14 February early am at breakfast
Dalat is an old French Colonial resort area at 1500 m. Being up high it is a lot cooler, 20-22 C is the common daytime temp. No A/C in the room – heater and fireplace instead.
The resort reminds one of Ventana in Big Sur. Up high, everything very rustic,
Designed to be rustic. Recently renovated so all is of good quality is not wise design (no handrails, a shower from the 19th century design with an oversized bathtub. Great for flooding and a sitzbath – standard flooding nozzle.
The dinner last night was an attempt, quite reasonable attempt, at California Asian fusion. Each dish carefully prepared with many ingredients. Good quality but not Vietnamese in any way. Basically here and in the previous Mandava Resort one would not know one was in Vietnam.
The ride from Nha Trang to Dalat was an experience.
The first 42 km was uphill at a very low grade riding about 200 meters. Later a climb of 600 m in 9 km (6.6% average grade – a real challenge). Road continues with long rolling sections. Rode until it got too dark and then had the bus pick me up.
Before the bike ride we stopped at a old and in excellent condition cham temple. High up on a hill, good to look at but not to climb .
One photo is of the meditation pagoda in Dahlat. The largest meditation center and quite lovely and serene.
The other photo is of the large Buddah and a monk striking the gong.
I did some 'sitting'.
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