Our journey started with a quick stop in Hong Kong, which helped us land in Vietnam full of energy and excitement to explore something totally new. I was especially pumped because my friend Vickie flew all the way from Alaska to join us. She’s an absolute hoot one of those people who keeps you laughing no matter what kind of chaos you find yourself in.
We basically handed over our whole itinerary to a local woman named Ann who lives in Vietnam. How I found her? Honestly, I don’t even remember. I just know I spent weeks scouring the internet trying to find the perfect person to help us plan this trip. And somehow, I struck gold. Ann was that person! She had everything booked and mapped out, from the airport pickup to our final drop-off.
None of us really knew what to expect. Ann would only send us one detail at a time, and if we tried to ask questions, she’d just respond with something like “No worry! I take care of everything!” It all began with a text right after we landed:
“Hi, welcome to Vietnam at 11am you stand at column 20 of the international airport lobby. There will be a taxi to pick you up to the Quang Tuyen bus to go Ha Giang. I have paid for the bus for you, you can pay me later because I think you don’t have cash.”
So… what did we do? We walked out to column 20 and sure enough, there was a sweet Vietnamese man standing there with a big smile, waiting for us. We hopped in the car and tried to ask a few questions to make sure we were in the right car, but he didn’t speak a word of English. He just smiled, nodded, and pointed enthusiastically out the window at random things.
After a short drive, he dropped us off at what looked like a totally random street corner. There were rats running around, an alley to one side, and a lone convenience store. We got out, confused, and just stood there wondering what the heck we had signed up for. Then I got another text:
“Wait for a bus between 11:15–11:30.”
So… we waited.
Eventually, the bus screeched to a halt on the side of a highway. The driver rushed to the back and yelled, “Four! Four! You off!” Guess that was our cue. We scrambled up, grabbed our stuff (which had been tossed onto the street), and then… another text from Ann:
“Walk across the street, turn left, and walk about 10 minutes.”
So we did what we do best, laughed, embraced the unknown, and started walking. About 10 minutes in, someone pulled up on a moped and asked, “Ann’s house?” We said yes, and they motioned for us to hop on. Of course we did and off we zoomed into the mountains.
Tomorrow, we were going to start our 6-day motorbike journey through the Ha Giang Loop. and we had no idea what was in store for us next.
Day 2: Vietnam
Our day started bright and early with breakfast made by Ann. It was simple but delicious: rice topped with a fried egg. Definitely not the massive breakfast spreads we’re used to in America, but hey, we weren’t here for pancakes and bacon. We were here for adventure!
Because it was still raining, Ann handed us each a poncho kit. What we didn’t realize at the time was that these ponchos would turn out to be life-saving during the freezing days to come. Head to toe, we were covered up and ready to ride.
Ann had every detail organized, right down to which guide each of us would ride with. I was paired with Kong, he said, “Like King Kong!” and flexed his muscles to prove it. A solid first impression. Gavin was assigned to Phi, a sweet guy in his early 20s who ended up treating Gavin like royalty. We never really caught the names of Vickie’s and Mya’s drivers. Vickie’s guy was obsessed with music, and Mya’s guy gained fame for his, uh... impressive loogie launching skills. Honestly, I was just grateful to be with Kong. Once we were suited up and strapped in, we hit the road.
Riding on the back of a motorbike made us feel like we were part of the city. I loved soaking in every detail of the Vietnamese lifestyle. This part of the trip quickly became my favorite. We made several stops along the way to take in the breathtaking views. The rain and fog actually added a little magic to the scenery. We’d wind our way up into the clouds, surrounded by mist, and then dip back down into the bustling rhythm of the city. It was absolutely beautiful. As usual, we had no idea how long we’d be riding or where we were going exactly but that thrill of the unknown was something I thriving on.
Just when I thought we were deep in the middle of nowhere, we’d suddenly roll into a town hustling with people, scooters, and buses. We stopped for lunch at a local spot and were served more rice, chicken, tofu, and cabbage. The food was tasty, but the strong smell of cigarette smoke at the restaurant was definitely not my favorite part.
One of the most memorable stops that day was a tiny silver shop that’s been around for over 100 years. Apparently, they’ve made pretty much everyone’s wedding rings in the valley! Each village specializes in a different trade, and this one was all about silver. Mya and I even got matching rings, real silver, and only $8 each! Total score.
