We have enjoyed Hue, less hectic than Hanoi. Mẻt a 73year old American couple travelling indêpendently today so hopefully we can do it for a while longer. Clive got a little frazzled and I got a little annoyed at the beginning. But we are learning a bit how to travel here. Enjoyed dỉnnẻr tonight with a French - Vietnamese couple living in the US - besides moaning about US healthcare system and saying that they are allowed l visit per year to the doctor at a cost of $40. They figure $30,000 for the healthcare for the intended pregnancy within the next year! Also interesting to hear their travel frustrations. They got to Halong Bay on a bus and then could not buy a ticket from the dock at the ticket kiosk to the island. They would only sell to travel agent people. So they ended up on a package like everybody else but with a lot more hassle. Then they could not buy a train ticket to Hue for the overnight train so the agent said. He booked them on a tourist overnight bus sleeper which turned out to be all Vietnamese and not the same standard. So they are learning that you must check more than one source - and he speaks some Vietnamese.
Managed to see a great traditional folk music on a boat on the river last night. We thoroughly enjoyed it. We were the only Westerners on board. Three others got on the boat, looked around and got off. They missed a real cultural experience. We put a candle on a floating cardboard on the river and made a wish. A couple of the Vietnamese were excited to be doing this for the first time in their lives and they took pictures with us. So much fun!
Caught the bus down to HoiAn, a beautiful town about 4 hours south of Hue today. Didn't see a thing because it was pouring torrentially all day. This afternoon we waded in our sandals, ponchos and rolled up wet pants (though it is pleasantly warm) and had a superb lunch and then the freshest French pastry and latte after. So we want to go there for dinner and breakfast! priorities!! Hopefully the rain will stop and we will be able to enjoy it here - like one should.
So yes, we are figuring it out and getting the hang of it. I would so hate to be on a tour. This is obviously more difficult but then you really learn about how things operate and I certainly love the spontaneity and not being certain of what is coming next. Makes it an adventure for me. Clive doesn't like to many surprises - I guess that I don't really either but the alternative is not at all attractive to me. Also if the weather is not great we change our plans accordingly and do not have to go with pre-booking. We met Swiss today sitting in the coffee shop - this was to have been their beach day - maybe torrential downpours are less comfortable but more interesting - and well the food awesome here.
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