After an early morning bike ride we gathered up our growing collection of bags, balloons and children and drove the four hours back to Hanoi. We got in just in time to check in, change and head for dinner. Both boys took naps in the car so we thought we were safe.
Malcolm decided I should eat most of my meal standing up, followed by a nice diaper present. Let me mention here, that nowhere in Vietnam was there a changing table. This means that changing happens in a bathroom on my lap, nothing like a wriggly one year old who is trying to grab the toilet paper roll while i try to keep both of us clean. But we were successful (this time) and this is the perfect segway to talk about how yummy our meal was. This place was delicious (like most places in Vietnam). We took little Malcolm to the doctor the next day who diagnosed him with a double ear infection. He’s usually such a calm little guy, I knew during this meal that something was wrong. I was happy that we were able to get him on meds and feeling better. And luckily we were still able to eat a yummy meal and have some fun even with a fussy little guy. For the millionth time this trip, thank goodness for the ergo!
The next morning we headed down for breakfast. We stayed at the Sofitel Metropole and I felt like Eloise at the Plaza. I think the boys felt the same. We ate breakfast for an hour each day. This is a personal record for the Alis. All types of yummy juices, muffins, chocolate croissants, eggs any way, fruits and more. I would live in this hotel if I could!
I love how they made Adam’s bed and folded up the boys pajamas and put his book and doll on his pillow. Mr. Rabbit, shown below, we bought for Malcolm and it was promptly adopted by Adam who has slept with him every night since (yes, Mr. Rabbit wears a dress). This is noteworthy because Adam has NEVER wanted to sleep with any stuffed animal ever. In fact he actually throws them off his bed but not Mr. Rabbit. Mr Rabbit is cuddled each and every night. It’s pretty cute.
Back to Hanoi. We had one full day in Hanoi so we decided to pack in all we could. We headed out right after our big breakfast and were immediately loving Hanoi. About a block from our hotel was a beautiful lake.
Adam helped us decide where to go. He LOVED looking at the map. In fact we had plans to for the day but Adam insisted that we go towards a red bridge he saw. He was being a bit toddlery and determined. We decided to go with it (pick your battles people) and it ended up being a red bridge full of animal carvings leading over to a wonderful temple in the middle of the lake. It completely threw us off schedule but ended up being completely worthwhile. I think what I learned most this trip is that as Adam and Malcolm get older their voices in our travels really need to be listened to. Sometimes they don’t want to partake in a walking tour of shops in Hanoi. Sometimes they want to cross a bright red bridge and see what’s on the other side. Rightly so Adam. And don’t worry people, I got my shopping in!
After Adam’s temple adventure we moved on with our planned shopping/walking tour of Hanoi. We made it half a block before our first stop. A coffee shop. I was about to protest but I figured much like Adam’s voice needs to be listened to, so does my oldest boy’s voice. So we headed up. This place was way up on the fourth floor of a back alley and had the most amazing view. Another good choice.
After some coffee and a lollipop we headed to Malcolm’s doctors appointment, where she gave us some meds for his little ears and then we were back on our way to my shopping tour of Hanoi. Except we were all hungry so we stopped for lunch. We pulled up to this place and it was a 45 minute wait. I didn’t think any of us would make it but it ended up being only 20 minutes and was worth every second. This place was delicious!
After lunch it was home for a much needed nap. I was supposed to be napping with the boys but I spent the whole time thinking about how this time last year my water broke on New Years Eve and we were heading to the hospital, nervous and worried about this little peanut and now a year later here we are in Vietnam ready to bring in the New Year with our two amazing little boys.
When the boys woke up we all showered and got dressed in our finest for a special New Years Eve dinner.
We headed out to the Lake District to an awesome restaurant. It was such a fun night. The boys loved it and after a yummy meal Malcolm fell asleep and Adam watched Madagascar. Randy and I got to have some New Years champagne and enjoy our meal. We headed home and had big plans to put the boys to bed and stay up on our hotel room balcony for midnight….but we both fell asleep putting the boys to bed. It was sweet to celebrate the New Years with the boys and to be all together at midnight, even if we were all asleep.
Happy New Years! Here’s to a 2015 full of travels, yummy food, time with family and friends, watching the boys grow and learn and become even more special and new adventures!
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