Tuesday, 20 January, 2025: Yen Tu to Ninh Binh

Last day of retreat. I didn’t say it out loud but I was ready to go.  I had ants in my pants… everyone knows that winding down feeling.  And when it is time to go, it’s time to go.  I hadn’t had that feeling in such a long time.  I’m not really sure where that came from…hmmm.  

For the past four days, Justin and I have been participating in a meditation retreat.  We were up before sunrise for meditation followed by a tai-chi type exercise, Qigong.  We also had sessions of walking meditation.  We learned a lot about Buddhism, Karma Law, chanting, the road to Enlightenment, how to behave when you visit a pagoda and we spent a lot of time in the rituals and practices that make up meditation.  All of this was totally new to me.  Justin attended a meditation seshin many years ago and while this was totally different, he still had a broader background than me. Huy was really good with us as he was so, so patient.  He was sure to preface almost every response with "... in Vietnam..." and "... in Buddhism in Vietnam..."  He was very knowledgeable and he fielded our questions with confidence.  We told him that his bosses and his Master should be proud of him.  

 All of our meals were vegetarian and we didn't have any alcohol during this trip.  we had a cooking class where we made vegetarian spring rolls.  We "conquered" the mountain and, yes, we took the cable car part of the way up.

I can't say that I found inner peace but I also cant say that's what I was looking for.  I did learn some things and I am interested in doing some more reading... later.  For now, I've got the rest of our time on Vietnam to embrace!

Huy taught me how to tie a scarf in the Vietnamese fashion. 
Doesn't that look chic?  

We bid farewell to Huy and before noon we were our way to Ninh Binh with our driver.

Ninh Binh is known as the "Ha Long" Bay on land.  The sheer limestone mountains rise from the rice paddies.  We checked into our C'Dau Hotel with plenty of time to explore before dinner.

The local mountain goat is a delicacy here so that was on the menu .   Anyone?  Yes, please. Was that really a bakery?  Are those really chocolate croissants?  Yes, please. 

 

Saturday, 17 January 2026: Bai Tu Long Bay to Yen Tu for Meditation Retreat

Happy hour on the roof deck was a bit of a non-starter since all of the hors d'ouevers were sweet.  How has this civilization survived without salty snacks?  Our cruise had traded out native cultural music performers rather than a cooking class.  I was disappointed but I can see that others were pleased.  Guess I'll enjoy another gin and tonic as I listen to the music.

Our cruise in Bai Tu Long Bay ended today.  The last three days were filled with fabulous scenery, local culture and cuisine, an attentive staff and a magnificent stateroom.  And I didn't even take a bubble bath in the slipper tub.  

Our days started at 6am with tai chi then a "light breakfast."  Yes, Justin and I got up for tai chi.  Perhaps that was why we were both interested in naps later.  Then we went out on our "day boat" for kayaking, visiting floating villages and fish farms, visiting caves and exploring in the towering limestone karsts.  The scenery was magnificent.  None of this is overrated.  Denise Leech encouraged us to take a cruise in Ha Long Bay for two nights rather than one so we followed that advice just in a different location.  And, as promised, there were not many other boats.  This area has not been exploited as Ha Long Bay.  Tourism is being limited (only a handful of operators are allowed in this area) and that is keeping crowds and pollution at bay -- for now.  As promised, "pristine and peaceful" were the take aways as se never saw more than four boats at a time during our cruise.  

    

This morning, it was time to pack up and return to the shore.  Our driver was there to take us three or four hours to Yen Tu Mountain where we met Huy who would be our guide for the next four days.  Let the meditation retreat begin.