8/01 Freezing Da Lat

Finally going to Da Lat! And one more step closer to home.

Checking out at 6am in the morning, I wandered to the Sinh Tourist while most backpackers were still asleep.

However, it was full in the office and no seat was available. I rested for a while by the counter before checking in my ticket. A Korean guy was by my side reading his book (I acquired his nationality through the book cover he was reading), and we just waited quietly for the boarding.

There was a fuss after that bit of calm, when a father and son entered the office, led by a clerk. The clerk was trying his best to explain to them that he must see their tickets, in English, but it seemed like they had totally no clue. They were also Koreans, as I recognized their language while they muttered to themselves. It was a really embarrassing moment for the both sides couldn't understand each other. I looked at the original Korean guy who was sitting beside it, for he made no move to aid his countrymen, that's really cruel! Well, at 7:30 I left the Koreans and started to board the bus with the rest, and was requested to take our shoes off! 

That's fresh, I had never been asked to take off my shoes while going on buses, we were handed a plastic bag each to locate our shoes and found our own special sofa seats to lie down. (The bus from HCMC to Da Lat was a sleeping bus, even though we were traveling in the day, but it was the only option: 300 nt and a 8 hour ride)

The bus came in bunk-seats and three in a row, which were really cozy. I met my neighbors, Mona and Mizzy who were from Switzerland and they were really nice to offer me snacks for the whole ride. Mona told me about their game plan for they would be traveling to Da Lat first, then a transport to Nha Trang, which was just like my schedule! Mizzy joked about being my guide if ever travel to their home, and I nodded with a smile.

(a kid was crossing the aisle while the bus took a sudden sharp right, the kid lost his balance and flew into a sleeping Mona, while supporting his hand on Mona's face as he tried to regain balance XD )

We entered a rainy area and the view became foggy, someone above the bunk was already snoring like thunder. Bus drivers would often dropped us off at certain restaurants for breaks and food, but the pounding rain stopped us dead on our tracks and most just returned gloomily back to the bus.

By the way, the bus driver was a bit dangerous; he would drive while talking on the phone, with one hand and some drinks, snacks in another... I was really worried. At last, we were climbing a really tall mountain before hitting the stop.

It was so cold outside just like winter. I hadn't got any coats on, just a small vest... the wind was strong and so was the rain. I set up my bags, turned on the GPS and waved goodbye to my Sweden friends.

I set off into the rain in search of the hotel that I had booked through Agoda, but came to an empty piece of blank following the address.

Not again!

Finally I gave in and just asked a local for help, she was really patient and pointed me the directions. I followed her orders and entered a small curve road, before finally spotting the buidling. (The hotel was called My Dream 2 Hotel on the Internet, but there was not a bit English on the sign outside...)

The room was a bit old and had a bit restoration style going, but it didn't really matter since I would only be staying for 2 nights, and the refrigerator plus wifi were pretty nice.

I took a small break, changed my vest and stepped out.

Man, was the rain big. I was shaking from head to toes, winter really had come early in this mountain hill small town. But the weather aside, I was starting to enjoy Da Lat, the small streets and friendly people; curving roads and slow vehicles. It really would be a great vacation spot if it wasn't for the rain.

Just when I was shivering so hard, I caught a sign that said PHO, oh my god! I ducked inside and had a hot bowl that soon warmed up my body. (It also cost about 50 NT)

I regained strength after the nice meal, the rain seemed to have turned small and the wind wasn't much of a bother. I roamed the market and their night markets. I could felt people's gaze upon me, maybe it's really crazy to wear a vest in winter days.

I followed the GPS and finally located the Big C supercenter in a remote hill, which was really far from where I was staying. By the time I finished the shopping and started trudging back to my accommodation, the rain started to fall again. Vietnam is just such a wet country!