Hue

Tuesday

Our train arrived at Hue about 8ish in the morning. We were transferred to our very nice hotel in this unexpectedly beautiful town.

Morning! Waking up on the sleeper train.

Nice welcome at our hotel.

The afternoon provided us with one of the highlights of the South East trip so far. We all got on the back of motorbikes and sped off around town visiting all the sites. It was such great fun!! The motorbike drivers were one big well organised group with great commaraderie between them. It all felt very safe even though we were speeding along roads, country paths and through forest trails.

Heidi had the lead driver who was a very good driver. My motorbike was a few behind. With all of us on bikes tearing around the city, it must have been quite intimidating for people. We must have looked like the hells angels or something!

Heidi with her driver.

Me pretending to drive..we weren’t allowed really.

Our first site was a big temple and pagoda. We then went deeper into the countryside to visit an arena where years and years ago Elephants used to fight (and beat) Tigers. After, we visited a US Bunker used during the war in Vietnam. In the distance was the infamous Hamburger Hill.

Right at the start we had to go across this scary bridge along a really narrow path.

Thien Mu Pagoda.

Heidi up ahead speeding through the forest.

View of the river from the bunker.

Hamburger Hill.

Hell’s Angels. Heidi and I are on the far left.

Our last stops included the Minh Mang Tombs, an incent stick maker and a one armed lady (lost her arm during the US bombing campaign) who makes the conical hats, famous here in Vietnam. We also drove deep into thelush green countryside to view the farmers at work planting rice in the paddy fields.

Minh Mang Tombs.

Racing through narrow streets.

Be careful lady in floral pyjamas and pointy hat!.

This lady was amazing and famous in her area. She make the conical hats and is so skilled at it! Plus she only has one hand! Puts me to shame.

Cute girl.

Cute old lady.

Cute cow.

Incent stick maker.

Incent sticks.

When I think of Vietnam, this is the image I have in my head.

Riding back into the city.

Hang on a minute, is Heidi hugging him? Hmmmm.

The whole thing was brilliantly run and Bobby our guide did an excellent job of explaining everything.

Our guide Bobby.

In the evening we went for a meal at the Mandarin Cafe owned and ran by photographer Mr Cu. His work is on display around the restaurant and you can buy any of his work on postcards or large prints. He was a very friendly man and showed me all his really nice expensive cameras and equipment which I was very jealous of!

Wednesday

We checked out of our hotel before driving to a site called the Imperial Citadel which is similar to the forbidden city in Beijing. The area was huge and beautiful but it was very hot and were soon off to our next destination Hoi An.

The imperial Citadel.