citadel

I opened the curtains of my hotel room at around 10.30 this morning to reveal a glorious looking sunny day. Forgetting about my mild hangover at once, I ventured up to the rooftop pool to enjoy the conditions.

It was obviously going to be a very hot day, and I felt relaxed and contented as I looked out from the pool across the skyline of Hue. It was at this rooftop location that I had also spent much of last night. The great views and pool side location bettered all of this small city's bars - although that is not to say there is anything wrong with them.

Remaining within the confines of this excellent hotel - not something I would normally do - also had the advantages of avoiding the pests, pushers and pimps that line the streets of the main tourist area. These 'touts' are a lot more aggressive than those in Saigon - probably because they have fewer people to pick on - and can be quite annoying. As always, the script is to first ask if you want a motorbike. Then marijuana. And then a prostitute. I wonder if they do a special discount if you use all three at the same time? One of them did make me literally laugh out loud when he asked if I wanted to hire a motorbike to race him. Obviously on streets containing thousands of bikes and where nobody pays any regard for traffic law or basic common sense, what I really wanted to do was race someone...

Anyway, after a spot of light brunch and having booked my next leg of travel and accommodation, I ventured off towards The Citadel in Hue. This is the main attraction of the place - a vast array of old imperial buildings and temples. I nearly fried in the heat while walking along the beautifully named Perfume River to get there, but it was worth it. The buildings are very impressive, and you can see why this has named a World Heritage site. What is more difficult to understand is that for many years the buildings were left dilapidated, and at one stage seemed destined for demolition. Definitely worth a visit.

By mid afternoon I'd done enough walking, and set about finding a bar to enjoy the sunshine from. Lots of other travellers seemed to have the same idea. Many were sat outside with a glass of local beer (average cost 35p) in front of them, reading a book and with a smile on their faces. Sounds corny, I know, but it was a great atmosphere in which to just watch the world go by.

Ok, time for some more beer and dinner...