Okay...we've been in Vietnam for two days now, and there hasn't been a single moment that did not reach my expectations. 

          When I stepped off that plane, after a gruelling fourteen-hour flight, I felt my heart throb with feelings that I'd been bottling up for, quite literally, decades. It was so emotional for me. I thought about all those times when I was a young girl, fantasizing about this magnificent country I so desperately wished to travel. My dreams had finally turned into reality.

          These last thirty hours have been pretty hectic, but also super fun. To summarize things up quickly, the flight landed in Hanoi the other day, around 11:00 pm, Pacific Time. 

          After going through customs, we hopped in a taxi that drove us to our hotel. The entire ride allowed us to experience an enticing first-hand glance at the city, and what it had to offer.

          Even though the group was tired and jet-lagged, we didn't waste any time, and set out to visit the famous Old Quarter section of the city. There, Christina and I did some light shopping, before the four of us had a late lunch—beef spring rolls and pho noodle soup, which tasted delicious.

          Later, in the evening, Oscar suggested that we go check out the Vietnam War Memorial. I feel very privileged to say I have been there. You could really sense the patriotism and pride the Vietnamese people hold for that monument. I made sure to take lots of photos.

          This morning, we all hung around at the hotel pool. The boys and I threw the football around and had a couple of drinks, while Christina worked on her tan.

          Then, during the afternoon, our group went on a tour to the Hanoi Hilton (Hoa Lo Prison), which they even made a movie about back in 1987. I'm not going to lie, some of it was pretty creepy! Though I managed to make it through with Shawn by my side. If it weren't for him, I don't know what I would have done.

          Now, the four of us are relaxing in a local pub, sipping on some drinks to end off another lovely day. The sounds of laughter and chatting fill the room as Christina and I sit alone at a table.

          "So Jane, tell me. What's been your favourite part of our trip so far?" she asks while taking a swig of beer.

          I shake my head. "God, I don't even know. The whole thing's been so surreal."

          "Okay, but if you had to pick just one thing, what would it be?"

          I pause for a moment, really taking it in. "Honestly, just making all the wonderful memories with you guys."

          Christina smiles. "Well aren't you a sweetheart. I thought for sure you were gonna say the prison tour from today."

          "Oh, don't get me wrong, it was super interesting," I admit, taking a sip of my Gin and Tonic. "But it was a little scary knowing they used to torture people there!"

          "That's why we picked it—because we knew you'd love that," she jokes.

          "Yup, I can always count on you guys." I chuckle. "Though it was cool to be taken on a tour, opposed to giving one. I'm always doing that kind of stuff for a living back home, right?"

          "Yeah, I was just about to say, that must've been an interesting experience for you. Did you feel the tour guide did a good job?"

          I nod. "Oh yeah, he did fine. Giving tours isn't so much about skill or talent. It's more about just being open and friendly with your audience."

          "Yeah, that makes sense."

          There's a brief moment of silence between the two of us. 

          "I'm really happy for you, Jane," she says. "To finally be here with you after all these years...it's truly a blessing."

          "And I can say the same thing about you, Christina," I reply, raising my drink n the air. "Shall we say cheers?"

          "Indeed." 

          Our glasses gently connect with one another, representing just how true and genuine our friendship really is.

          "Well, now I gotta pee," Christina confesses, slowly removing herself from the table. "Last time I checked, there was a lineup, so bear with me."

          "Wait, I thought you never used public bathrooms?" I ask curiously, referring to her comments prior on the plane ride here.

          "I don't, but I got this with me." She laughs while pointing at her beer glass. "If I didn't have a nice buzz going, you're right—I'd be holding that shit all night!"

          I laugh as I watch her take off.

          I then glance around the pub filled with happy, outgoing people. I see Oscar is still sitting up at the bar with some local Vietnamese people he met earlier. Even though they are on the other side of the room, I can hear my brother cracking them up with laughter. Oscar is funny enough while he's sober, but when drinking, he takes it to a whole other level. He's probably telling all kinds of crazy jokes and stories.

