Hang Nga


Though there are some very nice things about Da Lat, the main attraction (for us) was Hang Nga's Tree House, known to the locals as "The Crazy House". It's owned by the daughter of the ex-president of Vietnam, who studied architecture in Moscow. Being a celebrity, it was easier for her to get permission to build such a place than, say, you or me.

The place is Georgia O'Keefe-meets-Gaudi, with some Lewis Carroll thrown in for good measure. Hang Nga is a popular hotel name, and this wasn't the first Hang Nga we stayed at. In mythology, Hang Nga was a moon fairy, which points to yet another place where the designer might have studied.

That night, the whole place was empty. Apparently, all the sensible tourists spend the night elsewhere and come to see the place during the day. I found out why – when the construction work started at 7AM and people with cameras walked into my room.

Click for a larger version *Reception

A warped welcome to all! On the wall are newspaper clippings about the place, and photos of the owner from her modeling days.

Click for a larger version The main building
Click for a larger version A branch building

so to speak

Click for a larger version Hung the driver

going with the flow

Click for a larger version Courtyard

To the left are cages with birds

Click for a larger version A little something to catch the customers
Click for a larger version Alice???
Click for a larger version The front of the Ant Room

where I stayed

Click for a larger version Inside the Ant Room
Click for a larger version The Ant
Click for a larger version Matching ant lamp
Click for a larger version Ant room ante-chamber

 

Click for a larger version The Honeymoon Room

The world's smallest duplex, Duyen had a one-person honeymoon.

Click for a larger version Honeymoon room downstairs

It's rather upscale to have a tree embedded in the wall.

Click for a larger version Honeymoon room staircase
Click for a larger version Honeymoon room upstairs bedroom

It just exudes a feeling of closeness.

Click for a larger version *The office

With mementos. Two of the pictures on the left wall were taken in this room, making the pictures of Ho Chi Minh and Truong Chinh on the right wall pictures in pictures in a picture.