After lunch, we rode for another four hours, and things got wild. We went completely off-road, zipping through rain and fog, past old clay houses. I have no idea how our guides knew where to go in those conditions. And then came the surprise: we were doing a homestay with a local family that night!
We pulled up to a beautiful home in a small village nestled in the hills. The family welcomed us in and showed us to our rooms. They explained that the village only gets water when it rains, so we were asked not to shower or use too much. Even though it had been pouring all day, that water had to last a long time. It made us appreciate every drop.
On the walk back to the house for dinner, Vickie pointed out red banners hanging above every doorway. We learned they were called Tết couplets, decorative cloths with beautiful writing that symbolize the ancestors who lived there and the wisdom they passed down. I thought that was such a cool tradition.
Then the highlight of the night! We stumbled across a tiny convenience store. We were craving something sweet and practically squealed when we found Moon Pies. We bought 12. After dinner, we devoured them around the table, and the guides were SHOCKED we each ate two. Their faces were priceless; they couldn’t fathom that much sugar in one sitting. We were just laughing, because honestly, in America, two Moon Pies is nothing.
The night ended with us full, happy, and so grateful to crawl into another warm bed. We couldn’t wait to see what kind of craziness tomorrow would bring.
Day 3:
The next morning kicked off with a warm, steamy bowl of pho for breakfast the Vietnamese dish I was most excited to try! It was savory, comforting, and the perfect way to start a day full of adventure.
After breakfast, we suited up in our dusty dirty ponchos, ready to face whatever the day threw at us. Little did we know, those ponchos would be lifesavers. Without them, we would’ve been totally drenched and caked in mud. The pancho was like an old friend I was happy to have with me every morning.
As we cruised through the countryside, I’d glance back and see the rest of our crew bouncing along on their bikes. Vickie and Mya looked especially cute with their pink helmets bobbing side to side. Kong, our guide, would yell out, “My home! Welcome to Vietnam!” and every time I’d shout back, “Your home is beautiful, thank you!”. This phrase was repeted mulitle times a day.
There were plenty of scenic breaks, smoke stops, and stunning views to soak in. Along the roadside, we witnessed scenes that felt straight out of a movie: locals preparing chickens for dinner, kids swinging from tree branches, moms balancing babies in baskets on motorbikes, and little kids waving sickles with huge smiles. It was raw, real, and completely captivating. Many of the homes were made of sticks and leaves, and we even saw people stuffing hay between the cracks to stay warm at night. One thing we didn’t expect? The cold!
As we rode further, the landscapes kept getting better. That day, we even saw the border of China! We could spot the wall running along the distance. Not the Great Wall of China but the wall that went across the border. It was wild to think we were that far from home.
For lunch, they served us an entire plate of fried fish...eyeballs and all. The fish were staring straight into our souls. Our guides happily dug in, while we each took a tiny nibble, trying our best not to offend. Honestly, the portion size of food on this tour was never lacking. They fed us so much. But as Americans not used to eating piles of meat at every meal, we often gravitated toward the eggs and cabbage. Lighter, and way easier on our stomachs!
That afternoon’s ride was rough an hour down a bumpy, slippery dirt road. You really had to brace yourself with your hands behind you, gripping the edge of the seat to avoid sliding right into your driver’s lap. It was a workout just staying upright. But eventually, we made it to the beautiful river!
Getting off the bikes, we all waddled like penguins stiff hips, sore backs, and limbs that forgot how to walk. Before we hopped on the boat, Vickie bought dim sum from a street vendor. She said the bun was great… until we realized it was wrapped in someone’s used math homework. Yup. Authentic and sanitary.
The boat ride, though, was an absolute blast! We had a speaker blasting music, our guide hyping us up, and a full-on dance party as we floated up the river. Even our guides couldn’t resist the beat we were all grooving together under the cloudy sky.
Then came another surprise: we’d be camping tonight! We had no clue how far the site was, and no one dared ask. Back on the bikes we went, zooming through more towns, waving to curious locals and getting a glimpse of everyday life.
Our campsite sat on a hill overlooking a charming little village, strung with twinkly lights. We were staying in a giant shared yurt, complete with a massive floor pad. It wasn’t exactly the Ritz, but it was ours for the night. The shower situation, however, was less charming ice cold water and a showerhead positioned right next to the toilet, so everything in the bathroom got soaked. I was beyond grateful for my cozy red Disney sweater to curl up in afterward!
