Well we woke up early as we had a few things to pick up before heading off to the local bus to get back to Danang. We say bye to Mascha and get to the bus just as it was rolling away. By chance it was the same one as the trip in. It started a lot slower, but soon became a racing, honking, yellow bullet through the crowded streets. At one point we picked up a full load of school kids which added to the craziness. We were able to communicate that we wanted off at the train station (or as close as possible) through some “bumpy bumpy bumpy” and hand motions from the Vietnamese guys. It ended up being a lot closer than when we left… good to know “for next time.”
We had some food, as we finally were confident we had some time before the train left, and then we shuffled on to see what awaited us. Hard sleepers on a new train, after being told repeatedly that you wouldn’t be able to sleep at all, made us just a little apprehensive. When we got in there, it was perfect. No different than China, except there were only us in the cabin for the first 6 hours or so. We played some cards (golf has replaced asshole as the game of choice) and then tried to have a bit of a nap. Eventually we got some Vietnamese cabin mates and we all were forced up into our beds. 2 top and 1 middle bunk. We slept on and off, but it was so hot, you were never really asleep.
To be continued…
Well, Hanoi part 2. We had a day to spend until our train leaves later today at 11:00pm. We loaded up on free breakfast and then hit the streets on the bikes. The Drift was really nice in letting us keep our bags here free, and still use the free bikes. I am currently using the free computers now (at 6:30pm) even though we checked out at 9:00 this morning. Amy and Jen are off to use the showers for free too. Very nice experience here over all, too bad you can’t bring a hostel with you on the trip.
We checked out Ho Chi Min at the Mausoleum, it was quite something and hard to imagine what is going through the heads of the throngs of locals and school children on field trips showing up to see the body of their revolutionary leader. I didn’t really even know what I was thinking as I walked by his body.
We rode back to pick up David and then we headed off to grab some food and run some errands. We then checked out the Vietnam War/Army Museum which was closed for lunch earlier when we tried to see it. It was quite something, maybe the best one of the 3 we have seen here. There was a preserved prison where they kept prisoners of war which we wanted to see, but never had a chance as things close so early here.
Since then, we have come back, and Alex and David had traveled off to Hoi An and Laos respectively. We are also going to Hoi An, so we might see Alex again there. We caught a movie in the movie room at The Drift, and I think plans are to go for dinner after and maybe ride swans around the lake it they are still open. Tomorrow afternoon will be the start of a new adventure. Hoi An is an old port city (I think still used) and should be neat to see. We might stay a couple days and just rent bikes or scooters so we can see things at our own pace.
