Right, I'm on a roll, and will quickly update our last stop in Vietnam, the former capital city (before Saigon and Hanoi) of Hue. We got a bus here from Hoi An and were by chance dropped off right outside the hotel we were headed to look at first. We went for a drink and some food in a local cafe, and ended up looking through one of the waiters' book of recommendations for his motorbike tour. Being slightly less adventurous than Ben, it was good to see how much people raved about it, and we booked to go on Wednesday morning. We turned up at 8.30 and were greeted by Tuu and his wife Dam, and we set off on the back of their bikes. Luckily wearing helmets was made compulsory a few months ago! I for one was very glad that we didn't do much through the city itself, as having seen the mentalness of the roads in Ho Chi Minh it could have been scary. It's kind of weird, it's like the only rule is that no-one has right of way, so everyone just dodges the millions of motorbikes and bicycles that drive very boldly out in front of cars/lorrys etc. It seems to work, and we saw no examples of road rage whatsoever. Even I have got used to just walking into the middle of the road and assuming everyone will go round you.

So, our motorbike tour was fantastic, lasted about 4 1/2 hours and we started off going through the most beautiful countryside, with the rice fields (all picked by hand) and river. We stopped at a local village with a market and sat drinking Vietnamese coffee with our guides. Vietnamese coffee is strong, and instead of milk they use condensed milk, makes it quite sweet but nice. We then headed to a monastery in the middle of a forest. It was amazing being driven through and seeing it appear. At first we felt a bit reserved and didn't take photos, as there were monks and nuns (also with shaved heads) processing and praying. However, Tuu insisted it was fine and next thing we knew a monk was slowing down so I could take a photo! Then they were chatting to us and showed us calligraphy they had done. It was interesting being told about the lives of monks and seeing the beautiful surroundings they live in.

Next up was an incense and conical hat making village, we don't have the camera to add photos today, but hopefully I'll be able to stop Ben adding the one of me in a traditional Vietnamese hat! Stylish. Back on the bikes and we stopped for a while to look round the mausoleum of Tu Duc, which was amazing. It was a large walled in area King Tu Duc had built and lived in before his death. It has lots of different temples, a lake and pavillions.

Last but not least was Thien Mu Pagoda, made particularly famous when one of its monks burned himself to death in Saigon as a protest. It was a very calm place overlooking the river. All in all a great way of seeing some stuff we otherwise may not have.

In the afternoon we walked to the city's other major sight, a citadel which was impressive.

Next day we chilled out and waited for our epic journey to Vientiane...more on that later!