That night, we watched the sunset and shared a hot pot dinner with our guides. Nothing was wasted including the entire chicken, head, and all, proudly displayed in the middle of the tray. I stuck with the hot dogs and some veggie straw-looking greens, I kept asking if the hot dogs were done to be sure I wasn't fed the chicken skull. We also tried black chicken, which tasted like chewing on beef jerky — tough but interesting! Again, we barely made a dent in the meal, and I felt bad knowing how much effort went into cooking it, especially without modern appliances. That chicken was probably clucking around just a few hours earlier.
Thankfully, back in the yurt, a little treat was waiting for us! A Moon Pie. It was the end to a long, unforgettable day.
Day 4:
This morning started with something we hadn’t seen in days… bread! Actual bread. After nonstop rice, our carb-deprived bodies were rejoicing. And while I never imagined chili spread on toast would become my go-to breakfast, it somehow hit the spot as a weirdly perfect comfort food moment.
Once we were fed and happy, we suited up in our gear and hopped back on the bikes. Today was going to be a long one. When we casually mentioned to Phi, our guide, that we showered with cold water the night before, his jaw practically hit the floor. He looked horrified. We laughed it off, but he seemed genuinely heartbroken about it. That’s when he lit up and announced, “Tonight: Farm Stay. With hot showers!”
Farm Stay? We had no idea what that meant. Were we going to sleep in a barn with cows? A mud hut on a field? A hammock between trees? Who knew we were just along for the ride.
Before leaving town, we stopped at a bustling local market. I’m always fascinated how fresh produce just sits on tarps on the dusty ground, yet everyone swarms to it. We treated ourselves to some flavorless pastries made by the cutest little kids. The market was lively and chaotic in the best way.
Back on the road, we were surrounded by stunning mountain landscapes. Absolutely massive peaks filled the skyline. Once again, Kong kept yelling, “Welcome to my home!” and I’d call back, “Your home is beautiful!” our daily exchange that never got old.
Lunch was a pleasant surprise it seemed like our guides were finally catching on that we weren’t huge fans of meat and fish. They brought us French fries, and we were thrilled. Something familiar! Vickie kept us laughing, especially when they served tofu and cabbage again. She dryly pointed out, “Oh look what I already had today.” Classic.
After lunch, it was time for a challenge: a windy road leading up to a mystery hike. We had no clue what “a hike” meant at this point, but we were game. One benefit of traveling in the off-season? We had the entire road to ourselves. It was so fun zig-zagging up the curves like a mini motorcycle gang.
At the top, we got to stretch our legs before hiking to a viewpoint. But first you guessed it our guide needed a smoke break. As we waited, I watched a local man struggle to strap a huge crate of live chickens to his bike. They were squawking and flapping, trying to escape. It was both wild and kind of disturbing.
The hike itself was short but worth it. The view was exactly what I had pictured Vietnam to look like: lush, rolling hills with quiet villages nestled in their folds. We were also able to see the road we just ventured up. This might have been my favorite view of the trip so far. And with smoother roads today, I could actually relax and enjoy it.
One thing I wasn't expecting to see? Was so many kids. So many kids and most of them thought it was hilarious to flip us off. They’d look all sweet and smiley… then at the last second, boom middle finger. It was shocking at first, but honestly, it became kind of funny. A cheeky little surprise from our tiny hecklers.
When we finally pulled into Farm Stay, we couldn’t believe it. It wasn’t a barn or a shack it was a beautiful resort tucked up against the mountains. It looked like it could host hundreds of people… and we had the whole place to ourselves. There were mountain views, a giant rope swing, a greenhouse, and rows of cabbage fields. We were in heaven. The lodge had soft beds, real floors, heaters, and praise be hot showers. We were so happy, we practically skipped around the property before dinner.
And dinner? Insane. They brought out dish after dish until we couldn’t even see the table anymore. Meat soup, eggs, beef cabbage wraps, fish, chicken, salad, rice, fries, bread we were eating like royalty in a private mountain palace. We couldn’t make a dent in the food, no matter how hard we tried. And the real flower arrangements all over the property? Stunning. Giant bouquets in every corner. It felt like a fairy tale.
Farm Stay was hands down our favorite night of the whole trip. We kept saying it out loud over and over again: “I LOVE Farm Stay.” We didn't want to leave.
We ended the night with more Moon Pies and a game of Farkle. I had a horrible round couldn’t even roll enough points to enter the game so I pouted a little. But even my tragic loss couldn’t ruin my mood. I was warm, full, and happy.
Farm Stay forever!!
