Today started as a bit of a blur, half 8 to the hotel, to meeting just after 9. We had a nice walk through the town and down to the river where we came across some beautiful sculptures and the dragon boats, plus the roads are able to cross without the fear of death... What an actual relief. We jumped aboard the dragon boat, which was actually the people's home and workplace,then headed for an hour cruise up the Perfume River, which even though it's the rainy season in Hue, it still had some beautiful sights. We were stopped in the middle of the river by a shady looking boat that had all its windows covered up, turns out it was the police expecting a bribe for them not to check the boat's papers... Outrageous!.... We docked further down the river, literally on the bank and had a muddy trek up a small hill to the Du Toc tomb. I think we managed to get some good photographs from this one, as combining the moody weather and almost derelict atmosphere, it just needed to be snapped... We spent the morning at this tomb then headed for the local orphanage to spend some time with the children and have lunch, it was such an incredible feeling playing footie with the young lads, I think we both just wanted to bring one back, move over Brangelina!.... Emma got a bit emotional about it all, the idea of people just abandoning their children was too much! But they were all so happy and didn't want us to leave, but we had lunch and donated some casheroonies!... Then we headed off to the forbidden Purple City!,.... Such a vast amount of temples and buildings they cover a very large area. We were shattered by the end of it, but the more I spend time and listen to the Indochina and Vietnamese history the more I want to know and fully understand the logic. Too much to write but definitely worth a read!... After the journey in the train the night before it did honestly make today a
little bit of a struggle, but we soldiered through until about 5, we got back to the room and had to have a nap before the royal banquet...
We met the group around 7 and headed by taxi to a local theme type restaurant where we were to enjoy our royal banquet . We had the complete dressarge, which we both really enjoyed. As you could possibly tell by the photos..... The food was good, not as good as at the orphanage but as a whole the food on the trip to date as been rather special... We will definitely be cooking more of this when we get back..... Emma's finally getting the hand of the chopsticks now too, she is very proud! Well, it's been a tiring day and we've head off to the room for a little chill and rest for tomorrow as we have a 4 hour public bus trip to Hoi An where we have quite a little bit planned, more info tomorrow.
Peace and love, Moon and Emma x x