A long journey from Hanoi to Hue on a 'sleeper' bus. Interesting arrangement with 3 rows of bunks, one each side and one down the middle, 36 in a mobile dormitory. Bunks were designed for Vietnamese so a bit small for me. About 13 hours of not much sleep; would have been fine if roads had been better!
Visited the Citadel and Imperial Palace which are being slowly restored but really lovely to walk around, especially in the sunshine. Hue is very different from Hanoi, but nice so far.
Hired 2 bikes today (1USD each) and cycled around a couple of pagodas and Nguyen emperors tombs. Surprisingly recent, one was mid 19th century and had palace, lake, theatre as well as the tomb in 14 hectares. Other was early 20th century and amazingly ornate with lots of ceramic decoration. Really like Hue too!
Nice bus ride via hills, bright green rice paddies and Da Nang to Hoi An which is very touristy. Ended in flashy room in hotel overlooking river.
Hoi An has several old buildings but is full of tourists and I think very over-rated. We walked around a bit then headed out of town on 1-dollar bikes. Lovely countryside with water and rice paddies, then hit the beach (sorry) then more cycling.
Went on a tour to My Son temples, smaller than we expected but a lovely setting. Similar to early temples at Angkor Way. Bus a bit decrepit but nice boat ride back.
Probably won't come back to Hoi An, not our favourite place.
Another long sleeper, better bus, better roads but awful driver, south to Nha Trang a seaside resort. Nicer than we expected and quiet now. On the balcony drinking Tiger beer after a hard day on the beach.
Off to Da Lat in the hills early tomorrow.
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