https://missivesfromabroad.com/home daily 1.0 2018-01-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1502203918843-IS4YR675S12XSK0OHTYQ/1915090_106407602682_1495888_n.jpg Blog https://missivesfromabroad.com/home/2018/1/30/hoi-an-vietnam-golden-hours monthly 0.5 2018-01-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517324348188-BMBIA0ZZ2LRWC5CQ338E/fullsizeoutput_2a05.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours - What we're called in Asia. What we're called in Asia. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517324403795-78J5EK4L7GQ1X2SUI072/fullsizeoutput_2990.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours - The cutest "Hugging" meditation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517324349137-7NQ0Z35R2H91DIYV1T49/IMG_7491.JPG Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours - Inevitable... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517324365491-JPUGM57KJXSRKKJ5D5XZ/fullsizeoutput_2989.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours - And common. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517324359434-980NVAO3TCL2N1RUSC7B/IMG_7558.JPG Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours - Louise's glamour shot. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517324365007-FAHQTIH4BK41NH85Z89A/fullsizeoutput_29c7.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours - Louise eating it in the waves. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517324384996-1U8BOEASPG6QDQS2W7A3/fullsizeoutput_298d.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours - My glamor shot. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517324382941-RQN1X9X3AV9RIHMCK3NL/fullsizeoutput_298c.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours - My turn to get rocked. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517324389721-E888DZ94NQZBZ1KO86ET/fullsizeoutput_2a30.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours - Morning, sunshine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517324400216-JB0D0T25BVDX44T53I76/fullsizeoutput_2a3f.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours - After the exercisers leave. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517329045460-WTZCEFVVIJVNOFH6A90R/fullsizeoutput_29c8.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517329059007-3B6THOHQGZ6J4ZBXS2M9/fullsizeoutput_2a2d.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517329009214-ICBTAWB8XFQF847A3BSS/fullsizeoutput_2999.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517329011154-OR5BZSJYNHUXMTW2YUWO/fullsizeoutput_299a.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517329091387-SYSSA9J0NBSN2XUFWBTY/fullsizeoutput_299d.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517329039466-H4AUTOOT4XFWECGZ305J/fullsizeoutput_29bf.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517329124849-D5LGNI8JYZKT4MSEEW3Z/fullsizeoutput_29a1.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517329069555-2VLMBJ92XZQHPD1IFOTN/fullsizeoutput_29d1.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517329099667-5SCW5642MU146O4MJUPB/fullsizeoutput_299f.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517329064732-LGIS7TQ6Y89V68JAS9VL/fullsizeoutput_29d2.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517329075373-PUKOU6LKQTQWP1LBMIGA/fullsizeoutput_29d0.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517323957909-MRWGPQD5KRFH3P4D5YMQ/fullsizeoutput_2a41.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours Me and Louise, best friends forever. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517323479065-Q5PD4JDON6GXJLCJYFAO/fullsizeoutput_298a.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours The South China Sea roaring to shore at sunrise. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517323825932-HHY24CN3RA9TFDJK4B9X/fullsizeoutput_29a0.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours Illuminated Old Town, viewed from the river. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517323552336-PPHQ20NB7ZQUSCRMHQHT/fullsizeoutput_2a04.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours Hanging lanterns of all sizes, colors, and materials greet visitors to Hoi An's Old Town. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517327961823-LZHALKWI9WUUDTSSTFF1/fullsizeoutput_29aa.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours - Market fresh https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517327917310-MW23RGBRFMVNMO51J60F/fullsizeoutput_2a38.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours - Vietnamese women's outfits <3 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517327928264-LYA7ITXK2HOH6URPL6EY/fullsizeoutput_29e3.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours - Flopping around town https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517327933476-GSP5DMJZ2ZWIRIHWM6W4/fullsizeoutput_29e4.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours - Constant squats = crazy flexibility https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517327954463-8V1NHIZK059JDDY5LTA4/fullsizeoutput_2a3a.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours - Coffee? Soup? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517327944337-6JV47XHKGP4N8YPLGB6R/fullsizeoutput_29e6.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours - Served in a bowl... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517327945988-3K5HQWBFMKXXX13FQSVF/fullsizeoutput_29e8.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours - It's tea! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517327938411-I5RNVQW1U95LFBXZD7WJ/fullsizeoutput_29e5.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours - Homemade rice noodles https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517325341360-FE93W5YWW501K8AUGBYK/fullsizeoutput_29a4.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours The Hoi An Bridge as the sun begins to peak through the clouds. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517325343421-KXKIS01KZG8FAP1K0DDE/fullsizeoutput_29a7.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours Morning fishing, before the tourist boats arrive. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517325397938-XG4FQJXG1UBEOMYJT8Y0/fullsizeoutput_29de.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours Louise at daybreak, hunting photos. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517325404765-LRHVRIE97AB6FAWTXL9D/fullsizeoutput_29df.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours Cutting through the flooded street en route to market. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517325497415-6MBQWK28AKHVXACWYST4/fullsizeoutput_29a8.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours Morning exercises here resemble slow moving dance moves. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517325409231-H0BCSX9TXFV4STNJ7VQC/fullsizeoutput_29ee.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours Coming to market. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517325357082-W6XR99ZNL5PWMQQNR0RH/fullsizeoutput_2a32.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours During the day, you must watch your back for this mode of tourist transportation. They will run you over. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517325365026-LTAJTSZBCA4H8VPAQS8F/fullsizeoutput_29d8.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours The 18th century Japanese Bridge, one of Hoi An's most famous architectural features. It connected the Chinese and Japanese parts of Old Town. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517325372724-X146ZF27V5XKUBAC12GK/fullsizeoutput_2a33.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours During the day, this street is packed with people. This morning, it was just me and my bike. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517325415040-GFMXSBOR3N846UVKZQUR/fullsizeoutput_2a3c.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours These little blue porcelain plates decorate the entrance to the Japanese Bridge. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517325379937-ME6JESAW92YX9ZNK68UT/fullsizeoutput_2a34.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours The first people I saw that morning--sisters setting up their popular canal cafe. I'd be back! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517325385303-SBUSQLOJGPUHK9MEWYIW/fullsizeoutput_29dc.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours The Cantonese Assembly Hall, one of many meeting places for various international merchants in Old Town. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517325415327-1OJH5757J3A0EIO28SAC/fullsizeoutput_29ef.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours One of the "old houses" in Hoi An, before doors open to the public. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517325437936-KBL8TTE7CC22D5FPDERG/fullsizeoutput_29ac.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours More people starting their day, making their way to market. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517325446932-DAU1U4T6F35KNLRG79J1/fullsizeoutput_29b0.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours Storekeepers readying their shops. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517325459966-HX5A0IIKH53LSLW621HI/fullsizeoutput_29b1.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours Photo Credit: Louise Heffernan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517325469214-2AWKDIARQLVABDF32E5Z/fullsizeoutput_2a40.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours Photo Credit: Louise Heffernan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517325482726-4S1AENFLN5K108PSQ40T/fullsizeoutput_2a3e.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours The sisters' canal cafe across the way, attracting its first customers of the day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517326126008-V8VIZMP2W85G28SCKJ4V/fullsizeoutput_29f6.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours Including me! I order coffee, and it comes with hot tea. Until that moment, I always thought people were drinking beer with their meals. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517326127755-5COW2I9L60AUK7LDAL6V/fullsizeoutput_29f7.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours The man who sat next to me. Look closely--he took a picture of me, too. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517326136202-6F3LU6J69EDHC7M46I1S/fullsizeoutput_29fa.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours Sisters and business partners. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517326139999-Y4J7Z7K3SQSNOEHYD2RC/fullsizeoutput_29fd.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours News of the day? Hoi An starts to experience major flooding. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1517326143502-K2NY3T1T60K1ABNQME7I/fullsizeoutput_29fe.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Golden Hours Sharing a table, but not a word. https://missivesfromabroad.com/home/2018/1/25/hoi-an-vietnam-tailored-to-me monthly 0.5 2018-01-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1516887371979-MUW50XUQY83WJQ830ZTZ/fullsizeoutput_2a20.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Tailored to Me https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1516887348146-V1BQLAQ91I7XKXUQ50X0/fullsizeoutput_2a1c.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Tailored to Me https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1516887370329-H0MTPH3A63VEZJ12V18U/fullsizeoutput_2a1f.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Tailored to Me https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1516887351219-NRU32V46Y2AG4GUIK8BH/fullsizeoutput_2a1e.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Tailored to Me https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1516887304647-DO575UD29J9RCZJ7X2ZY/fullsizeoutput_2a27.