| Day 6 by Don | Day 1-2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, Back Home | |
| We met Khua at the My Khe hotel around 4PM to drive us to Hue. It is very hard to get anyone to drive us over the pass instead of the tunnel so I was a bit pushy to make sure we go that way. Since the last time we went to Hue, they had built a tunnel to shorten the trip. The pass would be an awesome bike ride if we had bikes, and an awesome trip for us today. It rises about 1000' and over looks the ocean, and several bays of white sandy beaches with green rice patties in the back ground, something out of the movies. Khua tried to talk us into going the tunnel saying that there had been bandits that would throw rocks on the ground to slow the vehicles so that they could stop the cars and take the money and girls. Robyn, Linda and Deanna instantly stopped talking |  | |
| We finally arrived in Hue which is a very nice city. The streets are lined with many trees so does not look all concrete like Ho Chi Mihn and Da Nang which are both very industrial places. |  | |
| We arrived at the Orchid Hotel and as the many people on TravelAdisory.com have rated it, it was indeed nice. Nothing too fancy, but just friendly, clean, simple elegant rooms and the best pillows one would ever want We all enjoyed our nice rooms, and then went out and walked the Perfume River and had dinner on a water front boat. We walked the city afterwards and then retire for the night. Having had to share a bed with Robyn for the last week, and getting kicked constantly from 3AM on, I finally had my own bed and slept for the 1st time past 4-5AM, sleeping until 8:00AM! The pillows were just awesome! |  | |
| Today we finally did the tourist stuff and went to many sites. For the last week, I've been having email with people concerning the translation of the CAD drawings and they have suggested that I contact Ms. at 'The Congregation of The Daughters of Mary Immaculate" convent here in Hue. The four of us took a motor bike ride to the convent and "dropped in" to meet her. The most lovely, carrying person, she toured us around her place that schools about 150 kindergarten's children, houses about 150 young girls, and which also has an out patient clinic that sees about 100-300 people a day (depending on the rain!), two or three times a week. Currently they are dealing with many HIV patients and taking on several children that no longer have parents who have died from the disease. She showed us her dentistry rooms, counseling rooms, educational rooms, pharmacy, and herbal medical rooms. Each of these rooms and equipment are very rudimentary, but serve their purpose. She told us about a doctor in Tacoma that had donated enough money to build not only the kindergarten ($40K), but also the medical building ($80K). We saw the medical building and it was a well built three story building of about +15-20,000 square feet per floor. All of this and he has never been to Vietnam!! For so little, you can do so much in Vietnam for people who really need it. |  | |
| The place is right on the Perfume River. One of these days I can see the government taking over the place and putting a nice hotel there...it was quite lovely looking out from the 3rd story balcony across to the river as sampans worked up and down the river. We sat and talked with Ms. Bong and toured the place for about 90 minutes. Without telling her what I do, she mentioned that they are going to try to put together a computer learning room for the 150(?) girls who live here. Walking down the road, I had to pull from her how she was going to get the computers. She said that she hadn't determined that yet, so I told her that maybe we could help out next year. She doesn't have any expectations, but asked if it is possible and we discuss the process I could put into place if possible, but tell her it would probably not be until next year. I wasn't planning on coming back next year, but this place seems so deserving and well run. It would have been good to have visited during one of their days they were open with all of the people coming in for medical help. |   | |
| She also tells us that they really have a need for people just to come and teach English to the children. | ||
| Deanna especially like the place since she is a nurse back at home. This would be an ideal place to arrange a trip next year on her own with her friends to help out with some of the medical doctors that come over from the US. | ||
| As we were saying our goodbyes, we walked past their store. I told her my grandmother (who had also gratefully donated money for our work in Da Nang) is a very devoted catholic and that she would love one of the pictures they had for sale. She quickly runs off for about 5 minutes and brings back a statue of "Catholic Mother of Vietnam” and a plate with a picture of Jesus. I offered her money and she wouldn't take it but wanted my grandmother to have it. She would have really enjoyed this place with us today and meeting Ms. Bong. | ||
| It was a very good time talking to Ms. Bong. Her place seemed very peaceful and caring for the people she was helping. I was glad to have met her and spent our short time together. | ||
