On our way to Dalat we came across a
new type of bus, one that we were to find is the preferred mode of
bus transport throughout Vietnam, the sleeper bus. As its name
implies it comes filled with little capsules, generally three rows
across and double storey, like the baby seats in cars just much
bigger (but not big enough). Problem was that they would use these
during the day and even for some trips that were only two hours long.
You had to take your shoes off to travel on them and they got mad if
you argued about that as it was not easy for Elizabeth to take off
her shoes with a broken toe. The capsules were not quite long enough
to stretch out but you get used to them. Weird way to travel.
Anyway, back to Dalat. Dalat was like
being transported instantaneously to Europe. Being high in altitude
and inland it has a cool climate without the oppressive humidity we
had come to accept. First time we had been cool (even cold) since
entering South East Asia. Dalat was full of rolling landscapes,
beautiful scenery, fruit and coffee fields and flower gardens. We
wanted to make the most of the 3 nghts we decided to allow ourself
here and tracked down a good tourist shop. We booked a city tour and
a country tour for successive days.
They were wonderful tours that filled a
full two days with sights and adventure. Some of the highlights of
the city tour include:
The cable car trip to the Thien Vien
Truc Lam Monastery as well as the monastery itself. Beautiful views
from the cable car and passing over a pine forest. We went to Bao
Dai's extravagant summer palace, saw a very long reclining Buddha and
visited the Datanla waterfall. The waterfall was down a very steep
slippery path, and despite the attempt, Elizabeth was unable to make
it with her broken toe. So I took lots of photos and video. We also
went to the fabulous Flower Forest, like a botanical gardens, but
more visually extensive with fake giraffes, silver dolphins,
sorcerers apprentice like brooms holding buckets and more.
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| The Reclining Buddha |
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| Flower Park |
The country tour was even better,
warming up with a visit to a flower farm and a village of a local
minority group. There was a cricket farm, the insect not the sport,
where crunchy crickets with sauce were offered. We politely declined
as unsure of its status for us vegetarians. Research later revealed
this is a bit of a grey area for us. They are more environmentally
friendly as a protein source than even vegetables, less animals are
killed as harvesting fruit and veg inadverdently kills small species
and some science said they have no pain receptors. So still on the
fence about that one.
We came across a huge fantastically
smiling very happy Buddha and saw, felt and heard the brilliantly
wide Elephant waterfall. Sat, relaxed and contemplated the cares of
the world with a weasel coffee in an expansive coffee plantation and
finished the day marveling at the Dr Seuss type architecture of the
amazing Crazy House. Sure wish my grandson Sam was with us for that
one, we could have wandered around aimlessly for hours :-)
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