No Meetings, Just Miles

Our journey through Vietnam took us to our final stop—Hanoi, the vibrant capital where history, culture, and food collide. We traveled by sleeper train—a thrilling experience that felt straight out of a Harry Potter movie, complete with food carts rolling down the aisle. The beds were surprisingly long enough for Eric (always a bonus), and we woke up refreshed and ready to check out Hanoi. Our base for the next few days was the cozy Eli Rina Hotel, a beautiful little boutique hotel that was conveniently located to dive into all that Hanoi has to offer. Hanoi – History, Trains, and Turtles Hanoi Hilton & Train Street: The former prison, labeled the Hanoi Hilton, (where John McCain was held) was heavy. We walked through its halls, reflecting on the history that took place there, to include its dark history before the Vietnam/American war.                Not far from the prison is Train Street , where we had a truly wild experience—sipping ...

We’re halfway through our Vietnam saga, and it’s time to climb mountains, soak in mud baths, and check out some crazy architecture. From Da Lat’s dreamy heights to Nha Trang’s beachy bliss and Da Nang’s golden vibes, this leg of the trip was a rollercoaster of “wow” and “wait, what?”  Da Lat – Sleeper Bus Struggles & Cloud Hunting After a night on a sleeper bus - Eric’s legs were not impressed with the fun-sized bed - we stumbled into Da Lat at 6 a.m., groggy and Googling coffee. One block later, bam—amazing views, sipping java above the clouds. This mountain town’s a gem, and Star Hill Hotel put us smack in the action.  Coffee shop above the clouds Truc Lam Monastery and Datanla Waterfall: We rode the cable car up to the Truc Lam Monastery, and the view was unreal. The monastery itself was a labyrinth of beauty with its sculpted gardens, exotic flowers, and statues. Peaceful doesn’t even begin to cover it. The next day, we got our steps in hiking down to the water...

60 Days in Mainland Vietnam: From South to North Part 1: Kicking Off the Vietnam Vibes - Ho Chi Minh City Alright, buckle up, friends! We’re diving into a 60-day romp through Vietnam that’ll take us from the sweaty, buzzing streets of Ho Chi Minh City (aka Saigon) to the chill mountain vibes of Da Lat and beyond. It’s a mix of history lessons, “what did I just eat?” food moments, and locals so friendly you’ll wonder if they’ve secretly adopted you. Let’s roll! ✈️🌍 Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) – Chaos, Cobra Wine, and Cassava First stop: Ho Chi Minh City. We crashed at Van Hung Hostel—perfect spot, walking distance to everything, including our sanity after a flight.   Alley to our hostel decorated for TET Cu Chi Tunnels: Ever crawled through a tunnel so tight you’re basically a human sandwich? Eric’s shoulders were scraping both sides, and the entry was like squeezing into skinny jeans after Thanksgiving. These tunnels were widened by 40% for tourists, and STILL—claustrophob...