On that Midnight Train...

I am writing from the sleeper train from Hue to Ninh Binh. Things are quite cozy here. We are in a four person berth with Dave and Binh as our roomies. Just  finished dinner in the berth next door. Fortunately, the guides bought some wine, so it helped take the sting out of hanging around the train station forever. 

We had some extra time this morning because we weren't meeting until 8am. Made some phone calls from the softphone in the computer. First was to Pete, Geoff's brother,  to wish him a happy birthday. Also found out that Keith's brewery opening was going gang busters. So if you are ever in Hudson, Ma , please visit Medusa Brewery on Main St. The next call was to Geoff's parents in Maine. All was well there. I also called my friend Lucy - she's so bored of the snow she 
is ironing sheets! After the calls were done, we went to breakfast.

Today we are checking out of the hotel after the ride. We met in the lobby and took off from there. It was overcast today and we actually got rained on for the first time since we left home. I think there will be more of that to come. First stop was the tomb of King Khai Binh. It was quite the place.  Then it was on to a pagoda Thien Mu (lady from the heaven). Way back in 1963 the monk who incinerated himself was from that temple. His car still sits on the site. We said good-bye to bikes and hopped on one of the dragon boats for a short cruise along the Perfume River. It was back to the hotel for a quick shower and to check out. 

Walked around the corner to a soup restaurant for lunch. There was still time to kill before getting the train so we took a walking tour inside the citadel of the old Imperial City. It is pretty much in disrepair now and there is lots of work being done to restore it. This is where the old royalty lived. Next we went to a not so popular attraction - the Colosseum where the tigers and elephants fought for the amusement of the royal family.

While there, we visited with a couple of local families in the area. Most of them were building dust collectors. One man was carving prayer bells from the wood of jackfruit trees. The process intrigued me, especially how he tuned each one to a specific
frequency. I asked if I could buy one and sure enough I could. The man spent a good while tuning and sanding it - plus he threw in a hammer to strike the bell. All for $5. This is really how I like to buy souvenirs. This gift is for us. 

Finally, we were off to the train station. Piled into the waiting room with a whole lot folks. The train was late - eventually got moving about 45 minutes later than 
scheduled. The train is rustic - that is the nicest way to put it. But it is all part of the adventure. We are expected to put our baggage under the bunks - however, we found huge bags of beans and strange boxes under our bunks. They were soon hauled away and we all settled in. 

At around 5:30, we split up into two cabins and had a meal of baqettes, tuna, cucumber, and some wine from Dalat. We are now back in our berth. It is dark and we will be turning in soon. Tomorrow we get to the hotel in the early morning, rest, have breakfast and then check-out. Get our new bikes and we are off again. 

The weather will be cooler and probably rainy. Today's total was only 25km. Yesterday I did 65km and Geoff did 80km.

Just back from breakfast at new hotel. Got here around 3:30am - will be checking out soon and getting new bikes. It is cooler and drizzily.

Next time...Rolling in Ninh Binh