Geckos, Incense, and the Moon: A Year in Vietnam

Geckos, Incense and the Moon is a deeply personal and vividly written travel memoir by a woman who, at age 73, leaves her home to live in Vietnam for a year—just as the world, unexpectedly, is shutting down. Prompted by a previous visit to her expat son and a growing fascination with Vietnamese culture and Buddhism, she makes the leap—arriving just before the borders close in March 2020. What unfolds is a rich, layered journey: life in a small beach village, the challenges of handling daily routines in a foreign language, the beauty of local customs, and new friendships with expats from all over the world. She also brings readers into the complex and honest story of her relationship with her son, who struggles with alcoholism. With his permission, she shares both the loving and painful moments they experience together. This memoir explores what it means to live and even thrive outside your comfort zone. It’s a testament to the power of curiosity, courage, and the resilience of the human spirit—at any age.The author not only shares the story of a lifetime but also shares photos of her experiences on her website. A link to it is provided in her book. Read more