Motorbike trip to Trang An

Well, Son and I didn't exactly luck out with great weather for our trip, but despite the cold and light, foggy rain, we packed a backpack and hit the road. Son brought along a two-headed poncho, and despite how ridiculous they may look draped over a bike with two little heads poking out, are really useful when trying to stay both warm and dry. The trip out into Ninh Binh province was really beautiful, and the mist added a nice touch as well. Everyone was getting ready for the upcoming growing season, so a lot of people were out in thefields preparing the rice seedlings and tilling the fields. Growing rice is a two-step process; first you have to grow the seedlings (which look like blades of grass), then individually transplant each seedling into a flooded field. Most of the seedlings are almost done growing, so the transplanting part of the deal with likely begin soon. It's amazing that people cangrowtheseseedlings almost anywhere. You see a lot of them in fields, but also people have them directly outside of their houses along the road! Farmers spread a thin layer of mud along the pavement and can literally grow seedlings in the street.

After 2 1/2 hours of cold, wet driving, we arrived at Trang An.

It had a pagoda built into the limestone mountains alongside a freshwater river running through a cave and alongside homes and farms. We sat and had our lunch in the pagoda,

and then met up with an little, old lady and got into her boat,

which she rowed along the river. After our little boat tour, Son and I headed out to get some goat meat, the area's local specialty. We decided to try some goat udder, which was recommended to me a while ago by a Vietnamese friend (note picture below).

The udder well, tasted like udder, and was utterly disappointing. ;) Oh well, at least I had the experience, and an almost-full stomach for the ride home.

Overall, it was a great trip, despite the cold, and we plan on making more motorbike trips once the weather gets a bit warmer, which should be soon! We had one week of perfection and now I'm sitting here with my heater on again... such a tease!

And just to assure people that I am not just sitting around, going to concerts, and taking motorbike trips, I got a job today! I will begin working as an English teacher at Vietnam National University next week, and will let you know how that goes. I have a feeling working with young adults is going to be a lot less stressful than working with 7yr olds, so here's hoping!