Leg 17 is complete

Leg 17 is complete: all train and taxi journeys were successfully transited. It was difficult at best, but somehow we made it to Hanoi. Happy to be here, already enjoying the slower pace.

The mileage:

Hong Kong to Guangzhou, China train: 100 miles;

Guangzhou to Nanning, China train: 375 miles;

Nanning to Hanoi Vietnam train: 200 miles.

Miles traveled to date: 18845.

Looking forward to our stay in Vietnam, more to come...

Part 1 of Leg 17

The high speed train from Hong Kong (Kowloon) to Guangzhou East Railway Station in China.

Flickr photos updated

Flickr site updated with all the photos through our first night in Hong Kong, including the Trans-Mongolian, and Beijing/Great Wall shots.  Check it out:

http://www.flickr.com/

Leg 17 begins today

Leg 17 begins today, a potentially arduous 3-leg journey from Hong Kong to Hanoi, Vietnam.

3 different trains, lengthy layovers should insure an easy transfer, but we'll still need to navigate 3 overcrowded train stations, 3 massive crowds, 3 language barriers.  No problem, there's gold at the end of this (ahem) rainbow!

Until arrival in Hanoi on Tuesday morning, note that blog posts, email, phone, and text messages will probably be delayed.

Last night in Hong Kong

After returning from Macau, our last night in Hong Kong...the view from Upper House top floor bar, the hotel we stayed in.

This is what a failed casino looks like

Overbuilding and a bad economy equal some unfortunate results.

Macau's Fisherman's Wharf is a perfect example: a derelict deserted closed casino built to look like some ancient civilization.

The ruins of fake ruins...

Leg 16.5: bonus country Macau

Went to Macau for the day, bonus country as part of Leg 16.

The mileage: 80 miles round trip by Turbo Jet Ferry; now 18170 miles total.

A former Portuguese colony, you see the influence in many things, from street signs to food.

Made a beeline for the 3 Lamps district and the food markets. Spent a few hours there sampling hot stuffed peppers and baked goods stuffed with ham, cheese, bacon, and olives.

We were clearly the only non-Asians at a packed lunch spot and we ate sautéed greens and shredded chicken and noodles in a spicy vinegary broth.

Headed to the cathedral and casino area where things become much more touristy. Note to fellow travelers: stick to the alleyway markets, it's much more fun.

All in all a fun day with great weather