Click here if you would like to read an overview of my 3 months experience in Vietnam. Oh Da Lat, i love that place so much, especially the weather. After months of scorching hot weather, it's so nice to be in somewhere cooler. You will never get bored in Da Lat, there are so much thing to see and do. I took a bus from Da Nang to Da lat which cost me $18. It's a 14 hours journey on a sleeper bus. My longest bus trip in Vietnam. Most people stop for a day or two in Nha Trang, which was also part of my original plan, but i decided to skip it in the end because there isn't much there beside beaches, which i have already seen a lot in Da Nang and Hoi An, and plus the weather was getting too hot, i just can't wait to get to somewhere cooler. I was there in early June btw. I stayed at Brothers' Hostel which is about half hour walk away from the main city area. It's a very nice hostel with exceptional service. They provide FREE DINNER and it's delicious! How rare is it that dinner is provided. Family owned hostel and everyone of them are very warm and friendly. I spent 4 days in Da Lat, though i covered all the places that i wanted to see in 3 days and basically chilled the whole morning and early afternoon at the hostel before heading off to Mui Ne. I spent my first day walking around Da Lat main central area. The weather is so good that it makes walking extremely satisfying. I visited some temple and cathedrals and then i went to the Crazy House. Very interesting place that i think is worth going to. Entrance fee about $2. The house is designed by a local who wants to incorporate nature into architectural. I could relate to her intention and i felt that it was very beautifully designed. Some places at the house is rather dangerous though, like the roof area, which has a pretty view of the city, but you should be careful especially if you are with kids. I walked around the Xuan Huong Lake. Chilled a little there before heading back to my hostel. Very peaceful. I rented a bike on my second to go to Pongour Waterfall, the widest waterfall in Vietnam. Gorgeous place, with an entrance fee of a dollar. A lot of people chose to go on a easy rider tour in Da Lat. But I couldn't afford tours, so i did everything on my own. I must say, the direct route that you can find on google map to Pongour Waterfall is extremely dangerous! I think it's the most dangerous highway i've ridden in Vietnam. Lots of big trucks, road works, sandy paths. I got hit by stones every now and then, right onto my face, and my eyes were red because of the sands. If you plan to ride there on your own, which takes about 2 hours. I will suggest you to take the longer road that passes by the Elephant waterfall. It's a mountainous road and it is much more pleasant to ride. It will take you about 3 hours to reach, but i think it's safer that way. I met some friends at Pongour Waterfall and we went to Thien Vien Truc Lam Monastery together. You can take a cable car up to the monastery from the main city, but we rode there. The monastery has a nice view over the damns below and lovely garden of beautiful flowers. I rented a bike again on my third day to visit the Elephant waterfall. I stopped by Me Linh Coffee Plantation for a cup of weasel coffee ($4). Beautiful place with a great view. The civets seems to be treated well there. I would say that they are an ethical organisation. I got myself so wet and muddy when i was at Elephant Waterfall. The paths to the viewing point is extremely slippery. Muds everywhere, but it was definitely worth the climb! Entrance fee - $2. I headed back to Da Lat central and visited the Flower Garden at Xuan Huong Lake. That place is huge! You should visit it if you love flowers, i got a little bored though. haha. I went to 100 Roof Cafe after dinner with some friends that i met at the hostel. It's a very cool bar with many weird stairs and decorations. A little like crazy house. I also went to the night market, it's huge! I heard it's even better on weekends. You should try the "Vietnamese Pizza", grilled rice paper with egg and dried shrimps. It's delicious! Overall, i'm very satisfied with my experience in Da Lat. I could easily stay there for a couple more days. I love that Da Lat!
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