View from the window of my cabin as we cruise along Halong Bay in the Gulf of Tonkin.
Limestone cave tour of the largest cave in the area, Surprise Cave, where Vietnamese families hid during the Vietnam war.
At a floating oyster fishery, a woman seeds each oyster which will result in a pearl, 3-6 years from now depending on the size of pearl desired.
Oyster fishing boat.
It is too hot for me to occupy the cabin on the upper deck, so I was upgraded to a lower cabin with a jacuzzi bath. Ah shucks!
Moon over Halong Bay. Goodnight now.
Breakfast.
Early morning Tai Chi class.
Spring roll cooking class.
The cruise includes a little kayaking so I paddle around one of the limestone islands, tie up at a little beach, walk through a cave to the other side of the island, and find myself at a lovely private beach where I swim in the bath- temperature water, being mindful of any jellyfish about.
I am a pretty happy camper today!
Perhaps a little too happy? My young guide asks if I would like him to kiss me for this picture! I remind him I am old enough to be his grandmother.
Sunset over Tonkin. Back to Hanoi tomorrow.
Our last day on the boats turns out ominous clouds. I skip the planned island hike when it begins to rain and decide to sleep in.
My large bed is placed right up against the glass door. In early morning I arise to the sound of small fishing boats passing right by my bed at eye level. Awesome!
Lunch on my own back in Hanoi at, you guessed it, Kentucky Fried Chicken! Also here is Circle-K stores, Burger King, Popeye’s, and Domino’s Pizza. I am a little weary from eating so much rice, noodles, and goat meat by now. I order 2 pieces of fried chicken and a Pepsi. Cost: 38,000 dongs, or about $1.62. Then back to my hotel for the remainder of the day, Tomorrow to Ninh Minh ( pronounced ning ming) for a bike ride and temple visits.
Near the entrance to the Bai Dinh temple at Ninh Minh, the largest temple in Vietnam.
Bronze temple gong weighing 36 tons. It is rung once annually at a festival on the sixth day of the first lunar month.
Said to be the largest image of Budda in Vietnam.
Turtles are one of four sacred animals in Buddism and are said to be a symbol of good fortune.
Some 800 carved stone statues or “arhat” line the passageways of the temple. Each was carved in place, taking stoneworkers some 10 years to complete.
Not far from the temple we board sampans for a water cave tour. Where finally I see a couple of birds.
Interior of one of the caves.
Our boat drops us off at the prop of Skull Island, built for the recent remake of the movie “Kong”. By agreement with the Vietnam government, movie makers left the village intact to be used as a tourist attraction.
Back in Hanoi i discover soft serve coconut ice cream served in, well, a coconut! Cold and delicious.
Outside of Tran Quoc Pagoda, a Buddist temple build around 570, local people sell turtles. For a small fee you can purchase freedom for a turtle, which is then set free in the lake a few feet away. The concept is related to good karma. Our guide discourages us from participating in this, calling the practice an exploitation of Buddist philosophy, and explaining, “As soon as they let turtle go, they recapture it to resell”.
Groups of school children visit the resting place of Ho Chi Minh, their national hero.
Ornamental plantings at the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, one of the few places in the city that is free of litter.
Another temple visited today, this one to honor Confucious.
Men play a game on a broad sidewalk court that uses a small ball kicked over a volleyball net with their feet. Viewed from our tour bus.
Today’s breakfast cook got creative with my egg order. Each day I order the same single egg. Each day it is presented differently.
About 20 small eateries dot each short street in Old Hanoi. As I become more familiar with the neighborhood, I venture farther from my hotel with each trip. Today I discovered a “bakery” and purchased this delight. Now, seated on my tiny plastic sidewalk chair, I am wondering exactly what I have ordered. Looks like pizza, tastes sweet, seems like cheese on top but cheese is rare here. Underneath the “cheese” is whole kernel corn, peppers and onions, and a delicate crust, probably made from rice flour…wheat is uncommon here. For 38,000 dong—about $1.40, it is a fulfilling late supper. I enjoy watching the busy nightlife on the street as traffic rushes by me.