Easy Rider - Day 1

Loc & Hung picked us up from the hotel, ready for our 5-day adventure with the "easyriders"! From Dalat to Lak Lake (in the Central Highlands) we had many fascinating stops. Both guides speak pretty good English, and they know loads about the area. I was on Loc's bike, otherwise known as "Handsome Man" :)...the best thing is he's about 5'1", so you can see right over his head for a great view! The mountain scenery and green fields are spectacular, and seeing them while cruising along on the back of a motorbike seem to make it even more special.





We stopped at a variety of small factories, workshops and villages which were extremely interesting. We saw coffee, tea & mushroom plantations in the morning, and were told about the growing and making of each product. Got another tour of a silk factory, although different from the one in Cambodia because it uses machinery so has a much quicker production rate. We tried rice wine and watched chopsticks being made at an impressive rate! Stopped at the "Elephant waterfalls" for a short walk, and also two minority villages. It was a full day!




Heard loads of historical facts (mixed with some very amusing stories from Loc), and got a feel for the customs and traditions within the minority villages. The women propose to the men, and must provide a number of animals as a wedding gift - 2 water buffalo, 20 chickens and 20 ducks!
The bride's father pays for everything on the wedding day. Once married, the men are expected to work for money, but give everything to the women who are responsible for spending it (that part sounded alright to me :)). Most noticable in the minority villages is that everyone is part of a big family - nobody has much wealth or posessions, but they all seem happy with a very simple lifestyle.