Paul and Christine's Journey to Anywhere: Hue

We arrived back in Ha Noi at 4:30am on May 8 and went straight to the hotel - paying an extra $17 to be able to get in the room was well worth it. We caught up on sleep the entire day and ordered room service. We were also preparing for our last night train the evening of May 9 to Hue.

But before we left Ha Noi, Paul finally got some much needed grooming - a hair cut and a trim for Capt'n.

Look how clean and non-scruffy Capt'n looks!

That evening we were off to the train station again.

Night train!

Despite Paul's big smile, it was not comfortable

This train ride was even worse than the other two and was even longer clocking in at about a 13.5 hour ride. The train was going an average of 20 MPH with frequent, violent stops. And to top it off, we were treated with this music blasting through the speakers at 5:30am. It's what I like to wake up to, really.

But the sunrise was pretty

And the open fields

I like how the outside is totally overexposed

And now it's not but Paul seems upset

Hue train station

We finally arrived in Hue with the hopes that our hotel would let us check in early. Thankfully the room was available - we walked in and passed out. With some sleep we felt a little more normal so headed out to find some food.

On May 11 we took a day tour of the city which included visits to the tombs in the area, an incense and conical hat making village, a kung fu show, the Citadel, and the Thien Mu Pagoda. We ended the day with a dragon boat ride along the Perfume River.

First stop, Minh Mang Tomb.

Main entrance to the Minh Mang Tomb is sealed because only the King can use it (we entered from the side)

Look at this guy

These guys are the protectors of the tomb (salutation statues)

I am a protector too

At the tomb

The center door is sealed off for the King

Getting further into the tomb grounds

Where the Mandarins gathered before entering

Minh Pavilion

Bridge in Minh Mang Tomb

It started to pour so we were trapped until it stopped; we then got to walk in mud in our flip flops - fun!

The second tomb we visited was the Khai Dinh Tomb, a blend of Western and Eastern architecture. It was very elaborate with porcelain mosaics throughout the main building.