Sara takes the plunge

When Mike and I traveled to Ha Long Bay, I almost gave him a few heart attacks after I decided to go swimming in the bay.... and I started by jumping off of the balcony of the boat .... at least 10 times   :D

Ha Long Bay teaser

Mike and I just spent 2 days in Ha Long Bay, we haven't gone through all the pictures (there and many) but here is a short teaser :)

Our boat where we spent the night!

Out our window :)

Kayaking through the floating village

It was pretty amazing.

The boat ride!

A video of our boat ride to the perfume pagoda

A visit to the perfume pagoda

We went, with a few other teachers, to the perfume pagoda. It was a two hour bus ride, then 45 minutes by boat, then a cable car ride in order to get to the cave. It was a rainy day, but so beautiful!

preparing to get on the boats after our bus ride

paddling down the river

the mountains were so beautiful, rising out of the mist

waiting for the cable car, which only runs twice a day

walking up the path on the side of the mountain, entering into the mist..

at the bottom of the steps to the cave, entering the pagoda

One of the shrines inside of the cave

The entrance to "heavens kitchen" pagoda

secret dragon carved into the side of the mountain behind "heavens kitchen" pagoda

I am a little sad I did not have my camera ready for when the boat ladies tried to shake us down. They get paid by our tour guide, but we read online they will demand tips, and they did. We hopped out of the boat and walked 2 blocks to our bus and got inside. They followed us, and stuck their heads in demanding tips, and when we handed them a tip, they went "more tip!" and "bigger tip!!" until we closed the door and drove off....

The temple of literature

Molly and Kayo visit HaNoi!

Molly and I in front of the pillar pagoda

Pillar pagoda

Action shot -- we are confused as to where to go

crazy scary steps

Mike and I on top of the HaNoi wall

Entrance to the temple of literature

along the side of a path in the temple of liteature

Mike looks like a gangster in all the pictures I took of him

temple of literature

DELICIOUS BUN CHA! No one spoke English, we didn't order -- they just brough us food and it was so so good

Molly enjoys her meal

Ice cream and sad things

Its very unfortunate, but two of our close friends have decided to leave Hanoi. They are heading back to Minnesota for a while, and Mike and I are really going to miss them!For those of you who remember when I worked at the daycare in New Rochelle, it seems as though things may be headed in a similar direction here.

Sorry no photos, but a little update -- about 10 of us went to an ice cream buffet tonight, I had about 7 scoops which was great! Their coffee was particularly good. On the walk home we saw our first scooter accident. No one was seriously hurt, I don't think they were going very fast but there were a few plastic pieces strew about the road.

Good bye Eric and Laura, we are going to miss you!