Da Lat - mountain getaway

Da Lat, 200 000 inhabitants, 1500m above sea level.  The tourist brochure was an absolute crack up saying things like 'Welcome to Da Lat in autumn.  Da Lat doesn't really have an autumn season, but the beautiful city looks like 'Autumn in Da Lat' painted by (some artist's name).  Da lat is the romance city, so listen to the whispers coming off the lake on crisp autumn evenings, and let the cloak of the autumn foliage wrap you warmly as you enjoy our beautiful city.'  

Da Lat is glorious.  Lakefront villas, colourful flags and flowers lining the streets.  The town has Swiss charm about it, and the moderate temperature is a rejuvenating change.  The markets are hectic and lively, lots of fresh produce, tons of flowers.  In fact, in one place we read Da Lat is the city of a thousand flowers.  And somewhere else said its the city of a thousand pine trees.  And somewhere else said Da Lat is the city of the eternal spring (referring to the ever-present mists in the surrounding valleys).  We'd like to say it's the city of a thousand things to see ... Here are our highlights.

(Yes that is a motorbike carting live ducks around.)

We found a vegetarian restaurant which also sold these products.  The vegan gizzard particularly caught our eye!  Blandy tried the vegetarian venison ... And gnawed on the jerky-type delight for a fair while.  The chef served up fab food though, Vietnamese spring rolls are mighty yum.

Toothless granny was 86 and came for a free baked kumara.  When I offered her a taste of my caramel brûlée she returned the kumara to the cook and said 'I'd rather have the brûlée, it looks more yum!' Cheeky old nana!  The girls below had a big conversation with me, all with no common language, over a roasted kumara and a few big grins.  

Da Lat, thank you for being so kind to us!