Well, here we are (first three photos) at Halong Bay, just north of Haiphong, the major port city of Vietnam-about 3 hours drive from Hanoi. Halong Bay has thousands of small (but high) islands made of limestone with caves galore- we toured one of the largest caves and it was quite amazing- touristy, for sure, but amazing. This trip was part of the Fulbright's 3 day Orientation- we are now home and preparing for work (sort of)-tomorrow we get cell phones, open a bank account and shop for some household items like a sponge, a towel, tape, a wall clock for Eric, a frying pan, etc. Speaking of household- you're looking at it. A one room efficiency and the hall on the left takes us to our bedroom/bath. The upper floor has a large guest bedroom and bath for visitors. I have my back to a large window that looks out on Truc Bach Lake, about the size of Lake Lansing. Our address is 11 Truc Bach, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi.