Planes, Trains, Automobiles, and Rickshaws

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Farewell Vietnam

21 harrowing buses, 11 rocky boats, 2 repugnant trains, and 11 not-so-sterile flights later our travels are coming to an end. We spent the last few days back in Saigon enjoying the hustle and bustle of busy city life. Due to time, we decided to spend more time in Mui Ne at our private pool rather than continue another 13 hours north back to Hoi An. While in Mui Ne we met some amazing children who we visited each day. In the name of good will, we took the liberty of teaching them duck, duck, goose (or as they say, "duss, duss, DUSS!). We've spent the remainder of our time split up between Nha Trang, Mui Ne, and then Saigon. Speaking of Saigon, we were able to find and patronize the notorious "Lunch Lady", the owner/operator of a noodle stand hidden in the depths of the city. We had made it a priority to see if we could sample some of her highly touted dishes, the same dishes that Mr. Anthony Bourdain tried on his fantastic television program, "No Reservations". The soup of the day centered around a delicious broth and featured: squid, pork, fried bean curd, shrimp, udon noodles, banana flower, okra, and a heap of fresh vegetables and lime. Ooh boy! To finish off, we had some incredibly fresh spring rolls with shrimp, pork, bean sprouts and chives (goi cuon). This lunch was the prize considering the successful taxi ride was the product of many hand gestures, phone calls to english translators, and wrong turns! But that's Vietnam for you; to the very end, chock full of surprises.

We're now on our way back to the states, in the middle of a rather long set of flights to the great white north. We're sharing one of Nat King Cole's Christmas albums that somehow made it to my ipod to prime us for the holidays and get us up to speed. Thanks to everyone for actually looking at this once in a while, we hope that you can find a way to have an adventure just as beautiful and inspiring. We'll be sure to post a ton of pictures once we're unpacked in AK, so until then here's a few!
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Merry Chrismahanukwanzmas!

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Photos

Shells on the beach
Char has packed every one of these for the trip home.
Don't be indifferent, please give now to Compulsive Shell Collectors. 100% percent of your gift will go to Charla Davis, and only her.

Aint that romantical?
The red sand dunes outside of Mui Ne.

Comments

[Barry Bodle]

the end is nigh...
I love you so hard.

[latonya lollis]

wow
Girl this is so incredibaly awesome! I loved the pics and enjoyed catching your posts every now and then glad it al went well and I hope you have a safe trip back. Cannot wait to see pics!!