Postcard from Dalat
Nestled in the Central Highlands, Dalat is a cool breeze after the sweltering heat of Saigon. Known for its year-round mild temperatures and bright blooming flowers and as a kicking-off point for motorcycle tours through the mountainous region, the colorful homes of Dalat are stacked around a man-made lake and numerous gardens.
It’s also a popular honeymoon spot for Vietnamese couples, which means it has plenty of kitsch (think giant ducks made of flowers and miniature Sydney Opera Houses). The place is meant to be strolled, hand in hand, with plenty of stretches of lawn, cute cafes and sprawling steps on which to cuddle up.
A beautiful way to start the day.
The Dalat train station is more form than function–no trains actually stop over here anymore–but the bright yellows and reds, stained glass windows and Western writing hearken back to a day of steam locomotives and colonialism.
I have no idea what sort of soy products went into my breakfast soup at vegetarian restaurant An Lac, but they were more delicious than any meat I’ve tasted.
Details at your toes.
