Hanoi to Hue

We got back from Halong Bay with a few hours to wait before boarding the 13hr 'sleeper' bus to Hue. Apparently it would stop every 3,4 hours but of course it didn't- left at 7.30, didn't stop til 1am. There was a toilet onboard but you have to clamber over the locals who have set up camp in the aisles to get there!

My seat belt didn't tighten so I held on the whole time. I didn't really sleep on my side for fear of rolling off the top bunk. It was a bumpy ride- bouncing while you're horizontal is a strange feeling. I was also shot to the bottom of my bunk constantly because of the emergency stops- there are no real rules on the roads of Vietnam...

Arrive in Hue looking like zombies, and we're greeted by a bunch of locals- 'Hello, where are you from?'; 'Hello, you want hotel, where are you from?'; 'Hello, motorbike?'. The buses tend to drop you off outside a hotel they are associated with. Me and Pete had already made reservations at Hue Backpackers Hostel so off we trotted.

Hue was a welcome change to the busy fume park that was Hanoi. We did our usual and rented bikes to explore. The bikes have no gears. They are city bikes. I wish I could do the same back home. I love cycling on the roads here. Its totally chaotic but with a bit of cooperation everyone gets to their destination safe.

Across the river is the citadel going around the Palace and Forbidden Purple City. Its beautiful but still recovering from the War with constant restoration. We come out the South exit to try and find some lunch but walked all the way back to the front with no luck. We got our bikes back, 10, 000 dng for the attendant. We cycled out and spotted some Pho places so we parked up. A man was waving aggressively at us; pointing at a chair but we decide to chose the place next door. They both claim to be Lonely Planet approved (what does that even mean?) so still not sure if they were the same fam or not. The aggressive man was deaf and mute so I guess that explains his big actions. I know this because it says on their front banner- I thank you.

Afterwards we cycled the 3km to Thien Mu Pagoda. Nice wee ride along the Perfume River. We got there and de-mounted our iron horses in the car park but apparently the polis would come and take them away so this kind brother was offering to look after them for 10,000 dng. We politely declined and parked just round the corner from the pagoda. However the whole pagoda experience was tainted by the threat of the polis. So we looked around and left quick sharp for since it was starting to rain a wee bit. Also our bladders needed emptying but some locals decided to sit outside the public toilets and charge a further 10,000 dng to pee. Its only 30p but its the principle, and the zeros.

Anyways while the rest of our two wheeled companions had rain covers. They're like ponchos big enough for man and his bike. We whizzed back to our hostel and relaxed before the free beer between 5-6pm. Great. Then dinner, we walked around the block like 3 times looking for this Japanese restaurant which helps street kids by teaching them how to cook. We kept passing this place called Hot Tuna: 'Hello!... Hello again!' Hehe cheeky locals :-) we eventually asked them to help us out. We couldn't find it because it was closed. Sad face. So we ended up back on the street as our hostel eating the smallest sandwich I have ever encountered. I didn't even bother taking a photo to show you. Maybe I should of. Tiny.

Back to hostel, and sleep in a non moving bed. Huzzah. The dorm had singles and doubles. Sleep was ok. I was woken up by Pete shouting at this drunk guy who was trying to get in bed with us: 'What the hell are you doing?!?'; Drunk 'I don't know...' Heheh he was so drunk. Apparently he had been shuffling around the room for like 30mins trying to find a bed. I was dead to the world so had no idea.

Worse things happen I guess.

Wake up. Vietnamese coffee for the buzz then on the bus to Hoi an ...