DAILY PHOTO: Cave Dining

Posted on February 2, 2016 by B Gourley

Taken on January 1, 2016 in Bai Tu Long Bay

One of the interesting experiences to be had on a junk boat tour in Vietnam is dining in a cave. This cave used to be employed as a shelter for fishermen during storms. Given all the rocky skerries in the bay, I suspect being in a boat in a storm here would be terrifying. However, the caves are now prohibited to those without a license. Because the fishermen took to lopping off stalactites and stalagmites because they make for impressive mountains for bonzai displays–and those displays can be big money makers when done well.

An example of what I’m talking about can be seen below.

This one was located at the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long in Hanoi.

DAILY PHOTO: Hanoi Opera House by Night and Day

Posted on February 1, 2016 by B Gourley

Taken on December 30, 2015 in Hanoi

The scaffolding was a stage erected for New Year’s Eve festivities. I assume the flowers and lights were part of that function as well, but my experience is limited; I only saw the Opera House before and after New Year’s Eve. (We were on a junk boat over the holiday itself.)

DAILY PHOTO: On the Perfume River (Sông Hương)

Posted on January 31, 2016 by B Gourley

Taken on December 25, 2015 in Hue.

Sông Hương is called the Perfume River because in the autumn flowers that fall into the river give it a sweet scent. I discerned no notable scent, but we were there in December–so maybe we missed it.

DAILY PHOTO: Balancing on the Keshava Plinth

Posted on January 30, 2016 by B Gourley

Taken on January 26, 2016 at Keshava Temple

DAILY PHOTO: Lantern Market

Posted on January 29, 2016 by B Gourley

Taken on December 23, 2015 in Hoi An

DAILY PHOTO: The Eyes Have It

Posted on January 28, 2016 by B Gourley

Taken in December of 2015 in the Mekong Delta

In the Mekong Delta, the ships have eyes. Well, many of them do anyway. The eyes painted on the bow of boats and ships are to ward off evil. Interestingly, the one class of boats that typically don’t have eyes are fishing vessels. Fishermen fear the eyes will scare away the fish, and they’re willing to take their chances with evil. Plus, we all know that evil fish are the most tasty.