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Hello!
It's 5:02pm, I'm lay on a stunning beach in Hue, the sun is beginning to set in a clear blue sky, the waves are rolling in and it's Mojito time :)
Today has been a day of rest after a quick visit to a Buddhist Pagoda this morning. The beach really is beautiful and stretches uninterrupted as far of the eye can see each direction. The sand is white, bamboo umbrellas are scattered around and the sea is a dark blue colour.
The one thing I have just noticed that has been bugging me all afternoon is the difference between the sea here and in Dubai. As I look out into the South China Sea the horizon is clear all around apart from two small fishing boats. No buildings, no Palm, no building work! It's almost strange to look out to sea and see nothing! I suppose this is how it is meant to be :)
After our cold beer in 'The Bar with Cold Beer' two days ago we went back to Phong Nha town centre to our hostel and got changed. We went next door to Easy Tiger for our dinner and enjoyed a fantastic pizza! This was just the start to an amazing night as the singer and guitarist were allowing people to get up and sing! Naturally Martin and I felt compelled to do a set! 4 songs later it was time for our mash up of Stand By Me and Beautiful Girl... They all loved it!
From there we went in search of a Karaoke bar again with the rest of the tour group and Scott. We saw a sign and asked the little family outside if it was open. They signalled to follow them so with major apprehensions we followed them through their house, which was pretty awful, and miraculously entered a fully kitted out private karaoke room! It was fantastic! We all enjoyed singing our hearts out and Martin and I smashed 'You are not alone' by Michael Jackson!
The morning after we woke up early ready to move on to Hue, the city we are in now. On the way we were to call at a number of places, many related to the Vietnam War as we were entering the border areas between the North and South.
First stop was the Vinh Moc Tunnels, something I had been looking forward to since seeing a picture of Tara popping out of one on her visit here last year!
After watching a video about why they were created it quickly became apparent that the area we were in had seen some tragic things not so long ago! On the way to the tunnel entrance it was easy to spot bomb craters scattered around on the landscape now covered in luscious green shrubs. It's a stark contrast to the devastation that covered the land only 40 ish years ago!
Entering the tunnels was strange and I had to calm myself with my breathing as I walked in the confined spaces up to 25m underground. They seamed to go on forever and the signs on the walls showing different areas, including 'Meeting Rooms' and 'Maternity Ward', really brought home that people did actually have to live down there! Models of humans living down in the tunnels also demonstrated how people lived and brought the space to life. It was good to reach the surface after walking around 800m!
It was incredibly hot outside and all of us were dripping when we resurfaced. We got back on the minibus and made our way to a mine centre linked to the UK organisation 'MAG' with the primary aim of protecting local Vietnamese people from unexploded bombs and mines! It is estimated that there are hundreds and thousands of 'LIVE' explosives still in Vietnam and only this week three 250kg bombs were found in a field! Many locals have been killed and injured by these devices and it was heartbreaking reading some of the stories, especially about children who had stood on bombs whilst playing!
After taking in the harrowing details of the war it was time to enter to DMZ and cross into what was South Vietnam.
When we arrived in Hue it was absolutely pissing it down! We checked into our hotel and then some of us went to the local market to explore. I got wet through walking around and didn't really like getting covered in smelly, dirty water from the market roof and floor. I bought Martin and I some fetching face masks to protect us on our motorbike day before heading back to the hotel to rest.
Last night we got dressed up and went for what started out as a lovely meal! After a nightmare Lasagne, which had no pasta in and was sent back, we made our way to the hostel for drinks before going to another bar. I enjoyed playing pool and didn't lose a game winning 5 out of 5 :)
We then carried on to another bar but it wasn't long before I'd had enough and called it a night.
Today we got to lie in! After a late breakfast we went to visit a Buddhist Pagoda which looked stunning in the bright sunshine and clear blue sky! Hue couldn't have looked any more different than the wet, dark and dirty city the day before!
We have then enjoyed a day on this beautiful beach and I even managed to speak to Tara a little bit :) It's 3 weeks tomorrow that I get home and I cannot wait to see her! As the sun sets I'd love to go for a walk with her down the beach but Martin will have to do for now :) He's asleep though so that isn't happening!
Tonight there is a pub quiz and with our world wide team we are quietly confident.
Tomorrow is the day we have all been waiting for!! We will be heading over the Hai Van Pass to Hoi An and I will be doing it on a motorbike! The route was made famous by the Top Gear team a number of years ago and as I've ridden a bike before I'm going to give it a go, Martin is going on the back on Jonny's bike.
I promise to be careful and look forward to sharing the amazing pictures with you when we get to Hoi An :)
Bye for now xx
- comments
Grandma # Moterbikehelmetplease#. Very jealous Tom of that lovely beach .. All sounds fantastic enjoy the ride x
Groovey ma Great blog ... Not keen on mb but you must must wear a helmet !!!! And please take it easy !!! I'm your mother I'm allowed to worry . Enjoy and be careful . Much love ... Xxx
FG Sounds fabulous. Travel safe. X