I had a fabulous day yesterday. We had spent the night on the Reunification Express train from Ha Noi to Hue, the old capital. Not much sleep, much frivolity and alcohol - not on my part as I didn't trust alcohol at about one pound a bottle... We were a couple of hours late in the morning (trains run on morris time here!), but set out anyway on a tour of the sights of Hue on mootorbikes. It was such fun - exciting, but relatively safe. My driver was very reassuring, weaving his way through the traffic with great skill. I enjoyed melding (is that a word or have I made it up?) with the bike, so that when we went round a bend I went with it instead of trying to right it as we leaned...
Lots of interesting things here - but lots of bomb damage - see picture. This is just about where the divide was between North and South Vietnam. 85% of the Citadel complex was destroyed - it's being rebuilt. We were banned from one garden area, as it has not been cleared of landmines yet. Very sobering.
We visited a village to see a special little bridge, but I was more interested in the loudspeaker announcements. I assumed it was propaganda. Wrong. It was a reading of the day's newspapers, so that people working in the fields who can't read or write can keep up to date with the news.
We also went to a nunnery where we had a huge vegetarian spread. Possibly the best soup I've ever had, but accompanied by a bright green 'dumpling' bread-like. Tasty, if you could get past the colour... I now also know how to make incense sticks. New career option?!
We visited some wartime fortifications, surrounded by flowers.Instead of 'Guns n Roses' think 'Bunkers n Daisies'!
Then on to the only coliseum in Asia. Tigers and elephants used to fight there - but it was fixed so that the elephant always won, as he represented the king.
Rounded it off with a boat trip on the Perfumed River.
A perfect day, even though it rained all the time. A gentle, warm rain though. We were very lucky, as this time last week a lot of the town and surroundings were under water. The rainy season started late and ended late..
Off to the seaside today hoorah! - next stop Hoi An via Da Nang.
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3 comments:
I wonder how on earth they fixed the fights between elephants and tigers? Bribe the tigers?
I'm glad you enjoyed your mooterbike ride :P You always did enjoy sitting on the back of a motorbike, though, so no surprises there!
Guitar Hero 3 came yesterday, lots of fun! It has "Holiday In Cambodia" by the Dead Kennedys, makes me think of you.... whenever it is you're going to Cambodia!
Love you!
HI, we are having a relaxing weekend as last weekend was spent in London looking after Charlie and Amandine - fortunately we had Chris & Ruth to help us out - remember them, they joined our walking tour in Rothbury?
We saw the 1pm ball dropping ceremony at greenwich and walked the meridian line. Just to let you know that the first frosts have arrived, so we have no idea what you mean by warm rain. back home the fish in our tank were very pleased to see us again, but simon managed to feed them without any ill effects.
We are looking forward to a romantic dinner for two tonight as he has just announced that he is going to work (6pm-10pm) to earn some more cash - and see his girlfriend - its not clear which has the higher priority! They are saving madly to pay for their planned trip to south Africa next June. [Granny asked innocently: "is it your honeymoon?" - imagine the response!] keep up the exciting experiences, its great to hear about them.
I hope the toilets were free before you started snapping pictures!
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