Tiger Riding for Beginners

Traveling Poet Philosopher & Occasional Wiseacre

DAILY PHOTO: Japanese Covered Bridge

Posted on January 16, 2016 by B Gourley

Taken on December 23, 2015 in Hoi An

DAILY PHOTO: Slow-boating on the Mekong Delta

Posted on January 16, 2016 by B Gourley

Taken in December of 2015 in the Mekong Delta

DAILY PHOTO: Dragon Bridge

Posted on January 14, 2016 by B Gourley

Taken on December 24, 2015 in Da Nang

The Dragon Bridge (Cầu Rồng) straddles the Hàn River in central Vietnam. It was designed by a US firm, Ammann & Whitney, and it opened to traffic in 2013.

DAILY PHOTO: Sunrise Over Bai Tu Long Bay

Posted on January 13, 2016 by B Gourley

Taken on January 1, 2016 on Bai Tu Long Bay

Bai Tu Long Bay is the lesser known–but geographically larger–sibling of Ha Long Bay. It’s name refers to baby dragons, and it derives from the same myth from which Ha Long got its name (i.e. “Descending Dragon.”) Like Ha Long it’s considered a scenic wonder because of the skerries jutting up out of the sea.

We were told that we got a lucky break in getting a clean sunrise during our visit because it’s usually overcast. (Our tour straddled New Years.) It was overcast almost the whole time, but I tend to be skeptical of people selling an experience.

DAILY PHOTO: Vietnam Military History Museum

Posted on January 12, 2016 by B Gourley

Taken on December 27, 2015 in Hanoi

DAILY PHOTO: Tháp Rùa by Night

Posted on January 11, 2016 by B Gourley

Taken on December 26, 2015 in Hanoi

Tháp Rùa is the Turtle Tower in the middle of Hoàn Kiếm Lake, which is the “Lake of the Returned Sword” or–more simply–“Sword Lake.” The lake is in the heart of modern-day Hanoi, and is sacred in Vietnamese folklore.

As the story goes, a Turtle god surfaced on this lake to ask a King named Lê Lợi to give up his sword. The sword was called “Heaven’s Will” (i.e. Thuận Thiên) and was said to have been given to the King by a local deity called the Dragon King (i.e. Long Vương.) Apparently, the Vietnamese King took a “the gods giveth, and the gods taketh away stance,” turning the sword over to the Turtle deity.