          Over to the left, standing out on the patio, I see Shawn talking to another man...both of them with cigarettes in between their fingers. I hate it when Shawn smokes. It breaks my heart knowing what he's doing to his beautiful body. Though I can't really judge him. I, myself, was a smoker in my late teens. I know just how hard it can be to kick the nasty habit, so I try my best not to judge him.

          I start making my way over to the patio, knowing I have some time to kill while Christina uses the bathroom. With my drink still in hand, I shift myself through groups of people. I have a pretty decent buzz going at this point. Not enough to make a fool of myself, yet enough to boost my confidence and let me feel at ease.

          "Hey, babe," I say while creeping up behind Shawn. "How's the night going?"

          He turns around as a trail of smoke escapes from his mouth. "There you are. I was just about to look for you. What's Oscar and Christina up to?"

          "Christina's in the washroom and Oscar is still hanging out at the bar." 

          The scent of tobacco swirls around in the air.

          Shawn nods his head. "Nice. Are they still having fun?"

          "Oh, I'd say so. Oscar's got a big group around him like he's some kind of celebrity. It's hilarious to watch."

          "Well, that sounds like typical Oscar," he replies with a laugh, also acknowledging the man and woman standing beside him. "By the way, this is Brad and Cindy. They're from Portland—not too far from us in Seattle."

          "Hi, how are you?" I ask with a smile, reaching out my spare hand.

          "Doing pretty good," Brad tells me with a tight grip. "We're young and in Vietnam. What could be better?"

          We all share a quick chuckle, before Shawn takes another smooth drag from his cigarette. "So, Brad and Cindy here were telling me about a little secret island hidden off the coast."

          "Oh really? That's cool," I say with an allured intrest. "I mean, isn't that what Vietnam is known for—its islands?"

          "Yeah, but not like this one," Brad replies with a rather serious expression across his dense beard. "From what I've heard, this island is just jaw-dropping." He stares deep into my eyes while doing a French inhale. The way he looks at me with the smoke entering through his nose makes this all sound so...mysterious.

          "Well, where is it?" I ask, now wanting to know more.

          Cindy shrugs. "Somewhere in the South China Sea. Probably on the outskirts of Ha Long Bay."

          "And does the island have a name or something?" Shawn follows up.

          "I was told it's called RockFord Island."

          "RockFord, hey?" I repeat out loud, enjoying the way it feels on my tongue when I pronounce it. "And what's so special about this island compared to all the others?"

          Brad takes a quick puff on his cigarette again. "Well, for one—and this is just what folks say—it has the most breathtaking watering hole you could ever imagine. This small body of luscious water surrounded by a gorgeous tropical jungle. Then, you've got a dazzling waterfall hanging over some of the smoothest rocks ever known to mankind."

          "That does seem pretty cool," I admit, not an ounce of sarcasm in my voice.

          "Yeah, I heard some guy said it was like heaven." Cindy also mentions. "Going there—it just gave him this new, beautiful perspective on life."

          As our eyes glance back and forth, there is a spike of silence between the four of us.

          "But yeah, it's just something to think about, right?" Brad says, before stomping his cigarette. "Anyway, we gotta get going. We told our kids in the hotel we'd only be gone for half an hour. Whoops...they're probably worried."

          Shawn does the same—puts his smoke out on the ground below—then shakes Brad's hand again. "Nice to meet you, man. I hope the rest of your vacation goes well."

          "Yeah, you guys take care of yourselves. Have a good one," Cindy says.

          We watch as they drift out the pub, jogging down the crowded street, vanishing off into the darkness.

          "Am I the only one who thought they sounded high?" I express.

          "Wouldn't surprise me," Shawn replies with a laugh, before giving me a kiss on the cheek. "Shall we head back inside and check up on the others?"

          "I think so," I agree with a cheerful smirk.

          "Well, then. Let's keep this great night rolling."