How the Girls and I Take a Weekly Trip Overseas

Every week the girls and I take an overseas trip.

The week before last we went to Vietnam. We flew into Hanoi, the city of rickshaws and mopeds and many people. We stood, rather bewildered, as streams of two-wheeled vehicles surged past us. Before long, we’d mounted our own bikes and were puttering out of the busy city headed for the quiet and peace of the delta.

 “Rice paddies!” someone shouted.

 The Vietnamese farmers smiled and waved at us. We decided to stop so we could chat to these friendly people. Soon we were sampling rice cooked inside bamboo tubes. Delicious!

 We clambered through huge limestone caves on the coast, and visited a floating village where fishermen lived.

 Vietnam was fascinating but we were glad to return home. My husband Andy was eager to hear all the details of our overseas adventure.

 "We brought you back a traditional cone hat. Lots of people wear them."

 "We saw a man sailing in a boat made from a round basket. It was lined with tar."

 “We floated down the Mekong River in a boat... a proper boat, not a basket boat."

 “We watched a man drink snake’s blood. It's supposed to be special, but it looked awful! I couldn't bear to watch."

 "The people burn money as an offering when their relatives die."

 "Did you know Vietnamese money is called the dong? Isn't that a funny word?"

 "You should have seen the old French colonial buildings!"

 Last week, I asked, “Where do you want to go this week, girls?”

 “New Zealand!”

 We flew to New Zealand, land of extreme sports, home of the bungee jump. We sailed and skied, and fought the waves in a surfing carnival. We climbed mountains, and then for a change of pace, we cheered the Wallabies as they played rugby against the All Blacks. We visited a nature sanctuary and cradled endangered flightless kiwi birds, recently hatched from their eggs.

 “Can we visit the geysers?”

 “Do you think this volcano will erupt?”

 Yes, New Zealand was a beautiful, exhilarating and exciting country.

 When we got home, Andy asked, “Did you bungee jump?”

 “No, Mum was too scared.”

 “It was scary enough watching the ash flying from the volcano!”

 "Dad, can I give you a traditional Maori greeting?"

 "Unfortunately the All Blacks won the rugby... like usual. Do you think the Wallabies will ever win?"

 Yes, the girls always have lots to share with Andy.

 It’s a pity he can’t come with us on our adventures. Every day he has to go to school to teach his students. His time is not his own.

 But us? We’re unschoolers. We’re free to go wherever we like, any day of the week.

 Now, where shall we go this week?

Antarctica? Iceland? South Africa? Ooooh! London looks good!

 There are many different travel tours, I’m sure. But if you’d like to go on the same ones as us, fly over to Youtube and experience a Discovery Channel Ultimate Journey.

 Bon Voyage! Have a wonderful trip!