We are brothers :)
We stopped counting when they cleared off the table. They keep track of the beers on a little board next to your table.
Those trees do look like they're being tortured. It looks kind of messed up now :(
Yes, it's really lush in Hanoi. They have lots of those banyan trees with the roots hanging down. It's awesome.
No one is on the island because there was a small gate. In the picture of the bridge to the island, you can see the tops of the gate.
Thanks for stopping by @poss! I appreciate the comment!
Ahh the gate to the "bird island" explains it. I haven't noticed them on my first look of the photo.