We went to the train station very early for a few reasons, one being it was our first time riding it, and the second reason... hoping not to run into Kenny the con. With success we boarded the train and after two hours we were chugging along heading south to newer sights and undiscovered areas (for us that is). Our little berths were just that but still quite comfortable. We booked all four beds in one cabin so we could enjoy the privacy. Played some dominoes, had some fine wine and cheese , and a relatively good sleep. The hard part for me was whenever the train stopped to change tracks or pick up people, I would wake up, Steve as always did just fine! We were on the train for 14 hours traveling mostly through the night. We arrived to a wet drizzly Hue in Central Vietnam. A city given Unesco World Heritage status, and rightfully so. It`s was once imperial Vietnam's capital city. We saw some of the old crumbled buildings along newer modern ones and the impressive Citidel with it`s moat protecting the imperial city within a city. Day one gave us a little drizzle and the next few days followed with rain and more rain. The people here are strong in character and go about their day regardless of the weather. We gladly took the free bicycles from our hotel and peddled around the city, nice to get out and get some fresh air (or so we thought). Riding around here has been exciting and a little crazy. As in many parts of Asia, drivers just pull out into traffic without a shoulder check, it`s really driver beware! We got into the flow, well Steve did and I just followed, we had much laughter using other bikers, mopeds, and cars as blockers for us while manouvering about. Plenty to see, hear, and smell. Steve has named a few of the areas such as the circle of madness and the corner of chaos. On day two we noticed that we're stuffed up again as the pollution is pretty bad here also. Now we rented a moped and are traveling at higher speeds with even more things to laugh at and to watch out for. Crossed many narrow bridges, one where even a rickshaw got stuck. Mighty tighty, it took all I had not to laugh. Focus , focus!!! Gotta say, sure trust my driver. The senses are bombarded with quite a few sounds, smells, and sights. It's just too bad about the air quality. Went to an incredible place for dinner. Out of this world (well the one we are accustomed too). It`s called the Royal restaurant, and that it was. We were seated in a very fine room by ourselves and enjoyed top notch service with presentation of the food as tasty as it looked. Steve noticed that they had hidden cameras so that when we completed one course the next one was promptly delivered. There were nine all together. Fortunately small decadent amounts and we were both stuffed when the meal was complete. All that for $10.00 each!!! Gotta love it. Today is our last day here so we got on our free bikes and road around the city, entered the Citadel and spent many hours taking it all in. Incredible, speechless moments, we could almost feel the mighty ceremonies and to see the devastation left by bombings in this war torn area. Quite humbling it all is. We are so very fortunate to live in a time and country that did not have to subject us to what some of these fine people have had to endure. I am growing with respect daily and learning more than any history book could write or should I say if I took the time to read them. Tomorrow brings another day another train trip.
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