I’m still a little speechless about Vietnam. It was a wild ride! It’s a fascinating country and though we’ve studied it, seen photos, etc., I don’t think you can really get a good grasp on how another people lives and a culture thrives until you
actually go and experience it firsthand and see it with your own
eyes. We loved everything we got to do and all the wonderful people we met.
actually go and experience it firsthand and see it with your own
eyes. We loved everything we got to do and all the wonderful people we met.
Fresh off the plane, most likely uttering, “woah!”
The moment we stepped off the plane, we could tell we were in a third world, communist country. While we were putting our bags in the back of the hotel car, I took out my camera to take a photo of the street scene. Through my lens, innocently pointed at him, I noticed a police officer stare directly at me, pointing his whole arm at me to the man standing next to him. They both looked furious and began marching toward us. Cam saw too, threw our last bag in the back of the trunk, and we quickly jumped in the back seat, breathing a sigh of relief as the car started and the airport became smaller and smaller in the rear window.
The hotel driver weaved through the crazy dirt road dodging
hundreds of oncoming motorbikes carrying entire families, newborn
babies, baskets, flowers, chickens, you name it. No one uses a signal or
the driving lanes, you just lay on your horn to get by. The road was
lined with miles of rice paddies and water buffaloes, also wandering
into the traffic. There were people sitting on the side of the road on
tiny colorful plastic chairs, or just in the dirt, cutting up meat,
working and eating.
hundreds of oncoming motorbikes carrying entire families, newborn
babies, baskets, flowers, chickens, you name it. No one uses a signal or
the driving lanes, you just lay on your horn to get by. The road was
lined with miles of rice paddies and water buffaloes, also wandering
into the traffic. There were people sitting on the side of the road on
tiny colorful plastic chairs, or just in the dirt, cutting up meat,
working and eating.
After living in Japan, where it is custom to remove your shoes before entering a home or restaurant, and bathrooms are kept spotless, our mouths
were totally open as we sat in the back of the car, holding hands and laughing, shaking
our heads at each other repeatedly saying, “woah.”
were totally open as we sat in the back of the car, holding hands and laughing, shaking
our heads at each other repeatedly saying, “woah.”
We
spent the first day and a half walking just about all of the Old
Quarter and French Quarter, loving the colors {me..} of muted oranges
and tans contrasted with sea foam green and turquoise, all while trying
not to get hit by a motorbike, car, or bicycle. And ohh, the food! And
the COFFEE! So delicious. The French influence is definitely still
prevalent in the narrow, cafe-lined streets. And oddly enough,
the chaos became normal to us after the first few hours and somehow added to the charm of the city. You learn to
walk very, very slowly and confidently across the street, without making any fast
movements to give drivers time to dodge you.
spent the first day and a half walking just about all of the Old
Quarter and French Quarter, loving the colors {me..} of muted oranges
and tans contrasted with sea foam green and turquoise, all while trying
not to get hit by a motorbike, car, or bicycle. And ohh, the food! And
the COFFEE! So delicious. The French influence is definitely still
prevalent in the narrow, cafe-lined streets. And oddly enough,
the chaos became normal to us after the first few hours and somehow added to the charm of the city. You learn to
walk very, very slowly and confidently across the street, without making any fast
movements to give drivers time to dodge you.
We came back to Hanoi, but first, we went three hours south to Halong Bay….
Ashley says
Love it all! Can not wait to see and read about Part 2. Side note: I'd really love a bicycle flowing with flowers to call my own. Much love.
M. says
oh my word. I'll bet this was a crazy experience. you're going to be an asia pro!
Katie Cook says
so great:) i do declare kevin has those same shorts as Cam. haha! enjoy Vietnam…can't wait to see more pics my darlin!!
Eloquent English says
What an eye opener! Only if us US citizens could get a glimpse at that and appreciate what we have here… xoxo A-
Dancing Branflake says
These photos are incredible! Wow! I cannot believe how well you captured that complex city.
ps… you are gorgeous. Can we please get more photos of you?!
Sarah Burton says
You look so good in those colors! And those shutters? Obsessed.
Christine loves to Travel says
I miss Southeast Asia! Oh the noise and the crazy traffic!
Lisa @ honibun@blogspot says
I loved the dragon fruit! Halong Bay is one of my favorite places…..can't wait to hear your thoughts and see your photos!!!!!
Lisa @ honibun@blogspot says
I loved the dragon fruit! Halong Bay is one of my favorite places…..can't wait to hear your thoughts and see your photos!!!!!
rach says
What gorgeous pictures!! I would love to go there one day….or anywhere in southeast aisa!
Erica [pocket full of chuckles] says
What an exciting adventure. I can't wait to hear more about it! You inspire me to travel more ๐
Alex says
I'd love to go to Vietnam one day. What an adventure!! Looove your skirt, by the way ๐
Mo (New on U) says
SO interested in hearing part 2! We are thinking of doing Vietnam for our honeymoon, so I love hearing all about it!
Norah says
Oh the coffee in Hanoi! SO delish. I really enjoyed our trip there and loved Halong Bay too. I can't wait to see your pics!
Bridget says
ughhhh, i wanna go there. your descriptions sound awesome too. colors, chaos, coffee. gimme some of that.
CMae says
You always take such great pictures that go so well with what you write..I feel like I am really getting a good account as to what it would be like to visit there!!!
Cara says
Amazing pictures! I'm so jealous of your travels. It looks like you guys had a great time.
Candice says
What a great place to dive into a totally different culture. The way you described it makes the photos really come alive! I would love to visit..
Jen says
Just stumbled across your blog and am so glad I did! I'm actually Vietnamese but was born in the US, so I've only been there once when I was very little. I'm curious to hear about your experience. Thanks for sharing it with the blogosphere so we can live vicariously through you!:)
hotmesscoolday says
Sounds amazing! And also a little scary haha I love reading your posts and being able to travel through your words and pictures!
Anonymous says
*sigh*
That's what this lanneybear has to contribute. Your pictures and travels believe it or not make me feel better when I'm stuck INSIDE all day for nine hours in a windowless office WITHOUT your smiling face to cheer me up. Especially when I'd much rather be — I don't know ANYWHERE BUT HERE. MISS YOU!
Sheila @ The FailteHouse says
What beautiful photos and this sure looks like an amazing trip! PS. – love the skirt ๐
K says
Lovely photos as always! I'd love to hear more about the French influence in Vietnam – did you happen to notice if the language was still used? I remember learning about French colonialism in school but always wondered about Vietnam. Thanks for sharing your adventures with the rest of us!
Kristina says
Isnt Hanoi Old Town crazy, unbelievable, amazing, pretty and nerve-wrecking all at once? Loved it! And it is a wonderful place for taking pictures!! xx
Aicia says
I love your skirt!! Especially with the orange tank – mind telling where you bought it!!
Anjilo Jilo says
Quicken Support Phone Number
Quicken Support Phone Number
Quicken Support Number
Quicken Tech Support Number
Quicken Tech Support Phone Number
Quicken Technical Support Number
Anjilo Jilo says
Quicken Support Phone Number
Quicken Support Phone Number
Quicken Support Number
Quicken Tech Support Number
Quicken Tech Support Phone Number
Quicken Technical Support Number
Anjilo Jilo says
Sage Support Phone Number
Sage Support Phone Number
Sage Support Number
Sage Tech Support Number
Sage Tech Support Phone Number
Sage Technical Support Number
Anjilo Jilo says
Sage Support Phone Number
Sage Support Phone Number
Sage Support Number
Sage Tech Support Number
Sage Tech Support Phone Number
Sage Technical Support Number