Hue: Sleeper Cabins and Country Walks

Much has happened since our last post. Firstly, we've survived the overnight train from Hanoi to Hue. Our tickets were NOT what you would call first class. There were six of us to a cabin - two sets of narrow bunk beds stacked three high with just enough space inbetween to stand without your shoulders quite grazing the beds. You can smoke on the train here and they do not like it when you open the window. Other than the space and air quality issues it was fantastic. The rocking train lulled us to sleep and we woke to a sunrise over the rice paddie- beautiful!

The first day in Hue we went for a "cruise" on a dragon boat and visited the Citadel. The Citadel was not what we expected- much more lavish and intrecate then any fort I've seen. I can't do the beauty or history justice so will suggest you google it.

Day two consisted of a rather high budget motorcycle tour of the tombs around Hue. Nick and I decided that Tu Duc's tomb only looked like it was about 2km from the hotel- easily walkable. We set off on foot along the river and in though the outskirts of town where tourists are far more rare. By the time we'd walked about 3km people had stopped offering us motorbike rides and the streets had fallen off our map. Eventually we found ourselves along a dirt road in the countryside of Hue. Totally lost we kept walking in the general direction of the tomb. We encounted two young (maybe 6 years old) monks out for a walk with their friend. We bowed to them (as you do). They very solomly bowed back... and burst into giggles as soon as they had passed us. Evenutally we had lost all hope and stopped to ask a lady how we could get back to town. She said "Tu Duc", grabbed me firmly by the arm, led us down the road and pointed along a narrow path throught the trees. She then gave me a firm push in that direction. It seemed we weren't going back to town. It was nothing less than devine intervention that guided us to the tomb situated 8km from our hotel, but eventually we did arrive.
Tu Duc's tomb was more like an estate than a tomb. The Vietnamise are very wise, so they build their tomb to be enjoyed as a place of residence durnig life, not just death. After our 8km walk we didn't have much time before we had to find some motorcycles to take us back to the hotel for our departure to Hoi An...