The south at last

I feel like our posts have been a bit negative lately when in fact our spirits are doing quite well. We headed on a night train yesterday to get down south. The night train wasn't too bad. A bit rocky and the toilets were suspect, but the bed was long enough to fit in and there was AC. I like traveling by trains long distances (except in the US, cuz Amtrak is awful). You get to see the country side and kill two birds with one stone (sleep and travel). Moreover, you would never sleep a wink during the night on a bus here, as the driver's hand seems to only rest on the horn and for some reason horns appear to be installed just as loudly on the inside as on the outside. 

We set out for Hue, the old capital. We didn't really plan on staying there (we've heard too many mixed reviews and have rolled the dice a bit too many times), but for some reason booked ourselves there. We clearly weren't thinking when we got the tickets. We spent about an hour in Hue to wait for the next train. This one only had beds as well, although it was 11am and we didn't need to sleep. It was still about 10 bucks total for us to go. Our car chose to stop using the AC and after a certain time (and the windows didn't open). We couldn't take it anymore so we went out into the hallway of train and sat on some kiddy stools for the remainder of the journey.

We met with a local, who turned out to be an architect which was quite cool. We discussed traditional life and the world of architecture and development in Vietnam. I won't bore you with the details though. After a beautiful beach and mountain side journey we made it to Da Nang, shared a ride with some Brits and made it safely to Hoi An. At this point, my expectations for Vietnam were at an all time low, simply due to the first three and half days of trouble and the overwhelming quality of the big city. However, Hoi An has been absolutely lovely. 

They say Hoi An is a tourist trap, but one you don't mind being stuck in. I would have to agree. The stores cater to western styles and touristy things, there are signs for massages, motor bikes, beer, ect. ect. But the thing is, it's a beautiful little town and the people are friendly, even if you don't buy anything. They have their own lives as well, seeing as we are here in the off season. There is a beach nearby with some islands to explore, a riverfront, good street food, and the rooms are clean and cheap. It's a huge relief and we are planning on spending a few days here before heading to Na Trang (sp). 

Anyways, I'm exhausted from the past few days so I'm gunna get going. All is well and I miss everyone back home!

-M

I feel like our posts have been a bit negative lately when in fact our spirits are doing quite well. We headed on a night train yesterday to get down south. The night train wasn't too bad. A bit rocky and the toilets were suspect, but the bed was long enough to fit in and there was AC. I like traveling by trains long distances (except in the US, cuz Amtrak is awful). You get to see the country side and kill two birds with one stone (sleep and travel). Moreover, you would never sleep a wink during the night on a bus here, as the driver's hand seems to only rest on the horn and for some reason horns appear to be installed just as loudly on the inside as on the outside. 

We set out for Hue, the old capital. We didn't really plan on staying there (we've heard too many mixed reviews and have rolled the dice a bit too many times), but for some reason booked ourselves there. We clearly weren't thinking when we got the tickets. We spent about an hour in Hue to wait for the next train. This one only had beds as well, although it was 11am and we didn't need to sleep. It was still about 10 bucks total for us to go. Our car chose to stop using the AC and after a certain time (and the windows didn't open). We couldn't take it anymore so we went out into the hallway of train and sat on some kiddy stools for the remainder of the journey.

We met with a local, who turned out to be an architect which was quite cool. We discussed traditional life and the world of architecture and development in Vietnam. I won't bore you with the details though. After a beautiful beach and mountain side journey we made it to Da Nang, shared a ride with some Brits and made it safely to Hoi An. At this point, my expectations for Vietnam were at an all time low, simply due to the first three and half days of trouble and the overwhelming quality of the big city. However, Hoi An has been absolutely lovely. 

They say Hoi An is a tourist trap, but one you don't mind being stuck in. I would have to agree. The stores cater to western styles and touristy things, there are signs for massages, motor bikes, beer, ect. ect. But the thing is, it's a beautiful little town and the people are friendly, even if you don't buy anything. They have their own lives as well, seeing as we are here in the off season. There is a beach nearby with some islands to explore, a riverfront, good street food, and the rooms are clean and cheap. It's a huge relief and we are planning on spending a few days here before heading to Na Trang (sp). 

Anyways, I'm exhausted from the past few days so I'm gunna get going. All is well and I miss everyone back home!

