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....

A little on life in Vietnam

Dragon fruits are so beautiful, but they actually taste like really mild kiwi

Look up! There are often a ton of bird cages hanging from buildings or trees

Its not uncommon to see someone carrying fruit this way (not so much in our neighborhood, but you see this often in the old quarter) We bought fried dough from a woman with these once - it had a yummy glaze, and the inside was filled with sweet rice (?) I am guessing. I liked it :)