Hoi An and Cat Ba Island Vietnam

Hey! After a long absence from writing on our blog we are back and finally posting some new pictures. Over the past two weeks we have not been to a computer that would allow us to view the blog.

After leaving Ho Chi Minh/Saigon we took an overnight train to Danang and a bus from there to Hoi An. Hoi An is an ancient little town that was declared a UNESCO world heritage site because it is a well preserved example of classic Chinese architecture. Cars are not allowed inside of the town and the biggest difference from fifty years ago are the motorbikes on the streets.

Hoi An was a wonderful change from Saigon where crossing the street required walking directly into busy traffic.




On the ferry through Halong Bay to Cat Ba Island.










A night out on the town in Hoi An.


























On the front of the boat we hired to take us around the bay.




This is Caitlin swinging into space after taking a fall on "11 months in the womb". This climb was located at a wall on a deserted beach except for the people who periodically arrived to steal sand for construction.






On our way to hospital cave, a cave where the Vietnamese set up a huge functioning hospital during the wars, we parked our motorbikes at this guy's house who insisted we come in and drink copious amounts of green tea and coffee. He also had a kick ass karaoke machine that he liked to play very loud. We are going to send him this photo, per his request, so he can put it on display on his coffee table. The tall guy is our friend Brian who showed us around Cat Ba Island and took us deep water soloing.

Saigon/HMC

We're in Saigon now (that's the name the locals prefer). The most fascinating part about this city (in my expert opinion) is the street culture - particularly the alleys. Every block must contain a hundred tiny, tall buildings only a few of which actually touch the street. The rest are hidden within the block connected to the outside by winding alleyways bustling with food stalls, motorcycles, and kids shooting marbles. The buildings are so close at points that you can't even see the sky.
We're staying off one of these alleys in a small family run guest house. There are three vertically stacked rooms for guests and the family (a grandma, husband and wife, and two super cute girls) must live somewhere in the back. Their living room also serves as the lobby and I think you could very likely stand in the alley, spread your arms, and have one hand in the guest house and the other in the neighbor's front door across the way!
Well, that's all we've got for now. We're currently debating whether to bus the length of Vietnam (ouch!) or train. I think we're voting for the later.