(Irina) The computers on Phu Quoc are not cooperating with me. I have not been able to upload any pictures and the Internet is generally really slow. May have to show you the pictures when we get back next week.

(Irina) Sorry we haven't written in a couple of days, but we've been eating... And how is that different from what we have been doing in Vietnam so far? Sheer quantity... The family is intent on feeding us like babies - every four hours or so.

We are off to Phu Quoc island and once we get there I'll provide more details on our gastronomic (and other) adventures - I think the hotel has Internet.

(Huey) In defense of my yellow bag... I have tried many times to get the stains out of the yellow bag. They will never come out. In addition, that bag has travelled more and seen more action than Charlie coming down the Ho Chi Minh trail. However just like Charlie it has not yet surfed but plans to do so soon...

(Irina) The guidebook says that when you cross the Hai Van pass between Hue and Hoi An it is as if you are entering another world. If the weather in Hue is crap, it is sunny in Hoi An. Absolutely true and it feel so good.

We have pagoda-fatigue, however...

(Irina) Y'all have been asking questions. So...

We were in Hue for two days. For two days it drizzled - the kind of coming-from-all-four-sides drizzle that can drive you crazy. But we persevered and went to see the sights...

(Irina) I have often wondered what the phrase "hauntingly beautiful" means... It is the best way to describe Halong Bay...

(Huey) We finally managed to find the right computer-internet connection combination, so here are a bunch of pictures...

The other night I got summarily kicked off the computer and could not finish my ramblings on our Sa Pa adventures. So here it goes...

(Irina) Our trip to Sa Pa was all about the "happy place."