Vietnam 2006 - Day 1
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More Day 1 photos: 1, 2.

Day 1: After a long and brutal 8 hour flight to Japan we stopped for a two hour layover where we typical Americans pulled out our computers, recharged our ipods, and bought some food. Then we loaded on the next, slightly smaller, plane for a six hour flight to Saigon. Mr. Dang hooked us up with a huge bus for the ride to the hotel; it could sit thirty, yet there were only seven of us.  We arrived at the five star Renaissance Hotel and checked into our rooms. The girls went to sleep; the doings of the other gender that night are still under question (hahaha-late night movie watching).

With an early morning wake up at 6 a.m. Vietnam time, we traveled downstairs to the breakfast buffet where there was enough food to feed Punahou for a day (if that helps to picture the huge amounts of food). The first order of business was to exchange our boring green currency for the colorful and unique dong (at 15,889). Then Mr. Dang led us around the corner and down a few streets for a little less then a mile. The streets were covered with mopeds and the only analogy I can think of to describe the massive amount of mopeds is the number of taxis in New York City.

Our first stop was at the Independence Palace, the former residence of the president. At the Independence Palace we went on a tour (although we are sorry to inform you that we didn't really understand what the tour guide was saying but Steve got the inside scoop). By taking a lot of pictures and watching Peter slide along the walls we had a great time. After the Palace we headed down the street, only to stop and buy fresh coconut milk (delectable!!) Then we reached the War Remnants Museum where we saw old airplanes and a couple of tanks as well as pictures and guns of the American and French invasions.

We ate lunch at a place called Bunte which was a small and quiet. It was good food and our first real experience with Vietnamese Cuisine; I believe we passed with flying colors. After lunch we caught a bus to ease our tried feet. The bus took us back to the hotel for two hours of down time, which was spent doing many a things. Camille, Peter, Fizz, and Steve went swimming in the roof top pool, while Mr. Dang caught up with some college buddies and John and Ms. Prock wrote emails. As well as our fun downtime, we sorted and divided the clothes and animals for the first of the orphanages.

While driving through the city, on our way to the orphanage, we stopped at a Chinese temple and explored for a while. Then we went on the orphanage, where with smiling faces and softened hearts we handed out stuffed animals, played with the girls, and explored their home.

On the way back to the hotel we stopped at a spa to get facial massages (yes, even the boys) to relax and then we proceeded to walk back to the hotel.With all of three minutes to get ready, we stopped by the hotel and then left to go around the corner to a small restaurant for dinner. We ate with some of Mr. Dang's old friends and John had a whole fried catfish with the head still attached! Then with all our eyes drooping we walked slowly back to the hotel where most fell asleep and I sat down and wrote this essay.
(posted by Camille)