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Tailored to Me https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1516887308133-4K53QZ9USGTQLK2JVWC4/fullsizeoutput_2a16.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Tailored to Me https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1516887324680-ZDQE2CKVM50OPTJN9QOB/fullsizeoutput_2a17.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Tailored to Me https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1516887330379-UPAT4O8K7NKGQMULIOXV/fullsizeoutput_2a19.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Tailored to Me https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1516886692296-665LICICFGSEDSJVV3A7/fullsizeoutput_2a25.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Tailored to Me https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1516886669081-SN39O2PF3PTP0HLSJ4QJ/fullsizeoutput_2972.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Tailored to Me https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1516886643905-X4NJMSLHWZYNZ1A36JPB/fullsizeoutput_2a22.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Tailored to Me https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1516886644819-VS1XWT7AM9P5WHKF731P/fullsizeoutput_296a.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Tailored to Me https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1516886669602-O4ENP5ESV3TM60PC9FZ4/fullsizeoutput_297c.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Tailored to Me https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1516886692439-79UD3IM1JOLGLNEZP3LJ/fullsizeoutput_2980.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Tailored to Me https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1516886246113-8OEGY94L04R0GDKSNF6V/HoiAnLanterns.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Tailored to Me Hoi An is romantically known as the City of Lanterns (more on that in a future blog!). It's also a City of Tailors. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1516888085617-89ECF8WN57W9FI7SFUX4/fullsizeoutput_2a06.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Tailored to Me https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1516888084249-PC6QBQHVRAO7WPW44QFN/fullsizeoutput_2a09.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Tailored to Me https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1516888095542-OYSJUNUDQAF1UGQGJUYR/fullsizeoutput_2a0b.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Tailored to Me https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1516888107897-7ZI0W2FQOTSFLXWS3AIX/fullsizeoutput_2a0e.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Tailored to Me https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1516888106725-YLB9L8UY1NI4K469YOGZ/fullsizeoutput_2a10.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Tailored to Me https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1516888111349-BZZT0YG3W79D19PQET2U/fullsizeoutput_2a12.jpeg Blog - Hoi An, Vietnam: Tailored to Me https://missivesfromabroad.com/home/2018/1/11/hanoi-a-love-letter-part-2 monthly 0.5 2018-01-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1515705326309-X11I8C9KZQY2ACJY4HAI/fullsizeoutput_293c.jpeg Blog - Hanoi, Vietnam: A Love Letter, Part 2 Child-sized tables and rich coffee are the norm in Hanoi's cafes.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1515706089147-SU511X9WICTLCPH97J0P/fullsizeoutput_293f.jpeg Blog - Hanoi, Vietnam: A Love Letter, Part 2 My own little corner of the world.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1515706243340-MLTN4OXFBY6WP8QXRYC9/fullsizeoutput_2947.jpeg Blog - Hanoi, Vietnam: A Love Letter, Part 2 Who do you think has the right of way here?   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1515706252983-SSN8FXBK6HXRHFU297DM/fullsizeoutput_2948.jpeg Blog - Hanoi, Vietnam: A Love Letter, Part 2 Louise is pumped to try her first coconut coffee at Cong Cafe.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1515706270978-GS47G1FAYY7BIZEO3SU6/fullsizeoutput_294c.jpeg Blog - Hanoi, Vietnam: A Love Letter, Part 2 Louise leading the way through the dizzying stalls at Hanoi's Ceramic Village.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1515706509249-NIKZUN2YL3V3TFYT512V/fullsizeoutput_2986.jpeg Blog - Hanoi, Vietnam: A Love Letter, Part 2 Me, squatting significantly to pose with the maker of the serving dish I bought my sister for Christmas.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1515706102040-HCWQTEMYAGZW6000XBZK/fullsizeoutput_2944.jpeg Blog - Hanoi, Vietnam: A Love Letter, Part 2 We followed the fried food scent down a side street and almost lost it, thinking we found those amazing donuts from Chiang Rai. They were not quite the same, but delicious nonetheless.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1515706501868-RZMKLC977GEA22JF0PXR/fullsizeoutput_2952.jpeg Blog - Hanoi, Vietnam: A Love Letter, Part 2 Hanoi's version of a drive-thru.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1515706282606-MHPDHD2EV7WCG9FXS72P/fullsizeoutput_294f.jpeg Blog - Hanoi, Vietnam: A Love Letter, Part 2 The egg coffee at The Hanoi Social Club. Sugar and caffeine are not in short supply in this city.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1515707336836-DFGYHPFEFFW7GDOGI8P8/fullsizeoutput_2957.jpeg Blog - Hanoi, Vietnam: A Love Letter, Part 2 Our Christmas presents to ourselves? Paintings! Louise's is getting wrapped up here.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1515707339264-I8W7S28F33M4VKUJ2I20/fullsizeoutput_2959.jpeg Blog - Hanoi, Vietnam: A Love Letter, Part 2 This one's mine, to remember the busyness and bossiness of Hanoi (as if I could forget).     https://missivesfromabroad.com/home/2017/11/29/ha-giang-vietnam-extreme-north-motorbike-loop monthly 0.5 2018-01-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1512012480355-TSAZBRGBY149MCVFIHHR/fullsizeoutput_1a8f.jpeg Blog - Ha Giang, Vietnam: Extreme North Motorbike Loop Well-paved roads and safety blockades! What a novel idea.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1512013051475-VVTOV6H4V04KBG657E6M/fullsizeoutput_1a96.jpeg Blog - Ha Giang, Vietnam: Extreme North Motorbike Loop Okay, this was a legitimate flower field, overlooking the Ma Pi Leng Pass.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1512013203434-2BII77UQXBLIRY697ZG8/fullsizeoutput_1a52.jpeg Blog - Ha Giang, Vietnam: Extreme North Motorbike Loop You can see the road gorgeously cutting through the mountain in the background.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1512012436421-UR6C89V73YJCYOMSKAIT/fullsizeoutput_1aa6.jpeg Blog - Ha Giang, Vietnam: Extreme North Motorbike Loop Louise, in the only picture I have of her without her helmet on.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1512012503377-DYV6C3HC0NBXT4FCM9HJ/fullsizeoutput_1a93.jpeg Blog - Ha Giang, Vietnam: Extreme North Motorbike Loop Louise leading the way.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1512013233124-HN2E372LD776JFQCEYWT/fullsizeoutput_1a50.jpeg Blog - Ha Giang, Vietnam: Extreme North Motorbike Loop Stunned by the views!   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1512011191033-ZZX1HTWCVMY7PCYE2S7C/fullsizeoutput_1a7c.jpeg Blog - Ha Giang, Vietnam: Extreme North Motorbike Loop Louise studies the Extreme North Motorbike Loop map, to no avail. We got lost nearly every day.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1512011109791-1RPTCKCEMSH02VOOCSQE/fullsizeoutput_1ff0.jpeg Blog - Ha Giang, Vietnam: Extreme North Motorbike Loop Pausing for a shameless selfie with the Seussian mountains.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1512011203189-CO3F49OON5WL3R5WVE4G/fullsizeoutput_1aa7.jpeg Blog - Ha Giang, Vietnam: Extreme North Motorbike Loop Feeling confident and fully unaware of what's to come.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1512011666798-KOFZ6KXBVGX0CNHUFGSU/fullsizeoutput_1ff2.jpeg Blog - Ha Giang, Vietnam: Extreme North Motorbike Loop Caught up in the sunset.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1512011543386-K14H27C3WG7YXES1M3DZ/fullsizeoutput_1fee.jpeg Blog - Ha Giang, Vietnam: Extreme North Motorbike Loop Louise's janky sideview mirror wouldn't stay in place, so tape from our first aid kit served as a makeshift, roadside solution.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1512011545534-RT01175FDF0WLIAFHM96/fullsizeoutput_1a7d.jpeg Blog - Ha Giang, Vietnam: Extreme North Motorbike Loop One of many beauty breaks our first day on the road.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1512011619252-X2TRHZ9AJF9Q8E0F0UZK/fullsizeoutput_1ffb.jpeg Blog - Ha Giang, Vietnam: Extreme North Motorbike Loop A cell phone shot of the river valley.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1512013813296-P5J5QNIT43TAH9LMN5A8/fullsizeoutput_1a9d.jpeg Blog - Ha Giang, Vietnam: Extreme North Motorbike Loop A perfect example of the switchback roads we encountered on our journey.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1512013734757-S0SK951W7OWO5V5YKB5U/fullsizeoutput_1ff5.jpeg Blog - Ha Giang, Vietnam: Extreme North Motorbike Loop No end and no beginning.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1512019720989-68QR59X34FC46PALLEK0/fullsizeoutput_1a5f.jpeg Blog - Ha Giang, Vietnam: Extreme North Motorbike Loop Not all who wander are lost...unless you're in the middle northern Vietnam with a broken bike, no service, and a bum map.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1512019709688-WEPHKP7MGMNDE7XUDDH0/fullsizeoutput_1a5d.jpeg Blog - Ha Giang, Vietnam: Extreme North Motorbike Loop "Are you sure you want me to lead?"   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1512019819000-KGU7505020D9ZCOZWBFC/fullsizeoutput_1a5c.jpeg Blog - Ha Giang, Vietnam: Extreme North Motorbike Loop BYEEEE.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1512019810540-VURJTZ0D7P3UW32ZT24Q/fullsizeoutput_1ff7.jpeg Blog - Ha Giang, Vietnam: Extreme North Motorbike Loop Taken on a sunscreen break. Too bad we didn't take more of these - my hands had sun rash for four weeks following this trip.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1512019938980-YNRA4T1LI21CMCRTC8E5/fullsizeoutput_1ff8.jpeg Blog - Ha Giang, Vietnam: Extreme North Motorbike Loop Biker babe.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1512012146979-85ODFDKTK3T7I03JYBR9/fullsizeoutput_1ff6.jpeg Blog - Ha Giang, Vietnam: Extreme North Motorbike Loop One of the only places on the rocky road I felt safe enough to stop and snap a picture on my phone. This was one of the better sections.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1512012130439-M4FQWWJZJPF1AHJNKDCE/fullsizeoutput_1fec.jpeg Blog - Ha Giang, Vietnam: Extreme North Motorbike Loop Here are some flowers. The angle is deceptive. This is not a flower field. I repeat, this is not a flower field.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1512012110347-MQF34A8VRNEMAQPVQN9D/fullsizeoutput_1fed.jpeg Blog - Ha Giang, Vietnam: Extreme North Motorbike Loop Moments after my bike tipped over and my mirror broke. Again, these flowers are tricky minxes.   https://missivesfromabroad.com/home/2017/11/15/sa-pas-female-sherpas monthly 0.5 2018-01-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1510735215868-OVPC2B284924HA0VRFMD/fullsizeoutput_2021.jpeg Blog - Sa Pa’s Female Sherpas Xi in her traditional pink and green garb.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1510735153728-PI9I8FG5WK9XAU1UKD1J/fullsizeoutput_2023.jpeg Blog - Sa Pa’s Female Sherpas If you think Louise towers over Xi, you should have seen me.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1510735175410-UQR5PVA9X6B4R0YIDUCL/fullsizeoutput_1f92.jpeg Blog - Sa Pa’s Female Sherpas Balancing on rice paddy ridges is more difficult than it looks! We had a few muddy slips.