Da Lat


Da Lat is in the highlands, and has a Western-style climate. They grow lots of vegetables, including things like broccoli. In Hanoi they put on sweaters when the weather goes below body temperature, but in Da Lat you can really use one when the sun goes down.

* = Duyen's photo

Click for a larger version The climb up to Da Lat

The word "highlands" is not just a turn of phrase

Click for a larger version Local flower

There are all kinds of flowering plants on the road up.

Click for a larger version Terraces for farming
Click for a larger version Miniature shrine

A teeny, tiny temple that someone put up in the field

Click for a larger version *Ho house

The Ho are local tribal people, who until recently didn't recognize the Vietnamese government. This is the head cabin. On the floor are amphorae with ruou can, a very strong rice wine. Behind them are gongs for music, and to the right are bagpipe contraptions, without the bag.

Click for a larger version *Ho house

In one corner of the cabin is the kitchen.

Click for a larger version Ho longhouse

This is where a number of families sleep. You have to be very forgiving when the place has no windows.