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Published: February 9th 2013
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We said a reluctant goodbye to Nha Trang, its wide boulevards, sparkling sea and white sand beaches and the Hotel Michelia which we thought superb. Driving south we passed the outskirts of the city with life going on as normal, busy traffic, trees being carried on the backs of bikes we even saw a larder fridge not tied on but held on the back of a motor bike whilst the driver steered with one hand. Granddad was cycling his grandchildren to school and we almost collided but we have a very skilful driver.
Soon there was real countryside with fields of rice and other crops. The fields gave way to hills and we were climbing the mountain road. We stopped at a village typical of this area. There were lots of children there who came out to see us, naturally inquisitive, lots of smiles and hellos, Steve played high five with a couple of the boys and they laughed, it was a lovely atmosphere. In the garden we saw a lady shaving coconut palm trunk to feed to the pigs of which there were many. Ducks were pecking the ground and Dad was working on making a table and chairs, sanding
down the wood. It was a countryside scene but not picturesque, when I asked Amanda about the rubbish she said they didn't care, I was concerned it would attract rats and she said they would like that as they could eat the rats.A little further along the road was a mobile phone shop which seemed so out of place then we came to a rickety suspension bridge over the river. There were holes in the bridge and some of the wood was rotten but bikes, motorbikes, and people were using it. In the river people were washing, collecting water and children were playing.We left the village and stopped for a drink further along the road. There was an ox by the river and children were splashing about in the water, it was a relaxing and peaceful setting and those who ordered coffee said it was good, probably better than the hot passion fruit I ordered( by mistake).Leaving here we proceeded to journey up into the hills. The scenery changed with trees covering the hills, the area resembled an alpine scene with pine trees everywhere. We climbed to over 1500metres and it seemed that we were on top of the world
Hill village
Dad is a carpenter with really stunning views over the mountains and waterfalls cascading down into the valleys below. As we approached Dalat our destination for the day we noticed a massive number of greenhouses, Hui our guide told us that the farmer were growing a whole range of veg, artichokes, tomatoes, cucumbers and strawberries, ok so these are'nt veg. We grabbed some lunch in this French looking Alpine city, feasting on fresh baguettes before making our way to the hotel. The froggies decided to develop this area in the late 19th century up in the mountains to escapade the heat of the plains and coast. I reckon the Lilly livered froggies were escaping a likely invasion from the Brits. We decided to post some parcels home and took what we thought would be a short walk to the post office. Along the way Pauline tripped over a manhole cover, went flying and damaged her shoulder badly. So a trip to the hospital as she was in a lot of pain, the guys from our tour company Travel Indochina were brilliant, a short wait to see the doctor and after an X-ray she was told that there was damage to nerve tissue and muscle.
Shaving coconut palm trunck
Feeding the pigs, this has to be cooked first Duly strapped up in what looked like a half sized strait jacket and a bucket of pills that would concuss a small elephant we were on our way back to the hotel, for room service, red wine and hopefully some well needed sleep. They never said this level of excitement would be on the trip.Day twoNot much sleep last night, can't believe I haven't broken my arm it is so painful. However with lovely Steves help I managed to shower and dress. Strapped up and dosed with painkillers we decided we would go to the Zen Monastery by cable car. So glad we did, the cable car ride was gentle and the scenery beautiful, we could see the farmers working in the fields and almost touch the pine trees. On reaching the end there is a beautiful bonsai water garden. A short walk away is the monastery. Hui explained that this type of Buddhism started in Vietnan in the 1300's. he said there were 3 stages to becoming a monk, you had to graduate from school, follow the laws of Buddha, and meditate. The teachings are based on the premise that man is greedy and we need to eliminate greed
Bridge
This bridge is falling apart from our lives. This is not just about material things but wanting to be happy, greed for all sorts of emotions. If we meditate then we can free ourselves from this greed. However the final state of meditation is when you are neither happy or sad, or are affected by anything around you, then you become Buddha. Not sureZen Buddism is for me.It was incredibly peaceful in the monastery, and in the surrounding gardens that overlooked a lake, I could have stayed there all day.We then went on to see the last Kings palace, born in the year 1913, and he was the thirteenth Monarch, had 13 wives and 13 children . His palace was an Art Deco building that was not impressive but authentic. The gardens were lovely, and in the children's room you could dress up!Leaving here we had a bumpy ride to the restaurant, we didn't go to the market as I felt I would be bumped into. Amanda said some tickets glad become available for the plane so we decided to travel to Saigon by plane as the bus was going to take 12 hours and the road bumpy which would be painful and Steve's back
was still giving him gype. We feel like a couple of old crocks!
Next morning after breakfast we got a taxi to the lake and walked carefully around it stopping at a cafe on the way. We made our way to the central bonsai gardens then got a taxi back feeling a bit vulnerable we would normally have walked back through the traffic. Saw some little girls riding a tandem bicycle and they waved to us that was lovely. Our experience of Da Lat has been memorable, a very pretty town with lovely people. I chatted to the doctor in the hospital, she was 62 and had travelled a lot and she was very interested in where I had been and travelling to and from the hospital we saw that Da lat is a very hilly place with the buildings mainly on top. The French quarter being full of very expensive looking houses. Our hotel the Saigon Dalat was excellent and the cooler yet sunny weather made it a great place to visit.
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