Commerce in the clouds

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Sunset behind Sapa’s mountain range | Photo by Lauren Girardin As fast as a hawk snatches a field mouse, a woman comes around to the front of her market booth, where I’ve stopped to look at an earring. It was…

On a bizarre tangent to Nicaragua

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Photo courtesy Joshua Berman Let’s leave the rice noodles, fish sauce, and sweet pineapples of Southeast Asia for a moment to join Todd’s brother Joshua Berman, guidebook and travel writer. Lately, Josh has been working as the location specialist on…

Nimh Binh and Tam Coc, Vietnam travel tips

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Tourism is just picking up speed in Tam Coc and Nimh Binh, Vietnam. Older guidebooks list hotels in the main town, Nimh Binh, and most are small, geared towards the independent backpacker and Vietnamese. A lot of newer, schnazzier hotels…

From dawn to dusk

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The Karsts of Tam Coc | Art by Todd Berman The sleeper bus pulls away, its driver honking repeatedly to warn the empty highway that it’s about to barrel through, leaving Todd and I standing on the dark sidewalk at…

Hue, Vietnam travel tips

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We are indebted to Vietnamese God and Travelfish.org for leading us to excellent restaurants after we discovered that Lonely Planet’s Hue restaurant recommendations served inedible food. Read on for travel tips. Where we ate: Quan Ba Hoa, 7 Truong Dinh…

A royal-sized attitude problem

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Imperial Citadel’s giant phoenix-chicken, Hue | Photo by Lauren Girardin Todd and I explore Hue through the kind of precipitation that never attains full rain status, an annoying mist that is more like god is gleeking on you. Clouds hang…

Hoi An, Vietnam travel tips

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A tour group mecca, Hoi An, Vietnam has a glut of tourist offerings. It’s a great place to wander the streets, gawk at tacky shops, and pick up some custom made clothes. Read on for travel tips.

Nha Trang, Vietnam travel tips

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We didn’t get to spend the kind of time we wanted to spend in Nha Trang, Vietnam because relentless rain drove us out. Still, we have a few finds worth your visit. Read on for the travel tips.

Cau lau with Cam and Nicole, Hoi An, Vietnam photo

A swollen river view

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View of Hoi An | Art by Todd Berman Years ago Jesse, a native San Franciscan, met Sarah, a Brit, in charming Hoi An, Vietnam. A few visas later these two good friends of ours tied the knot – unfortunately…

My new girlfriend

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Drying fish, Nha Trang, Vietnam | Photo by Lauren Girardin I don’t hear the moto‘s engine as it pulls up behind me, so I don’t realize a woman is behind me until she starts humping my leg.