Arrived at Dalat in the Central Highlands after an hour flight from Danang, what an easy way to travel and only a few dollars more than a 12 hour overnight bus pod trip! The early morning cab (4am) to the airport from Hoi An showed me early morning Vietnam, I am impressed, many people walking and stretching along the roads having their morning exercise and lots of refuge collection trucks, all staffed by ladies. Dalat is an old French colonial hill town which has a constant climate of between 15 and 28c which makes it a very productive vegetable and flower growing centre and it looks like Europe, very green and hilly. This town has the reputation for being the romance capital of Vietnam and being first choice for honeymoon couples, the climate also has made it attractive for short breaks for people from Saigon. The town itself has a large lake, I had a walk around it and met some people from Saigon who were there for the weekend, they shared a beer with me and then they were off for an early evening Kareoke session before their journey back to Saigon, there is also a massive flower garden which is ok but the main attractions are just away from the town, to see these I took a day tour with an 'easy rider', these are motorcyclist who in Vietnam are quite well known, it's a great way to get around, my driver was Phuong, 33 years old, two kids and a very likeable, always smiling and knowledgable guide. We visited an impressive waterfall and massive blingy padoga and I went on a very long cable car that hovered over the Forrest and hills just outside town. The French removed all the jungle in the area and replaced with pine trees many years ago in an early attempt to remove the cover for the local resistance fighters, different to what the US did many years later in other parts of Vietnam, this resulted in a pine forest where the trees have grown quite a distance apart and from above it achieved its aim because it provides a clear view of the terrain with no cover. This was probably a contributing factor during the US war where there was a tacit agreement between all parties that Dalat would not be bombed and therefore it remains in its original state. I also visited a buddist retreat which opens its grounds during the day to visitors and whilst there were loads of people swarming all over the grounds there still was a chance to find solitude in the gardens away from the crowds which was nice to experience some stillness and relection time. I soon got used to being on the back of the bike and decided that it would be a brilliant way to get to Saigon so booked a five day trip with the promise of being off the tourist trail and seeing and experiencing some authentic Vietnam. On my last night in town I bumped into the two Australians, Mat and Tony who I had first met in Hanoi train station and then also in Sapa and also at breakfast in Hoi An, this time we had time to have dinner and a few beers, they were really good company and we agreed to meet again when I get to Australia. I liked Dalat and am looking forward to my road trip with Phuong.