Day 5:
We thought today was going to be our last day on the bikes and our bodies were definitely counting down the minutes. After riding nearly 400 kilometers on winding, bumpy roads, we were ready to give our hips, backs, and bums a much needed break.
But nope. The guides warned us: “Today is going to be one of the longest days yet.” We mentally prepared ourselves for another marathon. Before the big push, though, we had a few stops lined up starting with a national park where we learned a bit about Ho Chi Minh. We got to see the actual cave he hid in for years. It was cool and eerie at the same time. We tried to ask more about it, but our guide limited by the language barrier just shrugged and said, “I don’t know.” Fair enough. At least he was honest.
As soon as we jumped off the bikes, the chatter started: “That was the coldest thing I’ve ever experienced!” We could barely move, stiff as boards, hands like icicles. A nearby restaurant became our refuge though sadly, it wasn’t the warm, cozy spot we’d hoped for. There was a breeze blowing through and not a heater in sight. The kind restaurant owner, seeing our shivering, brought out a big plastic pitcher for us to warm our hands on. Bless him. 
Lunch, once again, was a familiar spread: meat, tofu, and more meat. By this point, the never-ending fried chicken parade had crushed our appetites. We barely touched our plates. The flavors just weren’t hitting anymore. But with a long afternoon ride ahead, we had to dig deep and get mentally tough.
Luckily, the skies cleared, and the second half of the day was much more manageable. We rode through more towns full of unexpected sights each village offering something wild or weird to gawk at. Eventually, we rolled up to one of the most epic stops of the trip: Ban Gioc Waterfall, sitting right on the border between Vietnam and China!
Every time Gavin hopped on the bike, his driver Phi would buckle his helmet for him like a protective big brother. It was the cutest little ritual, and we loved watching him do it over and over again. Phi was the MVP of the day. To our surprise, Cave Stay turned out to be a cozy little hotel tucked up against a rocky hillside. Not too cave-like at all! Our rooms had heaters, soft beds, and clean floors a dream after the day we’d had. As soon as we checked in, we collapsed into bed and refused to move… until our guide told us we had to get back on the bikes to see some actual caves.
Cave Stay wasn’t anything fancy, but after a freezing ride, numb fingers, and another tofu-heavy meal, it gave us exactly what we needed: warmth, rest, and a little more Moon Pie magic.
Day 6
We thought today was going to be simple just a short walk to a nearby bus stop and a cozy ride back to Hanoi. Easy, right? Well, when we checked the map, our jaws dropped. Hanoi looked miles. And that’s when it hit us we had another full day of riding ahead. We were looking forward to the end! We passed by a buffalo village and another that makes all the knifes!
To our surprise, the ride flew by with just a few quick breaks. Before we knew it, we were entering a town that looked much more developed with cute bakeries, charming cafés, and actual sidewalks. The sweet smell of pastries drifted through the air, and I could practically taste the fluffy carbs. My stomach was ready for lunch. I had high hopes that being back in civilization meant we’d get something other than tofu and cabbage.
I was wrong.
Our guides pulled up to the most rundown-looking restaurant no menu, no bakery case, nothing remotely café-like. Just the usual suspects: tofu, fish, chicken, and cabbage. Again. My taste buds waved a little white flag. I forced down some rice because I knew we had a five-hour bus ride ahead, and I needed something in my belly to survive it.
With semi-full stomachs, the guides told us to grab our stuff the bus was coming soon. That’s when it hit me: it was time to say goodbye. We'd shared so many laughs, adventures, and freezing cold bike rides with our guides over the past several days. It was strange and a little sad to think we’d probably never see them again. We hugged them one last time and then climbed into a 12-passenger van feeling all kinds of nostalgic.
Where were we going? Who knew. Our only instructions were: “Stay on the bus and follow the driver.” So we did, along with a few other confused passengers who were picked up along the way. Eventually, we were told to hop off and switch buses the real one, across the street. We ran over and were thrilled to see the setup: five beds across the back row. We claimed them instantly, kicked off our shoes, and stretched out our legs.
Thankfully, we had some movies downloaded and snacks in our bags. As the bus rumbled on, we recapped our favorite memories from the trip and laughed about how wild the past week had been.
A few hours in, the driver suddenly stopped and began talking rapidly in Vietnamese. Panicked, I bolted to the front, pointing to myself saying, “Me? My stop?” over and over. He just kept talking, and I kept panicking I did not want to end up stranded in some random part of Vietnam. Eventually, I realized he was just announcing a break. I was so relieved, I ran back to the group to tell them… and they lost it. Full-on belly laughing, mocking me: “Me?? Me??” I couldn’t even be mad. I didn’t want to be stranded, okay?!
