Blogs from Hué, Thua Thien - Huế, North Central Coast, Vietnam, Asia - page 69

Hello everyone it's Tuesday the 21st of Feb, 2:45 in the afternoon. We have a lot of catching up to do. We left Hoi An yesterday morning after another wonderful breakfast buffet. We said our goodbys to Lai and traded addresses promising to write. Our next overnight is Hue a three hour drive. We left earlier than planned so we could have plenty of time to stop if we wanted to. The route took us near the ocean and through the Truong Son Mountains. They were very pretty and we told the driver that they reminded us of Tiger Mountain at home with their greenary and the mist at the top. About half way we took a refreshment break at a fishing village overlooking the ocean. The view was spectacular. Throughout the trip the constant sounds ... read more

Well on our travels we have utilized many forms of transport; speed boat, slow boat, sampan, bamboo raft, kayak, Chinese junk, elephant, night train, bus, minibus, car, tuk-tuks of all shapes & sizes, moto (motor bike or xe-om), the tray of utes, bicycle shanks pony and the inner tubes of tires. In the process we have got to experience the different driving styles in the different countries. Of all the places we’ve visited to date, none compare to the madness of traffic in Vietnam. Negotiating this traffic is so integral to our tour that I can’t really continue without it. We’ve all made or heard the comments about Asian drivers back home - how they swerve into your lane without looking, stop in the middle of the road, bumper park etc etc - but have you ... read more

Yesterday I arrived in Hue', right in the middle of Viet Nam, and the old capital until the French colonialists made Sai Gon their Indochine capital. It was a short three hour bus ride from Hoi An made longer with two unncessary, although pleasant, stops. Left my Hotel in Hoi An and went down the road to the travel agent where I bought my ticket. They explained the actual bus was waiting ahead straight, then right about 100-150 meters. I set off, repeating the instructions back, and saying thank you. After marching twenty feet down the road, a motorcycle stopped and looking up I realized it was the girl from a shop I bought some shirts from and her husband. "Hey! We take you to bus! Jump on". My backpack probably weighed around 20Kg but at ... read more

I stumbled off the Hell Train into the rain. I stupidly did not accept the cyclo drivers offers and started walking with all of my (very heavy) crap until I was soaked and angry. I hated Hue. Luckily that didn't last too long. I found a cyclo driver and he carted big old me and all my stuff to the backpacker's alley. I gave him a big tip because I feel pretty bad when someone half the size of me pedals me around in a cyclo. Hue is deserted compared to Hanoi. I'm convinced I was one of two people staying at that hotel. Cyclo drivers seem to outnumber tourists and accept ridiculously small amounts of money for rides. A lot of restaurants are closed- apparently this is because of Tet. I really like Hue. Its ... read more

On the Trail of the Imperial Dynasties of Vietnam My introduction to Vietnam's past really began in Hanoi as I visited all the great museums they have there. They were so well done and interesting. Also, not all of the statues and memorials are of Ho Chi Minh but also of past rulers of the great dynasties of Vietnam. Biking South on Highway One takes you close to all of the great citadels, Imperial Courts and tombs of Vietnam's past rulers. Unfortunately, a lot of these great works were destroyed during the Vietnam/American War. You get one side of the story from the Vietnamese government. Like: "This was destroyed by an American bomb." They never tell you that it was being used by their army for an observation post etc. However, Hoi An, Dalat are examples ... read more

Rode in to Vinh Vietnam. After several 100 KM days I was real sore. I saw a sign on our Hotel Billboard: "Thai Massage." After checking it out it only cost four dollars. I told Ngat I was going to splurge and get a "Therapeutic Massage." She said: "Don't waste you money, I can give you one for nothing." I told her, no I wanted a professional job. Somehow, I had a feeling this place would be good. I had Ngat check the place out and get me an appointment. I told her to make sure the girls were not interested in "Boom Boom." I have been to places where it was a little rub and a lot of asking for "Boom Boom." Anyway, enough on that subject. Ngat came back with my appointment time which ... read more