YIPEEE!!! We can access our blog!!

Greetings from beautiful Halong Bay, Vietnam!

I don't know what's better...the view of the bay, free computers or the fact that we can actually access the blog from the computers! It's the first time I've been able to get on the blog and see all the posts. Many thanks to Erin and Annie and their blackberries as without their efforts, the blog wouldn't be as good as it is!

Five days left. It feels as though we've been on the road for months instead of just over a week. We probably had our best days in China our last days in China...we got out of the craziness of the large cities and really got to see China...even though we gave up any ability to communicate (see Adam's post). Last night we met for our first "Let's Reflect" of the trip. China and this trip means different things to different people, but listening to everyone's thoughts and reactions last night, I truly believe that this has been an extraordinary learning experience.

Today we literally walked across a bridge into Vietnam. It was a little surreal and it caught a lot of us off guard. Crossing into Vietnam is like crossing into another world. While we have mixed feelings of China, we developed a certain comfort level while there and that disappeared when we crossed into Vietnam. We had a 5+ hour bus ride getting to Halong Bay the countryside we passed by was right out of a movie. From the mountains, to the water buffalo in the rice fields, to the narrow road that couldn't handle two vehicles passing eachother, this country has already opened our eyes and we have yet to experience much of it.

We have experienced the food and I think everyone is thankful that our time with Chinese food is done. The food here has been excellent--very fresh tasting and a lot of seafood options. We are all looking forward to the morning and trying the Vietamese coffee which is suppose to be some of the best in the world.

Tomorrow we are going to have a boat tour of the bay and then get on the bus for another 3+ hour bus ride to Hanoi. On the way we are stopping to meet a farmers group. We'll leave Hanoi on Saturday and head to Hong Kong. Then Monday we finally head for the states. It's been a long trip, but I will have to say, a great one--thanks to the people in the class!