Feeling better!
Woke up a little before 6 a.m. this morning. Slept really well last night. Marci, Laura & I went for a walk at Hoan Kiem lake before Marci joined the rest of her fellow runners. Many people exercising and doing tai chi. Laura & I brought our cameras and it took awhile for the lenses to warm up after being in the AC -- kept having to wipe away condensation. But we got some nice shots.
We were walking back toward the hotel when two old women rushed up to us and pointed enthusiastically at the lake. We looked and there was something popping its head above the water, so Laura & I startede snapping pics. We had no idea what it was -- Hanoi's "Nessie" haha
Later, we learned it was an ancient turtle that is regarded as sacred. The myths of a giant turtle began in the 15th century -- a story similar to King Arthur and the Sword in the Stone. The turtle is a rare species, one of only 4 or 5 left in the world, and is claimed to be over 100 years old. The Vietnamese consider it extremely good luck to see it. :)
Laura & I walked down a street and got lots of photos of street vendors. So many colors and textures and variety. It was SO humid -- we were only out for a little bit and were drenched when we got back.
Had breakfast at the hotel and then at 8:30 loaded up our stuff into the charter bus. We're en route to Do Son currently and it's a 3-hour drive. We're meeting the kids halfway at a rest stop.
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