Easy Riders – Vietnam Style

Wondering why you are greeted with the fairly unexpected “Easy Rider?” shout at every corner or when coming out of any doorway must be quite a common thought in Dalat, Vietnam. Not, as one might think, a question more suited to the seedier night bound alleyways but actually a business proposition by someone owning a two wheeled motorised conveyance or “Motor bike” and perhaps traditionally a large beard, although that kind of facial hair is a strange and rare luxury for most in this part of the world.

Anyway Easy Riders are everywhere in Dalat at least and they will, at the drop of a hat take you on either a city or countryside tour for which they all have printed itineraries you can peruse. You can of course ask them to quote you for a trip to the places of your choice which is what we tried to do. Easier said than done is all I’ll say to that! We were more than happy with what we got though. They will also take you anywhere in Vietnam which could be great fun. Apparently people often become good friends with their easy rider and stay in contact etc.

With ours we went to…

See a big dragon in a Pagoda

some crazy freaky extreme kitsch “Love in” at the Valley of Love (More later)

A minority hill village

with these guys you can stop when you want too which is great for photographing local life…

A nice lake

A really big pagoda!

and the Crazy House. Quite literally crazy, yup, that’s a giraffe in the middle there. More on that later

Oh yeh and we tacked on the Post Office at the end so send our postcards.

Kath’s Easy Rider