Hue to Hanoi
Mon Jul 30, 02:58 AM
Hue turned out to be a nice stop. I enjoyed a tour of the DMZ from the Vietnam war. It incuded Khe Sanh Combat Base, the Rockpile Base, a bit of the Ho Chi Minh Trail, and the Vinh Moc Tunnels. The Vinh Moc tunnels are several kilometers of underground tunnels that over 300 Viet Cong lived in for five years during the Vietnam war. These were truly incredible to see. There wasn’t much left of the military bases, but effects of the chemical weapons used during the war remains. There are hillsides with no vegetation because the US used defoliates in an attempt to find the Ho Chi Minh Trail, the supply route into southern Vietman.
Yesterday I rented a motorbike and joined in the chaos on the roads. I went to see a few pagodas and the Hue Imperial City. This old city was built for the royal family about 200 years ago. It is a cool place, but was bombed during several wars and there is some serious damage to some of the buildings. There are also many walls that are damaged from bullets during two wars. I cruised around a couple markets, not really looking for anything, but enjoying myself. Last night I flew from Hue to Hanoi.
I got in late, as I think every flight here is delayed. It was a bit of an ordeal getting a hotel, but it worked out. This morning I went to a place called the Temple of Literature. This is the oldest university in Vietnam. About 1000 years ago the brightest students in the area came here to study the philosophies of Confucious. There were some nice gardens and Chinese architecture, but I am getting a bit bored of all the cultural delights that are a “must see.” Other highlights of Hanoi are The Museum of Ethnology, the Tomb of Ho Chi Minh, and water puppet performances. Can’t Wait! I think tomorrow I will go to the Hanoi Water Park to ride some water slides and go in the wave pool instead.
I am running into some more crowds that I have normally seen. Flights, tours, and hotels are filling up, and I don’t have as much flexibility as I usually do. I am having trouble finding a short trip out of Hanoi that will fit my timeframe. Sapa is in the NW of Vietnam and is supposed to be pretty cool. It is in the mountains and would be similar to Chiang Mai, Thailand or the Cameron Highlands of Malaysia. I have been getting reports of overbooked hotels, and crappy weather from other travellers. Halong Bay is another highlight, but I have heard nothing but bad things from travellers that have just come from there. This is all a bit discouraging, but I will figure out what to do and make the most of what time I have left. When I put it in perspective, how bad can it be? The only stress that I have is which pair of sunglasses I will wear today.
I will get some pics up shortly.
