our hotel.
Briana sporting her new Vietnamese hat!
Wes has one, too, but I still haven't managed to keep it on him long enough to snap a photo. haha
Wes sitting in his car seat, with his leap pad, among all the luggage waiting to board the bus.
He adores his sister and really tries to protect her from people touching her! He shoves them away from her in the same way he shoves people away from himself. I'm glad he can communicate what he likes and doesn't like to strangers. He DOESN'T like his cheeks pinched. Which is what everyone seems to need to do to our cute little kids.
for fun (and because this post just isn't long enough yet! :P)
Here are a few pics of Wesley: 2 years, 7 months and Briana: 5 months on our Christmas 2013 trip (because we just don't have enough pics of them yet! :P)
Our babies sleeping soundly on the bus back to HCMC:
Once we returned to HCMC, we had several hours to enjoy the city before we caught our afternoon bus back to Phnom Penh.
This is the free babysitting that is provided for us when we eat at local restaurants!! Score!
We also had time to go back to Ben Than Market to do some shopping (we all bought Vietnam t-shirts!) and enjoyed lunch at Subway again before we had to say goodbye to it till who knows when, and we went back to our favorite parks one last time before saying goodbye to this beautiful city.
Although sad to say goodbye to Vietnam, you know how it is about going home. There's something special about it! We were happy to be back again and start back into our regular routines again.
Welcome, 2014!!! We can't wait to see what you bring!
Congratulations, you have now reached the END of my Christmas posts. haha...it was a marathon, I know! Believe it or not, there are a LOT of photos I didn't include. Your welcome. ;)
Hope you all had as good a Christmas as we did!
hugs,
Joe, Nica, Wes, & Bri
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