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1510735284506-AIKL8N9OQ2TY2XZKNWXF/fullsizeoutput_1f95.jpeg Blog - Sa Pa’s Female Sherpas One day, we saw a bunch of boys scouring the rice paddies. Apparently, they were searching for rats. "They eat our rice, so we eat them," explained Zho. I cannot erase the image in my mind of bloody rat bodies hanging from the hands of a triumphant, 10-year-old Vietnamese boy.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1510840995756-ZAKDRI8S5OMRKYNE7JEE/fullsizeoutput_1f9c.jpeg Blog - Sa Pa’s Female Sherpas Louise, a golden goddess.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1510881261140-LCYEW22E5SXI5HRMITYY/fullsizeoutput_1feb.jpeg Blog - Sa Pa’s Female Sherpas Xi shades herself. I quickly became jealous of her umbrella as the sun harassed my skin on the hike.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1510881469337-8TV6CVZOE72LYY5SZIP4/fullsizeoutput_1fbf.jpeg Blog - Sa Pa’s Female Sherpas At this point in the ascent, I was imagining what we'd eat for lunch. I was not disappointed when a man at a remote homestay served us seven plates of food.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1510881959083-P957DSPZYSCWPN5TAMA9/fullsizeoutput_1fc8.jpeg Blog - Sa Pa’s Female Sherpas This particular rice paddy ridge was a little more dangerous than the others--it was on the side of the cliff. Louise helps a girl out.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1510882074765-3TKX7TIWT7PCWOTXX5TM/fullsizeoutput_1fc0.jpeg Blog - Sa Pa’s Female Sherpas My favorite view in Sa Pa! You can see a couple water buffalo munching their lunch in the rice paddy lake.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1510734618985-I927R0MIGUYLNKIYFEJO/fullsizeoutput_1fba.jpeg Blog - Sa Pa’s Female Sherpas Three women joined our first trek with Xi, carrying their handicrafts in these large baskets. It was very awkward to refuse to buy their purses, scarves, and bracelets hours later. So we didn't. Well played, ladies.     https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1510734893508-D7QQWINIVRI546MFK1PE/fullsizeoutput_1fca.jpeg Blog - Sa Pa’s Female Sherpas We could not get enough of this gorgeous, golden landscape! Hence the 16 hours of trekking in two days.     https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1510734759909-LZZI5FYXEEQS8ENUTT8P/fullsizeoutput_1fbc.jpeg Blog - Sa Pa’s Female Sherpas Sa Pa women on the move. The blonde with the blue backpack is Bailey. We met her in Cat Ba, and she ended up staying in our homestay and joining our treks with Xi and Zho.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1510894017568-AHS5VHTS4J8ASK32YF5I/fullsizeoutput_1fcf.jpeg Blog - Sa Pa’s Female Sherpas Zho and her big, nose-crinkling smile.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1510884139020-4IS0G4SFU3GTFH5FB2Z8/fullsizeoutput_1fa8.jpeg Blog - Sa Pa’s Female Sherpas Zho points out our first destination, a bamboo forest leading to a waterfall.     https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1510884274326-SE1SRWDNC32RHM7AMCUL/fullsizeoutput_1fb3.jpeg Blog - Sa Pa’s Female Sherpas Zho's Hmong clothing is dyed black-blue using indigo. Here, she's showing us how to get the dye out of the plant.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1510884312678-3KQYUI2SC8J1PX1VKTYY/fullsizeoutput_1fb4.jpeg Blog - Sa Pa’s Female Sherpas The dye starts blue-green, but it can color things as dark as Zho's outfit.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1510884322356-BTCH6H3JBY78G0QDPO1Q/fullsizeoutput_1fb5.jpeg Blog - Sa Pa’s Female Sherpas That took a while to wash off.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1510884039720-JCE3R74K32LW4BYFE7KP/fullsizeoutput_1fa6.jpeg Blog - Sa Pa’s Female Sherpas We soon walked through a small Hmong village in the middle of dying fabric.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1510884094336-ZH9C4DYLSSVMMA7MHVR8/fullsizeoutput_1fa7.jpeg Blog - Sa Pa’s Female Sherpas Everyone makes new clothes for the New Year celebration, and the work begins months in advance.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1510894018843-L895L42L5CCFK51RD45Y/fullsizeoutput_1fce.jpeg Blog - Sa Pa’s Female Sherpas Zho is part of the "Black Hmong" tribe, and this woman is part of the "Red Hmong" tribe, as indicated by her hat.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1510884252821-75ADQ55BCA0MPAK1GHUN/fullsizeoutput_1fad.jpeg Blog - Sa Pa’s Female Sherpas Many rice fields we passed had been harvested already, but here the back-breaking work continued.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1510884229746-Y7NT0TU5ST9BAW06VOZF/fullsizeoutput_1fae.jpeg Blog - Sa Pa’s Female Sherpas We passed a few bull fights like this, but I was more concerned for these guys' ACLs. I would definitely tear mine in that mud.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1510894235652-OP9F3O9UDYVJFUAGZAM5/fullsizeoutput_1fd9.jpeg Blog - Sa Pa’s Female Sherpas Credit for this amazing shot of Zho goes to Louise. <3   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1510894225309-6452Q0WLUXWO8VQPM43Q/fullsizeoutput_1fd8.jpeg Blog - Sa Pa’s Female Sherpas Louise also captured this photo of me falling through the bush. It is worth pointing out that she asked if I was okay AFTER she took the photo.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1510894083780-TQNDP4H9IRJIW1H4Y9KX/fullsizeoutput_1a48.jpeg Blog - Sa Pa’s Female Sherpas I was fine. In fact, after Zho pulled me out, we shared the hardest belly laugh of the trek. Zho held my hand for a few hours after this.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1510894307522-ANMNDKCMWYJQBXZIHY25/fullsizeoutput_1fe0.jpeg Blog - Sa Pa’s Female Sherpas Caught in between rain showers and falls.   https://missivesfromabroad.com/home/10-questions-with-a-foreign-service-officer-in-training-in-vietnam-26maw monthly 0.5 2018-01-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1510105950736-7QNFTQUW9GZX2GEY64JY/IMG_7419.JPG Blog - 10 Questions with a Foreign Service Officer-in-Training in Vietnam https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1510104855675-BCCBNQC8P81WQFWOGZDN/IMG_3406.jpg Blog - 10 Questions with a Foreign Service Officer-in-Training in Vietnam Photo Credit: Hanoi Pride   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1510104805304-6WLTRPA8Y2KP18U3LHTK/IMG_3467.jpg Blog - 10 Questions with a Foreign Service Officer-in-Training in Vietnam Photo Credit: Hanoi Pride   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1510104848560-5ZDMO90NWOJLLRE9LM3M/IMG_3509.jpg Blog - 10 Questions with a Foreign Service Officer-in-Training in Vietnam Photo Credit: Hanoi Pride   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1510104936149-1PW3BKVR5H7QIMR96RIJ/IMG_3833.jpg Blog - 10 Questions with a Foreign Service Officer-in-Training in Vietnam Photo Credit: Hanoi Pride   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1510105140303-R7H1WNRIMGPQXLCIG9EW/_MG_5025.jpg Blog - 10 Questions with a Foreign Service Officer-in-Training in Vietnam Photo Credit: Hanoi Pride   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1510105302260-QULFJTKR40PNW5MZFMF5/_MG_5156.jpg Blog - 10 Questions with a Foreign Service Officer-in-Training in Vietnam Photo Credit: Hanoi Pride   https://missivesfromabroad.com/home/2017/11/2/ha-long-bay-cat-ba-island-vietnam-go-where-the-wind-blows monthly 0.5 2018-01-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509691149409-2YXF2G5JACV40UKZZNXR/fullsizeoutput_1f6b.jpeg Blog - Ha Long Bay & Cat Ba, Vietnam: Go Where the Wind Blows The boat I was ready to commandeer if things turned south.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509691670065-40UJHV10R3ROX2S2A1YL/fullsizeoutput_1f24.jpeg Blog - Ha Long Bay & Cat Ba, Vietnam: Go Where the Wind Blows The perils of pocket bananas.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509690581945-DVT9J21SZM45Z2RTWRKY/fullsizeoutput_1f02.jpeg Blog - Ha Long Bay & Cat Ba, Vietnam: Go Where the Wind Blows Heading to our private bay to kayak.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509690916360-H9K0C139J0QMOMCXPLA6/fullsizeoutput_1f70.jpeg Blog - Ha Long Bay & Cat Ba, Vietnam: Go Where the Wind Blows Zen doing the work while Avi chills.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509690856617-75S459UNB7YOC1GEK8FB/fullsizeoutput_1f6e.jpeg Blog - Ha Long Bay & Cat Ba, Vietnam: Go Where the Wind Blows Happiness shoots from my fingers.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509691565492-685EGUTK351LU0IM9WLE/fullsizeoutput_1f3d.jpeg Blog - Ha Long Bay & Cat Ba, Vietnam: Go Where the Wind Blows Swimming break in a little cove.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509691591155-CSGQWWHF8HUA3Q6UENZA/fullsizeoutput_1f38.jpeg Blog - Ha Long Bay & Cat Ba, Vietnam: Go Where the Wind Blows Take 27.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509691556011-N3656VMPCGZGRH20CTWU/fullsizeoutput_1f39.jpeg Blog - Ha Long Bay & Cat Ba, Vietnam: Go Where the Wind Blows Zen's peace signs go everywhere with him, including underwater.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509691620204-EBD4VKGJGA2MT52GYFHV/fullsizeoutput_1f2b.jpeg Blog - Ha Long Bay & Cat Ba, Vietnam: Go Where the Wind Blows The sunset ferry ride back to the mainland where we'd catch our bus to Sa Pa and say goodbye to Avi and Zen.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509691619945-4TBJB984DE8PAZLQL1X5/fullsizeoutput_1f2f.jpeg Blog - Ha Long Bay & Cat Ba, Vietnam: Go Where the Wind Blows Louise and I got camera crazy realizing we needed to capture our final moments of our fearless travel pack.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509691649187-DH8UO0OWCRDWSKUKBDTT/fullsizeoutput_1f28.jpeg Blog - Ha Long Bay & Cat Ba, Vietnam: Go Where the Wind Blows So much joy :)   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509691596883-78989168S2J5GHAJ1I97/fullsizeoutput_196f.jpeg Blog - Ha Long Bay & Cat Ba, Vietnam: Go Where the Wind Blows A more supremely satisfying conclusion than I had hoped for.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509690550670-LQ4FNXDWN2NNE1X7SHTP/fullsizeoutput_1f73.jpeg Blog - Ha Long Bay & Cat Ba, Vietnam: Go Where the Wind Blows Best sunset of the trip!   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509684215553-RG3VYUF2OKZ3YS6WJG1Y/fullsizeoutput_1f0a.jpeg Blog - Ha Long Bay & Cat Ba, Vietnam: Go Where the Wind Blows Ha Long Bay's limestone karsts and turquoise water are truly phenomenal.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509684101338-7KE1US4UK260ED59PKF2/fullsizeoutput_1f77.jpeg Blog - Ha Long Bay & Cat Ba, Vietnam: Go Where the Wind Blows And I am ready to earn the views. Model face at the ready.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509684070422-ZDK25K3GEL8WI4KQN8CR/fullsizeoutput_1f43.jpeg Blog - Ha Long Bay & Cat Ba, Vietnam: Go Where the Wind Blows One of the most challenging tasks on this trip was to wait to eat this feast while the tour company photographed it.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509684113022-J0RX6LN0D9JKS91P69B9/fullsizeoutput_1f0f.jpeg Blog - Ha Long Bay & Cat Ba, Vietnam: Go Where the Wind Blows White shirts provided by our tour company. Can't look like riffraff in the fancy brochures!     https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509683986553-LZNJSZ569VF60W9YYBPX/fullsizeoutput_1f86.jpeg Blog - Ha Long Bay & Cat Ba, Vietnam: Go Where the Wind Blows Everyone else got water.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509684140189-PSY2IGGC8Q6IEOV5JI73/fullsizeoutput_1f0e.jpeg Blog - Ha Long Bay & Cat Ba, Vietnam: Go Where the Wind Blows The karsts in the background are the famous "kissing chickens" of Ha Long Bay.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509684251051-NMCQ4BJQ8E3O2N9L13DY/fullsizeoutput_1f09.jpeg Blog - Ha Long Bay & Cat Ba, Vietnam: Go Where the Wind Blows Avi enjoying my favorite local beer, Bia Ha Noi, while taking in the endless karsts.