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Published: July 22nd 2012
I stupidly read about the road to Dalat before we set off. Luckily it didn't rain on the way and it wasn't half as bad as I thought it would be, although I did spend most of it with my eyes closed and Paul was glad I did as we got pretty high and close to some cliff edges, the driver was a mentalist and it was dark.
Dalat is 1500 meters above sea level in the central highlands and is so French you might think you are in the alps. It was a welcome change from beach or busy city, a biggish town surrounded by the most lush countryside and the views were spectacular! We'd booked in at Villa Pinkhouse and had already read about Mr Rots legendary secret tour, we booked on - a 6 am start on my birthday!
We had our fleeces on which was a comforting change, especially as they still smelt of fabric conditioner 😊
It was one of our highlights so far, Paul driving the bike and me clinging on the back as we whizzed up and down the roads. We stopped at a very local market that included cat and
dog meat for sale, we learnt about Vietnamese traditions and eating habits.......
We also visited a silk factory, all i will say is poor worms. We also stopped at a coffee plantation, Vietnam is the second largest producer of the stuff after Brazil. The coffee was sooooo good! The climate in Dalat is perfect for growing all fruit and veg and they have tons of vin yards 😊 😊 😊
We also visited a cricket farm for a snack (!) and a pretty impressive waterfall which we climbed to over mossy wet rocks in flip flops. I spent most of my time on all fours shaking and telling myself that the more I do these things the more likely I am to overcome my fears, I hope that theory kicks in soon!
We had lunch at Mr Rot's sisters house in the village he was born and tried loads of different fruits, which was great as we now know which ones to avoid, in particular the dorian which was gros and it stank of puke!
We spent a couple of hours in a mud hut (a family's home) chatting and asking questions through Mr Rot (he can
speak the dialect) and learnt a lot about each others lives. We met the local 'ghost' lady who all the other villagers fear (I think she may be a psychic or shamen). Too much to write about all of this but all bizarre and unbelievable!
A two hour crazy journey back and just in time before the heavens opened! In the room was a birthday card and cake from Mr Rot, what a guy! We met everyone for dinner and then had some drinks after, I sampled a bottle of Dalat red wine, it was very nice, I think!!!!
Unsurprisingly the next day I woke up with a nasty cold, i must have felt pretty rotten as I couldn't manage getting up for our free breakfast with the best coffee In the world!!! When I finally got my self dosed up and feeling half human we headed out to see the 'crazy house' it was pretty crazy especially the safety of it!!
I was gutted I was unwell as Dalats countryside is beautiful and the cooler climate meant we would have had a good trek or rented mountain bikes, oh well maybe next time!
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Sally
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Happy Birthday Jane
Was thinking about you Jane glad you had a nice day - am loving the blogs. Paul you've lost weight - looking good