Singapore: Chinatown

Singapore is a very culturally diverse and harmonious city-state.  Below are two photos from Chinatown right after their Chinese new year celebrations.  2014 is the year of the horse!  And Lucky Cat is a staple.

Singapore: Downtown

After spending a few weeks in Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand, arriving in Singapore was like entering back into the West.  Well, in some ways.  As a tourist, I was loving the very strict social laws, which made me feel very safe and free to explore the city on my own.

Below are two photos from the top of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel.

Vietnam: Grotto of Ha Long Bay

At some points of Ha Long Bay, you can get out and walk within the limestone rock islands and go through the caves and grottos on the islands.  Below is a photo within one of the grottos in Ha Long Bay.

Vietnam: Ha Long Bay boaters

Kids and women work on small boats in Ha Long Bay doing tasks such as bringing tourists to small alcoves in the bay as well as selling fruit and concessions.  Below are some photos of a woman rowing tourists through the bay as well as children who were flogging fruit to tourists.

Vietnam: Ha Long Bay docks

Out within Ha Long Bay or several houses and docks where people live and tourists stop at during their journey throughout the bay.  On these docks are very colorful homes and boats, a few photos are below.

Vietnam: Ha Long Bay scenery

A three-hour drive north of Hanoi brings you to the beautiful Ha Long Bay.  Ha Long Bay is filled with over 1600 limestone islands that make a trip through the bay seem like an unending trip of islands for as long as you can see.  Below are several photos of the islands and scenery that do not even close to capture the bay.

Vietnam: Streets of Hanoi

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and the country's second largest city, after Ho Chi Minh City.  Although the capital, there are many whindy small streets and shops that give it a village-type neighborhood feel.  The small character-filled streets are filled with motorbikes and vendors walking along the road.  Below are a few photos from the streets of Hanoi.