Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
After thoroughly enjoying our chill out in Mui Ne, we decided enough was enough and we would move on to Dalat on Sunday lunchtime after totalling 6 days. We had been told by other travellers that Da Lat was nothing like the rest of Vietnam and what a shock to the system it was when we arrived around 6pm to cool weather. Not only was the weather considerably cooler due to its location in the highlands but Da Lat's scenery can only be described as a cross between Vietnam and the French Alps. No more lounging around on the beach for us but trousers and hoodies where required!
My friend Jenny had recommended we visit Peace Cafe and so no time like the present, on our first evening we decided to check this place out. Jenny's travel tips did not disappoint again as we were welcomed into this cute cosy restaurant by Tu An, a very bubbly and friendly Vietnamese lady who was very eager to please. So much so that on questioning her what we should do the following day, she pulled out her mobile, rang her friend and organised an "easy rider" tour for us starting at 8.30am the following day. Thats what you call good service! Our evening was topped off with Tu Ans apple crumble and ice cream... amazing!
Up the hill from our guest house was a massive bakery where we decided we would visit for breakfast before our easy rider tour. Amongst the cakes and pastries I was in heaven and eventually settled for a danish pastry and cake for breakfast whilst Ash had 3 croissants. 1.50 GBP for the lot and drinks, we were happy!
We stood outside our guest house just before 8.30am eagerly awaiting our drivers whilst at the same time looking like we weren't up to much as we had lied to the receptionist that morning that we didn't want a tour today as we were just going to relax! Competition is fierce here. After eyeing us up, one guy with an easy rider jacket came over and asked us if we had a booking. We explained how Tu An had booked it for us the previous night and so off he went. After discussion with his friend he then proceeded to tell us that he was our driver! Rather dodgy but I walked across the street to his bike whilst Ash was about to jump on his mate's bike. On turning around there were then 3 guys around Ash... our real drivers had turned up and these 2 were trying to steal their business!! In the end we got kitted up with our real drivers Lee and Davis, jumped on the back of their bikes and headed off for the day.
The easy rider tours are the best way to see the beautiful countryside around Da Lat. Da Lats high altitude (1500-2000m) and fertile landscapes make it one of Vietnam's prime agriculture areas and so we firstly visited the strawberry farms which were amongst many other crops. We then rode onto another beautiful spot were we had to do a bit of climbing to reach a hill whereby we could see all around the city. Next we went to the flower farm before hitting the long and windy roads to the coffee plantation and rice whiskey making factory. Both me and Ash enjoyed sitting on the back of the bikes feeling at ease with our drivers. Both were really knowledgeable about the area and very friendly so we had many laughs throughout the day. Lee thought he was particularly funny with his jokes!
By the time we reached the coffee plantation the heavens had opened. Our drivers had come prepared as had we and so had we with our waterproof jackets and trousers underneath their kit, we managed to stay dry. After a potent shot of rice whiskey (80% alcohol) and some real coffee, we were feeling perky and ready to hit the road again. After lunch (beef pho; Vietnamese noodle soup) the rain stopped and the sun began to shine again and we visited elephant waterfalls, another pagoda and a silk making farm before taking a 45 minute ride back to Da Lat to see the Crazy House. Its official name is Hang Nga house but due to its fairytale like design, its appropriately adopted crazy house. We both thought it was a bit tacky (think crap version of Euro Disney) but it was interesting all the same. A great day had by all.
I never said I would go on a motor bike in Asia but today I was proved wrong by our lovely and sensible drivers who made our day really enjoyable by riding safe. At one point he said to me he could tell how scared I was due to the severity in which I was hanging onto him! A must do for anyone visiting Vietnam in the future.
- comments
Angie Vietnam sounds very interesting and unusual place, enjoy your adventures, love the sound of the "pastries & croissants" aps youll be getting fat? ha ha lots of love mum x
My friend Jenny Glad to see I get another mention. Love it. Also, I think Justin fancied Tu An a bit - hilarious! How goooooood is the crumble. Love ya mate xx