After a restful night's sleep and a hearty breakfast had finally arrived. Vietnam motorbike tours around. We were picked up by two motorcycle mice (Mr. Hong and Mr.. Long). Helmets and step back then. Ehhmm ... I think this is not really scary? Booked booked so try anyway. After a brief, quiet and relaxing ride through the town we came to the "Dragon Temple, a beautiful temple where we are lucky a little happy buddha's belly should touch. They really and abundance of symbolism. In short, it seemed here and there like the Efteling with a big fake white elephant, a lot of dragons, deer and more figures. Naturally beautiful but we were a bit mealy in (says the elephant ook'papier here?, No, he heefft a speaker from his mouth and lights for eyes).
After the temple we jumped back again to start the real tour. What a breathtaking landscape. Dalat is grown in the time of the French here. Who (according to Mr.. Hong) The Vietnamese learned to grow some vegetables etc.. We have seen so many different things, cauliflower, flowers (in plastic greenhouses, learned from an NL-er), tea, bananas, coffee, cabbage, peas, mangoes and more. Da Lat provides the south of Vietnam is of much needed vitamins.
We stopped briefly for a photograph and soon it was time for a walk. The guide kept (very relaxed) while we were down a hill / mountain climbed for the view. It was one of the mountains was years ago when the Americans had put down their radar systems, and it was a steep climb. At the top the view was beautiful and we met the other tourists today with their motorcycle tours reason the same route. The advantage of the engine start is that you can decide how long you remain somewhere. There is no guide that says, about 20 miunten the bus leaves. So we looked nice and quiet done what we wanted.
After the ascent and descent was wonderful to be ridden. I drove with Mr.. Hong front, a friendly Vietnamese who spoke good English. The road went over mountains what so many narrow and winding roads meant but it was relaxing. Every bend and although we changed the look the same route with a tourist could have done more if you experience the wind in your hair feel and smell can taste.
A few miles further we stopped along the road to see how coffee beans grow. Very interesting and funny to see that the red berries really are. There are different types and those are just side by side, all with deep pits to store water. We wanted to continue driving but the engine of Mr.. Unfortunately, a lung puncture. But then a walk (downhill thank goodness because I have no feet to walk) and after 1.5 km there was another shop where the band was stuck in 20 minutes.
On to the waterfall. I asked Mr. route. Hong or even lemon tree's were. I told him about the song Lemon Tree by Fools Garden I always used to sing with my sister. Wanted a picture of a real lemon tree. He knew the song and we sing aloud on the engine, with the wind in their hair. Promptly stopped the engine and he said there was a small lemon tree. There is of course a picture of it but because he was someone in the garden, we could not get close enough to shoot the little lemons.
Arrived at the waterfall we could climb further. Over large rocks we climbed back down to the waterfall below to view (okay there were small bridges, handrails, and sometimes carved in stone steps to the path, but it makes the story juicier). We have beautiful pictures of the waterfall. Because it had rained so much yesterday and the flow of water more than usual. We could even to the foot of the waterfall walk. Because otherwise we natgeworden we were not walking under the waterfall but it was gekunt. Sprayed water everywhere and the air was full of splashes, wonderfully refreshing. We climbed a little further and have the time taken. It felt like half a jungle trail with tree roots in the Netherlands feel free to strains could continue, lianas, small waters and lots of green.
Back up arrived at our guides, we were led to the restaurant where we have great gelunchd. To 1.70 (euros) per person we have tasted 10 different dishes and have shared the table with our guides. What a feast. It was so much that we end this evening as only pineapple ophebben dinner.
The afternoon was already advanced and there were still three visits to the program. If the first silk factory where we have seen caterpillar to tablecloth. Not for me the first time, but it's still amazing to see how easily obtainable side of caterpillars.
Our camera will mean the death throes. Michael has in recent months the sweet thing a few times and dropped the battery does it not even one day full. The camera is now together with duct tape and we fear for his life. Unfortunately there are no silk factory after the pictures anymore. We will quickly find a new camera, but Vietnam does not appear to be the best country to go shopping.
Also on the way back we stopped at a distillery in the local rice wine known as "happy water". This was actually a big joke. It was a pig farm somewhere behind the three boilers where rice wine was made. For a kilo of rice you get 1 liter of wine. You will also have the first, second and third distillate with the alcohol content slightly more drops. We have tasted the second distillate and it was really delicious. A combination or hybrid of tequila and vodka. Michael dared even to say that he was nicer than vodka (sorry Jane).
Back to Da Lat where we finally the hotel called "Crazy House" visited. This hotel is an architectural masterpiece and makes people think of Gaudi in Barcelona (we both have never been, but it's weird, we believe). It was like a fairytale meets Efteling Hotel. The rooms all had themes but were really small and uncomfortable. Not really useful for you to stay asleep that you always have the room to empty room for the tourists. The stairs and niches were very nice. Below was a sort of garden stones created with mushrooms and small stone circles to sit on. They were great pictures become fixed but we may have for you to find some pictures online so you can see where we IIG have been.
The trip was over and we were following our request deposited on the market. It was so wonderful and they have certainly convinced us that we actually still need to do it because your country differently. Unfortunately, our budget is not sufficient for a longer trip with the bike to do but even this one day we will never forget.
Wind in your hair, a lot of horsepower under your ass, good company and the country at your feet. I'm free .... Easy Rider.
