November 2,

There were loud “talkers” last night. Thankfully we have earplugs – never leave home without them!! LOL! We were up and around by 0700 and had our Javas in our room. By 0830, we went to breakfast. Our hostess served what she called a Vietnamese breakfast. We had rice noodles topped with crispy scallions with sliced sausage and a dipping sauce; X2 hot crepes with banana cooked in them and honey to drizzle on top; and a fruit plate of mango, dragon fruit, pomelo, watermelon, and bananas. Also had fresh orange juice, and rose tea. It is a lot of food even though protions are small. But it is all so good and fresh!

Finished we back to our room. I settled in to blogging and did get started, but was not feeling it. We leave this area tomorrow and there was one last thing we were going to do if we felt up to it. Well, we felt up to it… So we went, taking off on the scooter!

We arrived at Hang Mua around 1030. Jeff had to pay 10,000 Dong (40 cents) for parking the scooter, then he paid the 200K Dong each for our entry ($7.91). Now we climb the 500 steep steps up to the top. About mid-way up the steps split in two directions. We went to the left first. At the top is a cement sculpture of a dragon dancing on the ridge line. It was super crowded!! I think every tourist in Ninh Binh is here! The views from here, incredible – a 360 degree view of the land that is Vietnam. You can see out over the rice paddies on one side and the Lotus ponds on the side where we came up. You also see the right fork with a tourist trail up to the pagoda and another hilltop with a pagoda and no people. Then I got to where I could see the dragon's head and a couple of humpy-waves of it's body, with many people up around it. Jeff went on up the last ten feet and “danced” with the dragon – vying for a photo-op. Then we came down to the fork – Jeff went up the right fork, with a pagoda on top. I did not go and waited for him at the “crossroads”. It was good with great views (albeit hazy), I'm glad we went. The last few feet down I was able to get a picture of another dragon – on the rail of the steps. Once down, we stopped at one of the many cafes for a drink. I had an iced coconut coffee and Jeff had a chocolate milkshake. Nice way to cool off!

When we finished, we left going to the ATM; a pharmacy – for now much needed Ibuprofen!; and then to our place. Siesta time!

Around 1430, we went out for food. We went back to Father Cooking Restaurant. This time we had Pho Thit De – Goat Noodle Soup; Stir-fried Goat with Lemongrass & Chillies; and French Fries with butter and garlic (we needed the replacement calories, right?) LOL!!! I had the Local wine, but Jeff had a Saigon beer this time. Again, the food here was outstanding!

When we finished we went back to our place. I did now complete the blog and Jeff read. We had our bananas and crackers as a snack supper. Bed by 2200 – much quieter tonight!