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509686330090-B30144YMGYV68ATNJ9PA/fullsizeoutput_1f81.jpeg Blog - Ha Long Bay & Cat Ba, Vietnam: Go Where the Wind Blows Our 45-minute ferry ride to Cat Ba Island showed us a couple hundred more of Ha Long Bay's karsts.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509686361781-D8CK2RB2DXYU34XRRS2R/fullsizeoutput_1f54.jpeg Blog - Ha Long Bay & Cat Ba, Vietnam: Go Where the Wind Blows In the words of Leslie Knope, Louise is a poetic noble land mermaid.     https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509686437417-8KG8Q5ZWB9ONRK2X88PD/fullsizeoutput_1f56.jpeg Blog - Ha Long Bay & Cat Ba, Vietnam: Go Where the Wind Blows Cruising through Cat Ba National Park.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509686208893-9U3EX9CU0XUNEUK4ZO3T/fullsizeoutput_1984.jpeg Blog - Ha Long Bay & Cat Ba, Vietnam: Go Where the Wind Blows Dance party USA.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509686139047-LO4HW0EWPD0XNFWN7XTL/fullsizeoutput_1f14.jpeg Blog - Ha Long Bay & Cat Ba, Vietnam: Go Where the Wind Blows Louise loves nothing more than sunsets, including me.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509686192191-MCH5BA35ZNQPL9DGLFVE/fullsizeoutput_1f89.jpeg Blog - Ha Long Bay & Cat Ba, Vietnam: Go Where the Wind Blows Avi, Zen, and Louise on what we thought was our last night in Cat Ba.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509686463086-9DQN0S1U824R968ALC4V/fullsizeoutput_1f58.jpeg Blog - Ha Long Bay & Cat Ba, Vietnam: Go Where the Wind Blows Had to get my favorite yoga pose in our series of ridiculous dance moves and friend photos.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509686513461-W5UMEBXEZ2J5FN4ALW14/fullsizeoutput_1f5a.jpeg Blog - Ha Long Bay & Cat Ba, Vietnam: Go Where the Wind Blows Good morning, Vietnam. It's monsoon season.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509688253132-U3A99Z75QP1MQ2FZ20PO/fullsizeoutput_1f63.jpeg Blog - Ha Long Bay & Cat Ba, Vietnam: Go Where the Wind Blows View from Cannon Fort in Cat Ba National Park.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509687666918-AZQNKTY9302K1WU7NN0N/fullsizeoutput_1f68.jpeg Blog - Ha Long Bay & Cat Ba, Vietnam: Go Where the Wind Blows As it got darker, the rain held off and we drove the new seaside road in the National Park.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509687826945-19U4PEGOYCNOTAEPPHES/fullsizeoutput_1f66.jpeg Blog - Ha Long Bay & Cat Ba, Vietnam: Go Where the Wind Blows Creepin.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509687444412-12RJYNI4RMMV5ZHWYFRX/fullsizeoutput_1f69.jpeg Blog - Ha Long Bay & Cat Ba, Vietnam: Go Where the Wind Blows The most normal group photo we took that day.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509687986689-JAARBHJAF1ZEGZFYLGYT/fullsizeoutput_1f65.jpeg Blog - Ha Long Bay & Cat Ba, Vietnam: Go Where the Wind Blows Those clouds though.   https://missivesfromabroad.com/home/2017/10/26/hanoi-vietnam-a-love-letter-part-1 monthly 0.5 2018-01-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509066821062-V5KE1DZ2LUY4KQ2WFHJ0/fullsizeoutput_1e9f.jpeg Blog - Hanoi, Vietnam: A Love Letter, Part 1 Me, with my newly working camera and second cup of egg coffee!   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509066410872-9SV8U9I3X9Y4OB055GNU/fullsizeoutput_1ea8.jpeg Blog - Hanoi, Vietnam: A Love Letter, Part 1 Cafe Dinh, one of Hanoi's many well-known coffee shops serving egg coffee. I appreciated the quiet friendliness of these cafes, but I would soon disrupt my neighbor to talk about my love of Hanoi and ask for recommendations.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509066521115-Q28VKUK3YJLEXANB6RQD/fullsizeoutput_1eaa.jpeg Blog - Hanoi, Vietnam: A Love Letter, Part 1 Egg coffee is made by blending egg yolks with condensed milk and sugar, and adding boiling hot coffee. The final cup tastes like coffee whipped cream.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509066557172-IN8FVTH7CV6KBVOB46M4/fullsizeoutput_1eab.jpeg Blog - Hanoi, Vietnam: A Love Letter, Part 1 The origin story of egg coffee (according to the North Vietnamese) is that people in North Vietnam were so poor that they couldn't afford fresh milk for their coffee like people in the south. Instead, they opted for eggs. Tensions between north and south Vietnam are very much alive today, and I found that the simple story of egg coffee can be used a veiled insult.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509066607280-RBDY2PEVRCZ8YJQVQCNH/fullsizeoutput_1eac.jpeg Blog - Hanoi, Vietnam: A Love Letter, Part 1 Taking politics out of it, egg coffee is downright delicious.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509066446012-8Z3TE1UVKP6A30IWQY4C/IMG_6113.JPG Blog - Hanoi, Vietnam: A Love Letter, Part 1 Zen didn't love it as much as I did.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509066703980-MSVI431K9G088RP1XQW4/fullsizeoutput_1eb2.jpeg Blog - Hanoi, Vietnam: A Love Letter, Part 1 I can always count on Louise to get on my level.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509066645252-GV6N42IMG1ZBQ48BXJNT/fullsizeoutput_1ead.jpeg Blog - Hanoi, Vietnam: A Love Letter, Part 1 Louise and Avi reach for their first cups of the day.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509066819408-XEB8TBR1BSA2TDAZPNRT/fullsizeoutput_1ea1.jpeg Blog - Hanoi, Vietnam: A Love Letter, Part 1 Avi was the true coffee fiend among us, and he thought egg coffee was just okay. He prefers 9 cups of straight espresso.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509069226882-NFPOVRUIZY900798MPHF/fullsizeoutput_1eb4.jpeg Blog - Hanoi, Vietnam: A Love Letter, Part 1 Walking around Hanoi's Old Quarter lake. On weekends, the surrounding streets close to traffic to allow for a night market and lovely pedestrian strolling.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509069231666-08RBG1B70EDJW3K5MPDV/fullsizeoutput_1eb8.jpeg Blog - Hanoi, Vietnam: A Love Letter, Part 1 Measuring how old this tree is by how many people it takes to hug it. Three people = 300 years.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509069419134-3LQZLIMYXWLLRSK2UZ8O/fullsizeoutput_1ec1.jpeg Blog - Hanoi, Vietnam: A Love Letter, Part 1 Ready for some fried snacks!   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509069409789-2X0YJWREIBC22R2BUJID/fullsizeoutput_1ebf.jpeg Blog - Hanoi, Vietnam: A Love Letter, Part 1 The point-to-what-you-want strategy mostly worked here, except for the unpleasant surprise of Vietnamese sausage.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509069330257-AAMGRL4GMRKTGTHL66N5/fullsizeoutput_1ebb.jpeg Blog - Hanoi, Vietnam: A Love Letter, Part 1 Chili sauce makes everything better.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509070317235-8HRSQ29HGDWWB2TSCZHS/fullsizeoutput_1ea7.jpeg Blog - Hanoi, Vietnam: A Love Letter, Part 1 Watching the motorbike medley that makes my heart melt.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509064958694-9SZNDZ9VWHZCQ687MC0W/fullsizeoutput_1ef3.jpeg Blog - Hanoi, Vietnam: A Love Letter, Part 1 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509065052310-DUW9YIC22H2F0ZH1TEPY/fullsizeoutput_1ec7.jpeg Blog - Hanoi, Vietnam: A Love Letter, Part 1 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509065042487-OI4RVPDG85DDVOFJ1OXO/fullsizeoutput_1e9c.jpeg Blog - Hanoi, Vietnam: A Love Letter, Part 1 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509065073031-6GV0M7LDXCG7415CSLJJ/fullsizeoutput_1e9d.jpeg Blog - Hanoi, Vietnam: A Love Letter, Part 1 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509065647855-2ZFI936GC23QAYLTPDUT/fullsizeoutput_1ea5.jpeg Blog - Hanoi, Vietnam: A Love Letter, Part 1 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1509065635939-S6ZL8E1IAIB3LTEKTD1U/fullsizeoutput_1ea6.jpeg Blog - Hanoi, Vietnam: A Love Letter, Part 1 https://missivesfromabroad.com/home/2017/10/23/vang-vieng-laos-one-too-many monthly 0.5 2018-01-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1508745152935-3A3YYY91Z6EBUEYVDWX3/fullsizeoutput_1b29.jpeg Blog - Vang Vieng, Laos: One Too Many The travel pack -- Ellie, Kahn, Avi, Zen, me, and Louise -- with those spiked fruit smoothies on our kayaking day.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1508745138816-N9WK7EEFLAWEM8CMI1R8/fullsizeoutput_1d68.jpeg Blog - Vang Vieng, Laos: One Too Many Zen singing along (probably to T. Swift) as we float down the river.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1508745153209-1PL3UZIZCNGB3QIP829Q/fullsizeoutput_1da5.jpeg Blog - Vang Vieng, Laos: One Too Many Kahn practicing Ellie's sassy snap.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1508745148381-XWHLSXV11MNU3TN8ZDDF/fullsizeoutput_1da1.jpeg Blog - Vang Vieng, Laos: One Too Many Louise, the photographer for all photos in this post, takes an adorable selfie. She preferred to float sans-tube down the river.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1508747613022-YEHZFQVEQ52EYH7I9K52/fullsizeoutput_1d9d.jpeg Blog - Vang Vieng, Laos: One Too Many Louise is part of my good old days and my good new days, and I'm lucky to love her.     https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1508746608164-R88CK4SDM9JLG7K222HJ/fullsizeoutput_1b30.jpeg Blog - Vang Vieng, Laos: One Too Many Biking, the old fashioned way, to the Pha Ngern Mountain Viewpoint.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1508746743565-1ZOJJY6HWYLS87NUITT3/fullsizeoutput_17f2.jpeg Blog - Vang Vieng, Laos: One Too Many You know you've reached a certain elevation in Laos when you're swatting away dragonflies instead of mosquitoes.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1508746891644-3CE9AUR0CHZB1UUKPW0O/fullsizeoutput_17f7.jpeg Blog - Vang Vieng, Laos: One Too Many Pha Ngern Mountain is one of Vang Vieng's pretty charms. Louise is one of mine.     https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1508746964984-B6YPW8DG66XBM71FG4ZS/DSC_0451.JPG Blog - Vang Vieng, Laos: One Too Many Avi-ously enjoying this phenomenal view.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1508747086425-VSE6R6R5Q8VXVP11Z483/fullsizeoutput_1d90.jpeg Blog - Vang Vieng, Laos: One Too Many A rare shot of us simply walking, not dancing, through the jungle.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1508747216363-AYC098S7EFQ036GCOPTZ/fullsizeoutput_1d93.jpeg Blog - Vang Vieng, Laos: One Too Many True love at Kaeng Nyui Waterfall.     https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1508747316876-LUJC9KGHIT4I8RXFO1UX/fullsizeoutput_1d94.jpeg Blog - Vang Vieng, Laos: One Too Many Here's a great example of my blindingly white skin that made people question whether or not I was a vampire.       https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1508747546133-SGUKE6T9OQKAP8IPAYJI/fullsizeoutput_1d9b.jpeg Blog - Vang Vieng, Laos: One Too Many Our daily competition of who can finish their food fastest. Avi always won.   https://missivesfromabroad.com/home/2017/10/15/luang-prabang-laos-slow-boats-and-fast-friends monthly 0.5 2018-01-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1508123843233-TP3MEOQ77OQCYQELOS7G/fullsizeoutput_1b0c.jpeg Blog - Luang Prabang, Laos: Slow Boats and Fast Friends This is the last we ever saw of Louise's Reebok tank top. It was sadly stolen from our laundry the next day, leaving her with only one tank top. RIP being clean.     https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1508123855415-HL8VM6RTBWIL3JV3S9Y4/fullsizeoutput_1cb4.jpeg Blog - Luang Prabang, Laos: Slow Boats and Fast Friends Mini falls like this go on and on at Kuang Si. It's at least a 20-minute walk to the main event.     https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1508123875829-133OVEAQ3EFU1U7J9P8L/fullsizeoutput_1b11.jpeg Blog - Luang Prabang, Laos: Slow Boats and Fast Friends Not pictured: the dozens of colorful butterflies fluttering around the falls. This place was insanely beautiful.