Sunday, April 15
Up early and driving to Hue. Wizard Khoa, his wife, Man, and their daughter Minh Chau is on the trip. We stop at the Marble Mountain, now a conservation area with many temples, built by Emperor Ming Mang. A newly built elevator took us lightly and quickly up to the top where we could enjoy the scenery and the sight of the many beautiful pagodas and caves. Back in the air conditioned car we set course for Hawanpasset with a little stay on top. We came to Hue at noon and rode straight to lunch at the "deaf restaurant." In the afternoon we visited the great royal palace Dai Noi, which is under ongoing renovation. Some have already been reconstructed, but there is work for many more years.
Marble Mountain Danang
Marble Mountain Danang
Elevator Marble Mountain
Imperial Palace in Hue
Deaf restaurant
Monday, April 16
Early Start on a very hot day. Kl. 7 we cycled from the hotel to anchorage for our boat which took us up the Song Huong, the Perfume River. A nice peaceful walk through the green countryside with stops at several places of interest. First, Thien Mu pagoda, where we again were reminded of an American war. From the pagoda drove a monk in 1963 in his car to Saigon, poured gasoline over himself and burned himself. The car is exhibited in the garage near the pagoda. Then we sailed to Minh Mang mausoleum, built between 1841 and 1843 respectively. Minh Mang was a very powerful king from 1820 to 1841. He had 142 children with a greater number of wives and concubines. On the other side of the river lies Khai Dinh mausoleum for the second-last king of Vietnam, reigning from 1916 to 1925. Here are many stairs with high steps, and it gave a sweat, because we also had to ride 3 km from the river uphill to get to the mausoleum. Back on the boat we were served lunch, and so the choice was between a 10 km's hard time on the bike in 38 degree heat or a laid-back ride on the boat and only 1.5 km `s bike ride back to the hotel. One chose the hard ride and the other two the lazy way. You mention no names. Late afternoon we rose on the train to Hanoi and arrive at. 6 the next morning. We have a new guest in the next few days. Wun, 19-year-old daughter of the captain on holiday with us in Hanoi.
Emperor
Thien Mu Pagoda
More about Thien Mu pagoda
The burning monk in Saigon
Inge and Georg at Minh Mang mausoleum
Khai Dinhs mausoleum
Khai Dinhs mausoleum
More about Khai Dihn