We spent the last three days on a Junk Boat in Halong Bay exploring the numerous islands, called karsks, which make a unique landscape. We spent time with wonderful people from all over the world, kayaking and swimming in the day and drinking local rice wine on the boat at night.

Mikes walked: none because there is no land

Caves!

Kayaking!

Floating Village – around 50 families spend their lives in floating villages in Halong Bay.

Last day in Sapa hiking through scenic mountains and visiting H’mong and Red Dzao villages. This area is 3 km from China and many minority hill tribes live here.

Visiting a Red Dzao house in the village:

Happy Thanksgiving! We were on a boat the last couple days and did not have access to Internet to post an update.

For Thanksgiving we could not find an American Turkey if our lives counted on it. We searched the local markets in Sapa and were disturbed by some of the foods we found. The market made us realize how thankful we are for the Western food we eat at home, especially Thanksgiving dinner!

Miles walked: 8.7

On our second day in Hanoi we saw the ancient art of water puppetry, as well as more museums and markets. Then we took a night train north to Sapa where we have been hiking thru stunningly beautiful terraced hills to visit hill tribe villages (Hmong and Dzao).

Mikes walked last two days: 13.7

A few more Hanoi:

Hiking in Sapa:

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We arrived to the capital of Vietnam, Hanoi, and spent the day exploring temples and museums. We are adjusting to the time change as well as the Vietnamese culture, which after one day we found to be very welcoming. Looking forward to our second day in Hanoi.

Miles walked yesterday: 7.9

Ngoc Son Temple in Hoan Kiem Lake:

Street near Old Quarter Hanoi:

Hoa Lo Prison Museum (Hanoi Hilton):

We spent the last two days in Dubai on a long layover and are happy to have reliable internet connection again. We did our best to see as many of the impressive things in Dubai as we could – gold and spice souks, enormous malls that have indoor aquariums, skating rinks, ski slopes, waterfalls and fountains. We also celebrated Brent’s birthday by going to the top of the world’s tallest building and having a seven course tea at the world’s most luxurious hotel.

Dubai during day and night:

Birthday tea at the Burj Al Arab, the worlds only 7 star hotel:

Birthday sunrise at the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building:
-Sears tower is on the far left of the scale:

Fun at the malls: Olympic skating rinks, indoor ski slopes and aquarium:

Shopping at the souks:

Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes! We spent my birthday at the Vatican – amazed by the amount of art work at the museums, the number of frescos covering Sistine Chapel and the size of St Peters Basilica. We had a special dinner in Rome and headed to the airport for a night flight out of Europe.

Mikes walked: 8.5

After two days in Chieti (Paciocco Town!) we are back to sight seeing in Rome. We spent most of the day exploring and to top it off Brent got a trim at an old fashion barber shop.

Miles walked last two days: 13.2

Vineyard at Chieti:

Chieti:

Some fun at the Pantheon:

River is flooding:

We took a short break from Rome to visit Chieti, the city the Paciocco’s were residents of. We’ve been using our imaginations on what life was like for them. Did my Great-great-great Grandfather and his sons spend time in the city of Chieti or the hills? Did they ever go to the ocean which is 10k away? Did they ever go to Rome which is 200k?

We are heading back to Rome for a couple more days before we leave Europe! This week is the half way mark of our World Travel Trip!

Miles walked yesterday: 4.1

City (left)and hills (right) of Chieti:

Lots of small farms:

Downtown Chieti:

A trip to Rome would not be complete without a tour of the Coliseum. We were fascinated by the tales of gladiators, exotic animals and executions that occurred in this stadium. We also walked in the Roman Forum, where any famous Roman (Julius Cesar or emperors like Augustus) would have walked. We even went to our first opera, La Traviata – Tiara enjoyed it and Brent says it was his first and last opera.

Miles walked yesterday: 6.3

Looking at Roman Forum:

Walking where all the famous Romans also walked:

Rome: