Hatman: Greetings from Hue backpackers, Hue, Vietnam!
we flew into Hanoi bleery eyed and hungover at 6:45 am with the rain pissing it down. However, our frown was turned upside down when we were met by Dan's lovely driver Mr Toan! After a little nap we explored Hanoi and found ourselves having some delicious Vietnamese soup beside St Joseph's beautiful cathedral! After a sleepless night with a man snoring so loudly we thought there was somebody drilling in the room and another inconsiderate backpacker bringing his friend back! Alman kindly enlightened them on their selfish behaviour at 5am! However, we woke excited to explore more of Hanoi. After a sugary ice coffee in a Vietnamese coffee house (which I later saw in reverse) we purchased some lovely postcards and sat around the lake writting to our chums! Steve's lovely work colleague kindly took us for a delicious lunch in the oldest hotel in Vietnam and fueled us with much needed infromation and advice on where to head in Vietnam and kindly allowed us to stay at his house.Ưe had a fantastic evening swimming, watching Pretty Ưomen and playing with Oatie, the dog!
After a BIG breakfast, scrambled eggs on toast, we headed on our next adventure to Halong bay. After thinking it important to 'broaden our horizons' we took a packed bus full of Vietnamese people to Halong City. Not sure where to get off we were chucked off the bus on the middle of the motorway. After a minor panic that we would have to take motor bikes to the shore we found a taxi driver who took us to find a boat! Feeling very pleased with ourselves that we were on a boat en route to Cat Ba island with again no tourists we lay on the top of the boat catching the rays. After being chucked of thís boat we were thrown on a touring boat where we met some lovely French people and arrived slightly redder at Cat Ba town (Hatman resembling Rudolph with a very shinny red nose!). After a delicious meal of seafood but disappointed with the lack of alcohol sold we ran to the nearest bar to have a much needed G&T!
Ưe woke early the next day to join our tour around some of the islands and bays. Ưe had a wonderful day visitng beautiful bays, caves and jumping of the boat and swimming in the clear water. After we left the boat with our 'deep tans' and our new Belgium friends we attempted to hit the Cat Ba nightlife but were disappointed to find everything closing at a pathetic 11:30 pm so ended up watching Avatar.
The following day we left Cat Ba island and headed back to Hanoi to catch a train to Hue! After picking up our bags from Dan's house we made our way to the train station looking forward to a bunk òn the sleeper train. However, walking further dơưn the platform we saw the cariages tủrn from bed bunks to comfy chairs to wooden benches. Ưe found our wooden benches at the back of the train full with Vietnamese screaming children. The thought òf 19 hours on wooden bench semed bleak so we said goodbye to our friends at the back òf the train and moved to a comfy chair for $5.
Ưe are now off to the visit the citadel today in Hue! Postcards will be sent soon! Sorry some funny symbols don't know how to get rid of them.
Lots of love to all
Hatman and Alman xôxo