Day 16 - After having a nights sleep which included a free exfoliating leg treatment due to our trip to beach and subsequent deposit of sand in the bed, it was off to breakfast. Strategies in place it was fruit, followed by bacon, sausages and a bit of salad. Then came course 3, the omelette cooked with whatever ingredients you wanted and all washed down by 2 courses croissants, both plain and chocolate!

We must point out that it was hammering down with rain at this point (only second day of rain so can't complain).

After that it was a bit of packing to check out at 12. The hotel had reserved one of their private cars to take us to the train station at 1 so we had a wander into town to pick up some food for our train journey up the East coast to Hue. The car duly arrived and a personal driver took us to Danang train station about 45 minutes away. We sat at the station for about an hour and needless to say, all the food disappeared whilst waiting!! Onto the train hoping for a seat on the right hand side for the incredible views we had heard about off the coast rail line. We weren't to be disappointed although we were facing the wrong way. A strange program on the tv, Jaws 5, just what you want at 3 in the afternoon! And an annoying bloke snoring opposite us. Just North of Danang, as we got out of town and climbed up the hill, the views became apparent and they were amazing. Views from high up the mountain looking down over the beaches and views of the coastline. A favourite was the old fishing village housed next to a modern bridge spanning over the river showing both old and new world fused together.

Once at Hue station it was straight into a taxi. Bit worrying that the driver didn't know the Niño Hotel but we went with it as he asked his mate. Didn't think there could be many hotels in this sleepy town. How wrong can a person be?! The guide book made Hue out to be a quiet, sleepy, small place but as soon as we were out of the station it became apparent that this town was crazy. Push bikes, motorbikes, mopeds, cars, people everywhere. One particular roundabout was just a mass free for all as to who could nudge (push) their way through. It's quite easy in a car as people on bikes have a choice, move or get run over!!

We reached our hotel, well, a sign for it anyway at the entrance to an alleyway. With a bit of trepidation we went down the alleyway past a few guesthouses and then onto our hotel. We were greeted with an fried egg sandwich, a cake and a brew, random!

We were then shown to our room, a little small but had all want you want. A strange shower which had something that looks more like a coffin than a shower tray!

A change and then out for dinner. We had already decided we were going to treat ourselves to a curry (we know, we know!!) so went searching for a well known place from the guidebook. After being handed flyers, offered a ride on a cyclo about 30 times and asked to look at menus whilst walking past every restaurant, we reached the curry house. A really nice meal, washed down with a local brew, beer Hue. Not as good as beer lao, but better than Tiger. After our meal we fancied another drink somewhere so we headed to a bar we had seen on the way out, DMZ bar. Bit of a random place as it had graffiti all over the place, on every available space. Looked like foreigners were asked to sign the walls! Then back to the hotel to plan the assault on the citadel tomorrow and hopefully get Alice some glasses made.