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Published: December 28th 2005
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Let's Go!
In search of the ethnic minority village Yo yo yo!
So a couple of weeks ago I went on a trip to Dalat, which is 8 hours on the coach but a 40 minute flight (we flew!) and it is in the Central Highlands so Moira and I were quite excited about the prospect of wearing sweatshirts!!! We had been warned that the weather would be cold and quite possibly raining so a beal from the sweat patches of Ho Chi Minh sounded ike paradise!
We flew out on the early Monday morning and we got to our hotel where we dropped off our rucksacks and headed back out for breakfast. We were actually surprised at how cold we were! The wind was quite strong and it was constantly drizzling. My jeans were soaking and I had about 4 layers on yet I was still freezing!!! We walked about the town a little and I have to be honest there's not much to Dalat town centre... there's a market, and a miniature eiffel tower... and a big lake that look s better at night because during the day you can see how brown the water is...and that's it! I had been told by all of my
teaching assistants (TA's) that Dalat was beautiful so I was disspointed. We also happened by coincidence to be in Dalat when the Flower festival was on. Due to its temperate climate Dalat has perfect conditions to grow a variety of different flowers and vegetables that we don't see in HCMCity. And here;s a fact for you... Vietnam grows tulips to export to Holland!!!! Now that's crazy!!!
We decided to rent motorbikes and do a little explorinf for ourselves. We attempted to go and visit a pagoda where a art crazy monk lives but we found that closed so we just drove around for a bit and as night settled in Dalat became more and more beautiful. The lights reflecting on the not so brown lake now created a very romantic atmosphere, and I was now beginning to understand why Dalat was in fact the romantic capital of Vietnam. Many couples choose Dalat to honeymoon in but I can only see why when it's dark!!
Day 2 and we did some more exploring. This time hardcore exploring!!! We waited for a few more friends of ours to arrive (at this point it was just Moira, Elizabeth (who works with me) and
Shopping for bizarre clothes
Have a look at this shirt we found!!! Christina would be proud! Moira in Dalat) and Tyler and Lilian were arriving that day. We were going to go an find an ethnic minority viallage 20 km from Dalat. It was quite exciting as we would be able to see some of the scenery outside Dalat and see the village. We waited and waited for Tyler and Lilian and they arrived 2 hours later than planned. Apparently they had arrived on The Love Plane - only couples on the plane and had a HUGE reception once landing in Dalat. They were given flowers and had to stand up on a stage and tell a crowd of people why they had chosen dalat to honeymoon in. I have to stress that Lilian and Tyler are not a couple and hence found it difficult to state just that in front of a huge crowd of people! They had their picture taken and were on the news! Great fun! So, we finally set off in search of this village (after buying a woolly hat, gloves and scarf!!!!!!!). The weather was atrocious! We were off-roading a lot and the roads were really, really muddy. Wheels were getting stuck, Tyler and Lilain were having minor accidents left, right
Pagoda
The crazy artist monk's pagoda! and center (Tyler had only driven once before!!!)... well.. we decide to turn back after a few hours of driving because we were concerned for our safety on the muddy roads and even though we didn't get to see the village we did see some amazing scenery and breathed in fresh air.. something in short suppy in HCMCity, so we were happy!
Courtesy of the Lonely Planet guidebook we decided to get in touch with the Easyriders. They are a group of bikers that take you around Dalat for a whole day showing you different aspects of the town. Included in the 20 USD we paid was a meal and entrance fees to all museums or places we visited. They arrived at 8:30 and we had an amazing time. Probably the most worthwhile 20 USD I have ever spent! They took us to a flower farm, a mushroom farm, a silk worm farm, a silk factory, we saw the biggest waterfall in Dalat and we went to the Lake of Sighs (this water was not brown!!!). I'll let the pictures talk for themselves as I am running out of time right now. It was amazing! Will add more pictures once
Pagoda 2
Us at the front of the pagoda. Taken by our motorbike taxi dude... I was quite scared in case he took with the camera! I get the chance!
We returned on Thursday morning and I had work that afternoon. It was great to leave the city but I have to admit I was missing it by the third day and looking forward to returning home 😊 I find it hard to think of leaving this place.
Hoping you all had a great Christmas and are looking forward to the new year!
Rooj xxx
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Lisa
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Let the countdown begin!
Can't wait to be there! I'm hoping there's going to be a little chilling out on hot, sunny beaches in the south when I'm there?! I hope it's not cold and miserable the whole time I need a sun tan! :)