We almost missed the plane. And it was my fault. My 'old aunty' brain had miscalculated the time we would need to check into the airport; I only looked at boarding time and quite forgot to add the travel, immigration and luggage clearance preliminaries. So we had to rush through the looong walkway in KLIA2 that leads to the gate; we were practically the last to check in, barely 10 minutes before scheduled take-off. All hot and bothered as we buckled down, then they announced departure would be delayed - and there was something wrong with the air-con. For a good extra half-hour, we all sweated it out in the plane. Thankfully the air-con came back on after take-off.
Talking about heat, Danang was 'stewing' in 40 degrees summer. Apparently the hot season had come unexpectedly early this year. But we saw many tourists - most notably Koreans and Chinese - walking about in the mid-day heat, equipped with hats and hand-fans. We checked into the hotel and hunted for a lunch place, settling for a coffee-shop down the road, which served local noodles. 2 of the young ones opted to cool down in their rooms. So it was the older generation who braved the heat to check out the local tourist market in Danang, which was near the riverside. Huge place with tons of stuff at very affordable prices, compared to RM.
Followed by a stroll to a cathedral located nearby. To our amusement, there were some young Korean girls - all dressed up/made up alike - just like a typical K-pop group - doing their thing, posing right in front of the cathedral doors, so engrossed they 'hoarded' the spot for quite awhile, till another tourist got impatient and marched up the steps to take his photo-shot. Walking back to the hotel, we stopped at a road junction, and joined the locals in what must be their favorite past-time - sitting down on low stools , sipping Viet coffee and watching the world go by.
Night time was slightly cooler. After another local dinner, we headed where everyone was heading - to the riverside to watch the weekly attraction - the dragon bridge breathing fire. There were lights everywhere, on both sides of the river, on the boats cruising up and down, on the bridges. It was very pretty indeed. But the fire-breathing dragon was an anti-climax after all the waiting.... just a few puffs of 'flames' shooting out from the mouth, and it was over in barely 5 minutes.
We spent the next morning visiting the famous pagoda complex in My Son, which is one of the "must-do's" in Danang. Actually what impressed me wasn't the big statues of man-made gods, but the garden landscaping in the grounds. Trees so carefully and beautifully sculptured into living works of art. The place was crawling with tourists. We still had time to do some shopping in the market and eat before taking a private van onward to Hoi An, where we would stay out the rest of our 4 day vacation. 
Our Airbnb host was a young Viet couple, who rendered excellent service , going out of their way to take us to local eateries , and even negotiating for a big discount with the tailor who had messed up my eldest princess' order of custom-made pants. Hoi An is a UNESCO heritage site, and indeed the Old Town, with hundreds of lanterns lighting up the streets at night, is an awesome sight.Apart from walking, we took to bicycles, which are the most practical and cheapest means of transport around. The only problem was adjusting to the right-hand-drive system on the road. The traffic is chaotic and a bit scary to the foreigner, but after awhile, I learnt to put out my hands and cycle out in the middle of cars and motorcycles and just hope for the best . Actually it turned out all ok, Vietnamese drivers are really much more polite and gracious than M'sians - they have no problems giving way to 'lesser' vehicles on the road.
We joined a bicycle tour of an old village, crossing the river by boat, and stopping over to see how the locals hand-made wooden boats, weaved mats and prepared rice noodles. Our guides were university students , who took on these tours as opportunities to practice their English on tourists. It was an interesting activity; if not for the rain. Yes, after all the hot sun, it did rain in Hoi An, on/off, it wasn't really that heavy. And as one lady in our group remarked, "It's just water." So we didn't let the weather deter us; in fact on the last day we cycled 10 km to/from the beach - in the rain.
The highlight was out at sea, when we decided to change plans, following our host encouraging us to try diving instead of just snorkeling around the islands. Only my brother knew how to dive, the rest of us had never so much as put on a wet-suit. The price was double, but well worth it, since everything was provided - from tanks, masks, fins, and dive-suits down to an individual instructor - a professional dive-Master- who would be with us all the way. We only had to learn 4 basic hand signals and simple breathing techniques. No need to bother about which button to press, where to go, how to release pressure.... we just had to trust the instructor to do everything right and obey.
Mine was a young man. Throughout the 2 dives he led me , I think he was hovering above me, or beside me. I couldn't tell, because I didn't see him much, except when he came near to signal me, asking if I was ok, or pointing out some pretty thing under-water. At times, I would sense him 'pushing' me down deeper to see more; I would panic just a little, but remembering he was the expert who knew what he was doing, I would just breathe harder and allow myself to be led. And truly, it is a wondrous world under the waters. My eyes took in the colorful living corals, waving "hallo"- tentacles at me. I was so close, if I wanted, I could just reach out my hands and touch them . A big fish hidden under a rock opened and closed its mouth as if singing a silent song for me. There were slugs and long slithery things on the sea-bed. I didn't have to worry about how much air there was in the tank I carried on my back, I could just relax and enjoy the beauty of a world totally alien to mine. All because there was a hidden hand, guarding me, guiding me.
Now looking back in the comfortable familiarity of my own home at last (home is always so much sweeter after an absence) , I am so thankful that there is a very big Hand over me all the time actually. A hidden Hand which I can't see but no matter; He is there. I don't need to know much really, just the basics - that God loves me, and wants to show me the best of life, wonders that I have never known before. He has already taught me through some 20 years of a faith-journey that He can be trusted to take care of the circumstances of my life and no doubt my death. There will be times when things may seem dangerous, stuff I don't quite understand, situations I don't like. But it's ok, if I choose to believe His ways are good, always good, and just follow His leading. It will all turn out worthwhile; this beautiful adventure called abundant life which He meant for all humankind to be blessed with.
O LORD God of hosts, who is mighty as You are, O LORD,
with Your faithfulness all around You?...
O LORD God of hosts, who is mighty as You are, O LORD,
with Your faithfulness all around You?...
The heavens are Yours; the earth also is Yours;
the world and all that is in it, You have founded them....
the world and all that is in it, You have founded them....
