After a bit of a drab day yesterday today was the total opposite. We were picked up at 0900 hours for a tour of local farms factories and villages. Not too thrilling you may think but it was a real enjoyable day. Along with two French girls, an American, two Israelis, A Londoner, a couple of Japanese and a guy from Montreal. I know he was from Montreal because he began every sentence with " back home in Montreal". We were on the road to a flower farm. Dalat only has two seasons unlike our four,we were told so it makes it a perfect climate for growing flowers among other things.
Minority Village Character
We went next to a minority village to see how the real poor people live in Vietnam. For all I know they could all be character actors but if they are not they are certainly characters. There were monkeys chained by the neck and pigs in cages.
Poor monkey
Poor but smiling
Then onto the cricket farm where they are bred as a delicacy. We were offered a sample to eat but I declined. I'm more of a slug man myself and besides, I didn't want to spoil my dinner.
Crickets on the Menu. No thanks.
We also went to a coffee plantation where I purchased a coffee gadget that they use here plus a bag of prime coffee. I just hope they let me through customs with it.
On then to the magnificent Linh An Tu Temple with its Giant Buddha. I had a few minutes of panic when I tought I had lost my Gopro camera but was relieved to find it later in a place I do not usually put it.
Deb's on Big Buddha
Next it was to the Elephant Waterfalls. We were invited to climb down some steps to see them. My god, health and safety has not arrived in Vietnam yet. The perilous decent would have tested Chris Bonnington and my rickety knees were rebelling.
Elephant Falls. Awesome
The falls were magical. So we took a few minutes taking photos before a further decent underneath the falls where it was possible to swim. (Not for me).
Following this it was lunch time, Vietnamese style. With my recently abused digestive system sensing a problem I nibbled away at the food. All sorts of meets and veggies with rice and spring rolls. It must have been good because ten thousand flies joined us for a bite to eat themselves.
Lunch. The Flies loved it
We still had more to do including watching young woman working in a silk factory. They work for 9 hours a day for about ten dollars a day in terrible conditions.
Silk factory worker
We then made our way back to Dalat on a road that is undergoing some major improvements. We had encountered the road on the way out. There were loads of blocks working. Some were bashing away at giant rocks with a 12 inch chisel and a small lump hammer. These are tough blokes. Carrying baskets full of rocks on their shoulders. Pushing wheel barrows overloaded with incredible loads. Respect. Real respect.
Respect for these real tough guys.
We had a bizarre stop off to Dalat Railway station that is no longer in use. I dont really know why we went there but I did get to snap another married couple. I also had my photo taken by one of the Vietnamese wedding photographers who I got chatting to. Apparently the young couples do their wedding photos before their day so that they can enjoy the actual real wedding day more.
Thanks guys.
I gave him my business card and he said he would contact me and I was to look him up when we get to Saigon. He also knewe all about the Albion and the Premier league. He said Albion were a tough team but should have kept Lukaku. Spot on.
We had one final stop off to the "Crazy House". The title says it all. Its a house built with rooms and staircases going off in all direction and funny shapes.
Deb at the Crazy house
Now we are off again in the morning for a 5 hour journey to Mui Ne. Another Russian summer playgroundon the coast and our last stop off before Siagon.
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