Unfortunately, the bathroom stop was... horrifying. A squatty potty with a bucket of questionable water for “flushing.” Just thinking about it makes my skin crawl. How anyone can use that every day is beyond me. Honestly, clean toilets are always the thing I’m most grateful for when I return to the U.S.
After six hours, we finally arrived in Hanoi. The bus dropped us at a huge station and we wandered around aimlessly, trying to figure out how to get to our Airbnb, which was still 30 minutes away. We were too tired to haggle, so we jumped into the first cab we found. Lucky for us, our driver turned out to be a legend. Our Airbnb was in the Old Quarter which, if you’ve been, you know is basically a maze of street markets, mopeds, and pedestrians. He wove through the chaos like a pro, trying to get us as close as humanly possible. We kept telling him, “We can walk from here!” but he waved us off. In hindsight, he probably should’ve listened, because when he finally parked, it looked like his car was completely swallowed by the madness.
For dinner, we had just one goal: no more cabbage. We were desperate for something American-ish. Luckily, we found a spot serving pizza and pasta. It wasn’t exactly like home, but it was warm, cheesy, and not fish or tofu — which was good enough for us.
We wrapped up the night with a little shopping and some much-needed ice cream. After everything we’d been through, it tasted like victory.
Day 7:
The adventure didn’t end in Hanoi! The next morning, we said a bittersweet goodbye to Vickie, and then it was just Mya, Gavin, and me off on a 2-day river cruise in Ha Long Bay! Getting there wasn’t exactly a breeze. Our journey involved a taxi, a ferry, and a bus, but eventually we made it and once we saw the bay, it was all worth it. The emerald water and limestone cliffs instantly reminded me of Thailand. Absolutely stunning.
We boarded our boat and were immediately greeted with... you guessed it MORE meat. At this point, we just had to laugh. Meat is the main character in every meal here. The best part? We got to meet fellow travelers from all over! New Zealand, Russia, New York, and London. It was so fun swapping wild travel stories and bonding over the unfamiliar food.
After kayaking, it was swim time. Mya and Gavin were total champs they jumped off the top of the boat like pros. I, however, treated the moment more like a polar plunge. I dipped in and was out in record time. The water was freezing! And even though we were told there’d be warm showers afterward... surprise! There weren’t.
We had some free time before our Vietnamese cooking class, where we learned how to make rice paper veggie wraps. Gavin tried to pack his like a burrito and failed hilariously. Meanwhile, the rest of us especially the couple from New York were devouring our creations like we hadn’t eaten in days. Honestly, we kind of hadn’t. Our biggest complaint about the boat? No snacks! There was nowhere to buy chips, crackers, anything. Apparently, in Vietnam, snack time isn’t a thing and we were feeling it.
Dinner that night was on the rooftop under twinkly string lights while we watched the sun dip behind the cliffs. They called it “wine and dine,” and it was super cute. We were seated with a group of funny guys from New Zealand who kept us laughing the whole time. The meal was oysters, spring rolls, shrimp, rice, corn, and veggies. It was… fine. Not terrible, not amazing. But the vibe made up for it.
After dinner came a surprisingly fun highlight: squid fishing! I lasted about five minutes before losing all patience. Gavin, on the other hand, was in it for the long haul and after nearly two hours, he actually caught one! Total legend.
Meanwhile, Mya and I headed upstairs for some karaoke, which quickly turned into a full-blown performance mostly just for each other. We belted out “Since You’ve Been Gone,” Taylor Swift, and “Pink Pony Club.” Eventually, others joined in and it became a full-on karaoke party. One mystery of life I’ll never understand IS Why does everyone pick “Bohemian Rhapsody” for karaoke? It’s nine minutes long, and half of it is awkward instrumental. Let’s agree to retire that one.
We sang and danced until it was officially quiet time on the boat and by then, we were totally wiped. We fell asleep to the gentle rocking of the boat, Ha Long Bay was everything we hoped for and more!
Day 8:
Our final day in Vietnam was packed with adventure just the way we like it. We woke up to breakfast on the deck of the boat: fruit and, of course, the same old meal lineup we’d had all week. At this point, we were basically made of cabbage and rice. But hey we weren’t here for the food anymore. We were here for the memories. After breakfast, we were told we’d be going on a biking tour, and it turned out to be one of the most fun parts of the whole trip. The guide didn’t give us super clear instructions, so when people started getting off the boat and hopping on bikes, we just followed along and quickly ended up completely scattered. Whoops!
