So i headed for a place called Dalat. Beautiful mountain vistas where we (I had met up with a Canadian, a Hungarian and an aussie - poor me, haha) spent our time going for walks through forests to view waterfalls, the bush and a mixture of wildlife (not that we actually saw too much of this – mainly butterflies and birds).
Me and a waterfall... (who zooms in when taking a photo of someone with a waterfall? Seriously?!)
Same waterfall... (zoomed out!)
The waterfalls were pretty cool but the largest in the area which makes a full semi-circle has been reduced by government water diversions (2005) used for irrigation and it is now half it’s former size and glory...
On the way to go trekking. This is Dustin the Canadian looking sexy...
We also went jungle trekking – myself and the Canadian. We headed off up a mountain road – tar seal – wondering if this is what they call trekking in Vietnam? After a few kms of this we were gettting a bit worried before we saw a trail heading off to one side advertising the highest peak around – 1950m.
Tar seal trekking...
We saw 'Zebras'. Seriously. They had painted black stripes on a white horse!
So we headed up and it was a change and a half walking wise. From tar seal to muddy overgrown paths but the change was definitely for the better! A little ways in the path split in 3 and of course we took the wrong one. An hour on we turned back as the path was heading into a valley and we wanted the peak. The path was also turning into solid jungle with the walkway dissapearing for metres at a time...
Anyone seen path?
So we cruised back, tried another path and met and American who said the peak was another 40 min away. Sweet as. It was here i noticed i now had a companion joining me to the top; a little leech had suckered onto me but i let him fill up and he soon left leaving only a tril of blood down my leg to remind of all the wonderful times we had had – and it bled for ages!
The sneaky wee ankle-biter...
One the way back down we met some Vietnamese oil tycoons who offered us a lift in their truck rather than having to walk for 3 hours. Bonus! They also offered to drive me home and since it was raining I jumped at the chance. I gave them the buisness card of where I was staying and the bus driver dropped me off "nearby" as he put it. This turned out to be a two hour walk! Should've stuck with Dustin and the bike! But I had kind of been hoping they's take me out for dinner (o:
The tycoons...
All these tours were on motorbikes as well so I haven’t been scared off. I just pay a lot more attention now to the road!
Accomodation was also awesome. We had a $10 room with 4 double beds, fans, t.v., hot water showers etc. And for once the hot water was a welcome luxury. Dalat is frigging freezing! I slept with a duvet on each night. And this is coming from Nga trang where i slept at one stage with my feet in the fridge!
Cold times: Grant and Hungary looking miserable on our motorbike trip to a waterfall. We ended up stopping and going back for beer at a roadside stall until it passed...
Meals were also around $2.50 kiwi all day eating baguettes and noodle soups with tarts and danishes for dessert with hot soy milk - delish!
Pineapples seemed to be the roadside food of choice here....
But after 3 days in Dalat i figured it was time to move on. I headed back to Nga trang, on to Hoe an, decided it wasn’t for me and am now in Hue – 23hrs of bus rides continuously! So ready for a bit of relaxation i think there are some nice beaches here somewhere...
Dairy farming Vietnam styles...
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