November 27,

We awoke to rain, bummer!! Got around, and went to breakfast. I had corn flakes cereal, unusual for me but seemed a good idea – my system seems a bit off kilter. Anyway I topped it with white dragon fruit, pineapple, and banana. It was good, could have been great, but the milk was not cold. Jeff had a mix of different things. It is like we have switched eating habits today!

Back to our room. We had housekeeping come in. It seems a different crew each day, but always two ladies, and they are efficient. Morning gave way to lunch time. We had grilled cheese sandwiches. Afternoon was just “minding” our phones, computer and adjusting plans, as the weather cloudiness continues, with bits of rain. But we found a break and were able to go out. We went down along the ocean, on the “boardwalk”, so to speak. The ocean waves are still pretty aggressive. I am beginning to wonder if it is ever placid here, or at least less tumultuous(?) Questions?! We enjoyed our walk, though, we never actually stepped on the beach. We heard and then finally saw the man hawking Bun Bo. We have been hearing him multiple times a day from our room. He is on a scooter with containers and a loud speaker. Crazy! Anyway we went back to our room and chilled out.

Around 1700, we went to BBQ Chicken, it is the Korean chicken chain we first found in Phu Quoc. Jeff had the BBQ chicken – 2 pieces of thigh/leg in that great sauce; corn au gratin; and a beer. I had the golden chicken sandwich with fries in a little wire basket, and a 7UP. This place hits our spot for chicken, when we don't see a Popeyes. Finished we went back to our place.

      November 28,

HAPPY THANKGIVING!!!

I did not have the bestest of mornings… I'll just suffice it with that. I did not have my coffee, or go to breakfast. Jeff did he said it was a bit different. When he came back we debated on cancelling our plans for tonight. Thankfully, though, I started feeling better as the morning progressed and we nixed that idea.

Around lunchtime we had a light bit of the sourdough dark rye bread, PB and split an apple. I was able to eat that fine. The weather cleared a bit and we had actually sunshine briefly! That is so nice! Amazing how much we take the sunshine or sun- for that matter – for granted. There are so many things like this, blessings, that we take for granted. Just day in and day out stuff. Anyway, there is so much to be thankful for.

Now, at evening time and we walked to partake of our Thanksgiving dinner at Happy Heart. We arrived at 1820, ten minutes early, but we were greeted and sat at our reserved table – “M. Jeff” on one side of the place card and “Friend” on the other. It was a nice touch. The owner (or wife of the owner) came around to all… challenging a bit, as she uses arm braces to walk. She is Vietnamese and the man or husband is not Vietnamese. The restaurant has been serving Thanksgiving Meals for 15 years! Then we were waited on by at least three staff, at least one member was deaf. The owners seem to be open to helping handicapped, because of her disability? They would be interesting to know, I think.
We were served our first course – caesar salad. Then came the main. OH MY!! A big plate, unusual here in Vietnam! It had all the “fixin's”! There was turkey or ham (we had one each); dressing or stuffing, that was fragrant with fresh rosemary and more onions and celery than actual bread pieces; mashed potatoes with gravy – real potatoes but lacking flavor without the gravy; mashed sweet potatoes, with bits of nuts; green bean casserole with a cream sauce (not mushroom soup) topped with fried scallions; mac & cheese – homemade with stretchy, gooey cheese; braised carrots, cooked just right texture; cranberry sauce; and onion roll with butter. WHEW!! Needed a breather, and a stretch to process all the food… sound familiar?? This made it a real Thanksgiving meal. Then we were given choice of pumpkin pie, pecan pie, or apple pie. We choose pumpkin and pecan. I would have liked to try the apple, but…well. We also had a Chilean Sauvignon Blanc – Valdivieso, that accompanied our meal very well. What a grand evening. It was a date Thanksgiving Meal, unusual for us, but it special. The bill was 1.4 million Dong ($55.23). Jeff gave 1.7 million Dong ($67) as it was an exceptional meal and the staff were very attentive in their service.

Finished we walked back to our place. The weather was excellent, a cool refreshing evening. It was not raining and well very pleasant! We were reminded of being in Vietnam with all the peculiarities that this entails – scooters everywhere, including one with a loudspeaker selling BunBo, flowing all around people sharing the streets… Anyway, hope all are able to think of some blessing today, and give thanks.