Honda, Trek or BMW?

Every day before I head off to work I ask myself, should I take the Honda, the Trek, or the BMW - and some days I take the BMW...

HA! Not really, this particular buffalo, affectionately known as the BMW (buffalo-most-wet?) of this particular muddy pond, would not fit in very well on my commute to the office. In fact I think he would block the whole lane on Long Bien Bridge, and cause a huge traffic jam. Which is why he stays there in that pond outside of Hoi An. 

These two photos are from the top of Marble Mountain, halfway between Hoi An and Danang. Above, looking out to the sea and Cham Islands, over what used to be Hoa's Place, for those in the know. And below, looking north toward Danang with the mountains of Son Tra Peninsula in the background. If you look closely, on the left, you can see the yellow "Dragon Bridge" which recently opened. The head of the dragon, facing to the right here, is equipped to spew water or fire when the dragon feels frisky.

PS Buffaloes get frisky too sometimes!

Marble Mountain

Marble Mountain, conveniently located on the wide tourist road between Danang airport and Hoi An, consists of a couple jagged spurts of rock sticking up above the countryside, and a town full of shops selling marble sculptures, and knick-knacks. The mountain, like most in Vietnam, is home to a temple. It is also full of caves - more temples - and has a nice view from the top if you can crawl through the crack at the end of a cave to get on top.

Vietnamese lions have more dragon in them than lion. This one, at any rate, was really annoyed by the flower which kept blowing past its ears.

From the top of the hill. Overlooking, incidentally, China Beach. Since Danang was a major US air base during the war, and China Beach was only a few km away, I'm told it was a popular spot for spending time off duty. Rather more to the point, it is a great beach for walking along since it goes forever and there aren't too many snooty resorts with fences!

The actual town is, of course, a little dusty with all the granite shops.

So someone made a fountain to keep the dust down.

And some musicians to keep everybody happy.

The multitudes.

Mother and child, Lady Liberty, and Liberated Lady