We arrived on the 8th around 8:30am after somewhat of a restless night’s sleep on the train. We arrived at the train station to numerous taxi drivers who wanted to know where we were going and suggested various hotels to stay at. Luckily, we knew we wanted to stay at the Binh Minh Hotel as this was a hotel that Nancy and Troy had emailed us about when they stayed in Hue and said it was a very clean and friendly family run business where the owners were not pushy and very straight forward with their prices and tour costs. We decided to call them and they graciously picked us up from the train station and we were taken to the hotel within 10 minutes. We were greeted at once by a very friendly and sweet young lady who spoke very well English and showed us the various types of rooms they had for $15-$25 US. We went with the $15 US room which was a great deal. The $15 included free breakfast, free internet and a very spacious room with a queen size bed and a shower WITH A TUB!! This may not seem like a lot but in the past two hotels we had stayed at, the showers had no tubs. The shower head was just on the wall and you pretty much took a shower next to the toilet and the entire washroom would get wet and you just use the floor as your tub. So this was a very pleasant surprise for us and we decided the extra $3 compared to the last hotel we stayed at was well worth it.
Once we were checked in, we rented some bikes and biked over the bridge to the Royal Citadel, also known as the Forbidden City. The citadel was built to protect the Royal city beyond. The Royal city was still functioning up until the end of the 19th century so it was no surprise to see canon at the citadel. The Royal City also known as the Forbidden City belonged to the Royal family and the officials (Mandarins both Administrative and Military) no commoners were allowed into this gated precinct. What once was the center of all cultural, intellectual and political activity now stands in ruins for the most part. Although so restoration have been taking place in the past 20 years, most of the city is over grown by vegetation and dilapidated building. In one portion of the complex there was some major reconstruction taking place as columns and beams were being made. It was interesting to see just how they built their post and beam in the past. We spent about 3 hours and then decided to get some coffee along the river.
Evening boat cruise on the Perfume River with traditional singing and music. It was a bit much, as we could not really understand what they were singing about. The boat was rather noisy and the other people on the boat were rather loud.
Boat Cruise
Yesterday, Feb 9th, was the worst day possible weather wise that we have experienced. It was very cold and we had periods of on and off torrential rains which put a damper on what we had booked for the day. We had booked an all day boat cruise which rode along the famous Perfume River. We stopped along the way at many pagodas and tombs but the torrential rains stopped us from going to some of these sites and at others we found the additional entrance fees and fees to get a motorcycle to take you to some of the tombs was ridiculous, so to save some money we sat some of the sites out. We saw 3 out of the 5 sites and that was enough for us. (Side picture – Bad Weather on the Boat Cruise)
Although the weather could have been the worse part of the day, it was not. On the boat ride back, I was not feeling well at all and tried my best to keep my upset stomach in check but it did not work. I ended up throwing up over the side of the boat and was ill the rest of the evening. I couldn’t eat, sleep or keep from running to the washroom. With Chris by my side though to comfort me, massage my back and get me anything I needed, it made the horrible night a bit better. Today I am in the hotel getting my rest as I still do not feel 100% while Chris, Derek and Krista are on an all day bus tour of the DMZ (demilitarized zone) and the Vinh Moc Tunnels. I look forward to seeing them tonight to hear all about the tour.
Well, I think we’re FINALLY up to date on our updates, what a relief. We hope you’re all enjoying them as much as we are. I’m off to go and walk the streets of Hue on my own and get some fresh air. Chris will provide the next update on his all day tour today.
Hope all is well back home in Vancouver....
1 comment:
You gotta love that the statutes are talker than Chris!!
I thought for once you might feel tall Chris but I guess that will not happen :)
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