Short Vacation in Vinh Phuc

It was already 8 months ago the last I blogged.  I remember it was the period I started busy with helping my husband to set up another company for his friends.  As he is away for four days on business trip, besides working from home, I have time to clear all my fillings, do some spring cleaning, reading Robert Kuok's memoir, yumcha with a nearby friend and here I am writing my blog which is more like a journal for me to remember.

Wonder where is this Vinch Phuc ?  This place is an hour from  Noi Bai, Hanoi International Airport. Vinh Phuc is a mountainous province at Northwest of Hanoi in Vietnam. In the Northeast of this province, you can visit the mountains of Tam Dao, home to Stone Church, Thac Bac waterfall and Buddhist monastery Truc Lam Tay Thien.  Dai Lai Lake another attraction is actually inside Flamingo Resort and you need to pay entrance fees which we decided not to as it was quite expensive and we just want to take a look of this lake.

With only 4 trading power in RCI, not much resort or country I could choose to utilize it and to avoid extension of this or combination of this trading power that incurred more cost, I have to settled this as travel period till 30 June 2019 before the trading power expired.  As it was recommended by Anna of RCI that this FLC Luxury Vinh Phuc Resort is nice, I have reluctantly agreed to this with 30% discount on the exchange fee for a 4 nites stay.  Not sure of what to expect but just a short couple getaway is fine too.

The resort arranged for my airport pick up which cost VND600,000 approximately USD26 for an hour drive to the resort. Return trip to airport cost VND500,000 (USD22).

This place is so huge with beautiful landscape, an aviary, indoor outdoor pool and kids playground, spa, massage, karaoke, tennis court, a peaceful temple and eco farm with vegetables, banana trees etc.  Just eat, pray and love for a relax vacation. Sit besides the lake to admire the black and white swan and flowers, trees of the beautiful landscape not forgetting chirping sound of birds to de-stress is all you need.

Upon arrival, never expect that my RCI booking was not in their system. Nevertheless we were served welcome drink and was given a room while  they sort out the issue. We took a buggy ride from reception to our hotel room.  They have Villas too. Room was large with comfy bed and clean bathroom complete with complimentary wifi, coffee tea and mineral water.

A car with driver for whole day tour to Hanoi (1.5 hours away) or Tam Dao (1 hour away) can be arranged by them which cost VND800,000, approximately USD35.

Royal Restaurant at the resort serve varieties of local, Asian or Western food.  There were few staff that could speak English and all of them were very helpful and friendly, taking care of our needs.

No regret that I have chosen this resort for a short getaway.

Pearl Anniversary in Year 2020

Wow that will be a real long journey thinking of we will achieve our 30th Wedding Anniversary in December 2020, one and half more year to go. We met for the first time on 4 February 1984, this marked 35 years of knowing each other as of February 2019.

Lets think about it. Marriage is not all about bed of roses. Nothing is easy in life, you have to work towards it to achieve success and happiness.  We have our happiness and arguments too!

A happy marriage is about three things:

memories of togetherness

forgiveness of mistake

promise to never give up on each other

~Surabhi Surendra~

I would like to share as this is interesting to read, message shared by my ex-colleague, Tina on her FB:-

For those couples so eager to call it quits and throw in the towel on your relationship because everything isn't perfect....here is some food for thought

Lifelong commitment is not what most people think it is.  It is not waking up to make and eat daily breakfast. It is not cuddling in bed till you both fall asleep. It is not a clean home filled with laughter and love making daily.

It is someone who steals all the covers and snores, it is slammed doors and a few harsh word at times. It is stubbornly disagreeing and giving each other silent treatment till your hearts heal, and then forgiveness.  It is coming home to same person daily that you know loves and cares about you in spite of, and because of, who you are.  It is laughing about the one time you accidentally did something stupid. It is about dirty laundry and unmade beds.  It is about helping each other with the hard work of life.  It is about swallowing the nagging words instead of saying them out loud. It is about eating the easiest meal you can make and sitting down together at a late hour because you both had a crazy day.  It is when you have an emotional breakdown and your love lays down with you and holds you, and tells you everything is going to be okay. And you believe them.  It is about still loving someone even though sometimes they make you absolutely insane.

Loving someone isn't always easy, sometimes it is hard. But it is amazing and comforting and one of the best things you will ever experience.

Be blessed to have a wonderful partner in your life.

Classic Of Eastern Europe in Autumn

The last trip with mom with lots of photos taken of her will always be in my memory.  I was glad that I had took her along most of my travel abroad though I could not be 100% be with her all the times back home.  May she rejoice in the merits of the Dhamma Dana we have done in memory of her and she attain Bliss of Nibbana.

