Just arrived in Da Lat after 8 hours on the bus from Ho Chi Minh City I arrive here at 8.30pm. I meet Jimmy on the bus with his girl friend and follow them into town. They help me find this great cheap hotel in the city centre and right away I hit the streets. I love this place already. The centre is alive with food and markets and people and colour.
Jimmy is South Vietnam born but as the War finished, his family escaped to USA. His father worked for the US military so they got instant access to a new life there. He’s from Atlanta and has come back to Vietnam for a holiday with his Vietnamese girlfriend. He’s held onto the language despite a life away. Some of his brothers have moved back to Vietnam and have successful businesses here.
Da Lat is up in the hills and not that far from HCMC but the roads here are very slow, especially for big buses. It’s a French built city designed as a retreat for the colonist to escape the heat of Saigon. It’s noticeably cooler and will be home for me for three nights.
Da Lat has an interesting past but more about that tomorrow. For some reason it is a bit off the international tourist trail and that suits me fine. But it is a popular destination with local tourists.
angusmccoll 