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DALAT AND SURROUNDING AREAS
DALAT AND SURROUNDING AREAS
LEAVING SAIGON FOR DALAT
Our Saigon hotel
These two pictures were voted the most elegant entrance to an otherwise mundane toilet stop
The magnificent carved woodwork never ceased to amaze me
An intense discussion over the various merits or otherwise of the local coffee
A very picturesque spot before we start climbing into the mountains
One of the many war memorials much like our own back home
Sights to be seen all along the road
Not quite sure what that huge boulder is doing behind that tree
Rice grains drying
I think this was a lunch stop .... even when they are outdoors they use electric fans to help cool
Pomelos growing ... these tasted like very sweet grapefruit
We are starting to climb now
Thank goodness there is very little speed involved because their overtaking habits leave a lot to be desired
Preparation for roadworks
very fertile
coffee blossoms
flood runoff
Approaching the Chicken Village 
This looked like the village creche ... delightful children full of smiles
Banana trees among the vegetables
Always something growing
Lang Dinh An (Chicken Village) "Famous for its giant concrete chicken caught mid-strut in the village centre. Lang Dinh An has become very popular with travellers because it's conveniently situated on the highway, 17km from Dalat. The village is home to about 600 people of the Koho minority, who were enticed down from the hills and have, to a certain extent, been Vietnamised. Most no longer live in stilt houses and they wear Vietnamese-style clothing. The chicken was an elaborate decorative device for a long-dysfunctional water system, which used to crow as the water was pumped. The symbolism of the chicken probably relates to yet another local legend involving a doomed romance ending in a dead heroine. " (VIETNAM TRAVEL GUIDE)
Night view of Dalat from the restaurant window
Norm and Elaine enjoying a delicious cocktail**********************************
TOUR OF DALAT WITH LOCAL GUIDE
TOUR OF DALAT WITH LOCAL GUIDE
Hairdresser's shop
coffee beans drying
preparing seedlings
a wooden water pipe
our guide explaining the local way of life to us
beautiful vista over the fertile valley
inside one of the houses
a mixture of old and new here 
Notice that we are all paying very close attention to him ... his english was excellent
One of the young villagers showin us the farm implements still in use
Looks like someone was having a party!
little baby chickens
A house, in direct contrast to those in the village, can be seen just as we leave the village and head off to the Truc Lam Pagoda"Though established in 1994, Truc Lam Pagoda has become famous. Standing in Phoenix Mountain, Truc Lam Pagoda is about 1,300m above the sea-level. The pagoda is surrounded by pure lake water and pine trees. A road from Tuyen Lam Lake leads to 222 steps and then to Truc Lam Pagoda. Inside the main chamber is a Buddha statue sitting on a lotus stage. Next to the main chamber is a campanile with a two-layer roof. This gently architecture and fresh air around the pagoda offer visitors a peacefull atmosphere. Tourists visit Truc Lam pagoda to learn more about Buddhism and to enjoy beautiful landscapes. " http://my.opera.com/onlydalat/blog/dalat-tour
This lasiander tree is an Australian gift to the pagoda 
Beautiful peaceful surroundings makes this a perfect place for contemplation.
There is artistry everywhere here even in a plate of prawns ...
... and bananas and ice cream
We are heading off to the Dalat market
Dalat Market
"Dalat Market is not only the busiest place in the city but is also considered the heart and symbol of Datlat. The market covers two blocks with more than 1,300 shops. On the ground floor of Block A merchants sell flowers, household appliances and other specialties of Dalat. There are various kinds of handicrafts, including fabrics and clothes. Meat, fruits and vegetables fill up the ground floor stalls of Block B. Cosmetics, footwear and special foods are sold in the block.
Before leaving the city, visitors can buy Dalat's specialties, such as artichokes, dried yams, persimmons, avocados and peaches, as well as fresh vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, lettuce, cabbages and snow peas at Dalat Market. Visitors can also bring baskets of dried flowers and pinecones back home to remember their visit to the "City of Flowers" and its surrounding pine-clad hills." http://my.opera.com/onlydalat/blog/dalat-tour
This clever protection for the flower caught my attention
The one that got away
click here to see short video clip of Dalat and surrounds
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GP33M3FTlA
*********************************
OVER THE MOUNTAINS TO NHA TRANG
Dust from roadworks engulfs the vegetation
Click here to see short video clip showing the different terrain we are travelling through now
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KatAC2BqdIg
Click here to see some footage of the Aquarium located on Miew Island
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmKNjiOwCC4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmKNjiOwCC4
Click here to see folk dancing on the grounds of the Cham Po Nagar Towers
Looking down to Nha Trang from Cham Po Nagar Towers
We visited this Sailing Club hoping to meet a friend of the son of one of our Group but unfortunately he was not there. We stopped for a drink and a rest anyway.
flower seen on our evening walk
Wedding cake at our hotel
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