Biking in Hue

Kids cycling to school
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After my trip to Halong Bay it was back to Hanoi for a few hours before boarding a sleeper bus to Hue, which was some 12 hours drive away. It was surprisingly comfortable & I managed to get some shut eye.

Hue didn't seem to have much going on but then again I wasn't really looking for it. I was happy chilling out in a cafe reading my book & drinking fruit shakes. Having said that I did make an effort to visit Ming Mang Masoleum and the Citadal the morning after I arrived as they had been recommended. Even though they were impressive , it was the motorbike tour of Hue I took the morning before I left that was most impressive.

We literally zipped all over the countryside, crusining through rice fields & country roads, visited temples, war bunkers and saw incense being made

Ming Mang
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Arranged by Cafe on Thu Wheels, it costs 100,000VND (approx 5 EURO) and is worth every penny. Thu is the lady who owns the cafe and seems to be somewhat of a legend with all the backpackers that pop in. I only popped in for a bite to eat and before I knew it she had talked me into the tour. For those brave enough to drive you can take your own bike or like me hope on the back with a tour guide - gave me more opportunity to snap away also!!

We literally zipped all over the countryside, crusining through rice fields & country roads, visited temples, war bunkers and saw incense being made. One of the temples (the name of which I have forgotten) was amazing, not for the building but getting to see the monks first hand praying and chanting. It was like nothing I had ever seen. The novice monks were the most interesting to look at as they all have there heads shaven apart from various patches which are long, the number depends on the length they have been studying I have been told.

Me posing at Ming Mang
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Driving along the roads I saw all sorts from buffalos crossing the road to pigs being carried on the back of bikes no doubt to meet their fate to kids making their way to school on country roads to ladies setting up stalls and selling their wares. It was pretty impressive and for me the best way to see Hue.

After all that it was back to Cafe Thu for some lunch before tkaing yet another bus to my next destaination, Hoi An, which was only some 4 hours drive away. First though I had to write a recommendation for the tour on one of the many books that fill the cafe and sign the wall - like everyone else that walks through the door seems to do!