Muse Food – Stranded Boats In Vietnam
During the rest stop at the pearl factory on the way to Hanoi, Vietnam, the Dear Wonderful Hubby and I spotted this boat.
Visitors were encouraged to board it unsupervised. It is now a tourist attraction.
But it clearly started its life as a working boat.
How did it end up at the pearl factory? Why was this specific boat chosen for the display? Is it no longer sea-worthy? Is that why it is surrounded by land and not close to the water? If so, what happened to make it no longer sea-worthy?
(My vote was it had been attacked by ancient sea monsters and those sea monsters will down it if it ever touches the sea again. – grins)
Its unexpected and unexplained appearance prompts questions. And one of those questions could lead to a great story.
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Looking For Pearls In Vietnam
Part of the bus tour to Hanoi, Vietnam was a bathroom stop at a pearl ‘factory.’
This was free. The expectation was some people in the tour would buy some pearl jewelry or other items (and some people in our tour did exactly that).
There was information about pearls and a demonstration on how they are ‘harvested’ and processed.
The Dear Wonderful Hubby and I also trekked around the grounds. There were birds and other wildlife.
It was an interesting stop to do…once. (grins)
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Sung Sot Cave, Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
The Dear Wonderful Hubby arranged for a boat tour of Ha Long Bay in Vietnam. There were plenty of operators at the cruise terminal. The prices were reasonable and the stop at Sung Sot Cave alone was well worth it.
The approach was like a scene out of Jurassic Park. I half expected a pterodactyl to fly out of the mist.
The boat dropped us off near the entrance of the cave and then relocated near the exit of the cave.
Because the cave was that fraggin’ big.
It was one of the most impressive caves the Dear Wonderful Hubby and I have ever explored. And we’ve explored quite a few of them all over the world.
The rock formations were amazing.
The pathways and stairs were well kept.
The cave was illuminated just enough to still give it that dark and delicious cave feel.
It is a must see in Ha Long Bay!
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Muse Food – Tortoises In Hong Kong And Other Messengers
The Dear Wonderful Hubby and I spotted this adorable tortoise in Hong Kong. He was being taken for a walk by his humans.
Whenever we see a unique creature in an unusual setting, we joke that they are a messenger, approaching us to assign to us a planet-critical mission. (grins)
Messengers can be awesome tools in our stories. That messenger could be a loyal subject warning the hero or heroine of an enemy drawing closer to their kingdom’s borders. Or a comet streaking across the night sky, a precursor to a planet-killing asteroid. Or a mafia squirrel chattering about a circling hawk.
Do you have any messengers in your stories?
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Zumba In Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
There was a long trek in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico from the cruise ship through the cruise terminal before we spilled into the city itself. Part of that route took us through some buildings with shops in them.
In the middle of one of those buildings, in an event space, a zumba (dance/exercise) class was happening.
The Dear Wonderful Hubby loves zumba.
(grins)
He asked through hand gestures if he could join them.
The instructor and the rest of the class welcomed him.
He had a great time and a lot of laughs and everyone was smiling by the end of it.
It made Puerto Vallarta, an already magical city, even more magical.
(smiles)
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Queen Cable Car, Halong Bay, Vietnam
One of the paid things to do in Halong Bay, Vietnam is to take the Queen Cable Car. When the weather is right, it gives travelers great views of the city.
The weather was NOT right when the Dear Wonderful Hubby and I visited Halong Bay. It was rainy and and the views would have been…not great.
But we enjoyed watching the cable car operate! And that was free to do!
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Hanging Out On The ‘Boardwalk’ In Dubai
There is an awesome running/walking path that runs along a beach in Dubai. It is the equivalent of a boardwalk or a malecon and is a destination for many locals and travelers on beautiful outside-friendly days.
The running path is made with spongy materials. The surface is cushiony and easy on the feet to walk on.
We walked much of it.
We also people watched at the 2km point.
There are benches and other seating with shade set up along the running path. We claimed one of them.
As we sat, we watched kind souls feed and water the feral cats.
We watched Moms push their kids in strollers. We watched some toddlers have absolute meltdowns over seemingly nothing.
THAT is universal.
(grins)
We also watched QUITE a few new runners make it victoriously to the 2k point.
And then call a taxi or car to pick them up.
(laughs)
The taxi drivers knew. There was always a taxi waiting.
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Looking For Love In Puerto Vallarta
The Dear Wonderful Hubby and I were wandering down the Malecon, a pedestrian only boardwalk, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
There were vendors set up along the route. And there was a lot of buying and selling.
One of the sales must not have happened.
Because a handsome male vendor, clasping a blouse, yelled after a curvy older woman, “Get your husband to buy it for you.”
She partially turned around and yelled back, “I don’t have a husband.”
The male vendor’s eyes lit up. “That’s even better.” He smiled. “Do you want a husband?”
The woman, clearly delighted with the offer, laughed. “No.”
The male vendor held out his arms. “I’m single too.” He tried again.
The woman laughed louder, shook her head and walked away with her head held high and more of a bounce in her step.
The male vendor watched her for a moment.
Then he sighed, lowered his arms and returned to his store to take care of the next prospective customer.
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Collecting Seashells In Mexico
While we were last in Mexico, the Dear Wonderful Hubby and I took the bus to Playa Chileno, a beach near Cabo San Lucas. He snorkeled and saw some awesome fish. I relaxed on a big sun-warmed boulder and took in the beautiful scenery.
There were whales easily visible from the beach. There was a pirate ship. And there were some really interesting humans.
My favorite humans were a group of older ladies. They spilled out of their caravan of vehicles, chattering and laughing. I got the impression they were Mexican but from a different part of Mexico because they marveled at the beach and at the water and at the blue, blue sky.
I watched as they happily collected seashells and bits of washed up dead coral for their grandbabies back at home. One lady gave another lady some of her seashells because that friend would need more as she had MANY more grandbabies.
They brought their own snacks and drinks and seemed to be having the time of their lives.
That made me smile so hard! (grins)
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Muse Food – Hong Kong Reflections
The Dear Wonderful Hubby took this beautiful photo of Hong Kong while we were watching one of the nightly free light shows.
I love how all the colors are reflected in the water.
Having our characters reflect on past events is a very powerful tactic, especially if there has been a loss of a loved one in a battle or in some other action-packed event.
During battle, there’s no time for grief, for sorrow, for thinking about the loss. Everyone is fighting to stay alive. The action and reaction is fast, fast, fast.
It is not until later, when they are out of immediate danger, when they can slow down, that characters AND the reader can grieve. It is often during these reflections, during these internal replays that we are able to cry over the loss.
Use reflections or replays as a tool for great storytelling.
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