So we had the day tour of Dalat. The four of, me, anna, lisa and Jodi booked a car with a guide to take us around and show us the sights. We were going to go on the back of bikes with the guides however were too late in the arrangements and couldnt get this. It would have been awesome riding up the windey hillside with all the stunning scenery to look at in the lovely area but we were happy with our car tour. The first stop was at a flower farm and there were fields and fields of beautifull flowers. Dalat grows alot of fresh fruit and veg produce and lovely flowers. The next stop was at a coffee and rice wine production place. They grow alot of coffee beens also so after sampling the rice wine we sampled the coffee. What I forgot to mention in one of my previouse blogs was that we sampled the rice wine on the wonderfull bike ride trip in Hoi An. This stuff is leathall and after stopping off during our bikeride at a local ladies house and she showed us how the stuff was made then brought out two big glasses of it for us to drink. Well it would have been rude of us to leave the stuff so I did my upmost for England. Several mouth fulls later and I was a bit tipsy to say the least which made for a interesting second part of the bike ride. Anyway after that experiance I knew what it was like so only had a wee bit. The coffee sample they gave us also made for interesting tasting. They put this filter on the top of your cup and strain the coffee straight through over a little condensed milk. The stuff comes out like syrup and after a few sips I was a caffein high and had no enamel left on my teath. I dont think cows exsist in Vietnam as they have very little fresh milk and what they do have is very expensive so they use the condensed stuff. I was offered Dalats 'fresh' milk the other day to try from a street vender, which again was very sweet. I then went on to ask him if he had been feeding the cow sugar which I dont think he understood! Anyway I divert, the tour...after the coffee and with blast of caffein energy we moved onto a silk factory. We could see the little silk worms in there silky cacoons and how they harvested the silk. All very clever! The next stop was a waterfall and after a treacherouse climb down we were at the base of the falls with tons and tons of water flowing down, its power was imense. A stop for lunch then onto to some more sights. The crazy house was the next pace and the title says it all. It was crazy and you could pay to stay here in one of the many quirky rooms. Its picture is on the cover of this but that doesnt do it justice as to how weired the place is. We then head to a beautifull spot on a lake called paradise lake and it certainly is so. We took a gondala ride over the lush landscape and were picked up at the otherside by th guide. Onwards to the old railway stationa and the summer palace. A bit of a full on day to say the least...phew.

The following day we leave Dalat behind and move onto Ho Chi Minh. The 7hr drive takes us to our hotel and we have time to explore. I like this city very much as it has a mix of old markets and upstreet designer shops. Great places to eat and has a fast vibe to the place. The morning after is a tour to Cu Chi tunels. These tunnels were dug in the area during the Veitnam war. The frmers in the area learned combat and fought against the americans. They dug the system of tunnels to protect themselves and hide from the enamy. Very clever systems with living places and traps to catch americans. We had a chance to crawl through one which had been widened for us rather larger westeners. Still on the small side though and was glad to get out. All facinating stuff and would love to learn more. Back to the city in the afternoon for somemore sightseeing. Tommorow is a trip o the Mekong Delta where we have a home stay for the night then only a few more days left in Vietnam which is a real shame as I realy love this place....scooters and all.