So when I last updated my blog we were waiting for our bus to Hue, Vietnam. That afternoon, before we left, we bumped into Tom, Pete, Eddie, Holly and Izi and proceeded to drink Hanoi Backpackers Hostel out of La Rue Beer, we then went to a bbq they were having on the fifth floor for a few more cheeky beers and burger. We then said goodbye to Holly, Izi and Eddie who were off in the opposite direction to us and faced the gruelling 24 hour bus ride to Laos. Eddie was particularly smashed and caused panic when he disappeared just before the bus came to pick them up, but all turned out ok in the end. We then said our goodbyes to Pete and Tom and the few beers really helped the bus fly by, as I was asleep for most of it. This maybe a plan I adopt before other long journey bus rides.

As soon as we got to Hue, we checked in at Hue Backpackers Hostel, which was a smaller version of the Hanoi Backpackers Hostel, we arrived at around 7.30am and came across a day tour of the city which started at 8, we decided to do this to make the most of our one and only day in Hue. We first visited Emperor Minh Mangs, Emperor Khai Dinh and Emperor Tu Duc's Tombs, once again Gary Neville came out for some comical pictures. We also met another man who was carrying a mascot with him and taking a photo with him at every opportunity, I didn't catch his name but now him only via his mascot - Beaker from the muppets, I didn't mind this but he didn't welcome G. Nev to the fold as we did Beaker and he seemed to have an arrogance that his mascot was better than anything else, we got the impression that maybe this man dumped his girlfriend just to go travelling with the cuddly toy. After the tombs we stopped on the way to see how conical hats and incense sticks were made which was very intriguing. Our next stop and my personnel favourite part of the day was a viewing of some traditional Vietnam martial arts. Where many crazy stunts were permored such as one man balancing his neck on a spear while a breeze block was hammered to pieces on his neck and someone smashing half a dozen roof tiles with his head. We then stopped for a buffet lunch with had over 50 dishes of the local cuisine. In the afternoon we went to visit the citidel which would have been a good tourist attraction if the American's hadn't have bombed the majority of it and then went on too the Thien Mu Pagoda on the riverbank, we made our way back by boat sailing down the perfume river. Our tour guy - Thing was also a funny Vietnemese guy, he even did some singing on the bus, it was no blue pigeon song though.

When we returned to Hue backpackers, we had tea, I had Bun Cha, which I had herd a lot about from Rory in Hanoi and Earl had Chicken stir fry although both sets of food looked amazing, I think Earl had a little bit of food envy. We also found it was happy hour on drinks so decided to get on it straight away making the most of our day in Hue. We met a guy called Tom, who was in our dorm and had a beer, then when happy hour hit on the cocktails we met a couple called Chloe and Glyndyr, who were very nice and gave us good tips about Ha Noi which was going to be our next destination. After much crazy shenanigans, shirt swapping, crazy dancing, and cocktails in bars such as Octop**** and Brown eyes, I decided to go in search of food and to watch the man utd v blackburn game whilst Earl stayed out a little longer and partied with some American friends he had met who liked his hair. We eventually both got into bed around the 4am mark and had a decent lie in the next day before are next adventure to Hoi An started, and where we are at the minute. I will have to leave you all in suspense about Hoi An as our time here is not quite over but I can tell you that the next blog will include 10p beers, a full moon party, a wild snake, beaches, tailor made suits and a cooking class.

Until next time, stay safe and I hope you are well.

Adi

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