Good Morning Hanoi!

FREEDOM! Finally the train ride was over and back to Hanoi we were after 4 days of fun in Halong and Sapa.

As I walked out of the station, an idea struck me - to capture as much of Hanoi as possible in the early morning. Was inspired by this segment in The Straits Times whereby shots of what goes on in people's lives just before 8am were taken. So it was just me and my most humble Canon Ixus during the almost 1hr walk back to Sinh Cafe from Hanoi Train Station.

At 6am:

Vietnam Press Holdings (VPH) in action.

Laying out the greens for the day. By the way, check out the seller's coat!

How happening for a stall vendor ay?

Void of the noisy and chaotic traffic - a trademark of Hanoi's streets.

Appreciated the absence of the jarring honking of motorbikes and other vehicles.

At 6.15am

Working out when the air is much cleaner and fresher

Brekkie on its way.

Balancing act - makeshift stall somewhere I suppose.

With what she was carrying, she actually walked ahead of us! Pro.

At 6.35am

Patiently waiting for her customers. So meanwhile, relac 1 corner!

One of the many vegetable sellers I've met as I walked along the streets. I just love the way they carried their goods and confidently strutting across the road. A pity I didn't a chance to try carrying what they carry. It will be a cool experience I suppose.

At 6.45am

A bunch of backpackers still trying to find their bearings!

"Where are we man????" ; "Are we lost??"

At 7am-ish

We finally arrived at Sinh Cafe. Dumped our bags in 1 corner and went out in search for breakfast.

Patronized this roadside stall that sold 'Pate' - Viet's subway sandwich. Jeff's recommendation. I must admit for once it was a good call.

With so many eyes on her, she had no choice but to give us good stuff! Haha..look at how intense the guys are looking at the lady. No room for any mistakes boy :)

Oh and before I had my sub, I actually satisfied another craving of mine - DONUTS! Bought 1 stick and it was quite nice. Rather different from Singapore's donuts - softer and less sweet.

By 7.30am, the whole town was already bustling with activity. Stalls were all in full operation and the honking began. People were once again going about their daily routine. It will be non-stop action till nightfall and the cycle starts all over again.

I always enjoyed the walks along the streets as I get to see so much that's happening around me. I take delight in just being able to soak into the atmosphere of the place and get first hand experience of the kind of lifestyle the people had.

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SHAKING OFF THE DUST

Its been a long hiatus :) So many things have taken place and so many reflections to document but the inertia to do it was just to great to resist. Anyhow, decided to take some time during this break to start the 'blogging engine' going again. Hopefully, it revives my hope and wish to keep this site alive. Just had the annual ODAC camp @ Ubin and while trekking around the island with the kiddies yesterday, I chanced upon this little grasshopper at the Sensory Trail. I managed to get up close and personal for this shot, which was taken with my new iPhone 7 ahem. Image was sharp and it looked great! And the verse that came to mind was: "Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?....Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." - Matthew 6: 26-34 In my rest...

Count your blessings

I bought this set of keychain for my gramps. So cute right? They both love it to bits man! Haha..I'm proud of myself. A wise person said this to me this morning: "when you count your blessings, you will find many things to be thankful for...". True true. Been rather short fused these days and especially with family members. My grandma bore the brunt of it on monday when she suddenly appeared at NCC with my grandpa. I wasn't expecting her and so when I saw her, I was quite mean to ask why she was there when I actually know her intentions. I felt the way I felt because firstly I was already bothered about how to take care of grandpop when he sighs and worries about his discomfort and blah and then grandmop comes along and be herself (complain complain and ask same questions 1001 times etc). Double whammy! Anyway in a nutshell, the wise person told me early in the morning that grandmop upset that I brushed her aside that day, which I know was baddie bad bad :( ok i will...

PSALM 121

I lift my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip - he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel, will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you - the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life; The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Many a times, man fails to keep his promise but God never. He makes a promise and we can be so sure He will keep it forever and ever. Man may fail but He nevers. Sometimes, we may wonder if God is really doing the right thing for us but I know one thing - trusting Him is the only thing that can never go wrong :)

ONLY BY GRACE

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