Together Again

Reason for the gathering.

Ms Aw.

Retired last October. the trip was organised for friends to commemorate her happy day. She was extra ordinarily expressive. Look at the star. Adorned with colorful coral pearls, she entertained us with the display. She has seldom worn any in her teaching days as she is practical and would not allow these accessories to get into the way. An excellent teacher, many will miss her expertise in various disciplines. 

Patricia is the nucleus of activity. She is the lady behind the drive and is always ready to gather many in support of friends. A superb organiser, she has brought joy to many in her adventurous ways. If you need to run a trip, just give her a call. She is truly a call away.

Yes, that's the group of 16 teachers ; missing here is Madam Loy.

There she is. Together with Pat, they will break into the Hainanese dialect understood by both of them only. You can instinctively sense that they are talking 'bad' about someone. I hope you know it is only a joke.

This is  a better representation of the group.

The extended friends include the hubbies of Chin Chin and Sophia; not forgetting the beautiful children of the latter. Most in our 50s and 60s with a couple in their 40s, we put up with the best of ourselves in the trip filled with love and joy.

So, what do friends when they come together?

Walk, eat, drink and take photos of the streets of Hanoi and everywhere.

This Vietnamese egg coffee is served along the lanes of Hanoi and captured the hearts of the coffee drinkers among us. It is a no, no for some as it would mean wide eyes into the wee hours of the morning.

But for this lady, the story is different. Lee Lan is addicted to the drink and she handles the drink at any time of the day without being affected by the caffeine. Look at the glee. She sought high and low and was elated when she has it. A coffee maniac.

In Hanoi, this drink is a fraction of the cost of what we get at home.

If you do not drink, you lose. So drink you must.

So who are the drinkers?

Yes, their alcohol capacity is commendable. The Saigon drink cannot knock them even with a dozen cans at a go !

At Halong Bay, the karst outcrops are truly prominent; like this one locally known as the fighting cocks.

These two are a representation of the outcrops.

Very professional indeed. Chin Chin and Pek Cheng showing their prowess.

Guess who won?

It was a win-win. See how they pat each other after the fight.

At moments, the friendship of many decades are seen in this gesture of sharing and caring. We talked about our children, families, challenges and encourage each other at cross roads of our lives. It is crucial to have girl friends.

At other times, we compare and see who has the least lines. Obviously the oldest has the most lines. We like to buy the same things. The vendors love us.

In the streets of Hanoi beautiful friends gather for fun and non-stop photography.

They have lovely smiles.

In the mountains of Sapa, Bee Lee dressed herself up in sync with local culture. Look at Viani and her warm smile.. Madam Teoh is seldom seen with this 'let hair down' smile. So sweet are Siew Lian, Poh Choo and Mong Ling. Lay Suan is the official photographer and she is a professional at poses. 

More to come.