2014/07/30 — Wednesday — Tropical Storm Halong Hits

We woke up this morning and found it was raining and the winds had picked up quite a bit.  As we packed, we kept close track of the developing typhoon.

As viewed through a slightly open shutter, the papaya tree next door served as our wind speed indicator!

As viewed through a slightly open shutter, the papaya tree next door served as our wind speed indicator!

As we listened to the forecasts, it was encouraging to learn that the predicted anticipated peak winds were decreasing a little, but the rain kept coming.

The parking area in front of the apartment was covered with water.  Fortunately, the apartments below were still dry.

The parking area in front of the apartment was covered with water. Fortunately, the apartments below were still dry.

The road by the side of the apartment was flooded.

The road by the side of the apartment was flooded.

As evening came, the electricity remained on and the predicted anticipated peak winds had decreased further to about 50mph.  We went to bed fairly early confident that we would have little problem making it to the airport.  Our ride was scheduled to pick us up around 4am.