(see map) trin: In the spirit of backpacking, we decided to take a night bus to Hue about twelve hours south of Hanoi.
"Oh #*%#! I am going to be on this bus for how long!?" - The bed was about a foot too short. The driver laid on the horn throughout the night. It was extremely claustrophobic as extra passengers rolled out straw mats and slept in the aisles. At one point, Mike awoke to a guy climbing over him on his way to the bathroom. Even with my personal space preferences/issues, I was able to get over all of this.
But, I could not get over the low quality, close to porn, video that played several times on the bus' television monitors. On what planet, is unattractive bikini clad women moving around seductively to awful music appropriate? All of the backpackers were baffled!
To recover from the hellish bus ride, we locked ourselves in our air con hotel room and watched US television on cable while eating Oreos from the mini bar. We emerged later that afternoon to see the Citadel, a walled imperial city that was nearly destroyed during the war. There has been some restoration but progress is slow.
To see the sights, we took a boat tour along the Song Huong River. Unfortunately, our camera battery died shortly into the trip. Someone (not me) forgot to charge it. We saw the Thien Mu Pagoda, Tu Duc Tomb, Minh Mong Tomb and Hon chen Temple. To be honest it was so hot that day, we were just going through the motions.
The sole photo of the tour - The bows of the tour boats along the river shore.
On the boat we visited with a couple from Humbolt who were finishing up So. East Asia and returning home to drive down through Mexico, Central America and perhaps into South America. It's funny, we've been a lot of places but I was still intimidated by their itinerary. This happens a lot. I think an unknown place is going to be scary or hard to navigate. Once there it's like, what was I so worried about?
Next stop was Hoi An where the main tourist attraction is custom-made clothing. I am not kidding. It's in Lonely Planet.
The picture doesn't lie. I was excited! I wasn't the only one. Mike got into the spirit and ordered a new suit and several shirts.
How it works: First, you pick the design. You can bring in a photo or choose from their photo binders and pattern books. Next, they take your measurements and ask your preference on length, buttons, pockets, etc. Then you pick out the fabric. The quality of fabric determines the price. The next day you return for the first fitting. The final fitting is either later that day or the following day. We shipped our new clothes home but a lot of people end up buying another suitcase. People get seriously carried away. While waiting for Mike, I eavesdropped on the following conversation -
girlfriend - I don't think they wanted to sell me anymore.
boyfriend - What else did you get?
girlfriend - A few more dresses.
boyfriend - How many is a few?
girlfriend - Like five.
This was in addition to the number of things I saw her trying on the day before.
During our stay in Hoi An we alternated between the beach, pool and tailor shop. The town is charming and walking back and forth was enjoyable.
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