We left Saigon yesterday morning for a long trip to Dalat. Managed to sleep in till 5.30am but I went to bed later so it was still only 6 hours sleep. Can't wait till I manage 8. It was a slow and bumpy trip all the way although we managed stops along the way. Lots of tea and coffee plantations out this way so very green. We stopped to look at some tea plants and also cashew trees. We stopped at a coffee house so people could have their shot of coffee. The funny thing was they served us tea for free. I had artichoke tea which was surprisingly good. We stopped for lunch at a local place by the river. I must admit this was probably the least flavoursome meal I have had so far, tasted a bit like 2min noodles. We also had the chance to get out of the bus at one stage and walk across a bridge because on the river there were floating farms. Cambodian people that fleed Pol Pot started living on the river and have never returned to the land. Reminded me a little of the Floating Reed Villages on Lake Titicaca.

We then continued until we stopped at a local village where we walked to see an 8 tonne chicken which has a story behind it. It is tradition here that if a boy and girl want to marry, the girl has to bring a rooster to the boy's family and when they marry, they move in with the girl's family. There was a young couple that wanted to get married but the girl's family was very poor and couldn't afford a chicken so she went into the jungle to find one but something bad happened and she didn't return. The boy was so distraught he went looking for her and he was also killed. The village wanted to do something for them so they built this 8 tonne rooster. Of course, now there is a little shop selling local handmade scarves and weavings but they were so lovely and so happy to have their photos taken, along with the children.

Finally arrived at Dalat at around 6pm, time to freshen up and then out we went for a group dinner. We had a set menu consisting of 5 courses - Pumpkin Soup, Prawns coated in young rice (popped green rice), Venison and Banana Leaves on prawn crackers, Chicken Curry with fresh baguette, followed by Hot Pot where they put a vat of broth in front of you on top of heat and then throw in all the ingredients, let it cook and then you can eat. I only wish I had more room to eat more but so full.

Today we went and visited Crazy House, a house built by a local lady who's father was actually President after Ho Chi. It was built to bring people back to nature but it really is crazy. It's like tree trunks go everywhere and you really aren't sure which direction you've been or where you are going. Was a great 45mins exploring, reminded me of Gaudi's houses in Spain. Then to visit Bao Dai's Summer Palace. He was the last king of Vietnam. It definitely wasn't Buckingham Palace. It was very simple but I guess it was only for the summer.

Then drove to Truc Lam Pagoda which was beautiful and so serene. We then took a ride on a cable car which goes for about 1.6km over the valley with great views. We visited the old train station, Cremaillere Railway Station which still had some old carriages on the rail. Next stop lunch where I tried a Vietnamese Chicken Salad which had Lotus Roots, Chicken, Onion and nuts with a sweet and sour dressing. Just wanted something light and it was perfect. Most of the others went for the western part of the menu. People are being noodled and riced out.

After lunch we visited Linh Phuoc Pagoda which was even crazier than the last. Went up the 7 levels to the top of one of the temples and on the way down on the 3rd level, this old lady that must look after things motioned for me to ring the bell. The bell is 8.5 tonne and was used to ring in the millennnium. She was so gorgeous and I asked to take her photo because she had the most beautiful smile and she said yes but then she was very serious in her pose.

We continued to Datanla Waterfall and to get down to it, you could walk or you could jump in a cart (similar to a bobsled) and steer yourself down on these rails (you really just had to control your speed). It was crazy fun. We all wanted to do it again. At the waterfall Toni and I had a photo with "Lucky Monkey" with a payment of course. Then it was back on our little carts and all the way back up. A really fun day and we got to see heaps.

I am now off for a massage and to use the steam room/sauna, hoping it will help me sleep well tonight.