July 15th, 2005
Hue
After My Son, we got on an “air-conditioned” coach north to Hue, an old university town and former imperial residence.
Having got up early nearly every day for the past ten days, we decided to take it easy, and hired a boat to take us around the local sights at our own pace (lunch included). We visited a pagoda, and the emperors tomb/park/temple, all very beautiful, and quite Chinese influenced.
(dinner, then outside the temple for the emporers ‘minor wives’: 4 pictured)
The next day we took a taxi (proper air con) to visit the citadel or imperial city, that had been occupied by vietnamese emperors until the revolution in the 1950s. After a performance of traditional Vietnamese court-music we explored the complex in the mid-day heat, which has become something of a tradition.
Our last evening was spent eating as much as we possibly could at a posh hotel buffet, and congratulations go to Thy Anne for eating the most cakes. on Thursday it was time to say goodbye to Mum, Tanh, Ton and Thyan and get a night train to Hanoi, while the others returned to Saigon. So much fun traveling with you all, and beware any taxi drivers or hawkers who cross Dr. Tanh!
July 17th, 2005 at 2:02 pm
Hi, just spent a wonderful weekend in Vung Tau with Dr Thanh’s mates (all female) from uni. One of them has a huge house in Vung Tau which is the nearest seaside resort from Saigon. Their good humour was contagious and they were very interesting and inspiring women. Lots of swimming, bathing, culture and good food!
July 18th, 2005 at 6:31 am
Hi Mum
Glad you’re having fun. We’ve just arrived on Cat Ba island and are hoping to explore Halong bay by boat tomorrow. Simon and i have both managed to catch nasty colds, so we stocked up on a selection of drugs at the pharmacy this morning.
Love
Olga and Si
July 18th, 2005 at 7:17 am
Gute Besserung! Today I found a beautiful book about Hoi An in the bookshop, as well as a wonderful book with early Vietnamese Zen poetry. Off tomorrow on my own to explore the Mekong delta. I had to give up on Angkor Watt because my Vietnam visa is only single entry, so the Vietnamese would not let me in again to catch my plane home.
love from everybody here
July 19th, 2005 at 11:27 am
Have a lovely last week of you epic hols!!!!
we’ll welcome you back gently … promise!?
Lots of love
Sal x
July 21st, 2005 at 3:08 am
Sorry, Simon, for pretending to be you – it was the shortcut Dr. Thanh insisted to use on her computer, and I was not clever enough to sort it out! Had a great time on a 2-day Mekong delta trip. Man seems to live in total harmony with nature, and the children swimming in the river seemed to have a lot of fun. Like you lot, I will be on my way home tomorrow. Will send you some pics when I get back. Hope you recovered from your colds – safe journey home!