Day 1!

Vietnam in one word?... HOT.

No, not like the awesome cool kind of hot. More like the sweltering heat, sweat dropping down your face and wet marks on the back of your t-shirt kind of hot. I thought the humidity in Philly was bad, but I must admit that Vietnam takes the trophy in this heat battle.

Singapore money at Singapore Airport.

As I took my first step outside of Vietnam's airport, I was immediately confronted with an immense attack of hot sticky air. Outside there were hundreds of locals screaming at the arrival of their loved ones visiting from different countries. You can see the excited expressions on their faces as you walked by and even though they weren't there for you, they had ear to ear smiles plastered on their faces. Seeing so many happy faces you can't help but also smile as the thought of excruciating heat slowly slips from your mind and becomes irrelevant. Suddenly, the only thing that matters is that you're finally there, 24 hrs and an ocean later.

We spent the day low key. My sister picked Dimples and me up from the airport where we were also welcomed by Dimple's grandmother and aunts. After settling in to my sister's new place, we visited families and picked up Lily, Dimple's cousin who came from California two days ahead.

Jumping in front of the Opera House.

By the time we came back to my sister's place, it was 8pm and we were starved. So we went to a local restaurant not ten minutes walking distance away. It looked like nothing on the outside, but as soon as you walked through the doors, you almost thought we were anywhere else but Vietnam. It was a small, comfortable and clean establishment with a French ambiance and exceptional service from a charmingly pretty transvestite. She was sweet with a graceful demeanor and even helped us get a cab (it may have had something to do with the fact that she was hitting on Dimples haha).

After dinner, we went to a Spanish-inspired and breezy rooftop bar and enjoyed sangrias without the discomfort of relentless sun. I have to say, for a first day it wasn't so bad. I actually love it here... A lot!

Here are some pics: Btw don't mind the layout. I can't do much about it on my iPhone :(

Dimples on the rooftop bar!

Lily and my sister.

Sangria with apples, pineapples and watermelon.

Dimples with his grandmother.

Rooftop bar.