"Paris of the Orient" Hanoi & Ha Long Bay

 

Stop number 7 of our Asia trip will be a couple days in the city of Hanoi "Paris of the Orient". I am looking forward to a glimpse of the highlights of this cosmopolitan capital city. 

We arent 100% sure what we have planned. We are excited to go with the flow and see where we end up.  But Im pretty sure it will involve a few Ho Chi Minh sites, some temples and monasteries, the Temple of Literature (built in 1070 to honor the philosopher Confucius.) And a trip to the Old Quarter to do some shopping in the markets.

I cant wait to explore the city and countryside. In addition to the city we will be visiting Ha Long Bay for a Junk boat tour of the islands...

This week  The NY Times article came out with
The 45 Places to Go in 2012. Number 15 is
Halong Bay, Vietnam.

"Though Halong Bay, a staggering seascape of some 1,600 limestone islands and islets in the Gulf of Tonkin, formed over millions of years, there’s never been a better time to visit. In November, Halong Bay was provisionally named one of the world’s “new seven wonders of nature”... Largely untouched by humans and topped with thick jungle flora, the rock formations rise dramatically in conical peaks and pillars from the surrounding waters, which feature offshore coral reefs, freshwater swamps, mangrove forests and sandy beaches. Visitors can now reach what Ho Chi Minh himself called “the wonder one cannot impart to others,” on local junk boats, luxury cruises or a spate of new adventure tours offered by local companies." (From the NY Times article)

Have you been to Hanoi? If so please share your favorite spots with us to help us plan!

Singapore to Hong Kong 2012 Adventure...

About a year ago my Mom and I were sitting at one of our favorite little restaurants in New Preston CT, when we decided to take a trip across the world together! When I was in college I spent a semester traveling on Semester at Sea with one of my best friends from High school. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life, and I think of it often. We traveled to 13 countries over 100 days. Ever since that trip, I have wanted to go back to Asia. I am so excited to be going with my Mom, who is also one of my best friends!
We will be gone for almost 3 weeks and will be traveling from Singapore to Hong Kong, visiting   Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and China along the way. We cant wait. Throughout the next couple weeks I will be sharing our travel plans with you. But before I share more, I would like to introduce you to Brooks Truesdell Dolan who will be joining our wonderful existing team in the store while I am away, and she will be our guest blogger during our trip.

Brooks is one of my best friends younger sister,  I know all our readers and customers will love her! Brooks is very creative, loves to travel, lots of fun and an all around great gal.
Meet Brooks...

Be sure to check out  all of Brooks amazing wedding DIY projects in her wedding pics! http://eventjubilee.com/a-jubilee-event/brooks-kevin/

 Yay!! I cant wait for my upcoming trip and am so lucky to be leaving the store in such wonderful hands as Brooks, Stella, Linda, Boo, Louise, Alexa and Isabelle!!