Tuyen Lam Lake, Fairy Rock and Daroah Ethnic Village
Mount Elephant was about nine miles south of Dalat, an eco-tourist site. ...View image... We reluctantly checked out of the Sofitel Palace (what is there not to like about staying in a palace) and headed for a one night stay in a house on stilts. But first, to Mount Elephant for some elephant riding.
The area was very forested, predominantly pine trees, and our elephant lumbered off on designated trails through the forest, and across streams with both of us holding on for dear life. As incredible as it sounds, we personally know someone who fell off an elephant in Thailand when the entire saddle loosened. It hadn't been tightened enough and, fortunately, he was unhurt. The falling off part didn't concern me as much as what could happen if I did fall off and the elephant either fell on top of me or tromped on body parts. That was not a pleasant thought.
The elephant ride lasted for one-hour around Fairy Rock, a recreational area. One hour is a long time to sit on a elephant...a half-hour is enough for me...UNLESS, you are on an elephant in one of India's fabulous tiger reserves...that is a different story...
Finally off our sure-footed elephant, there was a 20-minute boat trip on Tuyen Lam Lake followed by a one-hour trek to Darahoa Village camp to spend the evening in our house on stilts, experiencing Chil cultural life and customs. Based on many other unfortunate experiences in "local houses," we had some reservations but, incurable optimist that I am, was hopeful that one night wouldn't kill us.
Happy to see that the camp had several houses on stilts, all equipped with clean mattresses, blankets and mosquito nets. Not bad at all and there was just us staying here.
After a short rest, we set off for a hike to Darahoa ethnic village, a very small farming community with corn and other crops growing on the hillsides. ...View image...A little interaction with the locals who really weren't very interested in us...and back to camp.
That night, we had a so-called jungle barbeque. More concerns - what is a "jungle" barbeque? Just a fancy name for ordinary food. Then the local Chil minority tribe performed an unique gong dance and tried to urge some of their local corn/rice wine on us. We would have tried it but this huge earthenware jug was being circulated with everyone drinking out of one straw. Some readers have asked how we stay healthy traveling to remote areas and this is a perfect example. Don't share straws. I always have the guide tell them we don't drink for...health reasons...or religious reasons...whichever is easier for them to comprehend.
Early the next morning, we trekked out of camp and back to our car heading back to Saigon. It's only hindsight that a person can really judge whether or not an experience was worth the money. This one was not. Forget about this one.
A fast visit to Truc Lam pagoda and an even faster stop to visit a ruined Cham tower. The Cham tower was built by ethnic Chams (makes sense) between the 7-12th centuries A.D. The Chams once ruled a Hindu kingdom called Champa through most of southern Vietnam and Cambodia. Today, ethnic Chams are divided into separate Hindu and Muslim communities.
