As soon as we entered Da Lat we felt like we were in a village in Europe somewhere. The city and it’s quaint streets lined with French Colonial buildings surrounding a pleasant lake in the hills a few hours north of HCMC. It was originally built for officers to get away from it all and recharge their batteries and it still seems to have the same effect on the visitors who come here today to take in the magnificent scenery.
Hills of Da Lat and charming buildings.
Our hotel helped us arrange a tour to explore all that this area had to offer. One of the first things we learned was that Da Lat was the flower producer for the entire country. Flowers being so plentiful you could get a dozen roses for only a few dollars. Being so cheap I thought Jon might spurge and buy me some but that would be “impractical.” We also visited a silk worm factory and learned all about the process of making the fine threads. Nothing is wasted here as they leftover grubs are fried and eaten.
Jon surrounded by pink rosebushes.
Silk Farm process.
Everywhere there was coffee trees, even in the local minority village we stopped at. This village was unique in that the women was essentially the “man.” she worked and earned the money for the family while the husband stayed home and took care of the home and children. She was the one that asked for the man hand in married and was even allowed to have multiple husbands. Our guide made one comment that struck me as interesting. She said the beautiful lucky ones married outside the village and their husbands worked allowing them to take care of the home and children. All I could think of was how hard women back home worked to be given equal opportunity in life and the workforce and these women had all that and wanted the opposite.
Jon and I in the village.
Our next stop was a cricket farm where we learned how these little critters were farmed and processed. It was pretty creepy seeing thousands of the critters in one spot. After we were severed a delicious plate of them, this time flavored with lemongrass and ginger and served with some hot sauce. Once you get over the fact you are eating a cricket they are tasty. I think I had a little leg lodged in my throat the rest of the day though. I did draw the line with the pregnant cricket egg rice wine.
Cricket farm, cricket rice wine (see the round little, floaty things, those are the cricket eggs), and Jon holding a plate of tasty crickets.
Me at the Happy Buddha and Jon in front of Elephant Waterfall.
The best stop of the day was the weasel coffee farm. These little critters are so smart when confronted with a bowl full of beans they only chose the best. Once inside the beans go through a process that cannot be replicated and the bean comes out the other side processed but still whole. They are then cleaned and roasted and made into the most expensive coffee in the world. A cup of coffee in town went for the astounding price of $10 – $15 a cup. Jon and I got to try ours straight from the source for about $4. It was bold and smooth with a nutty flavor.
The coffee beans straight from the source, me drinking my weasel poop coffee, and the beautiful location of the farm.
Jon and I picking the beans to pay for the expensive coffee.
Keeping up with our interesting food the next day we went to “The” place for fresh local spring rolls, nem nuong ba hung. It was filled with locals and there was only one choice on the menu. The meat was beef or pork, whatever they made that day.
Jon making his fresh spring roll.
Where we stayed, Hai Long Voung Hotel, we had a superior clean room with air con and bathroom for about $27 a night. High end of our budget but the town was busy for the TET holiday. The property was helpful in arranging tours, moto rentals, and airport transfers. Jon once again clashed with the owners when he figured out how to unlock the front gate without the key telling the owner is was a fire hazard to lock us in.
Our Hotel.
Journey with Christina 