1st April 2010
This morning we bid a fond farewell to Karen and her lovely apartment, full of gratitude for what we have seen of and learnt about this fabulous country.
It was time for us to continue our explorations by taking an 8 hour bus journey to the city of Dalat in Vietnam’s central highlands. Dalat is a popular place for domestic tourists from Saigon. It is spring-like cool all year round and a vege-growers heaven. It’s climate is ideal for growing many types of fuit and vegetables.
Once out of Saigon the road started to climb steadily with the scenery becoming muh more rural. At some points, especially where there were roadworks, the journey did get a bit hairy, steep bends with perilous drops and a bus driver keen to overtake everything does not make for a relaxing ride.
However we arrived in Dalat safe and sound to be immediately accosed off the bus by a particuarly tenacious “Easy Rider”. These are motorcycle guides who provide transport and inside knowledge giving a brief but intimate insight into highland life. There were originally established in Dalat many years ago and for many people their tours are a highlight of their Dalat experience. Unfortunately as their popularity has increased so have their numbers leading to a flooding of the market.
Tired and grubby after our bus journey we weren’t interested in talking to the guy, but he followed us to our hotel and then waited outside for us. When we set out to explore 2 hours later he was still there.
To be fair to him it probably is fairly difficult to get tours, especially since he is a younger, second generation Easy Rider (his father was one of the original Easy Riders). He explained his tour to us and apologies for hasseling us, but he just wanted the opportunity to make his pitch. In the end he persuaded us to book him for a trip tomorrow.
We then went for a wander around Dalat, stopping for some good food in the V Cafe.
