Traveling early today to Dalat so no Sunrise gazing. Up at 3 AM, finish post, exercise(stretch), eat, shower, let's go!
5 AM and we are on the road again. I, we are glad that we stopped by Quy Nhon. This was just a stop over but definitely need another day to explore. We only had few hours last night, barely scratched the surface.
Gotta catch em all
Caught a sunrise!
Caught a rainbow!
Touching clouds
We are currently traveling on the mountain so we can touch and breathe the clouds. It feels like cotton buds and smell like candy floss.
This is the place where we ate seafood and interesting things on our way to Danang. Check the blog here .
Breakfast finally
Our first meal of the day. Had a bowl of pho but the most ineresting part is when I went to use the toilet. I saw this cheeky bugger. Tried to snatch my phone too.
There were also chickens on display.
Great feed with a sideshow. Now onto Dalat. Saw some scooters transporting all sorts of things. From pillows, sacks of vegetables, tree trunk to shrubs to bamboos that take up the whole road. Only in Vietnam.
Tractors, strawberries and more travel
Almost there Danang, we are top side.
A tractor, it can pull a whole lota load. There are two of these guys racing around the roundabout. This guy won.
After a stint of tractor adrenaline we stop by for some scenic lookout. While my friends were hurrying me up, I took my time getting the perfect shot. Don't they know that photogs have a different time compared to normal 😥
These are all strawberry farms.
Dalat, Vietnam
Finally made it after 7 hours of driving. The last 20 minutes was a struggle. I was busting so bad, I was gona explode. So we stop by on the side of the road. This is real in Vietnam, you see it everywhere. Plus it's not healthy to hold it.
Never felt so good in my entire life.
So we arrived in Dalat. It is the coldest part of Vietnam. During the day the temperature is just right. Similar to Spring, not too hot and not too cold, just perfect. It gets cold at night and morning though. No need for aircon here.
Markets
Just beside our hotel ia a marketplace where they sell all sorts of foods. There is a pharmacist, green grocers, butchers and later tonight there will be stalls for dinner and my favorite charcoal grilled pizza. Streetfood will be setting up later tonight.
Toys for sale.
Flowers and plants.
Lien Hoa Bakery
Let's go to my favorite bakery/restaurant in Dalat, Lien Hoa bakery. It's a quick 7 minutes walk from the the hotel.
They sell buns, breads, cakes, coconuts, milk.
Drumstick bread?
Also some pork rolls.
This coconut is filled with sweet jelly. Not overly sweet and coconutty, love it, might come back here later tonight for it.
Bun bao. This is what the waiter's face looked like when I asked to order the honey chicken. She was giving me the dirties while banging the chairs around.
Upstairs they serve fresh juices and hot food. I recommend the Banh Mi Bo Kho, it's also cheap. Costing us only AU$2.
The great thing about this dish is the crunchy soft baguette. I said it before.. What is it with Vietnam's baguettes? It is so good.
I came here 2 years ago and it was being renovated.
The terrace wasn't there before and I guess it's finished.
The service here wasn't good then and not good now. Just come here for breads and cakes. Dine in somewhere else.
Fruits so fresh
We only get one day in Dalat and I won't be back here 'til god knows when. So I ordered mire food, a honey lemon chicken.
It was sticky, sweet and sour which it should. Very yum.
Had a quick rest before another bout of shopping. So much fruits on display for sale and they all looked fresh. We walked but didn't buy anything. Will get that big papaya later tonight.
This is lanzones, one of my favorites but expensive in Sydney.
Some oranges.
Locals at work
She's getting her grill ready for the Dalat pizza streetfood fest tonight.
Got stuck in the shopping center when it started to rain a bucket load.
Nothing else to do, I followed these dragon dance performers. They were all pretty much teenagers. Mucking around hitting each other on their break.
Didn't think the rain would stop so I just bought a poncho to walk home.
Wow, I look weird.
Got home surprisingly dry. It felt like I was still getting wet while wearing the thin poncho.
Korean BBQ with a smile
There is a Korean BBQ just under the hotel I was staying in. Ordered a pork belly set.
With sesame chicken wings.
We didn't have to cook the meat because the staff did it for us. Wish they do this back home.
While these aloe vera drinks are popping.
The dinner was great with a smiling service. Then ate some more in the markets.
Streetfood
Famous in Dalat, this wrap has been grilled over charcoal. Topped with eggs, sausages, mayo and chili sauce.
Bought grilled corn, don't know why. You know when your eyes gets hungry, this is that time. Did not eat it though, no more room.
Sitting beside the grilled corn are dried squid. No, didn't buy one, tempted though.
Nice Dream hotel
Today is the last day of the moon festival and the dragon dancers are performing just outside our room, being noisy AF.
Entertaining both locals and tourists, these kids dances on through the hours of the night. They did not stop 'til 11 PM.
We stayed in Nice Dream Hotel. There are no elevators here. Try to get the 1st level. Rooms are spacious, clean, well maintained and good price at au$42. Try to get non smoking room. We all know what it smells like.
Stayed here 2 years ago, it was good then, still great and will definitely check in again.
Another day
Woke up at 3 AM trying to finish this blog. It is now 6 AM. Starting a new day and traveling back to Saigon. Another 7 hours drive guys. Arrrrrgh
More photos of the night market. It comes alive at night.
Tip:
- Bring warm clothes, the action is at night time and it can get cold.
- Buy teas from here to bring back home. It's Dalat's specialty.