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1508123893817-ZXQ37O107UB0P25JFMHP/fullsizeoutput_1d00.jpeg Blog - Luang Prabang, Laos: Slow Boats and Fast Friends Minutes later, Louise got elbowed in the face by another tourist clamoring for this money shot.       https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1508123962378-K15AQ9EOJNY680DBRLSJ/fullsizeoutput_1cea.jpeg Blog - Luang Prabang, Laos: Slow Boats and Fast Friends The "mysterious mist" I mentioned? Yeah, it gets all over your lens. Maybe we should have invested in the selfie stick.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1508124031434-CV90Q3DWOVU4TXXW9XCO/fullsizeoutput_1b19.jpeg Blog - Luang Prabang, Laos: Slow Boats and Fast Friends Real talk. It is very difficult to swing when your legs are in the water. I tried standing, but that's a serious ab workout I was incapable of performing. I have a new appreciation for the art of Instagram swing modeling. Photo Credit: Obviously, Louise.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1508124020203-S3PP2KJF1FWB7O2SHPY9/fullsizeoutput_1b21.jpeg Blog - Luang Prabang, Laos: Slow Boats and Fast Friends A sign at the entrance of Tad Sae shows a map of the "first, second, and thirst" lagoons. This is the thirst. Photo Credit: Louise Heffernan     https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1508124099321-SA037UZAPK4IJ50O90CA/fullsizeoutput_1b22.jpeg Blog - Luang Prabang, Laos: Slow Boats and Fast Friends Zen, Avi, and me cooling off and being ridiculous in the first lagoon at Tad Sae. Photo Credit: Louise Heffernan   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1508124108312-Z0K90DD0EDM2309JZ9AM/fullsizeoutput_17d6.jpeg Blog - Luang Prabang, Laos: Slow Boats and Fast Friends He whips his hairrrr back and forth. A moment amazingly captured by Louise Heffernan.     https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1508124143859-271NBP2ZL9VFEEKZF9BZ/fullsizeoutput_17da.jpeg Blog - Luang Prabang, Laos: Slow Boats and Fast Friends Zen refused to get in my nice family picture with Avi and Marshall. Photo Credit: Louise Heffernan   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1508124159662-47GZ9WIUPH1UNLTMGII5/fullsizeoutput_1d02.jpeg Blog - Luang Prabang, Laos: Slow Boats and Fast Friends The whole crew: Avi, Zen, me, Louise, and Marshall. Photo Credit: A nice Chinese tourist man.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1508058554618-W14NSYRLKWMCSDTTSD8A/fullsizeoutput_1cfe.jpeg Blog - Luang Prabang, Laos: Slow Boats and Fast Friends As Leslie Knope would say, Louise is a perfect sunflower. She shines on top of Mount Phou Si.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1508058725135-J51PGPMNBP1AI0XI75BF/fullsizeoutput_1cfa.jpeg Blog - Luang Prabang, Laos: Slow Boats and Fast Friends Feeling the fairytale. Photo Credit: Louise Heffernan         https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1508058596795-DKB3CTFE7ZCRNZN1JML8/fullsizeoutput_1b0a.jpeg Blog - Luang Prabang, Laos: Slow Boats and Fast Friends Louise will soon become the sole Laos photographer for our trip. Good thing she practices with the eye of a tiger.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1508058560675-8M9Q71A06K6OB849N4Q6/fullsizeoutput_1b3c.jpeg Blog - Luang Prabang, Laos: Slow Boats and Fast Friends Sightseeing in Laos = climbing hundreds of stairs (and being asked to take photos with Asian tourists).   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1508058470828-838AINTMNA6GJK3J7U58/fullsizeoutput_1af4.jpeg Blog - Luang Prabang, Laos: Slow Boats and Fast Friends Biking by some of the most historic houses in Luang Prabang.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1508058480520-NI2GE4QWTYLO7CXPGINX/fullsizeoutput_1af5.jpeg Blog - Luang Prabang, Laos: Slow Boats and Fast Friends I veer to the center of the road trying to capture more pictures of Louise biking.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1508058853709-IAA51LVDCI6351VTVZB4/fullsizeoutput_1b1e.jpeg Blog - Luang Prabang, Laos: Slow Boats and Fast Friends A French tea and coffeehouse. It's uncomfortable to think these colonial French buildings are beautiful since they were built because of, you know, colonialism. Photo Credit: Louise Heffernan       https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1508058807808-DPSZGBM6KNO81XI9CXTM/fullsizeoutput_1b1d.jpeg Blog - Luang Prabang, Laos: Slow Boats and Fast Friends Sipping fancy tea while weirdly watching over the neighborhood schoolchildren. Colonialism is creepy, among other things. Photo Credit: Louise Heffernan     https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1508058661183-RMBOYSEQNN990CG1CRDJ/fullsizeoutput_1cf6.jpeg Blog - Luang Prabang, Laos: Slow Boats and Fast Friends Hats off, shoulders covered. Temple ready. Photo Credit: Louise Heffernan     https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1508058612808-4UWYTHXYHRHNKE2IAFBA/fullsizeoutput_1cf5.jpeg Blog - Luang Prabang, Laos: Slow Boats and Fast Friends Just as I was starting to get sick of temples, they throw in mosaics. Laos, you got me. Photo Credit: Louise Heffernan     https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1508058519964-3CQW66HO57P4RSBUCOKA/fullsizeoutput_1af7.jpeg Blog - Luang Prabang, Laos: Slow Boats and Fast Friends I spy a monkey spaceship.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1508058675448-K4FXHDCVY0ACT6RR1BMZ/fullsizeoutput_1cf7.jpeg Blog - Luang Prabang, Laos: Slow Boats and Fast Friends My sun hat glamour shot in one of many jungly alleyways in Luang Prabang. Photo Credit: Louise Heffernan     https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1508058866446-SOSUK9CO7Z1WIYZIKJ34/fullsizeoutput_1b20.jpeg Blog - Luang Prabang, Laos: Slow Boats and Fast Friends The only time we splurged on a taxi like this was to go bowling after a night at Utopia. No regrets. Photo Credit: Louise Heffernan     https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1508058799765-02RBPYGV4T7T2LBNHNM0/fullsizeoutput_1cfc.jpeg Blog - Luang Prabang, Laos: Slow Boats and Fast Friends Our nightly dinner. All-you-can-fit-in-your-bowl for $1.00. Photo Credit: Louise Heffernan       https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1508057543866-7AQ06X8586U0329T6DLM/fullsizeoutput_1cf1.jpeg Blog - Luang Prabang, Laos: Slow Boats and Fast Friends Beware the opium on these beauties. Photo Credit: Louise Heffernan   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1508057405432-OSTNTN3RNZBZHEPHP6OF/fullsizeoutput_1cb8.jpeg Blog - Luang Prabang, Laos: Slow Boats and Fast Friends Those curtains really make the boat feel like home.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1508058181687-E5L7TP3ARIIAQ7OUKVHF/fullsizeoutput_1af3.jpeg Blog - Luang Prabang, Laos: Slow Boats and Fast Friends Not a bad view during our 30-minute boat breakdown.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1508057472001-9Y9GCII0CKZ7JD2T5JSS/fullsizeoutput_1cf0.jpeg Blog - Luang Prabang, Laos: Slow Boats and Fast Friends Pak Beng doesn't look as seedy at sunset. Photo Credit: Louise Heffernan   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1508057493196-0DUSLNSLTEYLNWUE7BEU/fullsizeoutput_1cef.jpeg Blog - Luang Prabang, Laos: Slow Boats and Fast Friends Some people took excellent naps on the long slow boat ride. Photo Credit: Louise Heffernan   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1508057537854-40ZLZ3A1RO4D6QYYGY5N/fullsizeoutput_1cf3.jpeg Blog - Luang Prabang, Laos: Slow Boats and Fast Friends I had a two-day podcast marathon instead. Dreams do come true! Photo Credit: Louise Heffernan   https://missivesfromabroad.com/home/2017/9/27/chiang-rai-cooking-in-the-jungle monthly 0.5 2018-01-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1506520129665-RFA6UG5OKMPGNDYRGH37/fullsizeoutput_192f.jpeg Blog - Chiang Rai: Cooking in the Jungle Suwannee picks out fresh water prawns.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1506519930494-OJTMOXWKW6N20R3S8Y38/fullsizeoutput_186f.jpeg Blog - Chiang Rai: Cooking in the Jungle Our favorite lady in the whole market. She's making soy bean donuts with sugar glaze and green onion.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1506519942683-RZA2IDO70UK4KKJREGBI/fullsizeoutput_1871.jpeg Blog - Chiang Rai: Cooking in the Jungle Louise enjoys the first of many donuts.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1506519985486-SMY8RG8CVJUWP4L1FXKE/fullsizeoutput_1874.jpeg Blog - Chiang Rai: Cooking in the Jungle Suwannee peels off the bamboo container and shares with us sweet sticky rice.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1506519980979-TRNISBVRH79O8OXNNXGD/fullsizeoutput_1876.jpeg Blog - Chiang Rai: Cooking in the Jungle People actually eat honeycombs. Suwannee says they're great sources of protein.     https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1506520029191-CL0UTRHABEYWWJTPL0M5/fullsizeoutput_1877.jpeg Blog - Chiang Rai: Cooking in the Jungle Louise makes homemade curry paste.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1506520024098-ZVTEMI50MSX2VZW4TQ80/fullsizeoutput_187a.jpeg Blog - Chiang Rai: Cooking in the Jungle Geeking out to the max.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1506520125775-8NN2DE4DDGZRIIUN6W2G/fullsizeoutput_1882.jpeg Blog - Chiang Rai: Cooking in the Jungle I'm bringing spicy papaya salad to your next potluck. Get ready!   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1506520162540-XOV1RZLZLHXI2PA8DQFT/fullsizeoutput_1932.jpeg Blog - Chiang Rai: Cooking in the Jungle A bit more adventurous than the papaya salad.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1506520053599-76RTX8EIKL8M1YNYEKSO/fullsizeoutput_187f.jpeg Blog - Chiang Rai: Cooking in the Jungle I witnessed it. Louise actually ate that.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1506521605163-H2UP6AFHR7DXO4FEWBO4/IMG_4990.JPG Blog - Chiang Rai: Cooking in the Jungle I truly didn't know how pineapples were grown until this day.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1506521868224-MS5AZYTN8UPM37O4WZCZ/fullsizeoutput_1915.jpeg Blog - Chiang Rai: Cooking in the Jungle Rice paddies are glorious.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1506521643451-YNZKRYSSWB9KIR38VFU3/fullsizeoutput_18f0.jpeg Blog - Chiang Rai: Cooking in the Jungle Driving by, I never saw the bananas hanging from these gorgeous trees.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1506521656036-WMFU4JPLIU6KJE1N7BLU/fullsizeoutput_18f7.jpeg Blog - Chiang Rai: Cooking in the Jungle After five hours hiking in 98% humidity, Louise puts on a good face.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1506522120036-VJBASL66RMSH8HKP0CTV/fullsizeoutput_1937.jpeg Blog - Chiang Rai: Cooking in the Jungle I do not.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1506522181522-S0Z8O11J57PEK2ZV423T/fullsizeoutput_1895.jpeg Blog - Chiang Rai: Cooking in the Jungle A welcome sight after climbing the mountain, this is the Lissu village that hosted us.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1506521702842-JL5T22DZS3F9S5WPND9X/fullsizeoutput_1906.jpeg Blog - Chiang Rai: Cooking in the Jungle And this is dinner.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1506521719036-NBNIZ5I66P7B0J48BOUT/fullsizeoutput_1908.jpeg Blog - Chiang Rai: Cooking in the Jungle We hung out with these kiddos before dinner, and they took us to their playground.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1506521745558-R3X62IA2S2WOOFKN88A1/fullsizeoutput_190a.jpeg Blog - Chiang Rai: Cooking in the Jungle We bonded over Minnie Mouse.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1506521785819-DJZFX2KM7F5W2KQLNQEA/fullsizeoutput_190c.jpeg Blog - Chiang Rai: Cooking in the Jungle Those beautiful banana trees!       https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1506521820207-0A241IE5X2U6TJTVZ2ST/fullsizeoutput_190e.jpeg Blog - Chiang Rai: Cooking in the Jungle Our host walks for two days to another village to collect the herbs to flavor that homemade whiskey. Chok dee!   