| From there we went to the Citadel, the imperial city of Hue for the Vietnamese courts of long ago. This is a large palace, much like the Forbidden City in Beijing but on a smaller scale. And unfortunately, much of it no longer exists after the American involvement and the bombing during the war. This was a place of heavy fighting. In 2001, when we adopted Michael, we traveled to this place, and while filming someone in the rice fields, I came across an M203 grenade lying on an old wall unexploded. It's a lovely place, but sad that so much hatred has laid to waste such a precious places. There was probably 100+ building before, but now only about 10 exists inside the wall. It is a place where you imagination can run wild. Large exterior walls with big gates. Mandarins, staff, horses and elephants would parade through the palace grounds. Large court yards with large bronze containers of water waiting for any accidental fires to put out. Walk ways with small tiled roofs protecting the royal court from the blazing sun, and rain. Large buildings with large dark wooden beams with doors that open across the entire front giving ample lighting. The entire palace is surrounded by a moat filled with small islands surrounded by blooming lotus plants. It is definitely a place to visit. |   | |
| We then took a taxi out to the country side to visit one of the many tombs. It used to be in the country at least. Since the last time we were there, a highway has been cut through the hill side, close enough so you can now hear the cars. The tomb is on a hill and has many statues in the courtyard in the front. Linda jokes and poses as one as we all get her pictures. I joke that this one looks out of place and needs much restoration! It is sad again that such a nice place doesn't look like it is being taken care of either. The concrete dragons that extend 50' down each stair is starting to decay since built 90 years ago. In another 20 years, it will be in a very sad state. I hope that the government will soon do some restoration. Since the last time we were here, they have added pictures and artifacts to the exhibit which was nice to see. There are several actual pictures of the emperor, and actual clothes in glass cases for viewing. |  | |
| After this, we were again back in our taxi, and traveled to an incense making village. After making the incense sticks, they place them on the road to dry. It stated to rain, and everyone frantically runs out to the streets to pick them up before the 'melt' onto the streets. We all ran and helped out before they lose everything. Robyn and Deanna bought some items and I bought Sara her fan. |  | |
| We then went to a pagoda east of town over looking the river. In 1963, a monk drove into Saigon, and sat down in the road, poured gas on himself and lit the gas. He died to protest the persecution of the monks by the Vietnamese government. Here was the actual car he drove that is in the famous background of the picture. I assume that these young boys in the sanctuary here are part of his group. These young monks were traveled in groups, running, laughing, and jabbing each other. Many of them had shaved all their hair, but some of them left a patch on the forehead. Some of them had grown there patch of hair enough so that they could wrap it around there ear and down their neck. I guess in every culture, even religions such as this, you have the kids that need to show their individuality...I assume |  | |
| We then went back to our hotel, or near to it so we can arrange our bus ride back to our second week of Da Nang. For an hour and half bus ride, it will cost us $2.50...our taxi ride up here had costs us about $70 before any tip we chose to give Khua (but was worth it so we could go through the pass to see the country)! | ||
| After dinner, we walked the streets. Robyn is being a trooper keeping up with us on our long days, even when we forget to eat! She doesn't want to come home and is enjoying being with Linda and Deanna in Vietnam. All week I had been working on my own, while the three of them went off to the family house. I'm the outcast! Three girls against one! Terry will be arriving tomorrow in Da Nang which will help out my unfair odds! But Robyn is doing great and really enjoying it. We even got her to take a bite of squid, and she tried ice coffee...each which will probably be her last till she acquires the taste in another 10 years! | ||
| We spend about 90 minutes after dinner at one art gallery of several buildings right on the water. The walkway between the buildings is filled with lit trees, with a very large fruit the size of a grapefruit, and has misters shooting finely misted water into the walkway. The tapestry is just stunning. So many nice pictures with so little walls at home. I almost buy a large tapestry about 7' by 4' of Da La outside of Na Trang in the highlands. It displays a field of flowers with a jungle scene and thatched homes in the background. It cost a bit of money and since Carolyn isn't here to say if she likes it, I end up not getting it, but not before I get one as a gift for someone else that displays a scene that almost pops out at you in 3D. | ||
| And then we walk the city again as Deanna, Robyn and Linda shop before we end the long day. It was a good day just being a tourist. Terry should be landing in Ho Chi Mihn city in a few minutes and hope he can navigate his way to his hotel on his own :-). I don't want to go back to work in the states! | ||
| Day 1-2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, Back Home |