We started the morning with a long leisurely breakfast at the hotel. TB fell asleep on Grammer's shoulder so we sat at the breakfast table for about two hours or more so she could nap. Then we met Tuan and boarded a boat from the hotel and tooted down the Perfume River, arriving at one of Vietnam's oldest temples, Thiên Mu Pagoda. Although I did learn a few interesting facts there, I'm a bit templed out.

Thiên Mu Temple translates into the Pagoda of the Celestial Lady. Thiên Mu was a lady who went on a hill, rubbed her cheeks, and said a lord would erect a pagoda there, which would cause prosperity to the town. Which happened. So they named it after her.

I asked Tuan if there was a difference between a temple and a pagoda as I noticed both terms used for buildings that looked the same and essentially his answer is complicated. Has to do with monks, no monks, stupas, wheels either small or large, and swastikas.

Yes, swastikas: Swastika in Sanskrit means "conducive to well-being". In Buddhism it symbolizes Buddha's footprints. It represents divinity and spirituality in Indian cultures. In Western culture it symbolized good luck until Hitler started using it in the 1930s. Buddhist swastikas are placed straight where Hitler wore his at a 45-degree angle. You will see many swastikas located at temples. There is a long interesting history on the topic if you feel like googling it.

Interestingly, Thai Buddhists believe there was only ever one Buddha, The OG Siddhartha. Chinese Buddhists believe anyone can become Buddha.

Also interesting, you often find many small steps in Buddhist temples, which are reminders to slow down, and not hustle otherwise you'll trip. I tripped. That's why Tuan shared that little pearl.

On numbers:

1. Thiên Mu Pagoda has 7 layers to it.

2. 7 represents the Buddha

3. Hindu people say Buddha was the 7th embodiment of Vishnu (God of preservation).

4. When Buddha was born he walked 7 steps and a lotus flower grew in the place of each of those 7 steps.

5. 6 in Mandarin language sounds like luck, meaning luck and prosperity

6. 8 in Mandarin represents progress and prosperity

7. 6 and 8 always to together in Chinese culture

8. Dad says in our culture 6 and 9 go together

9. 3 in Taoism is heaven, human and earth

10. 3 in Buddhism-bow 3 times when praying, which represent 3 precious things-the Buddha the Bible and monks

After our history lesson at the pagoda, we headed to one of the three mausoleums in the area, the burial sites for the emperors. Once you've seen one you've seen them all, so we only went to one and drove past the others. All emperors were of Nguyen family. When the emperor died no one knows where he was buried because they had death row prisoners build underground tunnels where they transported the body and left it somewhere. Then the prisoners were beheaded, so they died with the secret. To this day no one knows where exactly at the mausoleum he is buried.

After the mausoleum drive by we headed to the local market. What a crazy place. I bought some jackfruit and we walked around. Twila bought a hat. It has oranges on it. Tuan bought us some candy which he said is very fancy and for royalty. We all felt we had to eat a piece so we did but it was pretty gross. Made of sweet beans. I've had the sweet bean candy a few times and I really just don't like beans that are sweet. Also speaking of sweet food, he said they eat avocados with sweetened condensed milk on it. Now I'd be willing to try that. I mean I like avocado ice cream.

We headed back to the hotel in the early afternoon and went to the pool where Twila got in for the first time! She loved it. It was so effing cute.

After our swim we had dinner at the hotel. I had delicious duck breast. Mom and dad had steak. Jason had rare tuna. What an amazing meal. TB was on good behavior for the first hour and a bit but then she got tired and fussy. When she started fussing one of the waitresses came over and took her for fifteen minutes or so while we ate. So awesome. So typical of this culture. So unlike America. I really love it here!