Heading North (Hoi An to Hanoi)

Heading North

Hoi An to Da Nang:

We took the bus for this portion of the journey but this time without the chickens.

Da Nang to Hue:

I insisted that we take the train for this portion of the trip since it is supposed to be the most beautiful portion of train ride in the country. It was in fact really beautiful. The tracks follow the coast most of the way. I sat looking out the window and wondering how to get to all of the deserted white sand beaches we kept passing. I had plenty of time to ponder this as the train took 4 hours which is 2 hours longer than it is supposed to take.

Hue:

I had planned on being able to check out the Citadel for a few hours before heading on a night train or bus to Hanoi. Unfortunately, the timing did not quite work out and so Hue was only a brief moment in time for us. It seemed like a likeable little place though. There were lots of parks and flowers alongside the river. Also, it was obviously devoid of the 'made for tourists' feel of Hoi An.

We did have time to stock up on food before boarding the bus. I got a dessert which is largely inexplicable but was very tasty. The old woman scooped bananas, gelatin, nuts, taro paste, and other fruits and random things into a cup. Then she topped it with ice and condensed milk. After a 2 day chocolate hunt, I decided to eat with the locals eat for dessert. Mostly because I refused to pay US prices for a Mars Bar. The Vietnamese don't really have any chocolate bar equivalent.

To Hanoi:

The thing about Vietnam is that it is not of an insignificant size. Coming from Cambodia where the distances are short took a little getting used to. The other thing about Vietnam is that the 'open bus tour' scheme means that almost all tourists make the same trek up the coast and stop at all the same places. The good news is that it is fairly easy to arrange transportation. The bad news is that it is really hard to authentic vietnamese anything.

Since we are running short on time, we're sort of relegated to covering large distances quickly and staying on the tourist track. The overnight bus to Hanoi was largely uneventful. The bus drivers and assistants always seemed surprised when the bus makes a dinner stop and we walk to another restaurant to eat. We are always surprised at the way people file in like cattle to the overpriced restaurants and just pay extra for the crappy food.