On this morning we woke up at 4am to meet our guide and head to the famous Cai Rang floating market. The market is most active around 5-6am as the sun's first light becomes visible. Boats small and large are packed to the brim with all kinds of fresh produce and meat. Sellers entice customers by attaching one of each of the products they carry to a wooden pole that they hoist high above their vessel. During the rest of this 8 hour tour we visited a smaller floating market called Phong Dien and explored estuaries and villages around the delta (including a python farm... eek).
can tho - mekong delta day 1
After a 3-hour bus ride from Ho Chi Minh City, we reached the city of Can Tho, which is the urban epicenter of the Mekong Delta region. We arranged a one night stay at Ms. Ha's guesthouse. Ms. Ha is a gem of a person; she greeted us with drinks and fresh pineapple, gave us the lay of the land and helped us set up a tour of the famous floating markets and delta area for the following morning. This image was taken exploring the neighborhood around her homestay.
We stopped in to enjoy the smoky, aromatic mood of the Ong Buddhist Temple. Built at the end of 19th century by the local Chinese community, it lies on one of the riverfront thoroughfares in Can Tho.
saigon day 4
We explored a new area of HCMC on our last full day. Pictured in Phú Nhuận District, an unassuming railway cozied up to the urban clutter surrounding it.
We enjoyed a fun afternoon of painting and talking with a new friend Zac; an american expat who moved to HCMC a year ago. It was interesting getting his perspective on the city as a westerner living and working in the sometimes overwhelming environment. Kids, dog walkers and local workers made up a makeshift audience to a satisfying session of art and sunshine.
saigon day 3
Finally used to the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City, we decided to duck into the tea studio at Hatvala for a tea tasting experience. Our knowledgable host expertly poured and versed us in a variety of wild teas that Vietnam is famous for. We would definitely recommend this shop to anyone who enjoys a bit of leaf juice from time to time.
A reletively serene image of District 5 near our hostel. At night this street becomes a fashion hub and locals window shop from their motorbikes. The mayhem is both terrifying and fascinating.
saigon day 2
Excited and maybe still a little giddy with jet-lag, we woke up at the crack of dawn on our second day in Vietnam ready to go out and explore. Our first stop of the day was a treat reserved for the early birds. In a corner of Tao Dan Park sits a cafe where proud songbird owners display their pets in decorative wooden cages each morning. Under the cages locals sit and enjoy a cup of coffee and a smoke, starting their day off right in the musical and vibrant atmosphere.
After visiting the bird cafe, we wandered to a bustling area nearby and checked off some of the must-see tourist destinations in HCMC including the War Remnants Museum and the Reunification Palace. The above photo of the palace is a prime example of the frozen-in-time 1960's decor that makes the attraction a visual delight. Both the War Remnants Museum and Reunification Palace are brimming with historical significance and are well worth their near giveaway entrance fees.
saigon day 1
After 35 hours of travel which took us through Albuquerque, Los Angeles, Shanghai, and finally on to Ho Chi Minh, we were definitely ready to catch some Z’s in our urban oasis of a hostel, The Common Room Project. We awoke excited to gain our bearings in the frenetic new environs of HCMC. We found peace amidst the unfamiliar sights, smells and motorbike exhaust in a variety of pagodas scattered in District 5, or Cholon. At night we embarked on a street food tour led by some friendly locals and learned more about the unique culinary offerings of the city. Pictured was our favorite dish of the evening, a shredded papaya salad with dried beef liver, peanuts, herbs, and special sauce - whipped up on the spot by a legendary local street-stall vendor.
meow wolf
We were lucky to have a good friend come visit in Santa Fe, so we couldn’t miss out on one of the city’s #1 attractions - the mind-blowing art space that is Meow Wolf. It’s a blast getting lost in the vision of one of the hottest art collectives of the decade. An other-worldly experience envelopes the interior of a massive former bowling alley leased to the collective by author George R.R. Martin. The group is currently working on opening new spaces in both Denver and Las Vegas.
las conchas
Santa Fe is an ideal launching point for a deep catalogue of day hikes, many of which we took advantage of. One of our favorites was Las Conchas, a valley in the Jemez Mountains about 25 minutes past Los Alamos. Walking in the area is easy and picturesque - the perfect adventure for both two and four-legged hiking enthusiasts. On the way to the trailhead we passed by the Valles Caldera - a sight that is worth the visit in its own right.
garden of the gods
After spending an exciting few days in Denver over New Years, we drove down to Santa Fe to kick off our 2018 adventure in the high desert. With 10 days to kill before our January 15th departing flight to Vietnam, we crammed in plentiful hikes, trip prep, family chill sessions, and New Mexican meals. About an hour into our drive south from Denver we stopped at Garden of the Gods for a look around. Unusual red-rock formations dot the 1,367 acre area. This impressive park will always be free to the public in honor of the wishes of the land’s last private owner.