Vietnam

I got back from Vietnam yesterday - what an amazing country! We went to Ho Chi Minh City where I saw the Cao Daism Holy See, the Cu Chi Tunnels from the war, went to the War Museum, saw the Reunification Palace, went to a huge indoor market, ate pho and goat meat, and shot an AK47 :) Then we went to the capital city of Hanoi and visited the prison where POWs were held in the War (including John McCain), saw some Chinese temples and Catholic Cathedrals, saw a water puppet show, ate gelato and shopped for warm clothes (it's cold in the north!) The next day we went on a boat trip in Ha Long Bay, where we kayaked and swam and slept overnight on the boat - it was cold and cloudy but the bay is beautiful and so strange looking. Pictures are here!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2025562&id=1325940161&l=e9824e0983
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2025579&id=1325940161&l=8424cf5dde
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2025627&id=1325940161&l=2ee4508466
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2025628&id=1325940161&l=4b9271ebf9

I have a little cold now (it was bound to happen) so I am trying to get over it by the time Mom comes out tomorrow. We have a few days in Hong Kong before going to Cambodia - I am so excited to continue exploring Southeast Asia! I never want to leave this place

Classes are Over!

This week was finals week, and yesterday was my last day of classes for the semester! Now I have six weeks off to write a paper and relax and travel and enjoy living in Asia :) I am flying to Vietnam tonight and will be there for a week - going to Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Ha Long Bay. Then when I get back I have two days before Mom comes out and we go to Cambodia :)

Waterfall Hike

Hi!

This weekend I went hiking in the New Territories, which is the northern section of Hong Kong. The hike was quite challenging, about 6 hours, and we went to five different waterfalls. It was so nice to be back in the woods after spending so much time living and traveling in cities - I hadn't noticed how used to city life I got until I was back in nature! I'm pretty sore even a couple days after, but I love the fact that these amazing hiking trails through the mountains are only a 40 minute train ride outside of the city :)

Pics here:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2024019&id=1325940161&l=915b740ebd
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2024184&id=1325940161&l=4f50340815

In less than two weeks from now I'll be flying to Vietnam!