FLM mission update in the classic sense.

if there was anything resembling a narrative at one point, this would be the penultimate chapter.

i think i've made my feelings clear about tours. groups, buses, guides and blue umbrellas. uniforms, preferred by the asian variety of tourist, seem appropriate under the circumstances. foreign invaders wielding a destructive power on par with, yet more subtle, than any stratofortress.

The goal of our northern oddyssey and capital of unified Viet Nam, Hanoi. As typically the case, we rolled into this citadel of Communist power without any idea of what to expect, no clue what we would find in this the dark heart of the north.

"I don't think. My orders say I'm not supposed to know where I'm taking this boat, so I don't. But one look at you and I know it's gonna be hot, wherever it is."

It has been some rough riding. We didn't take many photos let alone stop to see much more than the road. Weather, breakdowns, and near-death experiences. Not that it hasn't been a superlative experience. Qui Non - Quang Nai - Danang - Hue. Read all about it...

Around 1,400 kilometres lay between ourselves and Hanoi, with a limited number of days to cover them. Starting early, we had our packs strapped on and were on the road headed north by 10:00. By 'road', I refer to Highway 1, a two-lane stretch (more like 1.5 lanes) not unlike Pacific Coast Highway 1 running along the California coast. Actually, much of Vietnam is oddly familiar to the point of déjà vu in that it bears much geographical and even cultural similarity to The Golden State. An elongated north to south expanse; the coast dotted with laid-back beach/port/resort towns, mountains not unlike the Sierra Nevadas, fertile agricultural valleys, and easy attitudes.

Floating in inner tubes in the south china sea, towed behind a fishing trawler converted into party boat. a sweaty shirtless vietnamese man with an embroidered cap indicating that we should refer to him as "CrazyMan" drifts across from us, seated at the "Floating Bar." He tells us "Don't be Lazy! You not drinking! You not get back in da boat until you drunk!" before pouring cheap port wine down our open pink throats.

Todd: "So Adam, wasn't there a war here or something?"

Adam: "I think so. I've seen some movies. I think we must have totally kicked Vietnam's ass."

Todd: "Well that's obvious. When we go back to Afghanistan, will our mujahadeen friends tow us around in inner tubes, pour alcohol down our throats and offer their sisters to pleasure us?"

Adam: "Definitely. I mean, did we not just totally kick ass there as well?"

Todd: "True, dat."

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