Monument Valley is also known as Tsé Biiʼ Ndzisgaii, meaning “valley of the rocks.” It is located in Navajo Nation, along the Arizona-Utah border. The sandstone buttes are quite famous, most notably the West and East Mitten Buttes, the Totem Pole, and the Three Sisters. The scenic road is incredibly rocky and nearly took out … More Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
We had only one day in Hanoi, and we ran all over that city like mad women. We spent the most time at the Temple of Literature, dedicated to Confucius and scholars. It is the site of the Imperial Academy, the first national university in Vietnam. The temple was built in 1070. We then visited … More Hanoi, Vietnam
In Ho Chi Minh City, we finally tried the famous weasel poop coffee. It is the most expensive coffee in the world, and disgusting. I have very few worthwhile pictures of most of our time in Ho Chi Minh City, mostly because the large proportion of time spent in the War Remnants Museum. The museum … More Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
The highlight of our few days in Hue was by far the markets and a traditional Vietnamese cooking class. We bought the local ingredients and prepared a customary soup, spring rolls, and a variety of other dishes. The Then Mu Pagoda is an icon of Hue. It translates to “Pagoda of the Celestial Lady” and … More Hue, Vietnam
Hoi An was in my opinion, the most beautiful town in Vietnam. The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is easily walkable. The streets are lined with storybook buildings, all painted a pale yellow and built in a blend of French colonial and Asian design. At night, dozens of locals sell floating … More Hoi An, Vietnam
My Son Sanctuary is located in the mountainous central region of Vietnam. The relics were built by the Cham people, who lived in this region between the 4th and 13th century. The brick and stone structures symbolize the greatness of Mount Meru, the mythical mountain home of Hindu gods at the center of the universe. … More My Son Sanctuary, Vietnam
Ha Long Bay is the postcard view of the Vietnamese coast, with countless limestone karsts and isles rising from the sea. Though these islands are covered in thick vegetation, most are actually hollow within, forming labyrinths of caves inside. The entire are is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with around 1,600 islands in total. We … More Ha Long Bay, Vietnam