The three of us Mya, Gavin, and I were riding wild. We had our feet up on the handlebars, heads down like we were in the Tour de France, and were laughing nonstop. We didn’t realize the guide was trying to corral the group back together. Oops again! But we were having way too much fun to care. The biking route was beautiful, taking us along the coastline, past towering limestone cliffs, through sleepy villages, and alongside fields of rice, cabbage, and grazing water buffalo. It felt like something out of a travel magazine.
Then came the surprise stop a free foot massage! But not the spa kind. Oh no. We were led to a large tub where we stuck our feet in… and were instantly swarmed by tiny Garra Rufa fish the kind that nibble off dead skin. It was the strangest, squirmiest experience ever. I kept dipping my feet in and out, squealing every time. Meanwhile, Gavin's feet became a buffet. I swear you couldn’t even see his foot under all the fish. We were cackling. Definitely one for the memory books.
While some of the group stuck around for a little presentation about local alcohol (featuring sunflower and snake varieties, no thanks), we made friends with the cutest little girl who totally stole our hearts.
Then it was time to head back to the boat — biking through more fields, past locals and kids waving from their doorways. We had one last meal on boat! The usual line-up of meats, cabbage, fish, and rice. It was good, but the lack of variety throughout our entire trip was honestly shocking.
Once off the boat, we had a long journey back to Hanoi. We arrived with a few hours to spare before our flight, so we wandered through the Old Quarter one last time this time with giant backpacks and no shame. The shopping here was incredible. We picked up fun souvenirs like chopsticks, hand-painted ceramic dishes, keychains, and even sent a postcard home.
Before we knew it, it was time to head to the airport for our red-eye flight back to the USA. We were exhausted in every way. In just under two weeks, we had slept in nine different places. But we were also glowing from the kind of travel that shakes you up in the best ways.
Vietnam — you were wild, eye-opening, hilarious, and full of surprises. We’re officially checking this one off the list… but something tells me we’ll be reminiscing about this trip forever.
Day 9: 13 Hours in Japan!
After our whirlwind adventure through Vietnam, Gavin and I found ourselves with a 13-hour layover in Japan. Originally, we weren’t planning to leave the airport our bags were heavy, we were sleep-deprived, and we figured we’d just kill time sitting around. But then, a little travel miracle: the airline checked our bags for free!
Suddenly, the idea of staying cooped up in the terminal felt so lame. We had no sleep, no tickets, and no working phones, but one thing we did have? Determination. So we decided to go for it we were heading to DisneySea Japan! It was given Amazing Race. We had no Wi-Fi, no Japanese SIM cards, and no clue how to get there. All we had were screenshots of metro stops from the airport and pure hope. Somehow, it worked! We made it to DisneySea about an hour and a half after it opened. It was definitely more crowded than we’d hoped, but the magic made it worth it.
We chose DisneySea over Disneyland because it's totally unique to Japan and it did not disappoint. We ran around like giddy kids, hopping on rides we’d never seen before in the U.S. They had just opened Tangled Land, so we got to sneak a peek at that too!
One thing we didn't expect? The entire park was basically Duffy the Disney Bear–themed. Like... why?? We didn’t get the hype, but it was everywhere — Duffy snacks, Duffy merch, Duffy shows. Duffy world domination.
We grabbed some yummy snacks, didn’t stress about hitting everything, and just soaked in the fun. Pro tip: single rider lines were the move. We skipped so many long lines that way. The only line we committed to was for Journey to the Center of the Earth, which took almost 2 hours. But we figured hey, we came all this way — we had to do it. Once we finally made it to the front, it made sense why the wait was so long: half the ride vehicles were empty because they couldn’t fill odd-numbered parties. Someone, please tell Disney Japan they need a single rider line for this one!
Even with the crowds and the chaos, we were so glad we left the airport. We squeezed every last drop out of that layover and turned it into an unforgettable bonus day of fun.
Then it was time to board yet another red-eye — this time, back to the USA. But my trip wasn’t quite over! I was headed to Hawaii to meet up with my dad and Graham for a little vacation. Woot woot!
By the time we boarded, we were totally vacationed out. We passed out on the flight the second we sat down. That was the most exhausting trip of our lives. We were sure glad to get back to our island!