-M

I feel like our posts have been a bit negative lately when in fact our spirits are doing quite well. We headed on a night train yesterday to get down south. The night train wasn't too bad. A bit rocky and the toilets were suspect, but the bed was long enough to fit in and there was AC. I like traveling by trains long distances (except in the US, cuz Amtrak is awful). You get to see the country side and kill two birds with one stone (sleep and travel). Moreover, you would never sleep a wink during the night on a bus here, as the driver's hand seems to only rest on the horn and for some reason horns appear to be installed just as loudly on the inside as on the outside. 

We set out for Hue, the old capital. We didn't really plan on staying there (we've heard too many mixed reviews and have rolled the dice a bit too many times), but for some reason booked ourselves there. We clearly weren't thinking when we got the tickets. We spent about an hour in Hue to wait for the next train. This one only had beds as well, although it was 11am and we didn't need to sleep. It was still about 10 bucks total for us to go. Our car chose to stop using the AC and after a certain time (and the windows didn't open). We couldn't take it anymore so we went out into the hallway of train and sat on some kiddy stools for the remainder of the journey.

We met with a local, who turned out to be an architect which was quite cool. We discussed traditional life and the world of architecture and development in Vietnam. I won't bore you with the details though. After a beautiful beach and mountain side journey we made it to Da Nang, shared a ride with some Brits and made it safely to Hoi An. At this point, my expectations for Vietnam were at an all time low, simply due to the first three and half days of trouble and the overwhelming quality of the big city. However, Hoi An has been absolutely lovely. 

They say Hoi An is a tourist trap, but one you don't mind being stuck in. I would have to agree. The stores cater to western styles and touristy things, there are signs for massages, motor bikes, beer, ect. ect. But the thing is, it's a beautiful little town and the people are friendly, even if you don't buy anything. They have their own lives as well, seeing as we are here in the off season. There is a beach nearby with some islands to explore, a riverfront, good street food, and the rooms are clean and cheap. It's a huge relief and we are planning on spending a few days here before heading to Na Trang (sp). 

Anyways, I'm exhausted from the past few days so I'm gunna get going. All is well and I miss everyone back home!

-M

I feel like our posts have been a bit negative lately when in fact our spirits are doing quite well. We headed on a night train yesterday to get down south. The night train wasn't too bad. A bit rocky and the toilets were suspect, but the bed was long enough to fit in and there was AC. I like traveling by trains long distances (except in the US, cuz Amtrak is awful). You get to see the country side and kill two birds with one stone (sleep and travel). Moreover, you would never sleep a wink during the night on a bus here, as the driver's hand seems to only rest on the horn and for some reason horns appear to be installed just as loudly on the inside as on the outside. 

We set out for Hue, the old capital. We didn't really plan on staying there (we've heard too many mixed reviews and have rolled the dice a bit too many times), but for some reason booked ourselves there. We clearly weren't thinking when we got the tickets. We spent about an hour in Hue to wait for the next train. This one only had beds as well, although it was 11am and we didn't need to sleep. It was still about 10 bucks total for us to go. Our car chose to stop using the AC and after a certain time (and the windows didn't open). We couldn't take it anymore so we went out into the hallway of train and sat on some kiddy stools for the remainder of the journey.

We met with a local, who turned out to be an architect which was quite cool. We discussed traditional life and the world of architecture and development in Vietnam. I won't bore you with the details though. After a beautiful beach and mountain side journey we made it to Da Nang, shared a ride with some Brits and made it safely to Hoi An. At this point, my expectations for Vietnam were at an all time low, simply due to the first three and half days of trouble and the overwhelming quality of the big city. However, Hoi An has been absolutely lovely. 

They say Hoi An is a tourist trap, but one you don't mind being stuck in. I would have to agree. The stores cater to western styles and touristy things, there are signs for massages, motor bikes, beer, ect. ect. But the thing is, it's a beautiful little town and the people are friendly, even if you don't buy anything. They have their own lives as well, seeing as we are here in the off season. There is a beach nearby with some islands to explore, a riverfront, good street food, and the rooms are clean and cheap. It's a huge relief and we are planning on spending a few days here before heading to Na Trang (sp). 

Anyways, I'm exhausted from the past few days so I'm gunna get going. All is well and I miss everyone back home!

-M