Hanoi - today I joined a few thousand others to line up, hands beside my hips, walking two by two, no talking, no photos, to make our pilgrimage to see Uncle Ho - Ho Chi Minh, Saviour of Vietnam. It was just as others had described - you have to see it/ do it to understand the significance of this man to these people. Six days a week, 8 months a year, thousands make their pilgrimage to Hanoi to line up for what looks like a mile, to wait for their chance to shu...

More pics of the beautiful peaceful countryside around Ninh Binh.

Pictures from gentle, quiet and beautiful Ninh Binh.What a lovely few days in Ninh Binh. When I was the only one getting off the bus to Hanoi at 4:30 in the morning, I was wondering if perhaps this was a crazy idea and why I always seem to choose the road less travelled. The past few days have hardened my resolve to trust my instincts. I was getting tired of the tourist route and I have found that Vietnam has a much defined route. About 80% of the travelers I...

Thanks for all of your concern......the noise behind the curtain.......I found it in the morning........even though I couldn't find a thing at first, when I shook out the large drapes a mid sized gecko finally went flying across the room. Poor little guy - just about an 8 incher, hanging on desparately, probably well rested because I left the bathroom light on and they usually work all night, in the dark, eating bugs so they are very welcome. Tonight - all...

It wasn't a nightmare but.....I don't want to do it again real soon. Thuan dropped me off at the bus station and I desperately started to scan the waiting customers. In the morning there had been two stinky very large Germans on the bus....I hoped to God they were not going to replicate my plan......As I was scanning I met a lovely Polish girl who is studying in China and was on her University break. She picked up on my scanning and told me of the nigh...