Day 32: Around Hue

A slightly late start today (our camp counsellor was not the happiest) in Hue. The breakfast at the Four Seasons (yes, we are staying at the Four Seasons.... Not that one.... This one) is fantastic. Sometimes our breakfasts have been buffet, sometimes you get what you get, and sometimes off the menu - but almost always breakfast is included with the hotel in Vietnam. Off the menu this morning, Beth had little pieces of toast with her precious peanut butter, Rob had a baguette and butter, Abby had chocolate and banana pancakes and I had Pho Bo... So we were all happy!

We walked about a half hour, across the Perfume river and over to the entrance of the imperial grounds. It was really baking in the sun, when we ran across Nan. Normally when someone says "hello" it is followed by the product they are trying to sell, and they continue to pester you... And it happens roughly every 60 seconds in Vietnam so you get pretty immune to it. Nan drove by on this little bike and said "hellosircokewatericeteaonethousanddongsir" and I waved her off... But then I looked over at her and she just smiled and kept riding. I shouted for her to stop - she was so cute.

We got some drinks and this picture of her (funny that she was holding up her drinks, like she was going to get endorsed) and then said "I have Internet, you send picture". We then proceeded to go back and forth for several minutes, trying to communicate. I finally figured out she was giving me an address, not an email address. Too funny...

The joys of making your preteen dress up in ridiculous costumes was in full effect here...

We had to continue our trend of cheesy photos with a little touristy transformation of the girls into Vietnamese royalty. The paparazzi were out when they came out all dressed up.

We continued to explore the ancient grounds and buildings of the ancient imperial grounds. The size was impressive, but overall the place is just ok. They could do with a Japaense tourist makeover complete with some AV presentations, a route for you to follow and some basic restoration and maintenance....but I digress.

We grabbed some lunch at a small local place and agreed to source a pool for the afternoon. Our hotel helped us find a nearby four star hotel where we could check in as guests for the afternoon for about 70,000 dong each (about $4!). We ended up spending 4 hours at the place - a well deserved break from the heat.

We made it to our Indian place for dinner - wow, great food! It was a nice change. Before heading up to our room, we played a bunch of rounds of "President" (otherwise known as "A$$hole") which the kids are really getting in to. Tomorrow we leave pretty early for Phong Nha national park, with a brief stop at the old American war DMZ.