"Vietnam!"
POSTED BY MEGHAN
PHOTOS COPYRIGHT HEATHER BRAND
ON 06.18.08 10:16 PM
We started off the day in Singapore and flew to Ho Chi Minh City where we spent some quality time in the airport before flying to Nha Trang. Once we landed, we took a bus, a boat and another bus to our hotel. It is hard to describe the city’s incredible natural beauty so it’s a good thing we’ll have Heather’s photos to show everyone. Tomorrow we will accompany my mom on a visit to an Operation Smile post in the region. Operation Smile is a global children’s medical charity that repairs childhood facial deformities. I am so excited to be sharing a different aspect of my family, especially my mom’s work with this important humanitarian organization that changes so many lives around the world. We’ll be posting pics and video soon…
Click on any photo to zoom and see the full photograph.
In the airport with Mom.
Waiting before we board the plane.
The beginning of our traveling marathon.
Watching a movie.
Reaching our first stop.
Going through customs.
Mom going through customs, though not as excited as me.
In the car with Mom and Ashley Gomez, long time family friend.
This man was taking a break.
They have some of the best billboards.
This guy was wiped out in the airport lounge in Ho Chi Minh City.
Shaking hands with David Barnett of People Magazine.
Wendy's back! (She's a long-time family friend and Mom's former assistant.)
Shannon striking a pose.
Wendy and I catching up.
Walking in the terminal to our gate.
These kids were adorable.
Boarding our next plane.
Sharing a laugh with Shannon.
So indescribably beautiful.
Just breathtaking.
I think everyone was tired from the flying. ;-)
It was raining when we arrived in Vietnam.
Frank, our advance rockstar, sporting a goatee.
The views were spectacular.
Driving to our next destination.
A Vietnamese village.
Bikes are the preferred mode of transportation.
Check out this guy on his moped.
The sun goes down at around 6:30 local time.
View from the bus.
Getting on the boat.
The boats took us to our hotel.
Mom smiling for the camera after a long day.
And then... I was tired.
There were these cable cars connecting the islands.
So cool.
Heather's photos are fantastic.
Everyone on the boat.
Shannon's always filming and getting the good shots!
The final leg of the day's journey.
At the end of the night.
This fruit basket with this cute little figurine was in our room!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
"Singapore"
POSTED BY MEGHAN
PHOTOS COPYRIGHT HEATHER BRAND
ON 06.17.08 10:16 PM
The girls and I are in Singapore with Mom after almost 24 hours of flying! We are going to be heading out tomorrow on some more adventures and will make sure and update the blog accordingly. We appreciate your patience, as internet connections here are somewhat hit or miss.
Click on any photo to zoom and see the full photograph.
Aerial view before landing.
There was shopping everywhere in the airport.
And an entire gate dedicated to Hello Kitty.
Some very comfortable travelers.
A really cool telephone area.
We thought this sign was funny.
I've never seen an airport which such amazing decor.
They had an orchid relaxation area in the airport.
The flowers were beautiful.
They had some very interesting things in the duty free shop.
Our view arriving into customs.
The van that picked us up had this fantastic display of medals and a bobing head figurine.
Shannon finally gets to relax.
Monday, June 16, 2008
"Kickin' It Nashville Style"
POSTED BY MEGHAN
VIDEO PRODUCED BY SHANNON BAE
ON 06.16.08 4:22 PM
As I blogged earlier this month, the girls and I had an amazing time exploring Nashville. It has quickly become one of my favorite cities – the music, culture and nightlife – everyone should visit! Shannon has put together a stellar video of our time here, complete with footage of my dad’s town hall meeting at historic Ryman Auditorium where John Rich of “Big & Rich” performed, and featuring some scenes from our cowboy hat shopping expedition. We love Nashville and can't wait to come back!!!
Sunday, June 15, 2008
"Heather's HQ Visit"
POSTED BY HEATHER
PHOTOS COPYRIGHT HEATHER BRAND
ON 06.15.08 1:46 PM
While we usually blog about life on the campaign trail, we thought we’d mix things up and show you a behind-the-scenes look of Heather’s visit to McCain campaign headquarters in Arlington, Virginia this weekend with her grandfather and uncle.
Click on any photo to zoom and see the full photograph.
Our first stop was the eCampaign area where Rob showed us his impressive Nerf guns.
Everyone has their own funny sign.
Mark and Peter.
Nice suggestion box.
Mark doing his "Incredible Dork" impersonation.
Harvard Steve.
Uncle Doug peering into the other side of the office.
The more serious side of the headquarters.
Volunteers hard at work.
They get to have fun as well.
Hard at work.
Mama Bear has a sign too!
The board room.
Heather’s Grandpa and Uncle Doug enjoyed their visit.
Carla and Davis planning the next adventure.
The sign says it all.
The girls at the front desk having fun.
The office refueling station.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
"Heather's Grandpa"
POSTED BY HEATHER
PHOTOS COPYRIGHT HEATHER BRAND
ON 06.14.08 1:04 PM
For the past two days I got to honor my grandpa, Rodger Jensen, and all of his flight crew members from WWII. This is a reunion that they have once a year but sadly this will be the last one. The 315th Bomb Wing has a very important place in history - they flew the last and longest mission of WWII. There are times in my life that I will never forget. Going to the WWII memorial with my Grandpa for the first time is one of them. I can’t imagine what he was feeling at that moment but I could see in his eyes the honor, the memories, and the thankfulness for his life since then. My grandpa has always been the person that I look up to and admire. I have always been amazed at his honor and his integrity. I guess that is why I believe in John so much, because I see those same characteristics that come only from serving something greater than yourself.
Click on any photo to zoom and see the full photograph.
The World War II Memorial on the National Mall in DC.
Every panel is inspiring.
Grandpa Jensen seeing the WWII Memorial for the first time.
I can't imagine what was going through his head.
There were several veterans walking around wearing these t-shirts.
A quiet moment in the shade.
My Uncle Doug taking some pictures.
Grandpa Jensen looking out on the monument. I love him!
My cousin Clay and Uncle Doug.
Here I am with Clay.
This is Jim Smith, the writer of "The Last Mission."
This poor girl was exhausted.
Grandpa Jensen and Doug.
All chatting about their experiences and memories.
"Vietnam!"
"Singapore"
"Heather's HQ Visit"
"Heather's Grandpa"
