Sapa

We boarded an overnight train from Hanoi to Sapa, a hillside town covered in mist. The train ride was especially fun (and really comfortable), we watched a bootleg DVD of "He's Just Not That Into You." If you haven't seen it, we reccomend it!

Sapa is spectacularly beautiful with terraced fields surrounding tiny villages in the hills. The villages are inhabited by "ethnic minorities" that farm off the land and also make handicrafts which they hound the tourists to buy.

We have been in Asia for 3.5 months and seen so many amazing landscapes. As a result, we are feeling more at home and less blown away by the beauty that is here. In one respect, it is upsetting because we no longer feel jaw-dropping awe. But on the other hand, we are happy because it means we have seen so many amazing things already. That being said, we feel that we have done Asia and are ready to move on.

Watch how you go...

Ian and Greg

Planting rice...

Fearless kid on an enormous water buffalo...

Greg is obsessed with bamboo...

Hanoi

It's true what they say, Hanoi is the Paris of Asia...narrow, tree-lined streets, filled with cafes, weathered French-Colonial buildings, and the buzzing sounds of scooters. As expected, the city has changed since Greg was here 5 years ago. The Western influence can be felt throughout the city, with chain stores and technology readily available. The moderate weather this time of you allowed us to stroll the steets and soak up the culture.

Watch how you go...

Ian and Greg

Temple of Literature...

We were obsessed with the gorgeous bonzai trees...

Delicacies at the market...

Dog Lovers be warned - we were horrified at the sight of this...