With a little (well, a long) break, let us continue with the journey through the wonderfully unique country, I'll never forget. After the bustle of Hanoi, tranquillity of Ha Long Bay and magic of Ninh Binh, it was the turn for history.

It was just one day, but full-on day of history in the former imperial capital of Vietnam. (Hue remained the capital until 1945!) Place where all the emperors of the latest dynasty lived and ruled. While Ninh Binh was - boats, mountains and caves, Hue would have to be a different selection - forts, pagodas and tombs...

After visit to a few, the one deserved special mention would be, I guess, Khai Dinh Mausoleum. If only because it was built in not quite traditional oriental style as you would expect from the oriental emperor's places. In fact, it reminds more of the gothic charm of medieval Europe.

Well, the Emperor had a soft spot for Europe in general and France in particular.

He progressively created meaningful connections with Europe, was the first one from the East to look towards West, he designed his own mausoleum himself and supervised the construction. Unfortunately, he never saw it finished - died 3 years before. His body was kept in nearby place and was transferred into this final home after all that.

Despite of least oriental design from the outside, there is no doubts you are in the East once you stepped inside...

Gold...gold everywhere...breath-taking richness and a lot of ambitions...I've seen no other mausoleums like this...

Now - let's do pagodas...there was one we stopped by for a brief visit - Chùa Thiên Mụ - right by the river with poetic name - Perfume River. It was January, so no perfume for me, alas.

But Tien Mu Pagoda made an impression of serene nobility...The name translates as "Heaven Fairy Lady"

There were few interesting buildings within its territory, but we didn't spent much time exploring, as needed to get to our main destination in Hue - The Citadel and Forbidden City.

Technically, this is the place where last ruling Emperor's lived&ruled, along with his extended family, mistresses and and ministers.

Defined by the walled perimeter (about 10km), Citadel has three main sections: thick outer wall - defence - cannons, military quarters, you know, usual fortification stuff.

The next area - halls, theatres, pagodas and other "administrative" buildings that any standard emperor needs to rule...the most inner one - "Purple" - Forbidden City - private residences for emperor and family.

Most parts of this marvel has been destroyed during the war in 1968 but now in the process of being restored, literally, as we speak...

I remember when I was doing my homework to plan what to see in Hue, it was hard to get clear information on what's already restored...so I expected lots of scaffolding and little views...I was pleasantly surprised to find even not fully restored, The Citadel had a lot to offer...I'm guessing, once all restoration work completed, you would need at least full day or even more to see it all.

This time we have only few hours. and still saw a lot.

And what we've seen, was absolutely breath taking.

What I wanted to say as well: while I did visit Hue with the tour (we were just 8 though - small group), it was a very pleasant day, no hurry, plenty of time and amazing guide who felt like your relative showing you the place they live and love dearly.

It was not a Guided Tour for me, more of a Visit to History. A day that was well worthy it...