Art for Art's Sake

After a short flight on a plane so tiny it used actual chocks, and an unnerving taxi ride marginally longer than the flight, we arrived in the central highlands of Vietnam, and Dalat. The change in the air was immediately noticeable after the lung-clogging of the previous two cities. It was clear, clean, fresh and cool; lending the city the pace and atmosphere not unlike that of an Alpine ski resort. It was a strange but pleasing contrast, after melting in HCMC, to see Vietnamese people wrapped up in coats, scarves and gloves in the central market.
We were blessed with a fabulous quiet hotel and the nicest hoteliers you could ever wish to meet, and immediately decided that we had been lucky with travel plans that allowed three days here and not two. The central market was fab and loud and busy and chaotic in true Asian style, and as our first introduction to the city it was great.
Hiring a car on the second day, we went out into the surrounding countryside and explored a fabulous forrest, took a jeep up to the top of a mountain, and then went into the Lat minority village to meet the very happy and animated village leader. He was great fun, and as it turned out was very intelligent, serving as a nurse during the American war. Love to see in rapidly growing Vietnam, people remaining close and true to their roots and traditions.
One of the best and 'mmm, arty...' moments came when we visited the Nha Hang Nga; what happens when an artist and architect meet the resources to fully realise their creative ambitions. Walking around the many twisty tunnels, stairs and corridors of the building is a little like being in a huge Alice-in-Wonderland themed adventure playground, with secret passageways, crazily-shaped rooms and random animal statues everywhere.
I loved it. No discernible reason for being. Just Art for Art's sake.

SarahHeadsEast xx