Vacation Snaps

I spent the first two weeks of September in Vietnam. It was my first visit and I hope it will not be my last.

Morning on the Perfume River, Hue

I took a tour, 10 days travelling from Hanoi to Saigon, and it was wonderful.

I'd never been on a tour before, and while I didn't see as much of each individual site as I would have liked (simply not enough time) it was very relaxing to not have to deal with travel arrangements and hotels. All I had to do was show up. I can do that.

taken from the bus on our way to Hoi An

I tried my hand at landscape photography this time round. It's not my strength, but the countryside is beautiful, which helps a lot.


Destined to be dinner

The people are friendly, and the food is great. For those of you who are worried about food being too spicy, chilies tend to be on the side. And the beer is plentiful and good.


Roof detail

A gargoyle, I almost wish it had rained, so I could have seen it in action (Hue)

The tourism industry is in its infancy, so there are no pamphlets to pick up, no signs in English and very few maps. This can be great (less visual clutter and litter) and it can be disorienting (where am I?) They are fixing up the old palaces in Hue, but it's a constant fight against the climate.

And it's hot. There is no way around it, it's hot and humid and we blessed the men who invented air conditioning every time we got back to the hotel.

Saigon, the 70 was to celebrate Vietnam's 70th birthday as a modern nation 1945 - 2015

I arrived two days before national day, on the 70th anniversary of Vietnam becoming its own nation. So Hanoi, where we started, was packed, filled with people paying their respects at Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum, all the government buildings had a fresh coat of paint and there were red flags everywhere.

Daoist temple - coils of incense, with prayers attached (Hoi An)

Ha Long Bay

If you ever get the chance to see Ha Long Bay, go. We felt so incredibly lucky to be there, it's an incredible spot. And I tried kayaking for the first time! I didn't turn the boat over, so I'm calling it a success.

Hoi An at night

Hoi An, in addition to being a UNESCO World Heritage site, is known for its lanterns. These ladies are selling paper lanterns that you float in the river and make a wish. Its a big spot for engagement photos.

Temple offering - Buddha's Hand (Hanoi)

Fishing - Ha Long Bay



I would like to go back and spend more time, about a month, and really get to explore. But for an introduction, my 10 day whirlwind trip was fascinating.

A visit to San Juan, in pictures

The first week of September, I went to San Juan, Puerto Rico. I stayed in the old city, partly because it's got the oldest architecture and highest density of museums, and partly because I wanted to be able to walk everywhere.

Rainy day in the capitol

Overall, it was sunny and warm and pretty, full of interesting animals

iguana at El Morro

Parrots - unfortunately green birds in green trees don't show very well

architecture,

Small chapel in the cathedral

I don't know what this building is, but I liked the colors

and handicrafts unique to the island.

Carved saints (santos) are a traditional craft. The Magi are very popular subjects.
This is the three kings playing dominoes with Santa Claus.

Painted soda bottles - tourists really will buy anything

But I just enjoyed the chance to be somewhere new and to spend days doing nothing but taking pictures. (and tasting rum, but that's another story...)

Spanish fort - El Morro

The cobblestones in old San Juan are blue. The contrast with the red petals was too much to pass up.

I just really liked the door knocker

painted ox-cart wheel - Museo de las Americas

Bacardi factory tour (meh - at least it was free)

leftover from the World Cup

Arches - Castillo San Cristobal

The most colorful basketball court I've ever seen

wall art

Hill Country Lavender

If you remember, the very first item on my list of Goals for 2013 was:

Go to the Blanco Lavender Festival

The festival was last weekend and I made the trip to Blanco to see all the purple flowers.

Unfortunately, there wasn't a lot in the way of flowers to see, actually. There is drought in the Hill Country, and the growers are trying very hard to just keep the plants alive. Still, there was lavender soap, essential oil, cookies, jams, lavendar spice rubs, sachets, and honey. I bought some soap and honey to support the growers and went exploring. After all, there is more to the Hill Country than lavender.

There's cattle



He let me take this picture, then sat down with his back facing the fence - he'd been photographed enough for one day

 And wildflowers

I don't know what it is, but the ants love it.

Courthouses

Blanco Courthouse - doesn't it look like the Munsters should live here?

Crafts

Clay flowers

Cowhides, for that genuine Western look

Octopus suncatcher - isn't he cute?

Horses

Horses grazing, Johnson City

 And don't forget this is the home of Presidents


The LBJ state park is right around the corner

I stopped in Brenham along the way and had an ice cream cone. Actually, if you stop in Brenham, you must purchase ice cream, it's the law.

Black cherry, if you're interested. It was VERY good.

And what could be better than spending an afternoon with a book and a large iced tea, under the live oak?

I need this tree in my backyard. I would need to demolish the neighbor's house, but it would be worth it.

And now I'm back and rested and ready to start the week. Happy Monday y'all!



Going for a walk

My typical day involves breakfast (sitting), driving to work (sitting), work (sitting), lunch (sitting), driving home (sitting),  dinner (sitting), and maybe some reading, television or blogging (still more sitting).

One thing is clear. I need to get off my backside. Admittedly, I can't walk to work (17 miles is a little far) and since I spend most of my work life in front of a computer, I'm still sitting most of the day, but I can incorporate an after work walk into my routine. 

 I received a new lens for my camera for Christmas and I went out to play with it. All of this is within 10 minutes walk of my house and I didn't know it was there. I really need to get out more.  Who knows what else I'm missing?



Lake Houston

I think it's an eagle, or a hawk. Vulture? Are there any ornithologists out there?

Who thought hoses could be so decorative?



Momento Mori

In the interest of getting out of the house occasionally, I've joined a photography group. My first event was a visit to the Nation Museum of Funeral History.

There is all sorts of information about death rituals in various cultures, an entire installment on the invention of embalming, and another (huge) display detailing all the rituals that take place when they inter the Pope.  Did you know he gets three coffins, like an Egyptian pharaoh?  And they smash his ring with a hammer?  


detail of an English hearse

It would be a great place for a car nut. There is an impressive collection of hearses from all over the world, (including sleighs and the only hearse-bus) and the coffins are incredible. There is a glass coffin, a coffin built for three (long story) and the fantasy coffins from Ghana – which are carved and painted to look like whatever you want. You want to be laid to rest in a representation of your favorite vegetable?  They can do that. They had coffins shaped like leeks, crabs, lions, and an outboard motor (it even said Yamaha on the side). The Lucite coffin is like the tackiest Vegas souvenir ever. It has money imbedded in patterns in the plastic – so you can take it with you.

I was the only one in the group to take pictures of the gift shop.  What would they have in a Funeral Museum gift shop you may ask? skulls, death themed jewelry, chocolate-covered coffin candies, Dia de los Muertos stuff, and my personal favorite – undertaker Christmas tree ornaments. They are very nice, blown glass, dressed in black with a shovel in one hand and a scroll inscribed “Death Certificate” in the other. 

I'm in a contest with myself to find the tackiest souvenir ever made. (It's an excuse to prowl gift shops, really.) No winners here, unfortunately.  The miniature outhouse inscribed "Abandon all hope ye who enter here" was tacky, but a little too pedestrian. The undertaker ornament was actually too cute. A really tacky souvenir has to make you do a double take. Like the  wedding-themed toilet plunger I found a few years ago. I am not making this up. I'm not that creative. 


Boo!!

Years ago I went to a combination Graduation from Mortuary School/Sex Toy party - Official theme: "This Stiff Needs a Stiffie" (I have some very uninhibited friends.)  These might be the people who would appreciate an undertaker Christmas tree ornament, particularly if I got one with extra glitter.