Hue

Yesterday, Seeing as I’d been here before, I decided not to go to the citadel, and instead headed off on a bike to do a 10km or so trip around a few different pagodas etc.

It bucketed rain all the way, so by 4pm I came back to the hotel to veg (and install skype and chat to friends!)

Took in Bao Quoc pagoda (a Buddhist college kinda), Tu Dam Pagoda, where I chatted to a monk/professor for half an our over some odd tasting tea.., and then on to Tu Hieu Pagoda (pic on right with my lovely bike). where I was having a serene and peaceful walk through the quiet bonsai garden, when a medium sized dog appeared snarling behind me (with fiery red eyes and saliva dripping from a wide mouth). I returned quickly to my bike, every time I stopped looking at him he started running at me! I think it was just the slippy tiles that saved my leg from being chewed off. Well, maybe not, I’m sure he was well trained, but I wasn’t waiting about!

Then onto the altar of Nam Giao, a nice park – the three levels representing humanity, earth and sky. Lovely place to take a stroll my guide said. By this time I was thoroughly drenched (even with poncho) so wasn’t feeling like strolling!, then cycled back – and here looking towards the citadel (look at Mhairis blog for pics on that..) and at the largest flagpole in Vietnam (47m high)

today we were supposed to go check out the tombs of the emperors.. but it’s blowing a gale and lashing rain so I don’t think that’s going to happen unfortunately..

However, at last mum and dad have got skype working in Uganda.. so free calls to Africa (had a nice chat this morning)….