Somewhere

Arrived in Somewhere, about 4:30AM but found hostel about 100 meters from where the bus stopped.  For $3 extra got a room immediately and for the night.   Took boat trip thru a big cave (very nicely lit).  Elected to take taxi next morning to Dong Hoi to get Viet Rail to DaNang.  Crossed DMZ (very hilly, scenic along Sea with views much like Big Sur in California.  Train airconditioned, Rail TV.   Nice seats.   It takes 24 hours from Ho Chi Minh city (Saigon) to Hanoi (Han oi here).  Called the Reunification express.   I suspect US bombed a number of the river crossing during the war....and maybe some were bombed South of border by VC.  Lots of river crossings.  In this part of Asia very green even though still not the Rainy season.

From DaNang which is now a city of 1,000,000 with a Pizza Hut and KFC went to Hoi An which seems to be a middle class suburb.  Nice "Homestay" which is really small hotel attached to a household.  $25 a night with very good breakfast for two.    Last night Duck for dinner for me and something else for Denyse with a beer for $12 total.



One week left before flying Saigon, Hong Kong, LA, Phoenix, Denver then back to buses to Alamosa.  Looking forward to clear air and low humidity.




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