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1506521816321-F6BH3VDB5I1UN5M1M8NK/fullsizeoutput_1912.jpeg Blog - Chiang Rai: Cooking in the Jungle Moon rising.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1506521850735-ONGF6NDOJ08E47XXICVY/fullsizeoutput_1913.jpeg Blog - Chiang Rai: Cooking in the Jungle We paused dinner to for a sunset photoshoot. The clouds finally lifted enough to let the sun shine through.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1506521914123-8O2BVJSMJASYTMQF61S2/fullsizeoutput_191b.jpeg Blog - Chiang Rai: Cooking in the Jungle Louise walks through the Assam tea plantation.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1506521930281-55V1MCXIO0JMH0QU6OGS/fullsizeoutput_191e.jpeg Blog - Chiang Rai: Cooking in the Jungle Me, Louise and Adom in front of the waterfall on our second day.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1506521980769-73HWC8SEIP55AXCW4R5A/fullsizeoutput_189d.jpeg Blog - Chiang Rai: Cooking in the Jungle The rice paddies on the final stretch of our hike.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1506522023975-CKI5V1WMQVQSZ51J6YW4/fullsizeoutput_1933.jpeg Blog - Chiang Rai: Cooking in the Jungle Photo credit: Louise Heffernan On our way back to Chiang Rai!   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1506499276215-OHHUEKM76RETBHCSD2V2/fullsizeoutput_18f9.jpeg Blog - Chiang Rai: Cooking in the Jungle Kai clears a path through the bamboo.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1506499349127-U5NZRHZLLKMWRK7IGMUT/fullsizeoutput_191c.jpeg Blog - Chiang Rai: Cooking in the Jungle They're called bamboo worms, but they are actually caterpillars.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1506499399493-KDU02DKK7OL115IBGQ06/fullsizeoutput_18ad.jpeg Blog - Chiang Rai: Cooking in the Jungle After eating a few fresh, Kai saves the worms for later. Bamboo as tupperware!   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1506499392013-TWJQEV93Z0CRIXBQUG0J/fullsizeoutput_1922.jpeg Blog - Chiang Rai: Cooking in the Jungle Kai and Adom build a bamboo fire.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1506499456435-3Z3RD297UMK3QWUJB3XY/fullsizeoutput_1926.jpeg Blog - Chiang Rai: Cooking in the Jungle Bamboo kindling, spit, and cooking pot. Banana leaves serve as a pot top.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1506499304980-NRLODPBWHCOAY96LJ8Z6/fullsizeoutput_1869.jpeg Blog - Chiang Rai: Cooking in the Jungle My towel dries on a bamboo clothing rack, next to my bamboo hut.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1506500722823-RHGQ0CZAM2AQ9HYLE8GF/IMG_5172.JPG Blog - Chiang Rai: Cooking in the Jungle Kai snatched an elephant beetle, named because of its "trunk," from a bamboo tree.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1506499236288-PRMD9XDSCZPIDRA9UMHU/fullsizeoutput_18fc.jpeg Blog - Chiang Rai: Cooking in the Jungle Kai would be Pumbaa.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1506499329355-9R6K1XODZVVAO120APE5/fullsizeoutput_1918.jpeg Blog - Chiang Rai: Cooking in the Jungle Louise and her bamboo walking stick.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1506499490299-D3QW8P5MOM4FHAS0D3PN/fullsizeoutput_18a7.jpeg Blog - Chiang Rai: Cooking in the Jungle Bamboo as hot pad and hot pot. And as serving platter!   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1506500198216-EEK18HH9KKSMA82A23XK/fullsizeoutput_18a4.jpeg Blog - Chiang Rai: Cooking in the Jungle Bamboo on bamboo.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1506500187157-K69YPUVBU632GDGVWNH2/fullsizeoutput_18a3.jpeg Blog - Chiang Rai: Cooking in the Jungle Louise is using her homemade bamboo chopsticks to add some salty, fried bamboo worms to her meal.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1506500224226-067CKVVBKDAFVP8B2HUJ/fullsizeoutput_1929.jpeg Blog - Chiang Rai: Cooking in the Jungle Louise's first taste of bamboo worms!   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1506500260780-0TJ5KHZF5EGDGAC2IO0H/fullsizeoutput_189b.jpeg Blog - Chiang Rai: Cooking in the Jungle Kai was so proud of his bamboo platter, that he decided to take it home.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1506500312291-KMI7858EBAESKFPN5993/fullsizeoutput_188c.jpeg Blog - Chiang Rai: Cooking in the Jungle No worms in here!   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1506500363597-XQF0T9UD9DHNC680VMSG/fullsizeoutput_188d.jpeg Blog - Chiang Rai: Cooking in the Jungle Robert, our Australian trekking companion, drinks water from bamboo. I look on jealously.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1506500473575-M7VBB96H44OSN3G771S3/fullsizeoutput_1896.jpeg Blog - Chiang Rai: Cooking in the Jungle Bamboo bridge!   https://missivesfromabroad.com/home/2017/9/16/thailand-a-country-in-mourning monthly 0.5 2018-01-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505548358291-SOW9GMJ0EW6KJIPI6GWE/fullsizeoutput_172a.jpeg Blog - Thailand: A Country in Mourning https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505548382247-BWZNC9K1DD96ZWCU8V9A/fullsizeoutput_11db.jpeg Blog - Thailand: A Country in Mourning https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505548455524-5JZ5XTSPB279FE5CZ2PW/fullsizeoutput_11ed.jpeg Blog - Thailand: A Country in Mourning https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505548455267-E90NKPWSGPDUGZ1XLO3A/fullsizeoutput_1219.jpeg Blog - Thailand: A Country in Mourning https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505548516361-MJMYKZ7B4TRN0D9V22DE/fullsizeoutput_121a.jpeg Blog - Thailand: A Country in Mourning https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505548531811-B5TXEC72FB1MQZTFADX2/fullsizeoutput_1725.jpeg Blog - Thailand: A Country in Mourning https://missivesfromabroad.com/home/2017/9/12/why-i-wont-ride-elephants monthly 0.5 2018-01-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505210204095-AIYNQB4QM8S3BIRXZLML/fullsizeoutput_15db.jpeg Blog - Why I Won’t Ride Elephants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505210280199-TGVV6TFYHZMF1RVMRNUD/fullsizeoutput_15c4.jpeg Blog - Why I Won’t Ride Elephants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505210467002-SKS9QOB9S7UB0O2Y8ADQ/IMG_3968.JPG Blog - Why I Won’t Ride Elephants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505211316499-U34N87HYW2KS7APIQKVU/fullsizeoutput_15e4.jpeg Blog - Why I Won’t Ride Elephants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505210459551-0Q4NGSQQ5PFXE3IAW7KC/fullsizeoutput_15c7.jpeg Blog - Why I Won’t Ride Elephants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505210755955-11JU9LOTZXDUDANWCX19/fullsizeoutput_147d.jpeg Blog - Why I Won’t Ride Elephants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505210527889-DD1Z69RD31JES2PM6A03/fullsizeoutput_147a.jpeg Blog - Why I Won’t Ride Elephants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505210968315-I5PLJQ5KR5PI77UQ4NQ8/IMG_4434.JPG Blog - Why I Won’t Ride Elephants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505210566853-6R6SSQUXQDRU18R11QWX/fullsizeoutput_15ca.jpeg Blog - Why I Won’t Ride Elephants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505210583827-1KPOPDE913DV2HFK6NWQ/fullsizeoutput_15cb.jpeg Blog - Why I Won’t Ride Elephants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505210599226-TPA0RF3QYEJETT2M5VMX/fullsizeoutput_15d0.jpeg Blog - Why I Won’t Ride Elephants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505210618431-BG88WWM9051K9Y3HQJ82/fullsizeoutput_15cf.jpeg Blog - Why I Won’t Ride Elephants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505210650725-J8WX00KT1DWIKAQDCJRX/fullsizeoutput_15d3.jpeg Blog - Why I Won’t Ride Elephants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505210709105-TGNRXCLFE48QY94M1MVJ/fullsizeoutput_15d4.jpeg Blog - Why I Won’t Ride Elephants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505210785037-4UF2RAFX85QS5VUMIREB/IMG_4227.JPG Blog - Why I Won’t Ride Elephants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505210814481-637P4N82DG5OHIRQZENF/IMG_4361.JPG Blog - Why I Won’t Ride Elephants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505210868855-M8TB8OP9OBCYNXW1B384/IMG_4390.JPG Blog - Why I Won’t Ride Elephants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505210889094-BK4Q2KNC2A2XCLRM95M1/IMG_4405.JPG Blog - Why I Won’t Ride Elephants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505210907545-ZCNKF2A5H7BUUJITJWRK/fullsizeoutput_135b.jpeg Blog - Why I Won’t Ride Elephants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505210959934-YHXO6A2XORDIFCE8SRE9/IMG_4425.JPG Blog - Why I Won’t Ride Elephants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505211023057-0YKKK2REUIC5OBPDMY11/IMG_4439.JPG Blog - Why I Won’t Ride Elephants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505211022676-P8IL1TRO7QOQG08SDEPD/IMG_4457.JPG Blog - Why I Won’t Ride Elephants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505211085588-7I1OFHI5GQ6QXTUBOZ4O/IMG_4483.JPG Blog - Why I Won’t Ride Elephants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505211079154-T8XLBZXXSPK5LHT42ZSA/fullsizeoutput_15d6.jpeg Blog - Why I Won’t Ride Elephants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505211110061-YD6GQNRARXZPVPS2FFFI/fullsizeoutput_15d7.jpeg Blog - Why I Won’t Ride Elephants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505211130452-7VX6WK5ZHXCIDVV6HHFL/fullsizeoutput_15d8.jpeg Blog - Why I Won’t Ride Elephants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505211154468-U9ADF7LWVVLGNWRBLMZM/fullsizeoutput_15d9.jpeg Blog - Why I Won’t Ride Elephants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505211174412-1JR2HRY6L3TEWN714N03/fullsizeoutput_15dc.jpeg Blog - Why I Won’t Ride Elephants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505211190891-0TYVO27C9ZB5MBO9C648/fullsizeoutput_15df.jpeg Blog - Why I Won’t Ride Elephants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505211238244-SLOCE5IQ3EEDQMV9SC16/fullsizeoutput_15e1.jpeg Blog - Why I Won’t Ride Elephants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505211225206-CLJBSM3TRO7HMMWFW1UE/fullsizeoutput_15e2.jpeg Blog - Why I Won’t Ride Elephants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505211263441-SI9FX0INE2WHU4071KFN/fullsizeoutput_15c6.jpeg Blog - Why I Won’t Ride Elephants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505211338176-1X6W8V5FKJDRV5A6RBP3/fullsizeoutput_15e6.jpeg Blog - Why I Won’t Ride Elephants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505211270509-GN5HVH2D8B970CM1QVMR/fullsizeoutput_147e.jpeg Blog - Why I Won’t Ride Elephants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505211293636-UBKEXXGQMDLNSRO4BSY3/fullsizeoutput_1480.jpeg Blog - Why I Won’t Ride Elephants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505211375085-HN091NL1UYKL0GCU1F1E/fullsizeoutput_1484.jpeg Blog - Why I Won’t Ride Elephants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505211439369-6B3G97BI8LL1TYTLSJZ6/fullsizeoutput_15e7.jpeg Blog - Why I Won’t Ride Elephants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505211460945-WOO4IITUD3LSNZM42MZ7/fullsizeoutput_15ea.jpeg Blog - Why I Won’t Ride Elephants https://missivesfromabroad.com/home/2017/9/11/pai-a-birthday-abroad monthly 0.5 2018-01-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505179556512-82NN0ETCX0SF8CO8S3H1/fullsizeoutput_14a6.jpeg Blog - Pai: A Birthday Abroad https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505176637199-JK5ZC2CZE9K47ORDEJZB/fullsizeoutput_1475.jpeg Blog - Pai: A Birthday Abroad Hands down, these fresh, passion fruit mojitos are the best ones I've ever tasted. Chok dee, Louise! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505118058476-39QG772I8PTJ9AR3EUBX/fullsizeoutput_1477.jpeg Blog - Pai: A Birthday Abroad A birthday breakfast portrait of my beautiful friend. