Hue, Vietnam

We arrived in Hue the afternoon of March 6th. We found a nice little hotel and began exploring the city. After walking around awhile we realized we weren't too crazy about the city. There is not really a lot to see or do there so we decided we would take the night bus out of there the next day. That gave us a day and half there to see the things we wanted which ended up working out perfect. That afternoon we went to the Imperial City. The dynasty in the 19th century moved the capital here and constructed a citadel with over 148 building although there are only 20 remaining. We spent the whole afternoon in the Imperial City roaming around looking at all the old buildings and gardens. It was very impressive. Since we weren't staying in the backpacker area we headed that way to check out the night life scene. It was a good night that ended with a banana split made of home made ice cream... a guide book recommendation that couldn't have been more right on! It was awesome!
The next day we got up early and rented a moped. First stop: the mausoleum of Khai Dinh. A mausoleum is basically their final burial place but it is an elaborate building or several buildings. Khai Dinh was an emperor in the early 1900s. He reigned for nine years, but it took them 11 years to make his mausoleum. His had four different terraces leading to the temple at the top. The walls were covered in small pieces of glass that were aligned to make images. The ceiling was painted to look like clouds with dragons. There is a huge monument of the emperor and lots of pictures. It was rather interesting, but seems a little over done if you ask me. It is obsurd the money and time they spent on these.
The other one we saw was the mausoleum of Minh Mang. After getting royally lost, we were about to give up and we asked one more man for directions and gave it a shot.... we finally made it! It's funny because when they give directions they always say that it is right down the road a few kms, but leave out the turns you need to take to get there. Getting lost is fun too, we get to see so much more and it's always fascinating. Anyway, Minh Mang was the second emperor. They spent 14 years to find the location for the mausoleum and only three years to build using ten thousand workmen. It is fifteen hectares full of gardens, lakes, and small pavilions. It was very different from the first one we saw. You can't walk into the area he is buried as they only open it once a year on his birthday. All this beautiful land that no one can use seems like such a waste. I don't really understand the whole thing, but I guess that is how they do it. It was getting late so we headed back to get on our night plus en route to Hanoi. Peace!