Asia will blow you away...

Posted on Aug 8th 2008, 09:49

Hey y'all!

Vietnam and China are probably two of the craziest countries you
could ever trek through. While the language barrier creates a
problem, I would say the cultural differences are just so vast that
you can't help but find differences left and right. For instance,
when I took my first drive in Hanoi I was befuddled by the beeping,
honking, and crazy driving exhibited by – everyone! Even my taxi
driver was on the verge of hitting every other person (including the
family of five huddled on a motorcycle suited for two).

But, all in all, I would say that you need to bring these two to the
top of your travel wish list. If anyone has told you recently that
travel is expensive, you will be blown away at how far your money can
go over here! Let me convert some things for you that I saw in China
and Vietnam (this is all priced out in American dollars): handmade
traditional silk dress ($12), Coca-Cola ($0.50), Adidas sneakers
($15),etc. The list goes on and on. The two boxes I shipped home were
over 25 pounds each. Oh boy, can anyone say shopping spree?

There is actually just too much to say about this tour. It's
difficult to put into words how hysterical it is to be haggled by
little old ladies in Chengyang on the wind and rain bridges. (They
basically come up to you and scream, “You want to buy? Only one
hundred!” Even if you say no, they continue to lower the price until
it's roughly 70% off. If you're a good bargainer, come here!)

It's unfathomable to describe the Longji rice terraces. (One of the
coolest places on the planet – the Drong people, an ethnic Chinese
minority actually carved these terraces into the side of a mountain
to avoid leaving their homeland. Talk about determination! It took
over seven hundred years to complete. That's pretty hardcore if I do
say so myself.)

It's also impossible to try and explain how much fun an Intrepid tour
is! You grow so close to the nine or ten other people you're with,
that you have a family connection. You know? I guess it can only be
put one way: traveling with Intrepid is like finding out you have
another package of Ramen noodles downstairs. Or that your cellphone
bill is $100 less than you thought. Or your favorite TV show is
coming back for another season. It's just an all-around immersing
experience. Peace out everyone!