Steven Raucher's World Tour
2001-07-10 in Hue, Vietnam
First impressions are everything
I suppose it is because of the American War (that�s what they call it here) that Vietnam has a mystique about it, that is, of course, until you go there. Then it�s just lunatic driving, officious bureaucracy, lousy roads and pushy street side vendors.
Despite all this there is really great coffee and baguette! The French knew what they were doing when they passed on their culinary secrets. Thank god America didn�t try the same trick!
The border crossing into Vietnam was perhaps a warning of how things work here. We had to cough up a Dollar each to get our passports stamped, and while I was paying the customs officer was proposing marriage to my sister. Maybe I�d get a family discount the next time I crossed the border? After a quick inspection of the vehicle and an even quicker inspection of our bags we were welcomed into Vietnam.
We had decided we would try and get to Hue from the border. We knew it would be tough but wanted to hit a town with tourists in it for our first night, just to gauge the situation. It was damn hard going getting to Hue in one day. The driving is not the only thing that Vietnam has in common with India, their road works strategy is much the same as well. In both of these countries it is considered much better to cut up one thousand kilometers of road than to work on a highway section by section, reducing the
�Joy of driving� to the �pain of driving� is just a few hours.
By lunchtime I was ready for a break, we stopped at a roadside caf�, as we have done everywhere else on our journey. After drawing a chicken and pointing to a bowl of rice I thought we were well on our way to gastronomic heaven. Imagine my surprise when we were each served a steaming bowl of chicken heads in broth. In all fairness, the rice was delicious.
After our delightful pit stop we made a beeline for Hue. Hue was an ancient capital of sorts and boasts a citadel and ancient palace complex. After a spot of site seeing and 2 days rest (including much needed re-hydration at the DMZ Bar) we hit the road and travelled south.
 Keeping the flag flying - The Hue Pagoda and Citadel |
 Nothing like a bit of Communist pop art to keep the locals in check |
 Beautiful scenery on the way down the coast |
 These little piggies went to market |
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