December 13,

We both woke having slept well. It was around 0600. We leisurely got around, having our Javas and breakfast – last of our Muesli, yogurt and milk. Our hostess texted us to inquire of our departure time. We were okayed with 1120 time. So we packed our stuff up and showered – leaving our 38th floor room, with the key card inside. I will miss this place, except for two things… no three things. The shower water never stayed hot longer than five minutes, the balcony height issue for me, and lastly, the rain – which the place has no control over.

At 1125 we were down waiting for our bus. He showed up on time at 1130, just as it stared to rain, of course. There was another couple on board already. We were seated- Jeff in the back row with the other couple and me in front of him. The driver then drove around the block to the Blue Diamond. We waited ten minutes. The rest of our bus load finally showed up – two ladies and three kids of various ages. 1143 we are under way. 1200 we stopped at edge of Nha Trang at a bus station. Just before we arrived at the station I saw a results of a crash – a large box truck with a crushed scooter under one of the front wheels! I didn't see the scooter driver, but I prayed for that person or people!

In the station, the driver went out and the two ladies. The ladies returned – with snacks. The driver returned then also – don't know what he did. Anyway at 1210, we moved out of station and out of Nha Trang city. We are on a lesser road that is paralleling a newer one without any traffic on it. Still under construction?? We veered away and drive through the country side. At 1245, we stopped at Hon Giao Stone Stream – Suối Đá Hòn Giao – a restaurant. Jeff and I split a grilled meat banh mi and a 7UP. The restaurant was right next to a river. At 1310, we all reboard. It started pouring rain, that was timely. The driver conferred with Jeff of our destination. Taken care of, at 1315 we pull out.

We now ascend into the mountains in the rain. Lots of waterfalls!! As we continue the view becomes very obscured with heavy fog. The driver manages well though. I can make out waterfalls down the steep cut rock of the mountains right along side our bus. The waterfalls turn into torrents of gushing, vertical streams pummeling the mountainside cut away for this road. So much volume being released, but little is hitting/flooding the road. Kudos to the engineering – done very well to facilitate the massive water! As we descend down the mountain passes, the sheer volume of water is evident as a swollen rapid-like river rushes past us spilling any banks that were once there. Churning brown water… it is quite the sight! Then the rain stops and the fog lifts enough, I see some tea plantations! We are getting close!! We continue the up & down mountains, alternating open vistas vs fog shrouded views.

At 1500, we arrived in Da Lat our last destination in Vietnam – on this visa/tour. We definitely will be back if we can. We were dropped off near our new place (the van can not go down the little side road it is on). We are actually in a little home. The main level is a studio set up entering into the living/sitting area which transitions to the kitchen/dining area to the left and then the bed along the back wall. The bathroom is to the left of the kitchen. There is an upstairs loft area-bedroom… but we will only hang our wet clothes to dry up there, as there is a cross breeze and clothes rack. It is set up in a country living theme. The kitchen is mostly stocked, except – you guessed it – no mugs. Thankfully, we brought ours! We made a list of things to get (as we are here 21 days). Unpacked our stuff, actually putting clothes in a dresser!

Around 1715, we went one street over, not even a block, to Bun Bo cafe. We pointed to two pictures on the wall of soup dishes. First was a soup- a clear, onion-flavored broth with loads of green onions, two small meatballs and a slice of a loaf meat, like spam(?) with a baguette. Second was also a soup – Bun Bo Hue, which is like a Pho. We were also given a plate of herbs/greens, limes, as well as three kinds of different, dangerous-looking toppings. We sampled those three toppings timidly! They were dangerous, and did not use any of them!!! But the soups were great!

Finished, we now went to the Go Shopping Center – that we remembered from our first time here in Da Lat! It is the shopping center here in town. We found some stuff, the Grocery store was crowded. Friday night shoppers?? We left and getting a Grab taxi to haul our heavy new bounty home. We settled in and watched some You tube.

So glad to be back in DaLat!!