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Published: November 19th 2010
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Hue (pronounced HWhey)
After a fitful nights sleep on the train we were all definately awake by 6am, as the train lurched forward and it felt like it was trying to bump another train out of the way. Our guide Tu had told us that we would be arriving at 8am, when in fact the train attendants indicated it would be 10am. The weather had taken a turn for the worse and it was raining heavily, and looked like it had been for some time. As we approached the station, it was a bit worrying that all the surrounding area was flooded and the only reason the track wasn't was because it was raised up.
We were met at the station by our next guide Hai who took our to our hotel which was very close to the station. We were hungry and the hotel said we could have the buffet breakfast, but when we got there it had finished. They took us back to reception whilst they tried to figure out what to do. THe hotel was a hive of activity, as they had three wedddings on that
day. Aparantetly it is lucky to get married on a
Tuesday. They eventually took us down to the "riverside cafe" for breakfast where they presented us with a continental breakfast menu and came and took the order. Russ had to order the "Rice Crippys" just to hear the waitress pronounce it back to him when he ordered them. It was clear from the flow of the river and its height that there was some flooding nearby.
The breakfast that came wasn't exactly what we had ordered, more of a mix of everyones, with Dad not getting any cereal at all, we all got a yogurt but didn't ask for one, and trying to get across the concept of wanting hot coffee nearly drove Dad to distraction. After going to the rooms and having a shower and change a clothes made us feel better and we went down to meet the guide for our tour of the sights of Hue.
Our first stop was the Citadel which despite having suffered damage in the war, is currently under reconstruction with the assistance of UNESCO. It was very reminisant of the Forbidden City in Bejing, with courtyard and buildings designated to the Emperor, his mandarins and the queen. Part of the
complex has shrines to 10 of the 13 Emperors, and when asked what happened to the other three, two didn't last long (3 days and 3 months) and the last Emporer only died 5 years ago in France.
After out tour round the Citadel complex, which is actually a lot bigger than it looks, we set off to our next place of interest. This was to be the Pagoda, but approaching the road leading to it, another car coming the other way told our guide that due to the flood water, the road was impassable. It was at this point we began to realise the extent of the flooding that had occurred. To be fair, the people seemed to get on with life and just accept that flooding is a way of life.
We abandoned the Pagoda, and went to Dong Ba market instead. This is primarily an indoor market that sells everything from soap to clothes. Outside there is food, and again the market area had been affected by the flood water, shrinking the area available to put out their wares. We didn't buy anything, but seeing the market and experiencing the smells was enough for anyone.
Our last stop of the day was an extra to the original itinery which we had seen in the guide book and looked good. As we had not been able to visit the Pagoda, the guide was quite happy for us to visit at no extra charge just a small entrance donation. However, shortly after we arrived it began to rain heavily and didn't stop throughout the tour. There were a number of interesting statues which reminded us of the Terracotta Warriors we had seen in Xi'an. On our way back to the hotel, we stopped at a small row of houses the guide told us was the incense making village to see incense sticks being hand rolled and were encouraged to purchase some. As they were only cheap we duly obliged.
We returned to the hotel, and asked for a suggestion for a restaurant for dinner. Our guide marked two on the map, both in the town centre. We arranged to meet in the bar on the roof of the hotel for drinks, but when we arrived it looked like no-one had been up there for years. We switched location to the hotel lobby and reception called
us a taxi. Whilst waiting for the taxi, we couldn't help laugh at the entertainment at the wedding in the next room. Not only were they singing Ave Maria, but there was the worst Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse to greet the guests we had ever seen!
We set off for the first choice venue, and as we headed down the main street, it became clear that the flooding was widespread. In order for us to get into the restaurant, the taxi had to nearly drive inside so we didn't get out feet wet. The water was past ankle deep, and there were people wading down the street. The food was excellent and it was a French influenced menu. We opted to walk back to the hotel, which involved wading the first part ourselves through the water, the hotel was a little further than we had remembered but we nearly made it back to the hotel before it started raining.
It was fairly late when we arrived back at the hotel, and as we were meeting Hai our guide at 8.00am after first having breakfast for the first of our bicycle trips we turned in for the night.
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