The train to Danang
Posted in Vietnam | By tim |
There is a power cut on the train and it is late leaving. Inside it is very very hot and airless. Unfortunately we’re on the hard-sleeper this time so it is a broken and uncomfortable night’s kip.
We reverse auction for a taxi at Danang station at 8am Thursday. This goes awry badly and we end up with two motorbike taxis to take us to the Vietnam Airlines office where we need to book our internal flight to Hanoi later in the week. The bikes look more hair-raising than they are – with all our luggage in front of the driver – it’s a whole lot of fun bombing around the streets in a pair. We’re off to Hoi An and get a flight from Hue to give us plenty of time there. Our motorbike guys prove persistent in trying to take us the hour’s journey to Hoi An. Pam is not keen on doing this – not wishing to trust their driving – but after a couple of hours hassle after which we end up doing it anyway, we both agree it was probably the best way to get there: there don’t appear to be any local buses.
As part of this hassle we see an interesting thing: a sponsored cyclo. A bright shiny new cyclo, apparently worth $400, has been purchased for one particularly lucky cyclo driver by his American “Foster Father”. The American was in Vietnam during the war and has contributed as part of a scheme to empower impoverished cyclo drivers and presumably appease his own conscience in the process. He donated $700 and this particular driver has spent it well: he is significantly fatter than most and claims to have spent the excess on presents for his wife and children. We can’t help wondering why he didn’t go for two or three cheaper cyclos and hire them out to his mates but he seems happy with his mysterious benefactor and his shiny bike must be the envy of cyclo drivers all across the town.
The trip to Hoi An is not as bad as we expected despite the searing heat. We arrive around 12ish ready for a shower in our new hotel, the Sea Star which is very pleasant.
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