Dalat in Bloom

I TAKE TWO STEPS OUT OF MY HOTEL CARRYING MY BACKPACK AND I’M ALREADY DRIPPING WITH SWEAT; THE HUMIDITY IS HIGH AND THE SUN STRONG. I WAVE DOWN A GREEN TAXI AND JUMP IN. I’M OFF TO THE AIRPORT TO CATCH A LIGHT PLANE TO DALAT. WHICH LIES IN THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS OF VIETNAM.

After a rough and bumpy 45-minute flight, I’m happy to get off the plane. I take a deep breath of the cool, fresh air. At the luggage collection area I’m approached by four short plump women, who ask me if I’d like to share a taxi with them. They are all in their seventies, with dark inked eyebrows and carrying fake Gucci bags, travelling from Singapore to visit the beautiful flower gardens of Dalat.