Side Trip in Ten Photos

After crossing into Vietnam from China, Tami and I hunkered down in Hanoi. The city has a lot of character but it's one intense place. After three weeks we decided to take a break and go down to the ocean to a place called Ha Long Bay. It's famous for these limestone karsts studding the coast. We ended up spending two weeks bouncing around a few locations. It was breathtaking.

View of Hon Gai from a Karst on the edge of the bay. We climbed up here twice, spent at least three hours and saw no one. Notice Tami down to the left with her hands up.

Ultra-modern bridge spanning a smaller bay between Bai Chay and Hon Gai.

Father of a family we spent time with in Hong Gai. They have a view to die for.

The boat out of Hon Gai to Quan Lan Island. Hello Ha Long Bay.

One of the beaches on Quan Lan. We pretty much had them to ourselves like this. Gulp...

Tami (if you close) over Bai Tu Long Bay.

Cai Rong pier from a karst in Bai Tu Long Bay.

Rolling down the pier to ice the fish.

One part of view from our hotel room when we returned to Hong Gai.

Drying sea stars in Hong Gai.

We're still in Vietnam - mid-way down the coast in Hue. For our latest photos you can click here: LINK http://destinationasia.myphotoalbum.com/view_album.php?set_albumName=album46

Venal - adj. 1. willing to sell one's influence, esp. in return for a bribe; open to bribery; mercenary: a venal judge. 2. able to be purchased, as by a bribe: venal acquittals.
adj. 3. Capable of betraying honor, duty, or scruples for a price; corruptible.
4. Marked by corrupt dealings, especially bribery: a venal administration.

Duplicity – noun 1. deceitfulness in speech or conduct; speaking or acting in two different ways concerning the same matter with intent to deceive; double-dealing.

I just got back to Internet land and read that Lewis Libby will walk. Yeah, George Bush merely commuted the sentence, but that removes the only part of the penalty that would really sting. Call me naive but I simply can't believe the audacity. They are essentially letting a man off the hook who, as found by a jury and sentenced by a conservative judge (a judge appointed by Bush himself), was guilty of obstructing justice in a matter of national security. Bush based a big part of his platform on protecting American citizens from anyone who'd compromise that security. He made his name, in large part, as a tough-on-crime guy. "George W. Bush during his six years as governor of Texas presided over 152 executions, more than any other governor in the recent history of the United States." His administration has renditioned people off the streets of foreign countries. They're tapping the phones and reading the mail and e-mails of American citizens.

Now, Libby walks. I can only imagine Dick Cheney and Karl Rove were sitting there saying, "George has said so many unbelievable things maybe this one will fade into memory just like everything else."

Fool - noun 1. a silly or stupid person; a person who lacks judgment or sense. 2. a professional jester, formerly kept by a person of royal or noble rank for amusement: the court fool. 3. a person who has been tricked or deceived into appearing or acting silly or stupid: to make a fool of someone.