Perfume Pagoda
August 9, 2009
Another gem that we missed last time we were here. This is one of the most revered spots in the north. Most Vietnamese I know make at least one pilgrimage here a year. I’m still trying to wrap my brain around the popular religious views that go along with that. Everyone says that they’re Buddhists, but it’s unlike any Buddhism I’ve read about (I’ve been told that’s because a lot of monks were assassinated and imprisoned after the war and people have morphed it into what’s convenient). The dominant views seem to me to be much more “luck” based than what I understand Buddhism to be. This place was a great example For instance, in the “Buddhist” temple (in the cave) people pray to a fertility stone and touch its water believing that it will help them get pregnant. People touch the money stone and its water believing it will bring them wealth. How that fits with the core Buddhist value of non-attachment, I don’t know. But there’s plenty of things that happen in churches that Jesus probably wouldn’t dig either.
I digress…. anyway…
It was a good trip, but man was it hot! About 105 degrees. We went with a CELTA friend, Wes. As you can see from the photos, it’s gorgeous there.
Fouth of July
August 9, 2009
Our buddy Grant organized another outing to our favorite fishing spot.
We didn’t have fireworks or flags, but we had spirit! (And ended the evening eating American style burgers)
Jen’s b-day
August 9, 2009
It’s undeniable that part of the appeal of Hanoi for us is the people we know here. The peops came out in force even on a weeknight to celebrate Jen’s birthday. A nice dinner, friends and bowling. A recipe for fun 
misc early summer shots
August 9, 2009
Some photos of us transporting furniture (taking part in a long heritage of loading up ye old motorbike). Plus a couple of photos of Elliot’s son and more photos of Furious.
Trip to Nui Coc
August 9, 2009
It’s hard to put into words how awesome this trip was…
We’d been in Hanoi for months at this point and desperately needed to get out of the madness. Our buddy Q asked us over drinks one night if we’d like to take a trip “up north to a lake” with him. Absolutely!
We didn’t have a map, we didn’t look up any info online or in the “Lonely Planet”. We didn’t even know where we were going… All we knew is that we were supposed to meet Q at 9am and that he heard it was “one of the biggest lakes in Vietnam”. Good enough for us.
From there, we had a 3 and a half hour ride on the bikes north in hundred degree temperature with humidity. Some of was a bit hectic as we had to follow the main highway for awhile (highways are insane). But Q took us on some really nice back roads for a good stretch. That was nice. Steve and Georgie came with us (QA had to stay home for work) and it made for a really good group to travel with.
We finally got to the lake and went to the only town rumored to have lodging. There wasn’t much to the town and we found the only guest houses were all in or near what appeared to be this bizarre and large theme park in the jungle. Since it seemed to be the only gig in town, we checked in. It was about 30 miles from any main roads and there weren’t many people, so it felt like “the middle of nowhere”. After the long, hot drive, the place was pretty surreal. That, and we were the only westerners there at all. It felt like a trip to a Vietnamese Alice in Wonderland.
Good people, good food, water slides and no expectations came together to create one of the best mini-getaways I’ve ever had.
The park near our house
August 9, 2009
This park is about 40 meters from our house. I think it’s one of the best parts about living where we do.
