Last day in Hue

WOW - the last three days have been incredibly interesting, with many fabulous experiences!  Good thing I didn't bother to take my iPad as there definitely wasn't WiFi anywhere I've been.  I'm in Hanoi now though and I'll get my blog caught up over the next few days.

So let's start with my last day in Hue - during which I visited the Imperial Citadel.  Unfortunately it was heavily bombed during the war but restoration has started and even the parts that are still in ruin are quite magnificent.

Construction of the moated Citadel began in 1804 by Emporer Gia Long and within the entire complex there are actually three separate areas; the outer area where commoners were allowed, a second interior section where invited guests were allowed, and then the centre interior section - an area known as the holy-of-the-holy, actually called the Forbidden Purple City - where only the royal family was allowed.  The entire complex is 10 square kms so there's no way I was able to see it all, but what I did see was awfully wonderful.  As you can see from the photos, parts of it have been fully restored, there are some buildings and areas where reconstruction has just started, and still large areas that show the devastation of war and natural disasters.

This afternoon was when the epic train adventure began - an overnight train trip from Hue to Hanoi.  The unfortunately part is that is was dark for nearly the entire trip as we got on the train at 5:00 pm and we were supposed to arrive in Hanoi at 5:00 am.  We were a little delayed on our arrival though as tonight is when the typhoon hit.  Unbelievable rain, and it was probably a slightly more rocky ride than usual, but despite the nasty weather we were only about an hour and a half delayed getting into Hanoi.

There was however a beautiful sunset while we were waiting for the train.

And this is the sleeper cabin I shared with three others.  My bed was top-left.