08 August 2007

Hue and Hoi An




Our first two stops in Vietnam were Hue and Hoi An.

Hue's a former capital, home to the no longer forbidden, Forbidden City. Though much of the former palace complex was ruined in the American war several key buildings still stand and occupied a morning for us. After Lao's quietness, Hue was a nice transition into Vietnam - more bikes, more people, excellent food and much to spend money on. It took Claire 4 hours in the country to purchase a new blouse - not quite beating her 3 hour record set in Bangkok.

Hoi An, a UNESCO protectorate, and home to a thousand tailors operating in the former colonial town. The old town's protected and technically doesn't allow motorised transport within its precincts. Strolling around town is a look back 150 years (nearly). One evening we sat on the porch of a large bar and pretended to be French colonialists retreating to a place of safety, a reminder of home, amongst the incomprehensible orient.

We also took the opportunity to have some clothes made. It only took three extra skirts to realise the correct answer to the question "Just one more?" is not to purchase just one more, but rather to back out of the store quietly.

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