To Vietnam we go: Ho Chi Minh City

Wow! Two posts one day! With this shotty internet that is a major victory.
My last day in Vietnam. What a beautiful country.
I wasnt sure what to expect, leading up to our arrival our lectures all focused on the war and the effects it had on the veterans from the US. So i was anxious to see the other side of things and begin to understand the impact the war had on the amazing country of Vietnam.
About 3,000,000 Vietnamese people were killed during the Vietnam War.
But the country is not focused around the past, there is a very positive attitude towards the future of Vietnam.
My time spent here was based in the southern part of the country, which is the agricultural side of the country.
All of the pictures below are from Ho Chi Minh City and our trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels.

Here is the War Remnants Museum.
This visit was very sad and hard to see but it was very eye opening.

Here is our guide at the Cu Chi Tunnels!
This trip was so much fun, I didnt think i would make it considering I had 3 hours of sleep the night before, but Im definitely glad I got up to climb through these tiny tunnels!

Here I am at the shooting range. I didnt think I ever wanted to shoot a gun, but I did for the first time: It was an AK47 in 'Nam.
Pretty insane right?

hahhaa Every time I shot everyone would laugh at me.
Probably because I literally jumped up each time.

So proud I did it, I bought many trinkets including this ridiculous hat and a necklace with a bullet shell on it.
Tres, tres chic.

Vietnam is full of so much natural beauty.

Our tour guide wanted us to take a shot after the tunnels. However after the night I had before the field trip, I could not get myself to do it.
I have so many more pics to share from my trip to the Mekong Delta!
I had a great time with my two partners Jackie and Jimmy. We went on the most remote, local tour and had an absolute blast!
Im off to the ship where I will be awaiting my 8 day stretch all the way to India!
Cant wait to chill for a while on the ship and catch up on reading, emails, and life, as well as do all my research for what I think will be the most amazing destination of all: India.
To my friends and family: I miss you all so very much.
Please leave me comments or
email me at mecohlmia@semesteratsea.net

xoxo,
Mikey

Hong Kong: A Dream City

One our way to the Peak to look out on to Hong Kong!

The restaurant we ate at on the Peak. A very special brunch, to say the least.

In my favorite area of Hong Kong, Hollywood Rd. So many amazing antique stores.

Here is the view from one of the loveliest restaurants I have ever been to.

Here we are at the biggest Buddha in the world.

***Breathtaking***

AND to end our trip we ventured to the most magical place of all,

HONG KONG DISNEYLAND!!!!

Hong Kong was a dream city. I would move there in a heart beat.

Today I am blogging from a cafe in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

It is my last day here and I have so many photos to share.

We went to the Mekong Delta and around Ho Chi Minh.

So far Vietnam has exceeded all of my expectations.

This has been the first port that feels really out of my element and I love that feeling.

Cant wait to share everything with you all, I hope I can upload the photos before India

(which is next week!!!)

But it may be a week or so if I cant get it done before today, so we shall see.

Whoever may be peaking at this blog, thank you so much!

Im really missing my friends and family so much because I wish I could be seeing these places with them by my side.

Love you all!

Email me at mecohlmia@semesteratsea.net

Welcome to China!

Here we are! In Shanghai!!
The feeling of waking up and seeing a new and exciting city is the greatest in the world.

We have been in China during the Chinese New Year, which is a huge break for everyone here and has also created MASS amounts of people in tiny places.

Pretty flowers at our hotel!

Did I mention my parents met me in Shanghai??!?

This dancing child is worth 1,000,000,000,000 YouTube hits.

Inspiring ad in the subway station.

Arent my parents a handsome couple?
Photo taken at Dad's favorite martini bar in Shanghai.

Pearl market after martinis isnt always the best choice.
After two days in Shanghai my parents and I traveled to Gulin and drove to Yangshou with our wonderful Gulin tour guide, Cherry.

This is the beginning of the most amazing rafting trip. It was so insanely beautiful and exotic. I was literally speechless the entire time.

My mom and I were given the cutest flower crowns; I now am positive I will wear one on my wedding day.

Cherry took us to a beautiful cave in Gulin.
(Yes, her name was Cherry. Mom called her Candy once by accident.)

The last few days we have been in Hong Kong. Its an amazing city, I think my favorite so far. Cant wait to share pics very very soon!

Also, a brief shoutout to my sister and her friends who I heard were checking out this blog. Thanks so much!!
So I have 3 more viewers, thats 5 including my parents!!!