being neighbours – Lil Rascals Travel Adventures

I always wondered how it would feel living in a ‘bubble’. Now, I know!

When we relocated to Vietnam, my husband accepted a job in urbanisation called Ecopark. It’s situated on the outskirts of Hanoi and boasts 500 hectares of land. We were overjoyed to find comfortable and affordable accommodation, only 5 minutes walk to his work. Ecopark is continually growing, with daily developments of villas, semi-detached houses and apartments.

Ecopark has expanded tremendously over the years, and I am at a point whereby I have no reason to leave the urbanisation because I have access to most items I require daily. Of course, we go out, but only to explore somewhere new and exciting.

There are banks, ATMs, hospital, University, vet, schools, themed old town, cinema, pools, clubhouses, gyms, playgrounds, golf facilities, parks and recreational gardens along with a variety of shops, restaurants and much more all within walking distance, or short buggy ride.

I feel safe in our home and able to walk freely without fear. You can walk and bike ride day or night around Swan Lakes lit pathway and enjoy watching the colour changing bridges. During the day, you can have a picnic with friends and watch the swans while the children explore the rustic playgrounds and sensory play area. For the energetic enthusiast, you can hire a bicycle, exercise on outdoor gym equipment, kayak or fish from the various decks dotted around the lake. Ecopark never gets boring as they are continually upgrading the gardens with seasonal flowers, tying in different festive events. I am thankful to live in a peaceful green space far away from the cities hustle and bustle.

Ecopark is my ‘bubble’, and while I live in Vietnam, my ‘bubble’ suits me down to the ground. I need a safe green space for my children to be free running, jumping, kicking a ball or flying a kite, far away from crazy smog-filled streets in the city.

Instagram video on our life in Ecopark https://www.instagram.com/tv/Bzn543XnFjJ/?igshid=1cwp4zi150bvk

My sweet little Vietnamese neighbour buzzed my doorbell without stopping early this morning. Thankfully I had finished my bath and dressed, but my hair was a different story. Anyway, the reason for today’s visit was to ask for help in threading two needles, she needs glasses but doesn’t have. I obliged! She felt the need to reward my efforts and dragged me back to her apartment, where she rummaged through her contents for a gift.

Wait for it, wait for it………..🙊🙈🙉😱😱😱😱😱😱😱

Yes, a few fish heads with hand sign instructions on how to make it, and sauces to use etc. I was bewildered and left, knowing I couldn’t reject her gift.

Five minutes later, she returned, making sure I had ingredients, and where I must cook it.

Bless her kind soul, but each time my doorbell rings, (she has a distinct manner she rings a bell and you know it’s her), I feel panicked as to what weird and exotic treats she has installed for me.

She keeps life interesting.

Today’s gift is by far my least favourite. The rascals agree the live prawn’s launching themselves out of the pot, crying for freedom was a close 2nd place if we had a beach closeby the kids would have set them free. The children refused to harm the helpless prawns which I had to regift quickly to someone less hypocritical, than me. I mean I’m happy to cook prawns as long as I don’t have to be part of their death🙈