Why Eastern Europe? All because my husband suggested it! We took Emirates with transit in Dubai.
It was 6 October 2018 our group of  24 pax (out of which my side 7 and my ex-colleague 3 pax) on 11 days 8 nights which covered Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria and Germany.  The places that I mesmerized the most was Hallstatt, Austria's oldest Alpine village tucked between mountains and waters. Another amazing one was Zugspitze Mountain, at Garmisch-Partenkirchen. We took a cable car up to 2962 meters to the summit of Germany's tallest peak.  This mountain marks the international border between Germany and Austria. Such a breathtaking view of the Alps.

Highlights of the tour were as follows:

1. 4 Star Hotel with American breakfast.
2. Special meals : Prague dinner with dar bkeer, Hungarin Goulash Dinner & Folk Show, Vienna Schnitzel, Germany Pork Knuckle.
3. Prague - Hradcany Castle, Historical Tram Ride, Crystal Showroom, Prague Cruise
4. Budapest - Fishermans Bastion, Matthias Church & TemptonMus
5. Vienna - Magnificient Schonbrunn Palace
6. Salzburg - Mirabell Garden, Mozart's Birthplace & Hallstatt Salt Mines Tour
7. Munich - Neuschwanstein Castle (Horse Carriage), Excursion of Top of Germany - Zugspitze Mountain

Do take note that Ingolstadt Village for factory outlet shopping in Germany is closed on Sunday and Public Holidays.

When we on our way to Hallstatt, a terrible major accident happened that involved school children and we were stuck in a very bad traffic for hours as road was closed and there was a diversion. Luckily our tour leader, Alex was quick to contact his office and suggested that we swapped with Salzburg which was suppose to be next day itinerary.

Recalled mom was having problem catching up with the rest of the group and I waited to walk slower with her.  Her energy weakened since 2018 and she could not walk as fast as she used to be. She also complained of having breads daily but soon she got used to it and started to love the bread.

Overall, we had a great trip.

Winter in Enchanting Turkey via Singapore Airlines

It was August when my schoolmate since primary school, Louisa had suggested to me if I was keen to travel to Turkey in December 2018,   I said why not since I was not sure where to for a family trip in December where younger son was on semester break and elder son can be off since it will be a Christmas week.  So we both checked around a few travel agent and decided to follow Malaysia Harmony Tour and Travel Sdn Bhd for 10 days 7 nights Turkey Delight & Safranbolu, a Unesco World Heritage from Dec 25th till Jan 3rd.

Discover Turkey the rich and ancient heritage country,  was 5 hours behind Malaysia time.  We took Singapore Airline which need a transit at Singapore Changi Airport. It was a group of 24 pax and the first 12 who registered, which included my group of 6 pax was given a freebie of Mud Bath which was really surprise to us as we were told  only during the tour.   Wonderful experience indeed. Besides, all in group were entitled to 10 Freebies, interesting right or just a marketing gimmicks; hot air balloon on lucky draw, panoramic view of Istanbul at Pierre Loti include cable car, enjoy Turkish tea at Bophorus Cruise Tour, Photo stop at original Brat Pitt's Trojan Horse, Wifi in the Bus, Dried Apricot, Authentic Turkish Ice Cream, Evil Eye Keychain, Fridge Magnets and Turkish small coin purse.  We also received 24" free trolley baggage each.

Our flight out to Singapore departed 2145 hrs.  Our flight from Singapore to Istanbul departed 0150 hours.  During the transit, we were each given SGD20 for your spending at the airport. How cool was that and this promotion will be until 30 September 2019 with terms and condition applies. 

We touched down Istanbul at 0825 hours.  Off we went to visit a few attractions in Istanbul before we proceed to Safranbolu where we stayed in Ottoman styled hotel on cobblestone streets.  Our tour basically covered Ankara, Cappadocia, Konya, Pamukkale, Kusadasi, Canakkale and finally back to Istanbul.

The road trip though was long but thanks to wifi in the bus. 5 star hotels; hot thermal hotel, cave hotel and Ottoman boutique) provided were all good and the meals were acceptable  The best part is Hot Air Balloon at Cappadocia and The Cotton Castle, Hierapolis, a natural site famous terrace for a carbonate mineral left by the flowing water. The local guide was very good explaining to us lots about history of all the places we visited.

Do consider going in April as every year, Istanbul hosts on of the biggest Tulip Festival in the World.