Our big day out...

Today was going to be our first official day out sightseeing with everyone well so we attacked the guide book and map to make our plan. We had wanted to go to Hoan Kiem Lake to see the Thap Rua (turtle tower) pagoda and Den Ngoc Son (Jade Mountain) Temple. We had also planned to take photos on the famous Sunbeam Bridge so Julie and I had made a huge effort to blow-dry and wear make up....hours of preparation. (Henry is always photo-ready!) Sadly, we had not bothered to check the weather report (or in fact look out the window) and it was pouring.

Where should we go today??

"yay, we are leaving the apartment!"

Henry had big plans but we only made it as far as the mall in the rain...how disappointing.

...until we found the music store!

And then, of course, we were starving...the amazing high tea and chocolate buffet at the Sofitel Metropole Hotel!

Henry still loves making his raspberry sounds!But mostly he loves his Tante!!

She's the most fun god-mother/personal shopper/chef/sherpa a baby boy could ever hope for! The best!! Please Note: We did actually go to a museum as well. It was sooooo dull it doesn't even really deserve a mention but since the Smiths are about 14 cultural activities ahead of us I have to include highlights like they do on their much more thorough and educational blog.

Bao Tang Lich Su (dull History Museum) is in a beautiful building incorporating French, Khmer and Vietnamese styles. The gardens looked like they would be great if it had not been bucketing with rain. The exhibits include a fine collection of artifacts from prehistoric civilizations of the area. The ancient bronze drums were our favorites but they were behind glass...yawn. jjx