WE NEED A COFFEE!

The best coffee in the world I had in Vietnam, although it helps if you have strong enamel on your chompers because the sugar from the condensed milk will eat through them faster than a cockroach on last night's dinner. Put a half inch of condensed milk in the bottom of a cup, pour boiling water through a strainer containing coffee grains, and let it sit until all the water has drained through to your cup. It's the sweetest mixture, but oh so good! Or, pour the coffee mix into a glass of ice and mix it up. It tastes almost like chocolate. We couldn't get enough of them and it's a good thing I didn't stay in Vietnam longer, because my teeth would have fallen out.

The Heroes in Hero's Park Dalat Vietnam

After being at the palace, we decided to head over to Hero's Park, a veteran's cemetery on a beautiful hillside over-looking the town. We wandered around alone under the threat of rain, but it was peaceful, and eventually we laid down in the grass amongst the headstones and looked up at the sky.

When I think of all the thousands and thousands of headstones in veteran's cemeteries all over the world, I imagine that it must be divine intervention, God's way of culling us back, pulling the twinkie over the weenie because we certainly can't stop our growth. All the wars going back centuries have killed off how many? Think if all those people hadn't died and there had been no wars, and their generations had lived. Would there be another billion on earth? Nevertheless, all this kind of death doesn't make any sense to me. However, so much war in Vietnam, and yet the people are friendly and welcoming to all previous invaders. And they're damned proud of having won the war. Yes, they won!

Emperor Bao Dai's Summer Palace

We visited Emperor Bao Dai's (Biet Dien Quoc Truong, or Dinh 3) Summer Palace, a fancy 25-room villa built in 1933. It still has the same furnishings that were there when he trundled off to France with his Empress.

The engraved glass map of Vietnam was given to Emperor Bao Dai in 1942 by Vietnamese students in France.



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Sitting room


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The bedroom. Looking out from the balcony you could see his magnificent gardens.



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The beautiful gardens outside. Kudos to whomever overturned the soil back here.



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"Could you please send over to the Summer Palace a large, vegetarian pizza? All dressed, but hold the green peppers."



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I was amazed by how you were allowed to sit down anywhere and leave your sticky fingerprints all over the furniture. If it were anywhere in North America, you'd be frog-marched out of the place.


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There were some really neat garden toys that we could play on. We had a ball!

What to Write Next?

Dalat Vietnam - Lake of Sorrow

"Lake of Sorrow is located approximately 5 km northeast of the city. According to local lore, the lake was named during the war between Vietnam and China. As the story goes, long ago there lived a young couple in this area. They loved each other very much and often met by the lake to enjoy the tranquil setting of this area. At about the time when they spoke of building a future together, Vietnam was in the state of war with foreign invaders from the north. There was a general call for able-body young men to take arms. The young man, Hoang Tung, being extremely patriotic, decided to join the army of king Quang Trung - Nguyen Hue to help defend Vietnam.
The young couple decided to meet by the lake to say their goodbye as Hoang Tung was leaving with his garrison for the north. His betrothed Mai Nuong, being equally patriotic, decided not to be a burden in his mind, lest he won't be able to perform his duties, decided to commit suicide by drowning in the lake. When the time came for the two to meet, Hoang Tung found that she has passed away. The people in this region heard of the young couple's story and decided to rename the lake Ho Than Tho or Lake of Sorrow. Several variations of the story are published. One version along this line claimed that Hoang Tung did not show up at the appointed time. Mai Nuong was heart broken and spent many days by the lake to wait for him. Hopeless, Mai Nuong committed suicide by jumping into the lake."
Huy Thien & Trung Viet




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Dalat, Vietnam - Dream Hotel

We stayed at the Dream Hotel and it was only $5/night for this room and bath. We couldn't believe our good luck.



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There was also the Peace Hotel, which had a good breakfast, and was the place to go if you wanted to meet up with other travelers. I bumped into two Americans who'd been living there for years and we talked all afternoon. It's that kind of place where you'll meet interesting people. Here's a pic of the two sisters that own the Peace Hotel.

Po Nagar Cham Towers

Po Nagar Cham Towers


The Cham Towers were dramatically outlined by the darkening sky. We had to run for cover several times.






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We bumped into this time traveler outside the Cham Towers.

Nha Trang - Vietnam

Na Trang

If you want another beautiful beach, come to Na Trang. The ride on the bus was as fun as being in a video arcade, but the driver managed to avoid a pile-up. Here are some head-on shots. Notice how relaxed the bull is while crossing the road. I kept telling myself - Be the bull! Be the bull!






Dude kept turning around in his seat and staring at me for long periods of time, and I couldn't decide whether he was crazy or friendly, or both. Finally, I moved and sat in front of him and stared at him for a long period of time before taking his picture. He was sweet - but it became so excruciating trying to communicate with him, that after ten minutes I gave up.




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We took pictures at the fishing docks and then walked down the beach to check out the south-side real estate. I certainly wasn't as impressed with the garbage collection around here, and after dodging broken glass, empty cans and doggy do, I was in need of some alcoholic refreshment.


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On my way to the bank, I spotted this fellow with his monkey so I stopped to say hello. This hairy little guy was very friendly, and immediately wanted to check out my head for nits or any other eight-legged snack that might be available. Luckily, not today!








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This cheerful fella was selling sunglasses and this sweet girl was taking care of her baby sister while her mother ran the shop.




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I was really impressed with the garbage pick-up here. This truck is empty compared to how stacked it will be when it finally teeters off to the dump. I couldn't believe how much trash they could pile up and keep it together.