riding above the clouds

 We started our morning with a muddy ride through a tea tree farm, and after a few minutes, we noticed a heroin needle on the ground. The more we looked around, the more we noticed- there were piles upon piles of needles stuck into the mud. The guide explained there was a huge heroin problem in this area, and the hilly trails provided heroin users with a secluded area to shoot up. 

 For the rest of the day, we rode up a series of mountains, never taking a single downhill path. For most of the time, we found ourselves riding through clouds.

 As we rounded a bend in the road, we broke above the clouds and felt the warmth of the sun for the first time in Vietnam. We then watched as the clouds rose further and enveloped the road we had just traveled.

 Even with limited visibility, the view was breathtaking.

 We soon reached Sa Pa, a large town nestled in the mountain and our stopping place for the evening. The clouds drifting through the town created an eerie atmosphere.

 The next morning, we went for a hike to the highest point of the mountain. The sun came out, the clouds settled below the town, and for the first time, we could see the entire landscape.

 Sunburned and relaxed, we drove down the mountain from Sa Pa to Lao Cai, where we boarded an overnight train back to Hanoi. We arrived in Hanoi at 5 am to find the station soaked from the evening's rain.

neon villages, fog forests

The neon accents of Vietnamese villagers provided a stunning contrast to the dirty streets and foggy atmosphere. We would follow the road through misty jungles for miles, and turn a corner to find ourselves in a vibrant, bustling village. The combination was completely surreal.

on the road

New Years in Hanoi, and our first day of riding

 Picking up gear at the Explore Indochina offices

New Years in Hanoi

Motorcycle part heaven

My Russian Minsk

Not a bad place for a lunch break, huh?

For our first night on the road, we stayed at with a Thai family in an amazing stilt house. Aside from getting bit by a dog, it was a great experience!

Fabric scrap balls in a local market

Stunning colors on some vietnamese embroidery

A day in Hanoi

View from the hotel...not too shabby!

A very fancy hotel...which we are not staying in.

Inedible dogs wear sweaters, edible dogs wear sauce.

Cheap beers at breakfast

Cheap beers at lunch