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505177414853-RPBWWO0ETB6GUX6L3KRT/fullsizeoutput_1499.jpeg Blog - Pai: A Birthday Abroad - First of many river crossings https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505177426050-6546ZHQEBD1TIXMTDQGH/fullsizeoutput_149a.jpeg Blog - Pai: A Birthday Abroad - Added pants to avoid bug bites https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505175788532-ZJN4ZGU5166N4RMERIK5/fullsizeoutput_14eb.jpeg Blog - Pai: A Birthday Abroad One place in Pai made cheesecake, and we took full advantage. This is cheesecake #1. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505176166020-DODJHLUMI0T6140ODFF3/fullsizeoutput_1492.jpeg Blog - Pai: A Birthday Abroad - I thought we ordered the same size? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505176154797-K85FB8FNA85C2JJVCWYN/fullsizeoutput_1493.jpeg Blog - Pai: A Birthday Abroad - Daily smoothie is better on birthdays. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505178848002-TW5B2BJ2GAZNCF3WXY1P/fullsizeoutput_12fb.jpeg Blog - Pai: A Birthday Abroad https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505175880205-XWJ93V2H2HBWQRAML0UZ/fullsizeoutput_148e.jpeg Blog - Pai: A Birthday Abroad Between our appetizer and breakfast. Our guesthouse was pretty posh. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505178718136-QCDFWL2DMJPYLHKCAN35/IMG_3912.JPG Blog - Pai: A Birthday Abroad https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505179029649-ZGPR922298CHGDDFN20S/fullsizeoutput_14a5.jpeg Blog - Pai: A Birthday Abroad https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505177699585-F0DGWCAQZURPSOVARA1T/fullsizeoutput_12fd.jpeg Blog - Pai: A Birthday Abroad In the afternoon, we changed plans to hike to the waterfall closer to town. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505178952581-YJFPUX2URQVYN5MW3RUA/fullsizeoutput_12f9.jpeg Blog - Pai: A Birthday Abroad https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1505176507057-XXOZEEI922JO9I254LQR/fullsizeoutput_12d1.jpeg Blog - Pai: A Birthday Abroad Even after 15 years, you still learn new things about old friends. For example, I had no idea Louise was obsessed with bunnies until we walked by the Rabbit Cafe in Pai. This was Pai's ultimate gift to Louise. I thought eating with animals on the table was ultimately bizarre, but it's apparently a thing in Asia. There are cat cafes, snake cafes, bird cafes, and the like. I would like a coffee cafe, please. https://missivesfromabroad.com/home/2017/9/5/chiang-dao-illuminating-cave-mysteries monthly 0.5 2018-01-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1504614473067-6VC00XC7W90USW2EAVNJ/fullsizeoutput_1454.jpeg Blog - Chiang Dao: Illuminating Cave Mysteries https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1504614907941-WJYHYMX4ABEEH3B0MR96/fullsizeoutput_145d.jpeg Blog - Chiang Dao: Illuminating Cave Mysteries Photo Credit: Louise Heffernan Yes, I'm wearing a skirt. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1504613472020-WELT7WA5T7HUUVSXHFZ9/fullsizeoutput_1455.jpeg Blog - Chiang Dao: Illuminating Cave Mysteries Riding a retro bus north. I'm loving Into the Wild, by Jon Krakauer. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1504613997197-YD6I0X2MN28C5WYS0GBI/fullsizeoutput_144e.jpeg Blog - Chiang Dao: Illuminating Cave Mysteries This cave had electricity, and I was shocked to see how big it was once the nun turned on the lights! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1504614788330-O8O3FSIBERYCEER3RIMQ/DSC_0958.JPG Blog - Chiang Dao: Illuminating Cave Mysteries Photo Credit: Louise Heffernan "Don't look up!" - our guide, while shining the light on the cave ceiling to illuminate the thousands of bats overhead. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1504613799100-MUKHJWN8KLQS7CVBTIV4/fullsizeoutput_1449.jpeg Blog - Chiang Dao: Illuminating Cave Mysteries I'm getting used to seeing random Buddhas in the jungle. I'm grateful we followed this one's direction because it led us to the nuns! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1504614123642-5M2J2UKYHG3Q44X28OMP/fullsizeoutput_1463.jpeg Blog - Chiang Dao: Illuminating Cave Mysteries Photo Credit: Louise Heffernan At our hostel, we had private riverside huts to relax, drink coffee, and read Into the Wild. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1504613276352-WVFA9UWP5WDR43BFXBBW/fullsizeoutput_12a9.jpeg Blog - Chiang Dao: Illuminating Cave Mysteries Leaving Chiang Mai on a red truck taxi. At this point, carrying our 45-pound bags seemed like fun. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1504613727803-R45ZESR5UHC7LY10IVQT/fullsizeoutput_12ab.jpeg Blog - Chiang Dao: Illuminating Cave Mysteries We asked our hostel if we could rent motorbikes somewhere in town, and the young woman called her uncle. They generously rented us their family motorbike for two days, even though it was clear I did not know how to drive it. Luckily, Louise is competent on two wheels. Here, we're driving into Chiang Dao National Park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1504614547327-U84DZZ4GJPBI5Q0PKHKC/fullsizeoutput_12ac.jpeg Blog - Chiang Dao: Illuminating Cave Mysteries https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1504613548965-Q4IBAY0D1JPHQ0XBXO4L/fullsizeoutput_1442.jpeg Blog - Chiang Dao: Illuminating Cave Mysteries Like most things in Chiang Dao, we had the restaurant our first night to ourselves. So the backyard became the backdrop for our impromptu cell phone photo shoot. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1504615061010-3FVVQ42TQ6BC1H1EQ75X/fullsizeoutput_1460.jpeg Blog - Chiang Dao: Illuminating Cave Mysteries Photo Credit: Louise Heffernan Cave swag. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1504614298472-1MWYTIWHD78O6VMWK2X4/fullsizeoutput_1461.jpeg Blog - Chiang Dao: Illuminating Cave Mysteries Photo Credit: Louise Heffernan The entrance to the Chiang Dao Cave. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1504613629548-9TLEK8WSGHLK8WZ52WQ6/fullsizeoutput_1440.jpeg Blog - Chiang Dao: Illuminating Cave Mysteries The green chili paste and lemongrass sausage is typical of Lanna cuisine, and this was the first I'd tasted. And subsequently devoured. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1504613896516-DFPGQGT8Y6PACTV2JDIB/fullsizeoutput_12a8.jpeg Blog - Chiang Dao: Illuminating Cave Mysteries The entrance to the nun's cave temple. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1504614638922-KVZDLUTOAXHC2DFM642M/fullsizeoutput_1451.jpeg Blog - Chiang Dao: Illuminating Cave Mysteries Making an offering. https://missivesfromabroad.com/home/2017/9/1/chiang-mai-revisited monthly 0.5 2018-01-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1504314656653-I9EZ9B528GECPYIW2PV1/fullsizeoutput_1366.jpeg Blog - Chiang Mai: Revisited Artist Nancy Chandler is an expat who moved to Thailand in 1969. The American Women’s Club of Thailand (AWC) commissioned Nancy's first annotated and illustrated map for Sawaddi magazine to show off Bangkok's markets. Her work became popular, and she created other colorful maps of Thailand's cities and attractions, like my map of Chiang Mai from 2013. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1504317862855-2HUFQ0CPETWBLGOI2GU2/fullsizeoutput_136b.jpeg Blog - Chiang Mai: Revisited "Women are prohibited to enter because they menstruate. It is believed that it humiliates and ruins the sanctity of the city pillar...it is believed that any disobeying of the rules will cause social instability." Mmmk. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1504318197726-5LSMGANUBCV9Z6BYXD2U/IMG_3608.JPG Blog - Chiang Mai: Revisited Watching morning meditations. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1504317724906-QBYCH29SIRQRZ6OVP9A0/fullsizeoutput_136c.jpeg Blog - Chiang Mai: Revisited The City Pillar at Wat Chedi Luang doesn't allow women inside. If you want to see me get fiesty, show me a sign barring access to women. Of course, the only thing that could put a damper on my cleanse day is ancient sexism. Ugh. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1504315569612-FX25S6M84EA60678HXUD/fullsizeoutput_1369.jpeg Blog - Chiang Mai: Revisited In Thailand, you typically have three beer options: Chang (Miller Lite equivalent), Singha (like Bud Light), or Leo (closer to PBR). Craft beer is not a thing, except at The Meeting Room Art Cafe. Inspired by icons in Chiang Mai, like the red truck communal taxis, this beer (technically brewed in Laos, bottled in Thailand) satisfied my snobbery when it comes to alcohol. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1504318083145-G4ZA66MX30GFIYF4G2VU/IMG_3636.JPG Blog - Chiang Mai: Revisited "Chang" = the Sacred Elephant, not the beer. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1504315112717-ELMGNE3IK1QGL1OPSLJD/IMG_3661.JPG Blog - Chiang Mai: Revisited I didn’t explain to Louise that we were in a jail until we were drinking tea after the massage. She thought the signs mentioning “inmates” were mistranslating “masseuse.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1504315423475-H33CQROSRUFTL52DYHRY/IMG_3582.JPG Blog - Chiang Mai: Revisited Beer buffet = $3 all-you-can drink Chang beer. It tastes better after a few glasses. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1504314452241-F900G4M282J2V0M2QF4X/fullsizeoutput_1368.jpeg Blog - Chiang Mai: Revisited My map of Chiang Mai, though tattered, feels like my own illuminated manuscript. https://missivesfromabroad.com/home/2017/8/24/10-questions-with-teenage-monks monthly 0.5 2018-01-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1503626041814-4M51LCF1O7YX8QCWEOVA/fullsizeoutput_1295.jpeg Blog - 10 Questions with Teenage Monks Korowit spoke great English, and his curiosity about American life sparked conversations ranging from what power lines look like in the United States to how much money we make. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1503626536460-6VKIA56R1W39Y8Q84REX/fullsizeoutput_1283.jpeg Blog - 10 Questions with Teenage Monks Takdanai writes his name for me. He was the quietest nen, focusing more on listening than on volunteering his own story. He is an only child, and he talked the most when he talked about his village. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1503626703338-XERFP8O6PP2TOQUPGHKN/fullsizeoutput_1291.jpeg Blog - 10 Questions with Teenage Monks This sign near the main temple made me think of Chatuporn. All monks wear the same thing, have the same hair, and do the same thing every day. Chatuporn desired freedom to explore his interests, and he was the one who didn't hesitate to talk about his goals after monastery life. He's also the one who liked Game of Thrones. Though Chatuporn seemed to struggle the most with the limitations of monastic life, he also waxed poetic when describing how Buddhism frees your mind. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1503625914131-QJRSVMMFC0WN49VUR8WT/fullsizeoutput_128a.jpeg Blog - 10 Questions with Teenage Monks Bye Korowit! After our monk chat, Korowit walked back to his living quarters at the temple. Takdanai and Chatuporn lived at other nearby temples. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1503626403664-AP8BXPI2RN5LRUCS84XL/fullsizeoutput_1294.jpeg Blog - 10 Questions with Teenage Monks We arrived in the middle of an afternoon shanti. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1503625272368-VNF4MDO969CFDK5IE24Y/fullsizeoutput_128c.jpeg Blog - 10 Questions with Teenage Monks Photo Credit: Louise Heffernan. Here, the boys had written out their English and Thai names, and they're helping me pronounce them. We all wrote down many words to help each other understand. Chatuporn (center), Takdanai (right), and Korowit (only hand pictured, left) laughed a lot at our attempts to converse. