While we were in Halong Bay one of our guides told us about the significance of the five Chinese elements in the lives of the Vietnamese. Depending on the year you are born, you are characterized by one of the five elements. For instance, I am the element of wood. In Vietnam, when you are thinking of getting married, you first visit a fortune teller to find out if you and your partner’s elements match. If they don’t match, the relationship ends. It sounds so incredibly final, yet as Miss May reassured me, “They will still be friends. No problem.”

Let me just start by saying that Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) is totally awesome. Let me follow that up by saying we didn’t have the best time there. We arrived in Saigon with 50% of us pretty ill. Albert had gotten sick in Cambodia and was recovering slowly when we arrived in Vietnam. He spent about 5 days in bed. I spent a lot of those days worrying about him while sightseeing as much as I could; he slept.

I was run down, worried about Al, feeling lonely, reading too much news and feeling like a jerk for being an American in post-war Vietnam.  It wasn’t the best way to start off our trip but after almost a week of resting and recovering, we explored a lot of the city.  There are trendy cafes hidden in alleyways, hip boutiques and great food.  Saigon is what’s up in Asia.  I prefer it over Bangkok.  I said it!

From Saigon we headed straight north to Hanoi.  The motorbikers in Hanoi (and Saigon) are insane.  There are 5 million motorbikes in Hanoi alone. People with whole families, stores, and livestock are riding motorbikes around the tiny streets.  We saw a couple accidents, thankfully nothing too bad, but it is still scary and dangerous.

Hanoi has a very strong French influence and it’s chaotic and charming all in one.  There are lakes throughout the city where you can sit all day and watch the craziness around you.

We made a last minute decision to go to Halong Bay, a bay with over 2,000 islands.  It has been named a natural wonder of the world and is truly phenomenal.  The bay is covered with old Asian junk boats with traditional sails.  It was beautiful and peaceful.  I feel lucky to have experienced it.

Vietnam is a wonderful, crazy, beautiful and exciting place.  The food is fresh and unique. The people work hard and enjoy life.  The culture is rich and passionate.

From Thailand, we crossed the border into Cambodia by bus.  We had read horror stories in our guidebooks and throughout Internet forums of scams that happen crossing the Thai-Cambodian border.  Apparently there is a “bus mafia” that spots you before you go through the border, so we went into it prepared.  We wrote down the prices of each taxi ride, bus ride, visa cost, etc. so that we’d never have our guidebooks out.

Though you are never really prepared, everything went smoothly. We beat the bus mafia and enjoyed a stunning taxi ride from the border to Siem Reap, Cambodia. The scenery was so gorgeous. It’s unbelievable and not what I expected.

(South Gate, Angkor Wat)

One of my favorite places in Cambodia was Angkor Wat, which translates to mean “City of Temples.” And it is just that.  Built in the early 12th century by King Suryavaman II, Angkor Wat is the largest Hindu temple in the world.  We spent a whole day walking through only a tiny part of the grounds. Some people spend a week or more there.  I loved it – it was so breathtaking and remarkable.

(Ta Prohm, Angkor Wat)

(Bayon Temple, Angkor Wat)

Our second favorite part about Cambodia was meeting our friend Sombum (pronounced Sombomb). He was kind enough to take us home to his village with him. We spent a day with his family and also part took in a high school graduation.

Sombum’s brother started a non-profit school which is run 100% by people in the village. If you are ever moved to donate in Cambodia, I truly believe in this school. Check out more here.

Cambodia really left a strong impression on me. The people of Cambodia have struggled and risen from a horrific genocide. Their country is still covered in millions of landmines. Yet, they are some on the most friendly, giggly and welcoming people I have met so far. I can’t wait to return.

There are a couple of apps we have used religiously since we have been on our trip that I wanted to share with you.

(iphone case by Monster Rally/Ted Feighan via society6.com)

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Skyscanner

It makes me sad to say it, but Kayak is not at all as good as Skyscanner.  Skyscanner is perfect for us because you can, let’s say, search for flights for prices from “Turkey to Everywhere” to check prices to destinations all over the world.

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Foodspotting

This app has pictures that customers take while they are eating at a certain place place.  It has been great turning us onto local night markets and food stalls.  I love it.

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XE

XE is a currency exchange app that we end up checking almost everywhere we go.

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Instagram

When we first started our trip, wireless was sparse.  I guess in some ways it still is, but through Instagram we can stay connected by just a picture.  I am @serrellio.