Da Lat

HCMC was great but after a bit of time the streets feel even narrower and the buildings higher. It was time to get out and Da Lat was an obvious choice.

The bus we had was super comfortable and the ladies that organised our bus were great - they even telephoned a catering company so we could have lunch in their office while we waited for the bus.

Da Lat is a picturesque town located on a plateau in the highlands north of HCMC. The temperature was a lot colder than we were used to (the town is further north and is at altitude) and we were told the average at this time of year is 10º Celsius. Quite a shock to the system after what we've been used to but thermals and multiple layers saw us right.

Christmas came and went. The locals turned out in force on Christmas Eve and we were wondering what was in store for Christmas Day. Turns out nothing. Their celebration seems to end on Christmas Eve and the day itself is business as usual. We caught up online with friends and family and it was great to hear that everyone is doing well but we both really missed being there for the banter and food.

Santa was a common occurrence around town, although none of them were saying 'ho ho ho' and they were smaller and skinnier than we remembered.

After a lazy Christmas Day we set out exploring the town on some cool little motorbikes. Every public garden you saw was immaculately maintained - just like the roundabout below.

Hang Nga's Guesthouse (The 'Crazy House') was like being in the movie Alice in Wonderland. You can pay to visit like we did, or you can stay just like a regular guest house.

It was very cool and will be amazing to visit once the current expansion has been completed.

After our fill of crazy we were off to another tourist attraction - the Valley of Love. Now I know what you're thinking, two guys going to the Valley of Love alone, but hey, it had to be done.

The lonely hearts club, population: Clint. And if one wasn't enough, it only got worse...

Random Fact: Bum shower toilets. Just when we realised they aren't used to fill our drink bottles the locals have taken them away from us.

Highlights:
- A reprieve from the heat, sweat, beggars and biting things
- Vietnamese winter fashion. The peacock theory of accessorise, accessorise, accessorise...
- Manual moto's. Better, cheaper and more fun than auto's

Lessons Learned:
- Christmas is celebrated on the eve not on the day
- When in packs locals find it funny to greet you in English. Usually when level or just past you on the street
- Come back when its warm and you've got a girlfriend. Otherwise you're just losers out in the cold