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1503626333594-XV244M52ADUAI4OT4QSQ/fullsizeoutput_128b.jpeg Blog - 10 Questions with Teenage Monks Photo Credit: Louise Heffernan. This is the main temple at Wat Chedi Luang Worawihan, where we held our monk chat. https://missivesfromabroad.com/home/2017/8/21/bangkok-cruising-the-city monthly 0.5 2018-01-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1503372014405-M2W6U5YHFM976K4ZRCJ1/fullsizeoutput_11d8.jpeg Blog - Bangkok: Cruising Around the City Nearly 25% of Bangkok residents are at least partly Chinese, and Chinatown is a huge area of the city right off the river. We sampled sticky buns for lunch. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1503368795086-LDUUQNNA4I6KHE54IMIX/fullsizeoutput_11d9.jpeg Blog - Bangkok: Cruising Around the City Blessing bells at Wat Arun. Writing your name on something and attaching it to a chain reminds me of the thousands of Love Locks on bridges in Paris or the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. Humans can be so wistful that it almost hurts. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1503373067822-NRQPK1S2A9UMNF4XBQAG/fullsizeoutput_1209.jpeg Blog - Bangkok: Cruising Around the City The train blows its horn, signaling vendors to close canopies and move baskets of food aside. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1503368903716-YI37FJI5P80949MRMSTG/fullsizeoutput_11e0.jpeg Blog - Bangkok: Cruising Around the City https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1503368852726-41DHVTFNNJOV1ID85XL9/fullsizeoutput_11df.jpeg Blog - Bangkok: Cruising Around the City Wat Arun turned has been our favorite temple complex so far. We spent many hours exploring! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1503373575438-YZA0Z5AYRIDE91NTJ5Y8/fullsizeoutput_11bb.jpeg Blog - Bangkok: Cruising Around the City Photo by Louise Heffernan. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1503369109407-DUJ6BM5IOVNGJK8DM23I/fullsizeoutput_11e5.jpeg Blog - Bangkok: Cruising Around the City https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1503373218137-ZMXQFVAVEXFJABSADCOZ/fullsizeoutput_120d.jpeg Blog - Bangkok: Cruising Around the City I may or may not have tripped on the track. This guy tells me to get out of the way! It's quite a narrow corridor, and there's no room for funny business. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1503372335996-27LVBTDO9EGSUHYAZR0F/fullsizeoutput_11f2.jpeg Blog - Bangkok: Cruising Around the City Coconut-fried banana and sweet potato from this lady was heaven. You tossed 50 Baht in the little plastic container and she would pass the goods to you from her boat. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1503372639933-HT52UFOYLDOJBQI2REXJ/fullsizeoutput_11fe.jpeg Blog - Bangkok: Cruising Around the City We rode from the Floating Market down the river to get closer to the Railway Market, but we hit another traffic jam on the water. The long-tail boats are tough to navigate around the narrow canals. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1503368955025-ZIL2SO2TBDLY7Q9QHC9M/fullsizeoutput_11e1.jpeg Blog - Bangkok: Cruising Around the City https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1503370800016-CKQ6C8OQJD4SX1R8WBBM/fullsizeoutput_11eb.jpeg Blog - Bangkok: Cruising Around the City Roses at the Bangkok Flower Market. We arrived as millions of flowers were delivered to the city and vendors set up their stands, unloading grass baskets, cutting stems, and arranging bouquets. I wish we could have stayed later to see the bustle and bravado, but Louise and I were still jet lagged and headed back to our hostel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1503369226076-BVUR9JEMIY8SC8Z760X5/fullsizeoutput_11e8.jpeg Blog - Bangkok: Cruising Around the City https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1503372296325-HJQTSEL81IFSBAZZYK26/fullsizeoutput_11f1.jpeg Blog - Bangkok: Cruising Around the City The little brownish-purple, circular fruits are called mangosteens, and I was delighted to find them here. I fell in love with mangosteens during my last trip to Thailand. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1503372919147-OS5OMZIHBGY08TSO1S8Q/fullsizeoutput_1205.jpeg Blog - Bangkok: Cruising Around the City The market is ancient, and vendors refused to move locations even when train tracks cut through the center. Now, the train runs through it multiple times a day, and vendors briefly pack up before setting up shop again. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1503373457339-5XSZX2RJ5CCHTXECVZ93/fullsizeoutput_1215.jpeg Blog - Bangkok: Cruising Around the City Immediately after the train passes, the market resumes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1503372761787-7M7PA5TPFXE75E4DQ7M4/fullsizeoutput_1202.jpeg Blog - Bangkok: Cruising Around the City Our driver after the chaos of the market. Steering these boats is a physically-demanding task. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1503372702858-Y15SMIJLK8AK8HQL4N4Z/fullsizeoutput_11ff.jpeg Blog - Bangkok: Cruising Around the City Louise's favorite part of the trip. This is the face of pure joy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1503372393406-IK9C4E7EEX4IV9M5IEKY/fullsizeoutput_11f4.jpeg Blog - Bangkok: Cruising Around the City https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1503368681196-DTP7CCEYOLK6E87TYN5Y/fullsizeoutput_11d2.jpeg Blog - Bangkok: Cruising Around the City Wat Arun, or Temple of Dawn, from the water. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1503369164946-6WGW0K8LP72604TUFJPC/fullsizeoutput_11e6.jpeg Blog - Bangkok: Cruising Around the City https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1503368714734-7K07XU26VAK7UAT8LG04/fullsizeoutput_11d6.jpeg Blog - Bangkok: Cruising Around the City The Lego-looking building in the background is MahaNakhon. Completed less than one year ago, MahaNakhon is now the tallest building in Thailand. The skyline in Bangkok is unique, but this building in particular blew my mind with its odd cubical spiral. I'm obsessed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1503369283425-UGAYKYLNF3M09RWQ4GW0/fullsizeoutput_11ea.jpeg Blog - Bangkok: Cruising Around the City https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1503372987592-6CYGKNAW8B7ANO9XL2SP/fullsizeoutput_1207.jpeg Blog - Bangkok: Cruising Around the City https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1503368749295-TCVV7G78OKRZON1FQY88/fullsizeoutput_11d7.jpeg Blog - Bangkok: Cruising Around the City "Look at that building!" - Me, to Louise at least five times a day. My only regret of this trip so far is that I do not have more pictures of MahaNakhon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1503369002888-ZAMJFYRKBBHKAWFVKEXY/fullsizeoutput_11e3.jpeg Blog - Bangkok: Cruising Around the City https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1503372844815-QLUA59SA7ZBZFREEQYCU/fullsizeoutput_1204.jpeg Blog - Bangkok: Cruising Around the City The Railway Market, pre-train. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1503368594576-M1GOE18VIZVPG6AMPCR7/fullsizeoutput_11cf.jpeg Blog - Bangkok: Cruising Around the City The emptiest our boat transportation got. The Express Boat was usually packed, and they only dock for maybe one minute. It's a madhouse trying to get on and off. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1503369059526-UBRC2OWVM57E031BD7WA/fullsizeoutput_11e4.jpeg Blog - Bangkok: Cruising Around the City https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1503373124626-OQZYRRF3SNQS8O6ERMUI/fullsizeoutput_120b.jpeg Blog - Bangkok: Cruising Around the City https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1503372243646-TTP9MCLE4JJ642F9JUJ4/fullsizeoutput_11ef.jpeg Blog - Bangkok: Cruising Around the City Louise at the Floating Market. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1503373337677-O4KMCA9N5FBJC39V2BRF/fullsizeoutput_1212.jpeg Blog - Bangkok: Cruising Around the City https://missivesfromabroad.com/home/2017/8/19/bangkok-nirat-and-thai-baht monthly 0.5 2018-01-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1503202459494-8GQ7M70HLAIW7YJQWCR9/fullsizeoutput_11c8.jpeg Blog - Bangkok: Nirat and Thai Baht Bangkok's temples are much more floral than I anticipated. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1503202873985-GEURWTKUJAM9WH23OFSI/fullsizeoutput_11ce.jpeg Blog - Bangkok: Nirat and Thai Baht I really liked Buddha's feet. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1503202547957-2EVO3JTOZZF0MWM2NZXL/fullsizeoutput_11c9.jpeg Blog - Bangkok: Nirat and Thai Baht Eyebrows on fleek. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1503201819845-B77MZEPN4ACLB8FRAIS1/fullsizeoutput_121d.jpeg Blog - Bangkok: Nirat and Thai Baht Settling in to our fancy Qatar Airlines flight. Louise's shirt shows Minnesota and Wisconsin hugging each other, which I felt was an appropriate outfit choice to show off our friendship. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1503202752477-PGNI7G6MAP9W22MAFJWL/fullsizeoutput_11cd.jpeg Blog - Bangkok: Nirat and Thai Baht Hey girl. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1503202087935-T7C50WWZHV6YYNZ2W9W9/fullsizeoutput_11bd.jpeg Blog - Bangkok: Nirat and Thai Baht Louise in her temple outfit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1503202382438-NVQ3REQ14GUML9SR4PTM/fullsizeoutput_11c5.jpeg Blog - Bangkok: Nirat and Thai Baht Before the jet lag hit hard. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1503202145473-RS09W4PGDE9QE0XVRCBR/fullsizeoutput_11c4.jpeg Blog - Bangkok: Nirat and Thai Baht One of the Four Pagodas, dedicated to the first four Chakri kings. https://missivesfromabroad.com/home/2017/8/8/10-questions-with-louise-heffernan monthly 0.5 2018-01-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1502220558207-MQIC9WRXZEXQO848K59G/image-asset.jpeg Blog - 10 Questions with Louise Heffernan Yes, I'm very encouraging. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1502232820020-FDJDKS8YGFNTIG335TRZ/10400588_21527392284_1253_n.jpg Blog - 10 Questions with Louise Heffernan We do have an understanding of each other, especially our silly sides. Photo taken in Door County (missing from the picture, and sadly this trip, is our other BFF Eva). https://missivesfromabroad.com/home/2017/8/8/the-skydiving-principle monthly 0.5 2018-01-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1502219742943-H0F6F2AB3K5QUAHXWRE8/image-asset.jpeg Blog - The Skydiving Principle Me, age 18, walking away from my minor crash landing in all my ridiculous glory. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1502199383665-SA248TCVW5R1OR78CKAM/1915090_106407577682_1080348_n.jpg Blog - The Skydiving Principle This is taken moments after I volunteered to jump first. My tandem partner is cracking jokes about how he's never done this before, and I'm using the Wonder Woman stance to power up. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1502199604253-CRKHUOMU7AP7QSFV1T2J/1915090_106407507682_7572084_n.jpg Blog - The Skydiving Principle Rickety AF. At least my plane to Bangkok will have actual seats. https://missivesfromabroad.com/about daily 0.75 2018-01-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1502202170151-HUKMQKQOII9K4FFB1XM9/IMG_2652.JPG About Mel Grau   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1502202183418-OFQPUDUIUMJ8FUAG323Y/IMG_2993.JPG About Mel Grau https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1502202223951-K4J4LEROF6UQZBACOCS2/me+camera.jpg About Mel Grau https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1502202176959-793OADLSRV9Z0HM1JUPV/IMG_2987.JPG About Mel Grau https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1502202249650-9ETS07NCP03CTBVHNVXN/IMG_2514.JPG About Mel Grau https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5979469fd482e9e56c87cad9/1502202224168-3903674FCRT0VSDYUJPY/me+cenote.jpg About Mel Grau   https://missivesfromabroad.com/contact daily 0.75 2018-01-08