Ausing staying an extra day in Hoi An and another extra day in Luang Prabanit and a deadline to get back to Bangkok on the 21st I had little time in Vientiane. And when I say little I mean LITTLE. How little you ask? Just 8 hours. The town seems small and adorable and had no doubt that I could accomplish what I had wanted to see while there. Okay, to be fair I didn't really no exactly what I wanted to see but I'm sure my Lonely Planet Guide would have steered me in the proper direction. However after what may have been the worse bus ride of my life I chose a different route for killing time in Vientiane. Now I told you about my 30 hour bus ride and howwith the the exception ... read more

I had heard about it but I didn't want to think about it. I read blog after blog about the horrors but didn't want to believe them. But then I had no choice. I was traveling on a budget and a $50 bus ride was a hell of a lot cheaper than $200 plane. My last day I booked it, my thirty hour bus trip that would start at 5pm and arrive whenever it felt like doing so. I spent the day chilling with Kevin, mentally preparing myself for such a journey. I wasn't to sure what to expect. I had heard horror stories about all the busing in Vietnam and thus far I felt they were untrue. Perhaps this journey wouldn't be nearly as bad as I had heard? In fact I was quite positive ... read more

I apparently don't know what region any of the places in Vietnam I went to are in, but I'm talking about Hanoi! Ok I figured I'd write this in case anyone else is in need of info for getting their India visa while vacationing in Hanoi. Turns out it is incredibly easy to get your visa, it just takes a few days. First fill out the online application and print it out. When you are filling it out make sure you have the right embassy. I had originally filled it out for Bangkok and needed to do it a second time for Hanoi. You have to have your flights in and out of the country booked and have a copy of those plans along with where you are planning to stay. It says you need two ... read more

Bright and early I woke in my fancy bed besides Bina. I am feeling fortunate that I am feeling no side effects from the beer and whiskey that was flowing from dinner last night and am excited to now indulge in breakfast. I know already i will miss breakfast immensely. At the same time, as I groggily walk past the gym, I know I will miss that little room as well. I would kill to get a run in this morning but no luck today. Instead I say my goodbye and multiple thanks to Bina, enjoy the fabulous breakfast, and head out. Being stingy I refuse to take a motorbike and spend the next ten minutes totally panicked I'm going to miss the bus because I spent a smidge to much time enjoying my breakfast. When ... read more

Ok folk, I've come up with an idea. Obviously having just completing my volunteer position with the Peace Corps I'm not really rolling in the dough. So after today, now that I have some concept of the money, I'm rolling with a strict budget and going cheap! So far: 04/03/2013 - $15 05/03/2013- $23, but cut me some slack my haggling and the dong is really confusing. Tomorrow will be better. Besides for doing this cheap cheap cheap mission is to hit all the food I can get my hands on while simultaneously finding the best places to exercise and what kind of exercising to do. I'll try and update this at the end of each city i hit but here is what I am aiming for here in Hoi An. Cao lau White rosé White ... read more