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

21st February

An epic train journey from Da Nang to Hue. It took just over 2 1/2 hours. The scenery was breathtaking as were some of the drops down to the sea as the track clung to the edge of the  mountain. The tunnels we passed through were quite tight … no room to get off if the train broke down. It was as I imagine the early days of the steam train with the steady unfolding of an unknown landscapes as we puttered up through the forested  mountains and across wide open lands of rice. 

Our hotel in Hue is great …a lovely big room overlooking a busy street. I love that we were given a  cool drink of lemon tea on arrival. 

Boarding the train at Da Nang was interesting. No platform, having to clamber across railway tracks and then heave our suitcases up.

The carriages were a bit crowded and not the cleanest but the journey was so cheap. I had to lift our suitcases on to the luggage rack - 20kg each!

The train wound its way along the coast clinging to the mountain side.

The views from the train were incredible. Sorry for the quality but the windows were very dirty. 

View from our hotel room in Hue

The hotel was in a lively part of Hue city but it was quiet enough at night.