Note. we actually flew there twice, as our first approach was aborted due to the dense cloud cover causing low visibility to the runway. After a 3 hour wait back at HCMC, we tried again and made it this time. Only trains, buses and boats were used throughout rest of the trip.Since we were backpacking, everything was pretty much done on the fly, including getting accomodation and transport, so I'll try and give you some tips on each town throughout my posts. If you fly into Da Lat, don't get a cab from the airport into town. They charge USD and its a joke (10 USD). Get yourself a seat on a bus that will take you pretty much into Da Lat central, and it will only cost you about 30,000 VND (about 3 AUD). The main town is rougly a 1 hour climb by road. First thing I noticed was the drastic climate change compared to HCMC (altitude difference obviously). Coming from 40 degrees and ridiculously high humidity, to the low 20's and basically no humidity, it was fresh... literally.
Got into town, looked for some accomodation and ended up staying at a hostel called Hotel Europa, which was a family run spot. Was cheap and had a bed and bathroom so I couldn't complain. The owner (Mr. Phuc Duc) was a mad photography enthusiast and had a crazy collection of vintage lenses, so we ended up conversing for a minute. The hotel is located at 76 Nguyen Chi Thanh Street. Dumped the bags, then walked around for the rest of the day getting my exploration on. Crazy downpours throughout the day, so didn't make the best photo op weather.
The next day was fine and relatively clear. Met some local tour guides the previous day and booked them in. I rode bitch on the back of a 125cc m/c. Motorbikes are the best way to get around Da Lat.. however next time I do SE Asia I'll be hiring a m/c myself (hate riding pillion/bitch).
Jumped on a cable car to later redenvous with the guides at a few Buddhist pagodas. Was very peaceful there, and I had to get my meditation on.
I found the sign in the last photo interesting. Upon first glance you're like "what? no holding hands or interacting with white girls with blonde hair, as it offends asian families" but then I figured since it was a holy place, they obviously frown upon public displays of affection (which is fair). After all.. Buddhist monks can't come in contact with members of the opposite sex. But seriously though, the depiction is pretty detailed... it could easily be read differently (no hate on America and their women, love Vietnam.. ha!).Went to a small minority village in the outskirts of Da Lat (about an hour away) called Prenn. Met a lady who makes silk scarfs using a traditional oldschool loom. Her concentration was incredible. She spotted my ink, saw my lotus flowers and then showed me a flower her brother tattooed on her when she was younger. She was pretty excited when I asked her If I could take a picture of her ink. She was so flattered, I think it made her day hehe.
Spotted this elderly gentlemen walking towards us in the distance. He was walking with a hop in his step, and dude had swagger. My guide knew him and went up to him to have a beedie with him. Guide introduced me to him and they started conversing in a dialect that wasn't Vietnamese, but a language used by the Prenn people. They are afterall another minority in Vietnam. He was a coffee plantation farmer on his way back home from a hard day's..
Walked around the village and spotted two kids sitting on the porch of their cosy little house. They didn't have a DS, PSP, iPod or anthing close, but they were just so f'ing happy. Seeing them together smiling and laughing, made my day.
Got back to the hostel that evening and booked a bus for the following morning, which would take us to our next destination, Nha Trang.
I really dug Da Lat. It's such a chilled out spot and the locals were all mad friendly. Would have been good to unwind here at the end of the trip, since the next 4.5 weeks were a straight grind.Peace.
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