After our Tet disappointment, we set out the next day to see more sights around Hue. We went to the old part of town and the Citadel. There are several pagodas, temples, and old royal homes in the Citadel area. After walking around there for a while we strolled over to the Dong Ba Market again to see if we could get some more delicious sweets. Unfortunately, it being the first day of the New Year, it was closed.
After lunch we decided to rent a motorbike and check out some sites outside the city. I drove and CJ climbed on the back as we scurried out of town. Actually, we first had to put some gas in the tank. Being our first time on a motorbike in Asia, we first had to find the gas tank and figure out how to open it. Once that was done, then we scurried out of town on our new wheels. We checked out the Thien Mu Pagoda, which is supposedly the most recognized structure in Vietnam. Then we continued along through rice fields and small villages to the Tomb of Minh Mang who ruled from 1820-1840 during the Nguyen Dynasty in Vietnam. The only reason we found the place was because a kid shouted at us "Minh Mang!" as we scooted past it.
After the tomb we were heading back to town when we spotted a large statue of the female buddha on a hill nearby. We rode over and up the hill to check it out. Lots of beggars with the worst teeth I've ever seen lined the steps up to the buddha. Incense was burning all over the place as well. We had a short visit and got back on the motorbike and back to the hotel before dark. It was a good initiation to the motorbike scene in Vietnam. The roads were not very crowded when we started and by the time we made it back to town and into rush hour traffic we were pros. We were honking at everything, we fit in expertly. Only had one near miss where we nearly rear-ended another motorbike because I didn't see the red light. We returned unscathed though and thoroughly enjoyed it! Next stop....Hoi An!
After lunch we decided to rent a motorbike and check out some sites outside the city. I drove and CJ climbed on the back as we scurried out of town. Actually, we first had to put some gas in the tank. Being our first time on a motorbike in Asia, we first had to find the gas tank and figure out how to open it. Once that was done, then we scurried out of town on our new wheels. We checked out the Thien Mu Pagoda, which is supposedly the most recognized structure in Vietnam. Then we continued along through rice fields and small villages to the Tomb of Minh Mang who ruled from 1820-1840 during the Nguyen Dynasty in Vietnam. The only reason we found the place was because a kid shouted at us "Minh Mang!" as we scooted past it.
After the tomb we were heading back to town when we spotted a large statue of the female buddha on a hill nearby. We rode over and up the hill to check it out. Lots of beggars with the worst teeth I've ever seen lined the steps up to the buddha. Incense was burning all over the place as well. We had a short visit and got back on the motorbike and back to the hotel before dark. It was a good initiation to the motorbike scene in Vietnam. The roads were not very crowded when we started and by the time we made it back to town and into rush hour traffic we were pros. We were honking at everything, we fit in expertly. Only had one near miss where we nearly rear-ended another motorbike because I didn't see the red light. We returned unscathed though and thoroughly enjoyed it! Next stop....Hoi An!
2 comments:
Enjoying the stories!!! Miss you guys...we had a festive new year here in City Heights:) Lots of fire crackers and were also awaken:) Love you!!!!!
You looked great on the bike, but just wonder why you have no helmet. You need that, don't you?
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