All is Well in Vietnam

It's been a while since updating anything on this blog but I'd like to just take the moment to catch up with the past few weeks. Caitlin and I have arrived in Hanoi, Vietnam on July 6th and we have been travelling around the area for the past two weeks.

So far, we have been to Ninh Binh where we explored Cuc Phuong National Park, Tam Coc Karsts, and some local temples. After that we headed back to Hanoi where we stopped momentarily before visiting our friends from Korea, Matt and Ashley. Matt works as a rockclimbing/adventure guide on Cat Ba Island in Halong Bay. We spent about four days there exploring the Island, the bay and getting to know the locals. We took a private boat out on the bay and did some kayaking under/around/through the giant karsts, tried my will at deep-water soloing on some gnarly cliff faces, learned how to ride a motorbike, and explored a Vietcong secret hospital that was built inside a hidden mountain.

Now we are in the town of Sapa, the northwestern region of Vietnam. Sitting beneath mighty Fansipan, the city is quaint and almost European. With french colonial architecture, a large town plaza, and walkable streets the local charm is attractive. We are enjoying a break from the unbearable weather up here in the mountains and making some good friends among fellow travelers.

We are doing things from early morning to early evening here - there is much to do, new food to be eaten, and great people to get all chummy with. The living is cheap and adventurous if you don't mind forgiving some modern conveniences (like cleanliness). All is well and I will be updating with pictures and stories to come.

Talk soon, Justin.