25th February

 Out last full day of our trip. We curtailed the trip by 2 weeks because of a family issue.

Typically for this trip we didn't go out quietly. We hired a car and driver to take us from Hue to Da Nang airport but we didn't want to direct taxi ride. We had the driver stop off at various spots on the way and rather than take the highway we were driven over the Hai Van Pass. Amazing to think this was the main north south road.

East Vietnam Sea

Sea shell

Oyster farmers at Lap An Lagoon

Up into the clouds crossing the Hai Van Pass.

Some lorries still use the pass but it is a slow and dangerous journey.

The view from our flight from Da Nang to Hanoi. We had a 6 hour layover at Hanoi airport before our flight to Gatwick. Despite the thousands of miles travelled in South East Asia the journeys in the UK were the most difficult. Thanks to Miranda who picked us from the railway station.

24th February

 Today was our last day at Hue. We went in search of a chocolate shop to get some locally made chocolate but to no avail - despite hunting high and low it was nowhere to be found. However we did see a bit more of Hue including a local market.

Mrs Cody was keen to try an egg coffee so we found a good coffee shop to indulge her wishes. Actually it was pretty good.

And we indulged in croissants - the Vietnamese make the best French bakery goods outside France. Something to do with being a French colony for many years?

23rd February

The epic bike ride! I was actually petrified at the thought of cycling through Hue’s traffic, but determined to follow a cycle route around all the ancient tombs. Luckily there was a cycle route by the river for the early part. We cycled through small villages alongside the river accompanied by the heady scent of orange blossom. It was fabulous to be out in the countryside passing people tending their buffalo or crops.

Ready for our intrepid journey. Looking fresh. We had to negotiate busy city traffic before heading out into the countryside.

We hadn't gone far before we had to stop for a coffee and cake break.

Checking the route.

Admiring the view of the Perfume River.

A pagoda en route.

Beautiful countryside. Flower garden.

Which way?

Vegetable garden.

Lots of small temples on our journey.

Met some water buffalo. They weren't sure about humans on bikes.

The scenery was incredible. Mountains and rain forest.

The river is still an important highway for goods and people.

The Perfume River deserved its name. The smell of citrus blossom was everywhere.

What we didn't know when we set out was we would have to cross this pontoon bridge. Loose panels held together with old rope floating on bits of old boats and barrels.

Looking brave mid crossing.

Conquering the bridge.

Back in the city after 48kms. Such a great ride.

After an epic bike we had an equally epic meal. Vietnamese food is so so good.

22nd February

Today was all about visiting the Imperial City. We walked across the bridge over the Perfume River. The traffic is less intense in this city. We stayed for a few hours, finding out about the city’s history from the early 19th century. So much space … gardens and fields with remnants of a time past.  I sat in one of the gardens listening to the birds sing and it was blissful. 

The Perfume River Hue.

The Imperial City (Vietnamese: Hoàng thành; Chữ Hán: 皇城) is a walled enclosure within the citadel (Kinh thành; Chữ Hán: 京城) of the city of Huế, the former imperial capital of Vietnam during the Nguyễn dynasty. It contains the palaces that housed the imperial family, as well as shrines, gardens, and villas for mandarins. Constructed in 1803 under Emperor Gia Long as a new capital, it mostly served a ceremonial function during the French colonial period. After the end of the monarchy in 1945, it suffered heavy damage and neglect during the Indochina Wars through the 1980s. The Imperial City was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993 and is undergoing restoration.

Joie de vie

Always eating