I have been busy the last few days, away from the digital world. This has been very nice for me, if not for you the reader. Let me catch you up on what has been happening in the last few days.

Last I posted, I was packing at home, which when I think back about it, is not very interesting. But I have blogged about less before, so that is not too surprising. Anyhow, Christy and I got on the plane with no hassle, and we were off to Hong Kong.

As we were only in Hong Kong for a few hours, all I have to report is that it really does look much like it does in google maps. There are many tall buildings and mountains, both of which I would recommend not seeing in the middle of the night as you rush to find your hotel to get a few hours of shuteye.

Next destination was to Ha Noi, via Ho Chi Man City, another day in the netherworld of airplanes and airports. One cool thing about Vietnam Airlines is that they let you see the takeoff and landing of the plane, in real-time, in the in-flight movie screens. This is possibly the most fascinating and terrifying thing I have ever watched on a plane. You get to watch the stripes on the runway pass by faster and faster on the screen, while you can see the reflection of those same lines shine in from the windows. It is like one of those flight simulation games, except that it is real, you don't have the controls, and if you crash--which coincidently, is most likely to happen in takeoff and landing--you get to see the real life ground rush towards you before GAME OVER.

The flight did not crash, and we arrived in town, hours before the President. Of all the weekends to visit, how dare Mr. Bush mess with my vacation? It is bad enough that he regularly takes over Manhattan, but Ha Noi? I saw little of him as we decided to get away from the city and see Halong Bay for a three day boat tour.

What can I say to describe Halong bay? It is one of those beautiful places that you just have to see yourself. Think of the quintessential Asian hill, one that goes straight up, over for a little bit then drops right back down. Then put these towering limestone edifices in beautiful blue-green water which has no waves and is the perfect temperature for a swim.

I am getting kicked off this computer now.