December 29,

We awoke to a glorious day, and probably one if not the last good one here. We got around having our Javas and breakfast – each had an over easy egg on toast with laughing cow cheese; Da Lat homemade yogurt; and sliced salt/chili mangoes. Then around 1000, we set out for our daily trek. We have noticed the funeral proceedings are still going on. It has been probably a week. Jeff and I neither one could image this type of custom back home. 🤔

Anyway, the road around the lake is busy – as in packed – with scooters and vehicles! This is Sunday, I did not remember it being this much the previous Sundays. But it could be due to people getting out and about because they couldn’t yesterday? I don’t know… Questions??  It is a beautiful day! Windy, but the sun is shining away!🌞🍃🌞   I have to hold onto my hat! There are more walkers and Instagramers on the path. The lake is white-capping today. The tent area is still thriving with local shoppers. We made it to the Go shopping center and noticed the stage area blocked off. Will there be another concert… maybe on New Year’s Eve?? I don’t see any placards advertising, so not sure. But we will keep our eyes open. We bought our stuff from the Go. They actually had the oat bread we like… this has been hit or miss. The store was very busy today also.

I got back to our place. Jeff had stopped and got us a 20 liter water. We unloaded our stuff; cooled off; and watched some You tube. Around 1230, we set out for lunch. We went to our Com Tam Co Hai, having been here one week ago. We ordered the same thing – Com Suon Bi Cha Trung. It was as great as before!😀😋  I had a 7UP and Jeff had a Tiger beer. Finished, Jeff paid for our meal. It was 145,000 Dong ($5.70) total.

We were heading back to our place and Jeff saw a place for me to get a pedicure!! It was great and better than the one I had in Cat Ba. It took one hour and she charged 200,000 Dong ($7.86). My toenails are looking way better since I have these two pedicures…. and to boot they are purple!💅🏻💜  Anyway, we then did go back to our place. I blogged and Jeff read. We relaxed as afternoon turned to evening. Supper was light French type – apple & PB, crackers/bread & cheese, and wine. Then we did a WhatsApp video with my mother and zoomed with our church back in USA.
It has been another glorious day in Da Lat, Vietnam.

     December 30,

This morning was as glorious as the day before! YAY!!  Neither one of us slept well last night. We both had trouble falling asleep. Just one of those things. Then at 0545, a gonging ring awoke us both. On our little alley road at 0700 this morning I heard more ringing. The ringing was more a cymbal high pitch sound. I got up to investigate this time. It was a funeral procession led by Buddhist monks – following them were people in white robes with incense, with that cymbal-type bell, and with flower pedals being cast down. Then maybe the family holding a framed picture of the deceased. Next was the highly decorated casket draped with a lace cover, adorning its whole length. The casket must have been heavy, as it was carried by 15-20 people. Last of the procession were people with white headbands. Still will be thinking and 🙏🏻 for that family.

We got up with that and had our Javas and breakfast of Muesli, yogurt, and milk. We ate the last our the homemade yogurt, but we have time so we will get more! 😋  Next we talked with my sister on WhatsApp via video. We did not talk with Jeff’s sister due to her traveling, but we might try in a couple of days. Then we went out and about, trekking around the lake.🌞 The wind was not blowing today like yesterday, and way less traffic. It was a better trekking experience than yesterday!

We took in the sunshine and noticed a few people doing small fires. There was even a lady with a makeshift fire & incense. She also was dropping some little fish into the lake. So maybe some kind of religious offering or another. We even saw another lady the selling little fish and itty-bitty turtles. Questions❓  We made it to the other side at the tent set-up area. It was still thriving, but we finally noticed a sign with dates on it – it should end today. It was just a pleasant day around the lake taking in nature and people watching.

Next, we stopped at the Go grocery/shopping center and acquired the few items we needed. Then went back to our place, unloaded and cooled off, while catching up on the NFL standings. We were ready around 1300 to head out for lunch. We opted for Ty Crepe Cafe & Restaurant. Jeff and I were recognized by the French owner (Ty? I never asked.) Anyway, we were welcomed and placed our order of one Savory Crepe – La Super Complete with sunny side-up egg, ham, Emmental cheese, onion, and mushroom; and one Sweet Crepe – La Bretagne with apple, homemade butter caramel, and whipping cream. We shared the order, but not our drinks. I had a lemon Iced tea, and Jeff had a Saigon beer. We finished, thanking him as he thanked us for coming again.😋  The bill was 205,000 Dong ($8.05).

We now went to our homemade chocolate place, The Choc, All About Chocolate. We bought enough to get out of Vietnam and back into Bangkok, choosing Cherry Brandy and Irish Whiskey flavors this time. This cost us 250,000 Dong ($9.81). Now we just meandered to the day/night market area. We actually have not been here during the day this time in Da Lat. They were selling flowers of all sorts – plants and fresh cut. Also had food, some touristy stuff, and some clothes. Now we went back to our place, stopping at the – very nearby – Pharmacy for ibuprofen. They only bring out 10 tablets at a time. I asked for 30. The young girl looked at me – incredulous, and then to an older lady next to her – questioningly, I’m sure. The older lady nodded okay. It was interesting to watch the interchange of expressions. While we were waiting for the other twenty tablets, Jeff and I got to pet a kitty right at the window. Pet therapy, dontcha know! Anyway, the pills cost us 120,000 Dong ($4.71). Kitty petting was free.😂🤣

We went back at our place, and it was a good thing as the blue skies have now become white gray clouds. The front, as promised, is moving in.😒  I blogged, as Jeff read.  Afternoon turned to evening. We made pasta salad for dinner. We used to make this quite a bit, and I realized we had some pasta with veggie bits. Then shazam- pasta salad!!  It turned out great and hit the spot. Then we watched some You tube. It was a great day. We ended with almost 13,000 steps! God provided us the awesome sun and blessings!!