Very comfortable nights sleep in my memory foamed, double size bed at the Jade Hotel in Hue.
 |
| Plates for sale..... |
Down-stairs to my full selection breakfast--any two items from each food category. I know that I might sound like an advertising shill for this hotel, but is by far the best one I have stayed in Asia so far and all for $14/night.
With hotel map and Lonely Planet in my back pack, I strolled forth into the heat and humidity of Hue (pop. 348,000) to locate the 'Citadel', just over the Perfume River, the residential compound of the Vietnamese imperial dynasty being built in the period 1804-33. My tour brochure states that it has 10 kms of walls, up to 2 metres thick with 10
gateways, plus a defensive moat 30m wide and 4m deep with some of the largest gold fish I have ever seen. Much of the inside of the Citadel has been ruined during wars in 1945 and the 'American' war 1966-1973. Of interest, was the extensive collection of war booty consisting of US tanks, artillery pieces, helicopters and fighter jets which are parked inside the Citadel. The US reinforced concrete pill boxes at the major road intersections outside the Citadel remain in evidence.
In exhausting early afternoon heat, I recrossed the wide Perfume River on an alternative bridge & strolled back to the Jade hotel through a maze of narrow commercial streets--- a marked difference to the slow pace and lethargy of Vientiane and the rather austere climate of seat of government Hanoi. The good people of Hue seem to be hell bent on making business/making money/getting rich. Hue is notably the first large town that was located south of the DMZ, the nominal border between communist North Vietnam and the US backed (southern) Republic of Vietnam.
 |
| Looking pretty for me.... |
Citadels and temples are fine to see and are certainly part of my travel experience, but I must admit my first pleasure is sauntering the leafy side streets and chatting to the locals and endeavouring to turn it into a photographic opportunity. It did earn me an invitation to share a beer with a group of older men---first question---how old am I?? Second question---do I know Vancouver--very well known city for Vietnamese. A pleasant way to spend half an hour and make new friends!
Plan for tomorrow---a day tour up to the US fortified fire bases at Khe Sanh, and the tunnels of Vinh Moc. Anyone who lived through the 70's will remember the daily TV reports of the war that came from places like Da Nang and Hue. The names are still so very evocative.
Note on buying a decent cup of coffee in Vietnam. It is an important part of my daily ritual and have to admit that without my daily java fix, life is just not the same. What is served frequently in Vietnam is about one inch of VERY strong coffee in a tiny glass, with a spot of
 |
| My beer buddy... |
condensed milk added. Almost undrinkable. So difficult to cross the cultural divide & to explain to them that I need them to dilute the coffee with more hot water & add extra condensed milk to lighten the concoction. Mysteriously, a glass of green tea is also served with an order of coffee.
gateways, plus a defensive moat 30m wide and 4m deep with some of the largest gold fish I have ever seen. Much of the inside of the Citadel has been ruined during wars in 1945 and the 'American' war 1966-1973. Of interest, was the extensive collection of war booty consisting of US tanks, artillery pieces, helicopters and fighter jets which are parked inside the Citadel. The US reinforced concrete pill boxes at the major road intersections outside the Citadel remain in evidence.
No comments:
Post a Comment