Raymer and Egan and the South China Sea

Just got back from two days of sailing on a Vietnamese Junk through Ha Long Bay in the South China Sea. Couldn't help but think of the two other guys in the band,  Raymer and  Egan, who have also been here and have seen what I am seeing. Its hard to put into words really, sitting in a Kayak in Ha Long bay paddling among the limestone formations as a giant orange ball descends through the haze to bring on a twilight that calms and stirs the heart simultaneously.
At the time, Mike and Rob were younger men, impetuous surely, full of crap probably, and I bet hardly a nerve was ever frayed. Its a little different for me. While I am seeing this world through rose coloured  bifocals, its clear to me that I am older now, I am stranger in a strange land, and at times it makes me feel  fragile.
We passed an accident on the way back from Ha Long Bay. A motorcyclist was killed in what looked like either a head on or a T-bone accident. Passing motorists slowed to drop money by the body, a sign of  sympathy and solidarity with the family, perhaps. The whole village seemed to wear the same shocked face. They lined the side of the road while police tried to keep traffic moving and sort out what happened. Reality check. This is why I am here. Life fleets.
I am going to the temple early tomorrow morning to burn some incense for him and his family. And to be grateful for the fact that my heart can still break for someone I don't know.