By Sophie and Carien
Today started off with a welcoming breakfast full off western food, like crepes with chocolate sauce, which we were all very excited about, and the usual scrambled eggs. We then headed off on an adventurous bike ride around Hue. Let’s just say it wasn’t the usual relaxing bike ride. Through the busy streets of Hue we managed to cross our first road of constant traffic successfully. Five minutes into the bike ride we took our first stop, which happened to be at a primary school. It was amazing to see the difference, because when we arrived we probably saw a million little kids storming through the traditional but modern school. It honestly felt like I was in a jungle surrounded by little kids, boys and girls, overly excited to see us. It was so much fun talking to the kids and trying to communicate. Even though we might have misunderstood some words, it was definitely a highlight of the day leaving everyone in awe.
Next, we hopped back on our bikes to ride to a unique place that creates different types of incense. Incense is traditionally used by Buddhism followers who take 1 or 3 incense sticks when they go to pray. If you take one incense it means everything but if you take three each one stands for something different; earth, heaven and the God. Some of us were lucky enough to even get the opportunity to create some ourselves.
Next we had the chance to take in an incredible view of the Perfume River. Everyone took a deep breath while Hoang shared historical background information on how the last kings have shared the same view as we were seeing. The final stop before heading back to the hotel was to the third emperor’s tomb. Hoang gave us insight to the sentimental value of this historical monument. From his speech we learned that the emperor had over 100 wives. As he could not have a child with any of them (as a result of an earlier illness) he adopted three children.
We discovered he was a very romantic guy, who was down to earth and loved nature and his country. His actual tomb, where his body was stored deep below the ground, was only a small part of the huge environment we had entered. We learned that for a tomb the environment must contain a lake and a mountain. By the lake he had built a resting place and an area that also consisted of a theatre and another beautiful house that held some of the body’s of the kings wives. Ultimately, the third kings tomb was an amazing monument to see even though we nearly melted in the 30 degrees heat.
After some free time to freshen up we headed out to dinner which Hoang. He as a little cagey and it was not till we arrived that he told us we were having a Royal dinner. Lucy and Liam were nominated as the Queen and King for the night and the rest of us were the princes and princesses. We all got a special gown with all sorts of different designs on it and we can’t forget about the matching hats that summed up the whole outfit. We then elegantly made our way into the dinning hall and enjoyed a night of traditional music and meals with lots of laughter.
While roaming the night markets along the Perfume River we experienced the fun night life Hue has to offer. It is safe to say that although this might have been one of the busiest days so far, it was a remarkable adventure with many ups and downs (literally, hill after hill, on the bikes).
We miss and love you all very much xx
Sophie and Carien