summer at west lake

pinwheels for the whole family!

and this guy is working on dinner - i love it.

i used to live out here near ho tay, also known as west lake. it's really quiet compared to the city center, and you can't beat the views. i remember watching the most bewitching lightening storms from our roof... anyway, these two shots were snapped on the road that runs between west lake and truc bach lake (i don't have the english translation for this one, but if its name at all reflects what goes on here, i think "truc bach" means "snogging with your boyfriend in a paddle boat shaped like a swan." young vietnamese lovers don't get much make-out time at home - what with mom, dad, grandma, sister, and her kids hanging around - so they come here. the lake is no bigger than a swimming pool, really, and yet they manage to "paddle" around for hours... i highly recommend this for any young lovers visiting ha noi... in fact, i'll highly recommend it when my young lover comes to visit. oh yes, and afterwards we must stop for grilled squid and ice cream!)