November 7,

I awoke at 0630, but I didn't sleep well last night – just trouble falling asleep. Jeff said he woke up at 06. We got about and showered. We went to breakfast at 0845. The sun was shining briefly when we exited our bungalow. We were served too much food – more than we had asked for. We shared three banana filled crepes with chocolate drizzle. Then we had a two egg omelet with bread, laughing cow cheese, and tomato & cucumber slices… in addition to two over easy eggs with bread & yada, yada!! 

Finished, we went up to our room and packed up. The whole day will be transitioning day to Hue. Our host will drive us to the closest train station. First, Jeff paid up our tab. We loaded up in our hosts car and left around 1140. The drive is 50 minutes. We pass by the less flooded rice paddies of the area. It looks like rain, but we never had any. We could have stayed in Phong Nha until around three, but we wanted a change. Anyway, we arrived at Dong Hoi. It seems a bigger town. He delivered us to the train station. It was 1230. We thanked him. We enjoyed his little bungalow – he was a great host. 

Jeff checked the counter to see if there is a earlier train. The lady had to phone someone who spoke English. No there is not an earlier train. We were able to leave our luggage for 50,000 Dong (about 2 bucks). We went to the cafe, Sophie Homy – the lady Jeff spoke to on the phone. She told us how to get to central part of town since we weren't hungry yet. We set out and walked, just exploring and getting steps. We went through and beyond central district of town, to the beach. This town is pretty much the center of Vietnam and right on the coast. The  beach area here is more than deserted… it feels abandoned. We think the tsunami caused it. The online pictures are nothing like the reality we see before us. There is hardly a beach, only a few feet and a huge drop off. Anyway, we sat and watched the ocean surf for a little while we ate a banana each. We noticed a big dark cloud rolling in so we decided to head back. Jeff actually called a Grab Taxi and we went back to the train station. It was 1430. Our train doesn't  arrive until 1700. We went back to Sophie Homy and had “lunner”. We had Sweet Potato Fries; Stir Fried Pumpkin with Garlic; and Stir-Beef with Lemongrass. Jeff had two beers, I had a cider and a Coke. Then I blogged as Jeff went to a convenience store, for a snack on the train. 

We left the cafe at 1600, and went the 1/2 block to train station. Collected our bags, and at 1630 they announced us to go to track 3. The train arrived and we boarded. We are in a compartment with a Vietnamese lady and her young daughter. They do not speak English. They were in our seat, as we have bottom two berths. We were trying to get across that they were okay sitting there with Google translate. It seemed to be not working well. Then an older man came in with food. I think they are related, maybe grandpa. The food had an unpleasant smell for me. Train started @ 1708 – 12 minutes late. Saw more flooding as we went. It became dark quickly, so we lost the views. After the man ate what he wanted (the lady and girl didn't want any) he went up to one of the top berths to lay down. At least closed up the food did not smell as bad. We four just sat. The girl has a skin condition involving her left ear and some of that cheek up to just below her eye. I looked up on Google, it may be a genetic remnant of Agent Orange(?).  Whatever it is, it is unfortunate. She had been humming the ABC song. I showed her the alphabet in American Sign Language, she mimicked all the letters with me. She must be around eight to ten years old. 

The train ride was fine, no issues. As we were getting closer “grandpa” came back down and was opening his food to eat more. The girl held her her nose. I almost laughed out loud, as I was not looking forward to the opening whiff of smell that would ensue! Pretty sure I contained the chuckle, but I nodded my agreement to her. We arrived at Hue around 2040, just ten minutes late. We took a taxi that was already there. Our place was just a mile away — it is Hue Lovely Homestay. We entered to a dog greeting and some pet therapy. The hostess made sure our room was ready then gave us a map and circled a few key highlights of Hue. Then up to our room, we unpacked some, showered and then bed!