China is open and we can travel again! We can meet family again!

We are so excited! We are off to Pho Quoc and making it extra special we are meeting my parents! Time for new adventures and quality time.

At the airport things are finally starting to return to normal… the main hangover of the dreaded C word is the health declaration app, but now it only asks your name, flight details, contact details and if you are in good health. Gone is the multi page questionnaire and test results sections. Since returning to Shanghai in 2021, we only travelled twice towards the end of boarder restrictions in China and both times were encumbered by confusing and ever changing test controls. This time though is a breeze and as an added bonus …. The coffee shop was open!

We are flying the evening after school, making the most of the 10 days. We land in Ho Chi Mihn at some awful hour in the morning but despite the long imagination queue, we make it to our hotel and crash out without any tantrums from children or adults. After about 5 hours sleep we head back to the airport super excited to be meeting the grandparents in a few hours!

When we arrive at the hotel, the boys instantly run through the lobby to the pool looking for their grandparents. A quick search later they dash off to the beach. Leaving the husband to deal with check in I follow them down a grassy path and hear a familiar laugh saying I know that child. and my mum call boy blues name. Unbeknown to them, the boys had run straight past the path the grandparents were on. Hearing my mum call boy blues name they all turn round, run and hug their grandparents. Seeing this reunion makes all the travel worth while.

The hotel was absolutely gorgeous, made of wood and bamboo, with an infinity pool overlooking the ocean, a beautiful beach and luscious flowering gardens.

The first two days were spent reconnecting with family and enjoying the beautiful surroundings. Although despite the Pho Quoc shoulder season showers we all managed to get sun burnt 🤦‍♀️

On the evening of our second day we were blessed with one of the most spectacular sunsets I have ever witnessed!

I have always loved sunsets and remember chasing them over the country side in my grandparents car as a child. It’s hard to say if this one or the one from Borneo is the best I have seen! And of course the many amazing sunsets from our time in africa also might challenge for top spot. I feel so fortunate to have experienced so many!

After 2 days of relaxing, it was time for some adventures! Tomorrow plan is snorkelling!