Clothes, beach and DMZ

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After a bumpy overnight bus ride we arrived in Hoi An, a beautiful city known for it's tailoring and brownies (according to the lonely planet and Soph respectively). After naps we went to explore the city, David getting the two of us lost, we ended up having to eat at an expensive hotel (bill came to $22), but it was beautiful and on the river! After, the 4 of us lounged by the pool and then made our way to dinner with some friends Sylvie had made, giving Dave a chance to practice his every improving French (Je suis une sandwiche avec la vache qui rit)! After the girls got fitted for some new clothes (don't worry Leblanc's, Sophie was very controlled) and ate the delicious brownies (the things that get you excited after living in Asia for 3 years)!
The next day we explored the beach, Sophie did the smart thing and renting a bike, Dave and I, however, decided to take the "half hour" walk that turned into well over an hour in the hot sun. But the beach was beautiful so no complaints! After picking up our clothes (with the mandatory 3 time alterations), we headed to Hue, the former capital!


(at this point in the blog entry, Amy got bored and went for a nap, so Dave took over)


We decided to take a tour of the old DMZ, a full day adventure jam packed with history. We visited monuments, museums, and more tunnels (thankfully built primarily for living purposes rather than fighting, so they were much more comfortable). You had to use your imagination to see the place as it would have been, unlike the Korean DMZ where you can feel the tension and seriousness of the situation, but it was a very interesting day. We headed back to Hue to relax, eat pizza and watch movies.
The next morning, after the mandatory lie in, we headed out for breakfast and arranged for a motorbike tour of the city. This turned out to be an excellent idea, as our (thankfully) very experienced guides weaved us in and out of the traffic and off to explore the surrounding countryside. We drove through small villages, past snoozing water buffalo and through acres of rice paddies, visiting little known attractions like the Japanese bridge, and sites from the Vietnam-French war, before heading back into the city to visit the Citadel, the centuries old palace. After braving rush hour traffic, and somehow avoiding the thousands of other bikes on the road, we arrived back at the hotel and prepared ourselves for the final sleeper bus, the 14hour marathon to Hanoi.

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Photos

Hoi An
HoiAn old town is full of narrow streets, little traffic, and French style architecture. Roaming the streets, its easy to imagine the place 100 years earlier.

On the road to the beach
The outskirts of HoiAn

DMZ monument
The monument, located on the south bank of the river that acted as the demarcation line, celebrates the reunification of north and south Vietnam.

Volunteering Abroad
As willing as ever to volunteer his services, Dave stops to tutor a youngster whilst exploring the tunnels.

The Ladies
The girls strike a pose on the bridge built along the route of the HoChiMinh trail.

Awwwhhh...... sweet.
Dave and Amy (and large water bottle) outside an American bunker at the site of Khe Sanh US marine base, now a very interesting museum.

The Bike Gang
The girls are ready for the bike tour.

The view from Bunker Hill
The Fantastic Four at the French Bunkers

The Citadel
The emperors rather nice house back in olden times.

Comments

[Paul Spencer]

Stick on beard
Someone has put a comedy stick on beard underneath your chin Dave, are there no mirrors where you are...thought you would have spotted it by now? Awooga