South of Vietnam

Okay, I really dont like Hue. As charming and fun and relaxed Hoi An is, this is as crazy, dirty and agressive of a place. Reminds me of the worst part of Cambodia, actually. I ended up listening to my iPod on full volume while walking around, so that I can ignore assholes following me talkingtalkintalking trying to get me on their motorbikes even after I said, rather clearly and loudly NO! I even managed to come accross a local guy who started to hit me shouting 5 dollars 5 dollars - he was a runaway from the closeby mental institute i am sure.

Saigon was so much better than what I expected on the other hand.... It was warm and people were nice and the food was good and Madam Cuc 127 hotel was great and Saigon Tom was just amazing. Saigon Tom is 20, a uni student with 2 brothers, a sister, a housewife-mom, and a motorman-dad...... and he is so much fun.... for the sake of speaking English, i think he would do many things for you. I got his contact details from Dave, and just as agreed, Tom came to pick me up with his bike on the Monday eve and showed me around. Took me to the park to sit on newspapers on the ground and drink iced coffee with the locals, took me to a local restaruant for Pho Bo, and was talking nonstop for 3 hours. Then on Tuesday he drove me around his neighbourhood, took me for a coffee to Cafe -18degreese (no spelling mistake..), introduced me to the family, and then asked for one last beer before I took off.... cheeky, but honest!!! :) If you are in Saigon any time, let me know, he would be greatful to meet anyone with better English than he has! I promise!



From Saigon, I flew to Hoi An (for 25 EUR, with JetStar), or to Da Nang to be exact. From the airport a driver from the Hoi An Hotel Southern picked me up for 16 USD and drove me to the hotel, which is about 45km away from the 3rd biggest city in Vietnam. I loved the place, it was clean and spacious and quiet, with a free hourly shuttle service to the old city area that is about 5 mins away, the beach is about 10.. Wednesday was photo-taking, exploring, eating, and tailor-ing day - I had so much fun, I was even considering staying for an extra day.



But then I didnt, I picked up the dresses I got made, arranged a taxi, and a trainticket to and accomodation in Hue (Waterland is the place I stayed at, honestly, nothing to call home about) and left in the afternoon on Thursday. The train (which is just a little worse than the trains in Hungary...) cost 12 USD and was only half an hour late so took 3 hours (66km on the road), but the ride was so spectacular, somehting similar to the NZ coastal train - I can only recommend to do it and then fly out straight away from Hue. The big thing here is the Imperial city - which is, honestly, after having been in Beijing and Siem Reap, didnt even worth for me to pay the entrance fee. And people are SO arrogant............... okay, i stop it. I fly out in an hour, and deliver the 2 Americans' passports....... dont even ask....... :D

Here are the Hue pics: