Arrival in Danang, Vietnam

Well-documented by Rowan in The Journey, we arrived after a 15-our sleeper bus trip from Hanoi to Danang, on the east coast of Vietnam where:

As usual, the taxi driver has no idea where we are going, notwithstanding the able aid of a motorbiker

And thank our lucky stars for Rowan and the iPad, which again teaches the (second) taxi driver how to reach our hotel

A look into the Mango Hotel reveals that even for $25/night, we have a nice bed

and a desk, refrigerator, and hot pot

and an absolutely killer view!

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh

A traffic jam in Ha Long Bay, near Hanoi, Vietnam!

and all the little tourists have their boats!

Seen from Dao Ti Top, after climbing 421 steps up the mountain

Yes,the picture is from the tiny little house on the top!  That's why they they call it Dao Ti Top ("Wow The Top"). 

A view of Ha Long Bay, North Vietnam

from Đảo Ti Tốp, one of the thousands of islands in the bay.  Ho Chi Minh came and landed here by airplane in 1962; his pilot was Ti Top.  Hence the name.  A beautiful boat trip out in the bay, with a night on the bay on Marguerite Cruises.

Our new best friend, Daniel

of Hanoi. 

He took us on a tour of "his" local temple yesterday, and here he holds a plant that looks like a heart when it gives up its nut. 

More in the Galleries later...

Preparing for Chúc Mừng Năm Mới in Hanoi

Happy Lunar New Year in Hanoi at Hồ Hoàn Kiếm ("Lake of the Returned Sword" or "Lake of the Restored Sword")

ushering in the Year of the Water Dragon - guess who we know is a water dragon?  Someone with a birthday on March 15???

Most people know that water covers 2/3 of our planet & comprises 95% of our bodies; we simply cannot live without it. In Chinese element theory, water produces wood, which signifies growth and is the natural element of the dragon. The dragon governs east/southeast, wealth accumulation & the hours of 7 a.m. - 9 a.m. Associated with thunder, lightning and arousal, the Water Dragon personifies creativity at its best.

(Thanks for the above art and explanation to waterdragoninc.com!)