Stories From Month 7

Day 181: Green Water

Halong Bay, Vietnam

I woke to the sound of gentle waves breaking against the side of our boat and walked topside to watch the sunrise. The morning was beautiful. Calm water, peaceful silence, and tall cliffs surrounded o

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Map of Hanoi, Vietnam

Day 183: Sipping Coffee

Hanoi, Vietnam

Tim and I are splurging and are sitting in an upscale cafe in Hanoi. While jazz music plays in the background and sunlight streams through the large open windows, we sit, write and sip coffee. All aro

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Map of Sapa, Vietnam

Day 184: Journey to Sapa

Sapa, Vietnam

5:30 a.m., Hanoi: It is still dark outside. The street is quiet and peaceful, no hints of the frantic energy that will consume it shortly. Tim and I sit on the steps outside of

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Day 185: Sapa Adventure

Sapa, Vietnam

Sapa is a strange and unique place û so different from my Western world. It is dusty remote roads and colorful peopl

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Day 186: Hill Tribes

Sapa, Vietnam

The colorful Sapa weekend market in northern Vietnam should be a wonderland of photographic "good shots". On a flight of stairs above the commotion, I had a great view of the many hill tribe people be

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Day 187: Colors of Bac Ha

Bac Ha, Vietnam

Bac Ha is famous for its Sunday market, a weekly hill tribe event that draws locals in from all over the surrounding area.

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Day 191: Staying Put

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Yesterday we flew from Hanoi to Bangkok, then we took an overnight train north to Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai is a beautiful old city full of character and charm. The Old City lies in the center, marked by

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Map of Chiang Mai, Thailand

Day 192: A Dining Experience

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Tonight, Tim and I set out to find a restaurant highlighted in our guidebook for its delicious fishball soup (ground fish shaped into small balls). We mistakenly walked pass the restaurant so ended up

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Map of Chiang Mai, Thailand

Day 193: Room for Rent

Chiang Mai, Thailand

We found our room and settled in - rent plus two bicycles for a month for less than $80. Why can't D.C. be this cheap?

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Day 195: Thai Massage Class

Chiang Mai, Thailand

One of our dreams of our trip was to take a Thai massage course in Thailand. We want to return home able to wow people with our magical hands û relaxing and stretching muscles until they melt. <

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Day 199: Massage: Week 1

Chiang Mai, Thailand

After week one of Thai massage class, we have discovered that I am as limber as Michelle is stiff. My muscles feel energized and full of life, while she is walking Chiang Mai like an 80 year old woman

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Map of Wat U-Mong, Thailand

Day 201: Buddhism

Wat U-Mong, Thailand

The Buddhist temple of Wat U-Mong is only a couple of kilometers outside of Chiang Mai - an easy distance on my one-gear mountain bike. I arrived with enough time to enjoy the 600-year-old temple's Bu

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Map of Chiang Mai, Thailand

Day 204: Healing Touch

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Yesterday, riding home from class on my bike, my pant leg got caught on a pedal. One minute I was enjoying the sun warming my face and the wind blowing through my hair; I was free, free from class, fr

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Map of Chiang Mai, Thailand

Day 205: Babies Home

Chiang Mai, Thailand

The sound of children tumbled towards us - squeals, laughter, cries. I led the way up the stairs as five friends from massage class followed. At the top of the stairs were brown doors; not knowing wh

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Day 206: Graduation

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Today we graduated from Thai massage class! I wouldn't say we are experts at this ancient art form, but after 60 hours of in-class practice, we have a solid foundation. And we have diplomas to prove i

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Map of Chiang Mai, Thailand

Day 208: The Power of Touch

Chiang Mai, Thailand

I brought Tim along on my return trip to the orphanage. The children piled on top of him, clambering for attention. He handled

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Map of Chiang Mai, Thailand

Day 209: Happy New Year!

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Just like everywhere else in the world, welcoming in a new year in Chiang Mai brings much celebration. Last night people dressed in their best to dine, party-goers sat in bars wearing festive hats swa

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