What Would Happen If...: ... Pink Eye and Choco Pies?

I'm currently sitting in a child's seat in a packed mini bus filled with 25 people heading back to Hanoi from Halong Bay... It's hot. Since we only had a week to see Vietnam, Anna and I decided to book guided tours for both Sapa and Halong Bay and managed to squeeze quite a lot into a week.

Sapa was absolutely beautiful - the air was crisp and it felt like autumn for the first time (we're both currently dreaming of Halloween and pumpkin pie). Rolling rice terraces and green hills were an incredible backdrop and the city felt romantic and slightly European. Afte two days of trekking around with a guide, a few other older couples, and a group of local Vietnamese women who pressured us to buy handmade goods (I caved and did), we relaxed in the nicest hotel room we've had the whole trip. We were especially excited about this nicer place after spending the night before on a sleeper train battling pink eye. The pink eye battle continues but I'm trying not to let it affect the experience too much. However, I think people may be suspicious since I never remove my sunglasses. Ever.

After another night train back to Hanoi, I slept in the tourist office for a few hours (we got in at 5am) and we grabbed "Pho" (pronounced "Fa") our new favorite Vietnamese noodle soup dish. Anna and I then took a 5 hour bus ride to Halong Bay and spent the next three days on a boat and got a chance to see some cool caves, do a bit of hiking, swimming, biking and kayaking. The bike around Kapa (the biggest island near Halong Bay) was one of my favorite activities - It was such a good way to explore and feel active and alive. We met some great couples including a retired 55 year old Canadian pair who were biking around all of Southeast Asia together and a younger American couple with a great sense of humor who we shared lots of meals and laughs with.

All in all our time in Vietnam was a nice change of pace. Anna and I went to bed around 9pm most nights and got up around 6am... We're blaming all the excess sleep on trying to recover from this pink eye. Hoping it'll go away soon! We fly to Hong Kong tomorrow night and I can't wait to see my bro - it's been over a year and I have no idea what to expect. He might be living in a closet or a palace... I hear he has a working TV with HBO at his place but who knows, I'm trying not to get too excited about the prospect of getting to watch some Homeland. Fingers crossed though.

Current music: Ben Rector and Wilco

Current mood: Inexplicably tired

Current favorite food: Pho, Choco Pies and Custas (the last two are over-processed Vietnamese treats. Neither are actually good but I can't stop eating them).

A few pictures...

Beautiful Sapa