To some Vietnamese couples, visiting Da Lat City is one of common things they often do during their dating time. Indeed, Da Lat is a popular place for honeymoon which are for lovers thanks to its romantic.
My first time visiting Da Lat was in 1996 when I was little. Therefore, I did not enjoyed Da Lat with the same way as lovers do. Da Lat welcomed me with rain and cold air in summer time that I and my mom did not expect. I still remember that my aunts took me and my mom to buy some coats and sweaters right after we got there. For a kid, Da Lat was not fun because it was rainy and cold in summer holiday so that I could not play outside too much. I stayed with my aunts and played with my cousin in cozy rooms.
However, when I grow up, Da Lat attracted me with beautiful hills and forest, French buildings and foggy morning which I can see in photos. I agree with someone says that Da Lat is joyful for lovers, specially when I had a wonderful time with my beloved.
Da Lat is a little Paris in Vietnam. Some compare that when they are impressed by French style buildings in this city. Indeed, this quiet city hidden in pine forest in an early foggy morning makes me think of an European city rather than a local city. The reason is that during French colonialism, French tried to turn this highland area into a center of education and tourism of Indochina, where would be an destination for French officials and noble class. Architecture of French villas, church and university always makes an Asian like me amazed by its difference.
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When I visit Da Lat again with my wife, I could not visit all highlights of this city. However, each destination gave me deep impression and each has their own attraction. I thought I lost in the gentle gesture of this elegant city.
Tuyen Lam Lake
Tuyen Lam lake is my favorite part of this city. I consider myself as a nature lover so I often choose activity relating to discovering the nature. I rent a motorbike to travel around the city and I booked a boat rowing service with Da Lat Discovery. I and my wife followed the guide to Tuyen Lam lake. The guide pumped his inflatable boat by a electric pump connecting to his bike battery. It looked funny.
The green of forest and sunshine above never treated us better than this. We were rowing on a boat while we saw some horses eating grass. Behind the hills, some villas hide themselves in the green of pines.
I had to row so hard while my wife was enjoying soft breeze. I joked my wife: "Where is the gender equality?". Water is so green and clean. It was a great experience on water that I have not had for a while.
When we got the other side of the lake, the cloud came so fast and sky got darker. However, it did not stop us discover more the hidden part of Da Lat. We walked in a strawberry farm where we could pick and eat some. The farm owner gave us some sweet potato and I had it all. I was so hungry after rowing a boat.
My wife was so happy finding a strawberry. Then we walked around the area where we found some chestnuts on the ground. I did not pick them because I wanted them could turn into a new grown trees. We found a big flower under decayed branches. I do not know its name but I think it may trap insects for food thanks to its sticky pistil.
There are some little maple trees but we need to be careful not to step on them. We wanted a maple forest in the future. We may not see them in our life but will our descendants. I believed that when French grew pines around this city a hundred years ago, they had the same thought like me. We planned to camp next to the lake but that night came a heavy rain. Therefore, we missed that part and we had to stay in our hostel.
City center
In my opinion, Da Lat is not a city, it is a little town. However, it is little in your eyes but large in hearts of discoverers.
I visited Da Lat this time in spring, the most beautiful season of Central highland. Next to Xuan Huong lake, there is a square which stands a glass construction. It is in shape of artichoke which this city is famous for.
This view remind me of Taj Mahad Temple which symbols for love. We may have our own symbol of love.
The residence of Da Lat is in the valley. Besides, there are some homestays, hostel on hills around the center. I am impressed by the way and shape of our hostels. We tried different ones to have different experience.
The typical triangle shape of Da Lat house is used for these hostel and they looks pretty. In spite of that, the size can not include private bathroom so it is a minus for this kind of living.
Getting bored of triangle, we moved to pentagon! Haha it is not the U.S Pentagon because I surely did not want to have war with my wife. Happy wife, happy life! The hostel is in middle of veggie farm and we could easily get strawberry and some nice crops. The bathroom is included in this hostel so we loved it.
Waterfall
Da Lat is on the Central Highland. Therefore, its mountainous landscapes attracts us with waterfall. There are many in this area. We intended to visit a waterfall another day but a roam to tea farm led us to Datanla waterfall. We got a slide to go down from hill top. The waterfall after waterfall amazed us by its beauty and fresh air.
The surrounding atmosphere is so green and cool. We were like kids wandering in fairy tales. I imagined that they are not fairy tales for kids, they are for youngsters who lost their mind in magic world.
I told my aunts that they should sell me a part of their house so I can move to stay here. I love this romantic city and it is a part of my promise to my wife when we get old. I hope that my desire would come true and I can rest my mind everyday in the fog of love. I painted a picture of this city and I feel that my soul stayed in this peaceful place. There are many people from Hue living in Da Lat and I see a connection of characteristics between my place and Da Lat. And so do I!
