Final Farewell to Vietnam

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Final Farewell to Vietnam

As I write this blog it's been exactly 2 months since I entered the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. It's hard to believe that time has moved by so quickly and in some ways I'm sad to leave. One month on my own and one month with Dad, a nice blend of comfort, companionship, and adventure. I feel insanely lucky to have had the chance to spend a whole month traveling the country with Dad and I know that it is a part of my trip I am unlikely ever to forget. Like I've said in previous blogs, Vietnam fascinates me on so many levels and I really enjoy just observing life moving by at such a rapid pace and pondering what's in store for these insanely ambitious people. I have nothing but good things to say about my experiences in the country and for anyone who has thought of visiting, I highly suggest it as you will not leave disappointed. It's a country that definitely doesn't resonate well with certain generations of Americans but I don't think that's any reason to stop us from visiting. Most of the people I've met here really seemed to excited to meet Americans, ask questions and wonder what life is like in California. I only hope that some day they can visit my country as I have visited theirs.

As for me, I actually should already be in India now but due to some visa arrangement problems I've had to extend my stay an extra 5 days. Hanoi is not the worst place to be stuck and on Thursday I will be flying to from Hanoi to Delhi via Bangkok. I'm really looking forward to a change in scenery and culture and very excited about entering "Incredible India!" as the tourism brochures like to refer to it as. I'll be staying with my friend Angad Sandhu, a UCSB/Sigma Nu friend of my mine who hails from New Delhi, so my transition into the nation should be as fun and comfortable as it can get.

Since my last update Dad and I did quite a bit of traveling. After leaving Hue, we arrived in Hanoi after a quick and easy flight. We spent one night in Hanoi before taking the overnight train to Sapa, the mystical part of far, far North Vietnam that I visited nearly 2 months ago. After spending several days hiking and exploring the area, we took the overnight train back to Hanoi. From there is was off to Halong Bay, the beautiful coastal area where thousands of limestone cliffs protruding straight out of the ocean. We spent one night on a wooden "junk" boat and then were transported back to Hanoi. Our final days in Hanoi were filled with lots of gift shopping, great restaurants, and reflections on the month that had passed so quickly. Most of the places we went to I wrote about before so I'm sparring the repetition.

Next stop: INDIA!

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Photos

Ahoy!
Looking off the front of our boat in Halong Bay.

Junk Boat on the Horizon
A typical sight while cruising through Halong Bay.

Halong Bay
Dad on the boat.

Floating Village
One of several villages that exist entirely at sea.

Sapa
Our Black Hmong hiking guide and Dad.

Terraced Hillside in Sapa
They're just beginning to plant rice for the summer season.

In the Tonkin Alps
A view overlookig the tallest peak in Indochina.

Flower Hmong Party
Taken at the Bac Ha market.

Hiking Near Bac Ha
On our way to a local village for lunch.

I CAN SEE CHINA!!!
That's me pointing at the massive nation of China, just across the river from North Vietnam.

John McCain's Prison Photo
On the wall inside the "Hanoi Hilton" prison.

Ho Chi Minh Museum
The "great leader" has a museum just for him.