Vietnam by Moonlight

(rain pattering) Into the moonlit waves a boat sets off from shore, fishing nets draped along the bow. All up and down the coast waves tuck rhythmically into the sand and the air smells of sea salt and jasmine. Mist shimmers softly draped over the coastal city of Vung Tau. Before we explore further, let's settle in for a brief wind down exercise. So when you're ready, let's begin. So first, get comfortable in your bed. Now just bringing the attention to the breath, just noticing where you feel it in the nose, the throat, the chest, the diaphragm. You're nice and relaxed. We're going to be taking a deep breath in for four, holding it for four, and then breathing out for six. So are you ready? Let's begin. In for four, two, three, four. Hold it for four, two, three, four. Now breathing out for six. Two, three, four, five, six. In for four, two, three, four. Holding for four, two, three, four. Out for six. Two, three, four, five, six. In for four, two, three, four. Holding for four, two, three, four. Out for six. Two, three, four, five, six. In for four, two, three, four. Holding for four, two, three, four. Out for six. Two, three, four, five, six. Great. Now returning the breath to normal. In the southern city of Vung Tau, a warm breeze sends waves folding melodically onto the beach. Hundreds of houses are tucked into the hillside above the beach. Their lights twinkling against the darkening sky. A woman gazes up at them as she meanders down the wide marble walkway running the length of the sea. She passes a couple taking engagement photos on a rock ledge, a man selling warm banh mi from a cart and a group of children drying off after a long day of swimming. An old poet with a narrow silvery beard sits at a booth with a calligraphy pen in one hand and an empty scroll in the other. For a few coins, he will write a poem. His pen moves in graceful curlicue script across the page. Each looping letter flowing into the next while the sea swells and glitters behind him beneath the setting sun. Out on the horizon, ships are glimmering in the distance. A brightly lit restaurant built on stilts seems to float above the water. Its warm glow reflecting across the gentle waves long into the night. (birds singing) (chimes tinkling) In the rainy mountain town of Da Lat, a monastery sits tucked among a lush pine forest. At the end of a stone walkway, shiny with rain, a set of stairs leads up the side of the temple to a wide porch overlooking a lake. Inside the temple, several monks sit perfectly still in front of an ornate gold altar. (birds continue singing) Outside on the porch silhouetted by the sky a monk stands perfectly still. He is contemplating the water below as the sky turns silver with rain. Sheltered...