Hi all,

So sorry for the delay in uploading another entry. We have no excuses except that we have been too busy doing to be able to write about it all yet. So here we go, this is what we've been up to since we last 'spoke'...

Although Paul has probably updated on a lot of what went on in Hoi An, I thought I'd let you know briefly what went on while he was tucked up in bed. Basically there was not a great dela to see so a loot of time was spent shopping and bargaining for suits and dresses. Two of the guys from the trip and I ventured out on the first day and after a lot of uming and ah-ing ordered a suit each plus I accidentally fell for a couple of dresses I just couldn't say no to...woops! The next day was spent shopping (again) with a couple of the girls and seeing a few of the sights of the town...not great seeing yet another pagoda so Paul shouldn't feel too bad about missing that. The best part of it was seeing a local singing/dancing show. Understood very little of it but the dances certainly were amusing. Other than that we enjoyed bike rides in the countryside and most of all having a pool in the hote!!! Not quite sure why they call it a Basix tour?!

Hoi An ended with a dawn trip to My Son Holy Land (unfortunately Paul overslept so missed out on this incredibly early start). It was a really nice area covered with ruined Temples from around the 10th Century set in the middle of the forrest, although after Angkor Wat it is difficult to be impressed by things like this. Also, the bus didn't actually get there until after sunrise which was a shame. But all in all a really beautiful place.

Once we returned to the hotel it was straight on the bus to Hue, stopping at the most beautiful secluded beach on the way for lunch. The food left a little to be desired (think I did have some noodles with my oil!) but the sea was amazing! Really warm and clam, could have stayed in for hours!!! When we finally arrived in Hue we tookn a quick trip to the local (and I mean local...not a westerner in sight!) market to buy some of the weird and wonderful fruits this country has to offer. I have officially become addicted to Longen (lychee type things) and custard apples (nothing to do with apples but taste pretty damn good). The evening was possibly one of the most entertaining nights of our trip on Vietnam. Our tour guide had organised for us to experience a royal banquet, complete with dress-up and live music. Paul was even lucky enough to win the title of King, having his own table with the girl voted queen for the night. The food was great and having our private 'band' and 'servants' for the evening was certainly entertaining. The evening was finished off with a cocktail at a local bar (with the best welcome drinks in the world) but otherwise and early night after our dawn start.

The next day the entire group went on a motorbike trip around Hue to see the sights and what life is like for the locals living outside the towns. We each had a driver and I (Mette) was lucky enough to be on the back of the tour guide's bike so got a running commentary of everything we went past. We ended up visiting the tiger arena where elephants used to fight tigers for the public's amusement (didn't like the thought of that!), a bridge (very random, apparently built by a local woman because she couldn't have children?!), a pagoda and finally a quick tour of the citadel. In the evening we managed to find a restaurant with the football on much to the boys' delight, followed by a drink at our 'local' bar.

Our final day in Hue Paul managed to have a bit of a lie-in while I went with one of the girls in search of a supposed 'Garden House'. After spending the best part of an hour searching (on push-bikes) we managed to find this place....not exactly what we were hoping for. A tiny temple with a small garden...not really worth the effort but quite funny really. After a quick swim at the pool of a near-by 4* hotel we then got the overnight train (around 16 hours!!!) to Hanoi. Phew!

Right folks, that's all for Hue but check out the post for Hanoi and Ha Long Bay.

Hope all's good back home.

Speak soon,

Mette and Paul xxx