17th September 2013
So another leg of the journey, another sleeper bus, this time, quite possibly the worst sleeper bus imaginable. The bus was filled with insects, dirty blankets seat belts that didn't work (when you're on a top bunk this is very much a problem) and one hell of a crazy driver. Needless to say we didn't get much sleep...
18th September
So it's raining as we arrive in Hue although we were greeted at our hotel with amazingly smiley faces and a breakfast that we were more than ready for! Whilst Carly catches up on her sleep, I decide to have a wander round the city, (tacky poncho on too) to get my bearings. First impressions of Hue is how incredibly friendly the people are here. Constantly stopping you to talk to you or just smiling . A complete contrast to Hanoi. Despite the constant rain, apparently there's risk of typhoons in rainy season (who booked this trip again?) we have already fallen in love with this tiny place.
19th September
So after the floods of last night, we have been told that the typhoon has moved towards Cambodia, brilliant, the exact route we are taking. It's amazing how yesterday the streets were completely flooded and there were constant power cuts but today it's like nothing happened!
Today we hired bikes, again. Clearly it's the best way to explore a new city; and we headed across the bridge to the market (very exciting news for Morgane) and to explore the old citadel. A highlight of my day was definitely Carly trying to act out and describe the word constipation to many pharmacists who either didn't understand English or pretended not to for the laugh. After spotting a bookshop and looking up the word in the English to Vietnamese dictionary, all was well with the world. Such teachers. We have discovered that no matter where you go in Asia, the traffic is as lawless in one place as it is in another, I've definitely been pretty close to death a few times and Carly has had a few swipes from cyclo drivers as they pass... She must have the face for it :/
The citadel, after paying 'foreigners' prices did not quite match up to the photos it is advertised with. It would have been absolutely beautiful in its heyday but it seems, as with a lot of the sights in this gorgeous city, that the war really did take its toll.
20th September
Today Morgane ventured out to take a tour of all the sights from the war on a 'DMZ' tour. As this isn't really Carly's type of thing, the sensible thing to do would be to take the group tour on the bus. However, reading the reviews (Carly and I are now avid followers of trip adviser) and the thought of a 6am start, I decided to hire a motorbike instead. Now do not worry, I did not drive this myself, a very nice tour guide drove it for me although needless to say I did not tell my mum before hand... I have got to say, after my fears of being kidnapped and leaving firm instructions with friends that if I hadn't been in contact by 6pm English time to contact the embassy, it was the best decision I could have made. Mr thang as he is known, picked me up at 8am, shoved me on the back of his motorbike and we were off. The sun on my back and 'born to be wild' playing in my ears we drove the 3 hours towards the demilitarised zone. The highlight was definitely seeing the vinh moc tunnels- these were incredible. 28m underground it was the home to hundreds of families, birthplace to over 80 babies and the scene of countless weddings whilst they sheltered from the war that was occurring overhead. As part of the tour I was also taken to the old north/south border, another amazing citadel and was pointed out countless of emotional military cemeteries. For lunch, mr thang stopped along 'hells highway' to where a family were eating their own lunch of rice, vegetables, fish and pork ( he didn't know this family) and in true Vietnamese style they opened up their home and fed us silly until I was stuffed. My chopstick skills were definitely under scrutiny here!
Once back to the hotel with a sore bum, a very red back but a massive smile on my face, I let Carly get a word in edge ways to tell me about her day... Apparently, Carly had decided to go it alone with the map and visit the tombs of the city on her push bike. Along the way and after losing her map from her basket she came across a really friendly English speaking Vietnamese speaking lady who said she lived right next to the tombs and that Carly could follow her if she slowed down on her moped. Her son was also visiting the tombs on a school trip. 10km later, Carly arrived at the ladies house where once Carly had caught her breath, demanded that Carly gave her money. Her son also appeared just as angry and demanding. Needless to say Carly sped out of there as fast as she could, Bradley wiggins had nothing on her! At least it stopped her moaning about needing to exercise for a while...
That night, it was clear that we both needed a drink so headed towards the local Vietnamese hangout with Thom, a crazy English cyclist who had cycled here from England and partied hard. Probably not a good idea considering we had another journey towards Danang tomorrow.For now though, singing the Greese medly at the top of our voices with Vietnamese waiters who didn't know the words (what?!) was all we needed....