Back in the U.S.A.

We are now back home - doing laundry, paying bills and catching up on sleep. It was a tough trip back. As mentioned before, Trey wasn't feeling too well the few days prior to travel. His usual exceptional timing kicked in and he was at his most sick for the travel time. A bit of puking in airports, high high fever, and overall yukiness for the 30 hour trip home. Poor kid. But we are home and happy with some incredible memories. The trip was all I could have hoped for. My traveling group (shown below)could not have been more fun. I have spent 5 years dreaming of our return to Trey's birth country. New dreams are now being formed for 2017!

A full day in Hanoi. Puke.

This was our one full day in Hanoi. Trey has been struggling with a bit of a fever and sore throat so was glad he got a great nights sleep. This morning we waled down to the mausoleum / living area of Ho Chi Minh. It is a beautiful walk and where I used to run most days when we were here. Love that part of the city.
This afternoon we went to the water puppet show. So much better than last time. Trey was so excited to see it, but then fell asleep about half way through. The plan was to do a bit of shopping and have dinner at a fave spot, but Trey was complaining about being tired so we headed back to the hotel for a nap. He woke with crazy fever and losing the little bit of lunch he had. Poor kid. Last night in Hanoi spent in hotel with rice and sprite (Trey) and tiger beer (me) from room service. We still have most of tomorrow to enjoy - our flight isn't until 11pm. Fingers crossed he wakes up feeling better, and that I don't catch it for the long trip home!
Time to pack.....

Last stop - Hanoi

Sitting here in my room at the Anise hotel brings back all kinds of memories. This is where Trey and I spent the final 4 weeks or so 5 years ago. It is really cool to be here again, of course under much better circumstances. More on what's happening in Hanoi in a moment.
We flew to Hanoi from HCMC on the 27th. We left early on the 28th for. 4.5 hour drive to Halong bay. We spent that afternoon at the Asian equivalent of "Wally World"! It was actually kind of a cool little amusement park, but I think there were maybe 10 other people in the entire park. Kind of cool, kind of creepy. But a fun dolphin show followed by a very strange monkey and croc show (don't worry, they weren't in the ring at the same time!). The next morning we cruised Halong bay. It was pretty foggy making the views not what they could be, but still pretty spectacular. The best part was hopping into some little rowboats to go into parts of the bay you can't get into on the bigger junkets. I loved it, fog and all!
After lunch back on the bus to Hanoi. Quick repack, a little dinner and grab the night train to Sapa. The train took over 8 hours to go only 200 miles. It was not my favorite part of the trip, but Trey loved it.
Sapa is as beautiful as I imagined....I think. Most of the amazing-ness of the area was covered in fog. But We hiked to the top of dragon mountain for beautiful views of the town, walked up by a huge waterfall, and checked out the local market. Sapa is a really cool town with a great vibe. And, lucky for me every other store sold Northface (I think the real stuff but not entirely sure) since it was WAY cold/damp than I thought it would be. Day 2 we visited Cat Cat Village. Trey was bummed that he only saw one cat, but I think the pigs, views, crafts and hike made up for it.
The night train brought us back to Hanoi Got reacquainted with the city and had dinner at the pizza shop of a man we knew from being here last time.
Two more days in Vietnam. As I sit listening to the horns honk I am so happy. To have the opportunity to come back, and do it with such wonderful people. I am so lucky.
Happy new year!