July 9 - 12, 2015

We were in and out of Hanoi a few times. After we initially arrived, we left after two days for Ha Long Bay. Then we returned to Hanoi for a week before leaving for Sapa. Then we returned to Hanoi again. This time we had no idea how long we were staying because we had no idea where we were going.

Our plan during our travels was to see if we could find a new place to settle. While there were many places we loved, nothing jumped out at us as our future home. We decided in Hoi An that I would update my resume and I would apply for a teaching position at an international school. I joined a website resource group that specializes in helping teachers find and secure international teaching positions. I applied to a few.

I heard back from a school in southern Germany. It sounded perfect. We set up a Skype interview and I made it to the final cut. Long story short, I was offered the job. Maeve and Liam could attend the school as a 30,000 Euro benefit. We were thrilled. The school was located between castles and vineyards - what more could we want? Well, we needed an apartment. The school could help us find one, but did not offer any housing benefits. Then we would have to furnish it which often includes purchasing a kitchen....only in Germany. We were trying to figure out our expenses so Michael wisely hired a German tax lawyer for advice. We found out that the schooling benefit added to my salary combined with the money we had made previously this year would put us into a different tax bracket. With that, we would end up paying for the privilege of working in Germany. In addition, the school's HR function was underwhelming with its late and incomplete responses to some basic questions so we decided to turn down the position. This revelation took weeks to unfold. In the meanwhile, we were in Hanoi with no real direction.

We wanted to go to China. I have always had a strong desire to see the Great Wall, but I don't want to go the touristy route. Visas are expensive and you need a specific plan of travel and exit while you are there. We felt that we did not have time to do it right, so we put China on hold.

Fortunately we had a great hotel in Hanoi. We could work through our travel dilemma in comfort. The staff was lovely and knew us well. They took great care of us. Maeve and Liam loved their daily breakfast and ordered French toast regularly. They were definitely getting spoiled.

We had about two weeks left on our Vietnamese visas. We looked into getting extensions since this was a cheap place to live. In the meantime, we needed to leave. We ruled out Indonesia. It just didn't appeal to me. So many tourists there, especially during this busy summer season. It seemed everyone was there in a villa. We decided to head to Malaysia. Malaysia does not require a visa to enter so we began to make our travel plans. Once those were set, we could relax for a little bit and see more of Hanoi.

We switched rooms after our Sapa visit. Still got the royal treatment.

Hoan Kiem Lake, where much of the public life happens in Hanoi

Maeve and I visited the Women's Museum. She tried to experience how local women carry goods.

A local Western restaurant. Liam did manage to eat that burger...bigger than his head.

So in true Collins procrastination form, we waited until our last day in Hanoi to do the free city tour. Two university students showed up at our hotel and escorted us to our desired locations. We chose to see the Ho Chi Minh Complex and the Temple of Literature.

Now we could have arranged for the tour early in the morning. The temps would have been cooler and we would have been allowed to visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (it closes at 11). But the Collins clan became too comfortable with a slow start and breakfast at our leisure (we also forgot about the closing of the mausoleum) so we opted for an afternoon tour. On the plus side, the complex is far less crowded in the afternoon. We toured the gardens, monuments and memorials. We saw the Presidential Palace and Ho Chi Minh's residence, which was a much more modest house. We even got to see a slew of carp.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where Uncle Ho is laid to rest despite wanting to be cremated.

After the Ho Chi Minh complex, we headed toward the Temple of Literature. This was Vietnam's first university and was dedicated to Confucius. The temple was built in 1070 and has undergone major renovations throughout the years. It was a lovely, quiet spot in busy Hanoi which honors Vietnam's finest scholars.

Entrance to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university

scene depicted on the back of the 100,000 dong bill (about 5 U.S. dollars)

more of the grounds at the Temple of Literature

Liam had once again charmed the university tour guides and one let him wear her hat.

We tended to eat dinner early. On our last night in Hanoi we were out later and were able to experience some of the hustle and bustle of the night market. We loved Vietnam and at this point in the trip, we thought we would be back.