Perfume River and Palace Hoang Thanh in Hue, Vietnam

Perfume River, Vietnam 

Perfume River, Vietnam 

Our tour then took us down the Perfume River. (it’s called the Perfume River because beautiful smelling flowers float down it giving the river a sweet scent) We traveled in a wacky looking dragon boat.  It was a joyful time looking out at the banks and the river and it did smell good. 

Perfume River, Vietnam 

Perfume River, Vietnam 

The boat was run by three generations of a family all working together. They were also selling clothes and things on the boat. 

Perfume River, Vietnam 

We were then taken to a Palace called Hoang Thanh which is being restored because it was bombed during the Vietnam war. My husband and I asked if we could break away from the tour because I had a list of things I wanted to see. The tour guide agreed telling us to be at the bus at 3:15.

 Palace Hoang Thanh in Hue, Vietnam

Well after just a few minutes I realized that that was not going to be enough time, we could never walk fast enough. So we looked around seeing one tiny horse and carriage with a very colorful looking driver we decided to run over. We agreed on a price and the stops we wanted and then off we went bells ringing and huffs clumping. 

 Palace Hoang Thanh in Hue, Vietnam

We’d leap out and run through the gates take a quick look at that part of the palace then back to the horse. It was hysterical. Even our driver was laughing at our craziness. 

 Palace Hoang Thanh in Hue, Vietnam

 Palace Hoang Thanh in Hue, Vietnam

 Palace Hoang Thanh in Hue, Vietnam

 Palace Hoang Thanh in Hue, Vietnam

 Palace Hoang Thanh in Hue, Vietnam

We did get to see much more of the palace then we would have on the tour but I could have spent many more hours there. 

 Palace Hoang Thanh in Hue, Vietnam

So I digress.  We had to get back to the bus by 3:15 but when the horse and driver dropped us off at the gate it was a different one and I had no idea where we were and it was 3:10. So across the street we saw these bikes with two seats and drivers.  We checked on the price and seeing our great need the price was high so we started running. It was also very, very hot so we weren't running fast though it felt like it. One of the bikes came up beside us and we started bargaining with him as we ran. Soon a price was decided upon and we jumped on.

Us on the two seated bike.

 Thank goodness because it was a lot farther then we had thought. He rode us through some twisting and turning streets then down a main drag that if we would have had time to think about it we may not have deemed it safe. My husband and I couldn't stop laughing even though we were worried our tour would not wait. We did make it and it was well worth all the craziness.

Chan May

 

Chan May