The best way to get to our next destination, Hue, is by train as it goes along the coast and is very scenic (for scenic read slow). However, Hoi-An has no station and so we had to get a taxi to Danang where we could board. The train arrived and we attempted to get on. There's no platform so you have to walk along the rails. It was very hot and we were glad to set foot on the airconditioned train. Sadly that's all we managed to get on as the train wasn't our one and was the previous one running late. Classic. By this time the gates to the platform were locked and so we were stuck in the heat waiting for our train. It turned up soon enough and we dragged ourselves up and on to the train. The views were amazing and I spent most of the trip trying to take photos. Leanne spent most of the trip people watching as our carriage was a locals carriage and turned in to a living room / kitchen / bedroom as soon as we left the station.
We arrived at a station and there was a mad rush to get off. We grabbed our stuff and hoping it was Hue we got off. After bartering for a taxi and being dropped off at our hotel we laid down to catch our breath, and were suddenly surrounded by mozzies!! The room hadn't been used for a while and they were everywhere. Whilst running around trying to kill them, i had a horrible moment. I realised i'd left my newly made suit on the train!! Oh my god, what a nightmare. I jumped on the back of the hotel scooter and we drove like the clappers to get to the train, but it had left. I tried to explain what had happened but few people spoke english. I found a guy and he made a phone call or two then told me to come back in 2 days. I returned to the hotel and we both nearly cried. It was a real low. That night we went out for dinner but neither of us were that hungry. I had a beer or two. I wanted the next day to pass as quickly as possible which was terrible really, and so we decided to try and forget about the suit and to make the most of it. We went to the imperial palace for a look around. It was fascinating. Although heavily bombed it had moats, a theatre, old castle walls, and elephants!! Got to love a palace with elephants. We drove around all day in cyclos (the back is a bike with a guy on and the front is a seat) and felt like royalty. You have to barter like mad as they triple prices but once in and travelling there really is no other way to see a town. So another night out and we had some western comfort food and a beer and went to bed.
I was up at the crack of dawn, champing at the bit to get on the scooter and back to the station. Hopes weren't high but it was worth a shot. I arrived and nothing. Asked a few people but nothing. Then through the door, being carried by two men, came my suit. I was so happy. I had to pay 20,000 dong (about 80p) for the hassle i caused, and they made me sign an official form to get it back. I was meant to date it too (it was the 20th) but when they said "twenty" i thought i was signing for the money and wrote 20,000 next to my name. The guys face fell and it became apparent it was a backhander and i'd written it on a form he'd probably have to give his boss!!! Ha ha. I went back to the hotel with a massive smile on my face and a suit in my hand. And suddenly very hungry.
We decided that we need another bag to put all our new stuff in and it should also be attached to me (surgically if possible). Next stop Hanoi and we'll get the overnight train there, so fingers crossed it stops for a decent amount of time so i pick everything up. Mind you, my suit's already been there and so it can lead the way!!!