An old french countryhouse (built 1920) in Dalat (5000 ft) The french occupied Vietnam 1840-1953. They were brutal colonials.

Lovely gardens in Dalat

A central hill tribe show at the Dalat gardens.

Great greens to add to a soup or salad.

The “new” vietnam, widespread use of scooters, baguettes are very popular.

Weaving mats is becoming a lost art.  This family has been weaving for 200 years.

Fresh herbs are grown in large areas, a very important ingredient in Vietnamese food.

A local Dalat gal, I took a book binding class from her one afternoon.  Lots of fun!!

Liz and I took a cooking class in Nha Trang one evening.  Just the 2 of us we made 3 wonderful dishes.

Our home away from home in Mui Ne, at the foot of a sand dune, 200 yds from the beach.

Mui Ne is a wonderful spot to kite board, perfect wind and waves.

The dragon dance for TET (Chinese New Year) at a Chinese/Russian hotel in Mui Ne.

These drummers were fantastic.

This is one of my favorite foods, Banh Xeo.  At one of my cooking classes we created this one.

Shallots and garlic are mainstays in Vietnamese cooking.

Crabs are are on the menu everywhere.

Liz and I enjoyed a local draft beer (.75) on our last night together.

Want to eat a cake that has this much color?

“Crazy house” project in Dalat, an ongoing practical work of art.

A local fishing boat heading out for an evening on the ocean in Mui Ne.

Working on the side of the river.

Pat in his new dragonfruit shirt buying a croissant at 11;30pm, after a night of listening to a blues band in Dalat.