Local Must Sees

 Quan , the guide finally took us to see some local sights.

The Dong Xuan Market

 A wholesale market, the place caters to the needs of tourists and locals by providing goods ranging from dried prawns, cinnamon sticks to shoes, clothes, dining wares and lotus seeds. It is a place where locals exchange ideas and sales but there was really nothing much to buy.

It was just the experience of being there.

 Of course, after so many hours of here and there, it is a pleasure to ease ourselves.

But to my surprise the rest room has a different set up.

Some toilet seats are arranged outside doors neatly. At first I wondered if I had entered erroneously but no.

The womenfolk here are used to doing their businesses on them without qualms; not behind closed doors.

As I exited from my room, I could not turn my eyes away from the pretty ladies who sat in a row; doing their small and big businesses casually. What a sight.

 We were told that Hanoi 's Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre presents the longest puppet show int he world. Everyone, locals and foreigners alike gathered eagerly to see what the show had to offer.

 So, the show began with a group of local ladies voicing their renditions in high pitches. I could not understand anything but to make my own conclusions. Basically they must be trying to relate the local way of survival from fishing to planting. They added some legends as we witnessed depictions of the dragon. Very refreshingly different and entertaining . I even saw some moving their bodies to the tune of the music and songs rendered.

 These are the puppets that were used to create tales on the stage. To know that they are able to catch the hearts of the audience made me examine them closely and conclude that we need to smell flowers in life.

 Next, we trudged to the Temple of Literature; being the oldest university in the country. Apparently, the earliest scholars had their examinations here hundreds of years ago. To be enlisted in the imperial service, the candidates needed to pass scholarly exams. With the right brains, the country will be ruled wisely. However, in schools today, I believe most who are not academically inclined should opt for vocational studies. The students would be better prepared for the real world. Even the smartest brains need to be street wise and vocationally practical to be of effect anywhere.

 That's being scholarly...

 They say tortoises boast of longevity and ripe old age. So there are so many of them; more than 50 and each carried a tablet which related the history of a particular scholar.So if you are keen to know any of the scholars, read on.

 They caught my heart. At a tender age, they are taught to learn. Learn, learn, learn. 

Maybe they should only play. It may make them more wholesome.

The grounds have stores that sell all sorts of souvenirs, but the Terra cotta tiles attract me most. It reminded me of the kitchen at home. There tiles are produced in abundance here and are sold at very reasonable prices; unlike back home. Vietnam with its rich clay supply, produces competitive bricks and tiles for world markets.

 The step is often depicted in Chinese homes. It is so that everyone in the house has opportunities to be elevated? To be better all the time? I don't know. But again I look at the old Terra cotta tiles with interest.

 The Mausoleum houses the body of the much revered figure of Vietnam; Ho Chi Minh. We had to display the highest respect as we entered the building. No hand phones, no cameras and you have to be decently dressed to allow admittance.You have to observe complete silence too. So we walked in an orderly manner and witnessed the well-preserved body of the leader. Quan told us that the hero remained single till his last days and had very few relatives. His life was spent trying to help the lot of the people of Vietnam. 

With the local visits, so ends the trip to Hanoi.

We have enough of South East Asian lands for the moments. 

But good to see how our neighbours go through life.

Malaysia Mourns

 Painful Loss

For a nation to understand and accept tragedies within a span of a few months is difficult.

To lose more than 500 lives in 2 air mishaps within that period is historical and unheard of.

Yet, the nation still has to succumb to it.

Today, Malaysia receives her victims' bodies from Amsterdam.

The bodies have come home; albeit not all; yet.

 The scripts and clips from Malaysian News Channels are heartbreaking.

Even the hardest will be affected ; cries and sighs may not be heard but definitely felt.

The children in schools were called to pay that respect due them.

They understood the agony and the pain.

For once; they kept very quiet and observed that minute of silence.

 

 Teachers gathered together for that prayer of condolence and comfort.

We remembered the ones left behind and know that they have to bear it all.

We also pray that the living relatives will keep fond memories and be strong.

They say time heals all wounds; easier said than done but they will be steadfast we pray. 

 

How does Malaysia fathom the lost plane?

How can those in it be forgotten?

Where are they?

Grief.

Today we remember the deceased and living.

To the decease

May they rest in peace

To the living

Be strong.

The nation mourns.

