Singing in the Rain

Our bicycle trip for today was rained out. So we went on a walking tour around Dalat in the pouring rain, getting totally soaked in the process. It's only water, so it can't hurt.




What we're really upset about is that our one chance to play golf on this trip was also cancelled because of the rain. Do you think we can find a local here in Vietnam who wants to bargain for a dozen Titleist NXT golf balls that we brought in our luggage from the U.S.? If we're persistent, perhaps we can start at $24 and haggle to get 30,000 Dong out of it (that's about US$2).

Dalat is called the City of Eternal Spring and the Alps of Vietnam. It bears a bit of a resemblance to both titles. We walked around the huge market in central Dalat. Avocados, artichokes, berries of all kinds, noodles, rice, and things we wouldn't even think of eating at home were all for sale.







We also visited a local elementary school. The kids flocked to see us and try to talk their English. It was a LOT better than our Vietnamese. Schools here appear to be much better than in Cambodia. It is compulsory up to age 11, they all wear uniforms, and they are clean. This country is rapidly moving to the status of a developed nation.

The Dalat Palace hotel is right out of the 1920s. We had a marvelous French dinner in the restaurant. A few things about this place could stand to be upgraded a bit. For instance, here is the latest in French telecommunications.

Jordan had to take a "French" shower. Check out the modern plumbing in this place. Oh well, we hear that the next hotel we're staying at is going to be sensational.