Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
HUE
30/09/07 - 02/10/07 $6 p/room
An Phu did there usual thing off dropping us off nowhere near the backpacker/bar area at a really expensive hotel, but after what seemed like the longest walk ever in the midday sun we managed to find a hostel-type place along the river for $2 each. Although basic the room was really big and spacious and had fans and cable tv. There were windows on every wall bar one so it was really light and ariry and we were in a great location just where the river and canal met so had a fab view.
One the journey to Hue a lady called Lenh from Da Nang sat next to me, which at first I thought was weird (as there were hundreds of free seats on the bus... so I thought she must've been a nutter making a beeline for me... like they do!) but it turns out she's an english teacher and just wanted to practise her English. She's been teaching for over 10 years but very rarely gets to speak to anyone english so is never sure that what she's saying is right. She wrote down some words for me to say so she could check them and checked a few of her pronunciations... lets hope she doesn't mind having a northern twang! She also told me how lovely my milky-white no sign of a tan skin was... that's a first. As everyone is dark here they of course want pale skin, so I keep getting my arms stroked by old ladies on buses and stuff. If only being pale was cool in England!
Me and Hazel decided to go for a few cheeky beers on the first night so we wandered a little off the beaten track near the main bars and found somewhere that seemed pretty lively but was full of locals. We didn't want to impose so we asked if it was ok for us to come in and they were fine about it... although as I don't in the least bit blend in we must've really stuck out!
Spent my time in Hue just exploring the area, crossed the river to the Citadel and walked around the perimeter of the "Forbidden Purple City" where all the concubines used to live with only eunachs for company. I didn't visit any of the tombs (of which there are loads) but Hazel went on a moto tour to a couple and after seeing her pics I'd definitely give that a go anoyther time.
Our bus to Hanoi, our next destination, was another night bus... delightful, so before getting on we decided to go to a restuarant a few of the locals had recomended Phuong Nam down Tran Cao Van. This was the best meal in Vietnam so far, between the 3 of us we tried 5 different dishes, all of which were super and I'd definitely recommend it, plus it was really good value for money... awesome!
As we left Phuong Nam the heavens opened up again, we appear to be chasing a rather ferocious typhoon! So we all ought super-cool poncho's and giggled our way back to the hotel to wait for the night bus!
Hue was really nice and with the temples, citadels and tombs is definitely worth a visit if in Vietnam.
- comments