After 11 hours on the sleeper bus we arrived to a rainy Hoi An. We were actually quite impressed with the sleeper service. The bus had about 20 sleeping cocoons which allowed you to fully recline your seat - almost like Upper Class on Virgin, the only thing missing was a bar! Saying that, onboard were several well provisioned Germans and Yanks with plenty of beer and wine. Worried that we be kept awake by their noise we settled down for the long journey.
Fortunately the snoring and chatting wasn't as bad as we thought. The only thing that annoyed Rach was one guy trying out different ring tones on his mobile phone! Mark had put his Ipod on and sat peacefully tapping away listening to Mark Knopfler!
The bus stopped several times to allow people to 'ease springs' before a longer stop over around midnight where we stretched our legs and bought a coke. Hopping back on we had another 6 hours to go and weather started to get worse. Rach managed to sleep for most of the trip, however, Mark didn't! No change there but on arrival we were both happy just to get off.
Being the new 'free spirits' we didn't have anywhere booked but were offered a room for $10 so we snapped that up quickly - very satisfied.
Throwing the backpacks in the room we headed into town for breakfast and bleary eyed stumbled into a restaurant. Looking at the menu Mark noticed they did proper latte so was excited! However, when he ordered he was informed the machine was broken - he settled for a Vietnamese coffee again (strong with condensed milk in the bottom).
The rest of the day was spent walking the narrow streets of the city 'occasionally' being asked if we wanted to get any clothes made or a moped ride.
Tomorrow we plan to hire a moped and head for the beach which is 4km away (weather permitting) and then book another bus trip to take us to Hue on Sunday. Mark desperately wants to use the train so we'll probably arrange the journey from Hue to Hanoi to satisfy his romantic notion of the train (didn't know he was a secret trainspotter!)
Thanks for all the responses and love to you all as always.
Mark & Rach. xxx
Check you two out, even managing to find upper class on a tight budget! The bus sounds very impressive! I’m guessing mark wants to use every form of transport in Vietnam – boat, car, van, moped, bike, bus and elephant – surely only a train and a plane left!!
ReplyDeleteI hope you get some good weather at the beach to keep those tans progressing!
All is the same here, walk dog, sleep, eat, work, hockey, that’s pretty much my life!
Take care
Lots of love
xxxx
Rach managing to sleep! Its in her genes! Mark not getting in on the beers is a worry though! Looking good at 6am so can't have been all bad.
ReplyDeleteLove you xxx
I too, am surprised that you didn't get in on the beers Mark!! Rach had the right idea....sleepies! the bus doesn't sound like it was too bad and hope you get your train ride in.....
ReplyDeleteAll good here, having a catch up weekend in the house and garden....might even light the fire tomorrow evening if it's cold!!
Lots of loves
xxx