A very quick and easy border crossing into Vietnam as we headed East towards Hue. Immediately noticeable is the amount of traffic on the roads. Scooters everywhere- it really is a walk in front of them place as there is never a break in the traffic. I was shocked to see 7 lanes of scooters going in both directions on a single lane road!.
Some of us went off for the day in a square shaped dragon boat along the Perfume River which was pretty good as we very slowly cruised past the boat 'villages', and dredgers. We stopped off to see some Kung Fu. Our guide couldn't tell us often enough how Vietnam beat China in wars 2000 years ago! We then headed to see a pagoda and then to the tomb of Emperor Minh Mang. The tomb complex was huge- lots of temples, lakes and statues of the emperor guards (people, horses and elephants). The complex was built in 1870 and has been well kept and restored. The tomb which initially had an unknown location, due to the number of Mang's enemies who wanted to destroy his body, is now completely out of view behind a huge stone walled area. A great day out, despite the heat.
Pete has also returned having left the truck in Kathmandu and flown to us via Bangkok. Great to have him back and we had a fantastic night celebrating his return which included a round of the Odyssey Blue cocktails and writing the Odyssey 2010 limerick on the ceiling (I'm hoping someone made a note of what it said!).
Today I spent the morning in the citadel which features palaces where the emporer lived. Building only started in 1805 and it's amazing to think that only 200 years ago people were living there. The citadel is still moated and there is so much funding going towards restoration as, after years of neglect and some war time bombing, the site is in need of a little work which is taking place at the moment. Great morning out and not too strenuous.
Next to Hoi An!
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