City of Lakes

  Lakes and Rivers

 Hanoi is a city of lakes and rivers. Six rivers including the Red River run across the city. The sixteen lakes that are scattered around Hanoi provide tourists with boat rides and panoramic views. The majority of the locals are Buddhists and temples and pagodas are found around the lakes.

Slapped in the centre of the city is the Hoan Kiem Lake which today is only a third of its original size.Most of the lake has been reclaimed and the French authorities then used them to build French quarters housing government departments and residences.

Once known as the Navy Blue Lake, legend has it that the lake is home to 2 turtles aged a century years old. Apparently, the demise of one of them was sad to the locals but the other living one is still a sight sought after by the Vietnamese. People sometimes gather around the lake if rumours have it that the turtle has risen from the waters and spending time with human beings. The land is steep in legends and beliefs of the unnatural.

Notice the pagoda-like feature in the middle of the lake.

It used to carry the Statue of Liberty but today the statue is nowhere to be seen.

Who has removed it?

This is the entrance to the Ngoc Son temple.

Many flocked to the place for worship.

Surrounding the lake is a ring of paved walkway which attracts walkers and joggers.

Also, nearby are cultural souvenirs and the puppet-making business reminded me of my childhood days when I used to crave to possess one of them. The colourful plasticine figurines are fun to look at.Given enough time, one might be able to discover more cultural delights.

This is the Red Bridge across the Red River. 

In the nights, it is brightly-lit up and even more beautiful.

You would not guess that this is another lake because they all look the same to me.

This is West Lake; also found in the centre of the city.

Around the lake is one of the oldest Pagodas and temple in Hanoi; the Quan Thanh Temple.

The serene lake is also encircled by a stretch of paved walkway again a haven to joggers.

We looked with curiosity at the lonely boat man and his passenger,later to discover that they were actually cleaners of the lake. They were scooping garbage floating on the lake and made sure that the lake was clean and well-kept. That reminded me of the same scenario in Siem Reap.

While waiting for some of the companions on the trip, I became attracted to this poster.

World Class education in Malaysia.

I wondered how many of them go to Malaysia for tertiary education.

I was glad that home is known to them too.

The City of Lakes; Hanoi.

The Cave

Sung Sot Cave

When in Halong Bay and on a cruise you will be brought to admire a natural beauty in the form of a cave. It must have been a chalky area for many of the geographical features formed can only be the outcome of water on chalk. It's only a hundred steps up the cave. So achievable !

Actually you know I was joking , don't you? It's not fun climbing those steps.

The slippery path needed to be heeded.

However, the consolation is the steps are well-shaped and it made walking easier.

 The palette of the cave is patterned in the form of hardened droplets; a result of water on calcium.

When the feature continues into longer versions they form stalactites; like icicles hanging from the cave's rooftop. What a better way to teach geography. 

Sometimes the calcium droplets fall on to the base of the cave and 'grow' upwards to form stalagmites.

However when the stalactites and stalagmites meet, they form a pillar. So we saw some pillars too.

The tourists; including me were mesmerised by the majesty of such a natural creation. Tourists travelled thousands of miles to savour in such beauty. On top of that, the lights did good justice to the place. But actually In Malaysia we do see pockets of such caves at Gua Tempurung, Batu Caves and of course the Mulu Caves. It's ironical that I have not seen those caves. I must make it a point to visit them.

Lo and behold, this man was standing in front of my camera and to my consternation wearing this trendy look. He could be from anywhere...

Strange but true, some of the stone features took the shape of animals; like the one above was in the form of a tortoise. This animal has  a long life sometimes living up to a hundred years. So, people throw monies on it in the hope of having longevity too and I wonder who collects them?

I remember telling my students that it is not unusual to find running water at the base of limestone caves and they may even form rivers. So we also saw one running across the cave.

It is really interesting to see geography coming alive before your eyes.

Some stalagmites growing from the ground and this time Quan told us that the outstanding one is in the form of the goddess Kuan Yin. I saw some of the tourists stop by and bow in reverence of it.

 What is this? Your guess is as good as mine.
 

This pillar is so well-formed and enhanced by the lighting.

The environment is so natural.

That is another pillar in the greatest details.

 Beautiful.

Great Experience.

Before we left the cave, many took photographs with this background; Halong Bay.

The seas, mountains and waters are all natural features and blessings to earthlings.

May we continue to enjoy such panorama with little disturbance from wars and hatred.

The Sung Sot Cave.