Cyclos and Trains...

Well, yesterday we had an absolutely wonderful time in Ha-long Bay.  The best word to describe it would be serene.  The drive took about 4 hours - on the way up, we stopped at a collective that was a crafts workshop to support victims of Agent Orange.  The victims worked and created the crafts - lacquer, embroidery, silk, clothes, jewelry, jade marble, and some other things - and then all proceeds go to their support.  I forgot the name but will post their website soon.  We got to walk around and learn about the crafts and then headed up to the Bay.  We took a boat out and got to see a floating village!  Then, we docked and got to swim - the water was magnificent!  I swam all the way to the rocks and couldn't remember the last time I enjoyed the water that much.  We were all diving from the second deck of the boat and everything - quite the adventure.  I cut my foot on some rocks, but nothing serious - and really, not so bad for the first injury of the trip!

We ate lunch on the water - seafood, rice, vegetables, more seafood, pineapple - the food here is amazing.  Then, on the way back, we stopped at the collective again, where we were able to shop.  I bought a beautiful lacquer painting for my living room - I sent it directly home, so I don't have a picture, but I'll post one when I'm back.  I also bought a lot of great gifts, but since most of you reading this will be getting one, I don't want to ruin the surprise!

We got back to the hotel right before a storm hit, so it was dinner upstairs in the restaurant - I got some great spring rolls - and then a few of us headed off into the town for a bit of coffee.  There is a Gloria Jean's here, so I needed an American fix.  One decaf soy mocha latte later, and most of us were half asleep.  I definitely slept well last night!

And today we're off to see the sights of Han Noi on cyclo - including the Ho Chi Minh Museum.  Tonight, we will take an overnight train right - although I forgot where (either Hue or Huan - I'll let you know when we get there).  So far, it's been wonderful - and SF's mom is right - the traffic is crazy!  Crossing the street takes nerves of steel, but no one ever tries to hit you.  It's like a complicated water ballet!

I'm off - more updates to follow!