One last post: Trip stats

3 countries. 42 days. 5 flights. 10 busses. 1 train. 5 days of scootering. 4 boat rides. (And) Infinite smoothies.

Life is good.

Same same, but extremely different

  Something tells us that we're not in Asia anymore... 

The Bielefeld Weihnachtsmarkt was the perfect way to embrace 0 degree weather and the Christmas season.

Vacation was fun, but we're glad to be back with friends and family!

Zurück in Deutschland

  Der erste und letzte Tag unserer Reise ist geprägt von REGEN...somit schließt sich der Kreis.

Nach knapp 20 Stunden auf Achse sitzen  wir im Zug Richtung Bielefeld...

...mit unserem gesamten Gepäck...

...noch ein kleines Bisschen und wir sind zu Haus :-)

Last day in SE Asia

   We said farewell to Vietnam by wandering Saigon once more.

Here, a Buddha shrine in the lobby of our hotel. Each morning, staff put out offerings to keep the spirits happy. On Sunday it was a coconut and coffee offering.

We had our fair share of street snacks, but only on our last day did we indulge in a freshly pressed sugar cane beverage. Sooooo tasty.

And finally, to round out the trip. Iced Vietnamese coffee and another smoothie.  :-)

Pets, etc. of the Mekong

  Today we traveled back to HCMC. Rather than ramble on about how our bodies are too big for sleeper busses /sigh/, enjoy some photos of animals of the Mekong.

Guinea pigs enjoying a feast at their "mansion."

Chickens partying in a tree.

A puppy snoozing in rice husks.

Bonus blog: Tra Vinh

  After a hot, long, and frustrating bus ride deeper into the delta...

...we can proudly report that, Ernie, we made it to the city of Tra Vinh!!

We are the only tourists here, which is surprising because there are incredible Khmer pagodas/temples worth exploring.

A thorough investigation of Ernie's old stomping grounds: Check!

Mekong Delta Tag 2

 Gestern haben wir bei einer Gastfamilie übernachtet...samt anderen Touristen.

Nach einer Nacht im "Dschungel" sind wir im Dorf der Gastfamilie spazieren gewesen und haben danach...

...eine kleine Bootstour gemacht, um den Cai Rang Markt auf dem Mekong zu besichtigen.

Ein kleiner Schnappschuss über eine perfekte Installation eines Abflusses, welche unsere Abenteuer am Nachmittag  und die Fahrt nach Tra Vinh widerspiegelt ;-)