Day 60 17/11/2014

In the morning we said our goodbyes to the staff at the Orchid Garden and headed back to Danang by minibus (we decided to treat ourselves in preference to the local bus) to get our overnight train to Ho Chi Minh City.  We bumped into Daniel (Cat Ba/Hue) who had braved the local bus this time for a much improved rate of 30,000 dong!  Despite buying our tickets a few days ago we'd only been able to get top bunks.  The train service in Vietnam is described as ageing, slow but dependable and offers a relaxing way to travel around Vietnam with spectacular scenery and good way to meet Vietnamese people (and beats hairy bus journeys - the driving here certainly is crazy).  We left Danang at 13.15 due to arrive into Hoi Chi Minh City at 5.20 am the following morning.  We were initially joined in our compartment by a lady and gentleman (not together) who clearly had no intention of us sharing their lower bunks to enable us to look out of the window so we climbed up and attempted to get comfortable.  The guy disembarked after a few hours to be replaced by mum and two young children.  There was a bit of 'chat' with the guard which we assume was about the height of the oldest child (ticket prices for children are based on height).  The scenery along the way was predominantly paddy fields dotted with tombs.  Apparently the dead can be buried anywhere in Vietnam.  A few hours later the lady disembarked and we were joined by a lady and granddaughter.  So our compartment for four now had four adults and three children!  Both ladies were clearly attempting to get their children to sleep so, after dinner consisting of bread and Laughing Cow cheese (yes you can get it in Vietnam) washed down with coke, we respectfully switched off the main lights and attempted to settled down for a long night ahead.

The Orchid Garden

Great for a quick dip to cool down

Settling down on the top bunk

Ready for a long journey