Hello everyone from a very busy and sunny Saigon. Since we last wrote we checked out from Nha Trang and headed South once more to a place called Dalat. Its a French town (which you may have guessed) and is situated in whats known as the central highlands. After what was a scenically stunning but physically testing bus journey through the mountains we arrived at our destination late at night. To our surprise it felt like being in England, it was the first time in 3 1/2 weeks that we actually had to use the blankets that they provide at the bottom of the bed!!! Our first day was spent checking out a tiddly little waterfall, where even the ticket girl advised us not to bother, bartering with 'easy riders', and wandering around a lake! The second day was spent with the easy riders touring the countryside and getting an insight into the real Vietnam and the people who live there. These easy riders are a group of Vietnamese men who take you on their mopeds (helmeted) around the highlands explaining how the economy works and the history of the land. We were amazed to learn that vietnam is the second largest exporter of coffee in the world! They take you around for a full day and you really do get a feel for the places you go. Many of the children have hardly seen white people and as such will clammer all over you on your arrival!! The next day was spent travelling on yet another bus down to Saigon. On first inspection it looked much like Hanoi in its penchant for motorbikes and street vendors pushing fruit and books. However, having explored deeper today we have found it to be a much more laid back and in most places genuine city. This morning saw us visit the reunification palace with all its grandeur contrasting with secret alley ways to clostraphobic basements! We followed this up with a trip to the war remnants museum - a truely horrifying yet thought provoking place. They really have gone to town on displaying everything and it leaves the visitor with as much of an appreciation as possible of what life must have been like during the American War. Feeling the need to follow this up with something a little less harrowing we headed to some trusty pagodas before finding what can be described as a cross between regents park and Alton Towers in miniature!! We visited a frozen ice palace (in a city where todays temperatures are again in the 30os) and sat by the lake speaking to the local children. Tomorrow will see us take in more war history with a visit to the tunnels used during the war. After that we leave Vietnam via the Mekong Delta to Pnom Penh in Cambodia. This is a two day trip which we have again booked with one of the tour companies so we have a 50/50 chance of getting a good deal!!! From there we head to Angkor and the ancient city so its a busy few days on the horizon!! Sending our love to everyone Take Care Love Beth and Rich xxxx