My fellow guests at the Dalat Palace Hotel in Vietnam (besides my photographer husband) are ghosts.
Given the sad history of the American War, as it's naturally referred to here, you would think we're feeling the presence of the casualties of that long and brutal conflict. But no, the ghosts are French.
We both so easily imagine the French colonials who opened this luxury hotel in 1922--originally known as the Langbian Palace Hotel--wandering the grounds, climbing the steps to the opulent entrance, or just relaxing in their reclining chairs on the front lawn. We can feel them around us in the dining room or on the verandah as we enjoy our leisurely breakfast, our lunch, even a spectacular afternoon high tea.
They wander down the hotel corridors, the high ceilings allowing them room to float above our imaginations. They are in our guest room too, opening and closing the shutters on the windows or adjusting the fan.
We can even imagine the very first meeting between officials of the French government and the Vietminh which was held here in 1946. Or, when the guests of Emporer Bao Dai, who was himself a resident of Dalat with three palaces built near the hotel, came to stay.
And we are here too. Happily, for two more nights.
Given the sad history of the American War, as it's naturally referred to here, you would think we're feeling the presence of the casualties of that long and brutal conflict. But no, the ghosts are French.
We both so easily imagine the French colonials who opened this luxury hotel in 1922--originally known as the Langbian Palace Hotel--wandering the grounds, climbing the steps to the opulent entrance, or just relaxing in their reclining chairs on the front lawn. We can feel them around us in the dining room or on the verandah as we enjoy our leisurely breakfast, our lunch, even a spectacular afternoon high tea.
They wander down the hotel corridors, the high ceilings allowing them room to float above our imaginations. They are in our guest room too, opening and closing the shutters on the windows or adjusting the fan.
We can even imagine the very first meeting between officials of the French government and the Vietminh which was held here in 1946. Or, when the guests of Emporer Bao Dai, who was himself a resident of Dalat with three palaces built near the hotel, came to stay.
And we are here too. Happily, for two more nights.
Love the car, Robin!
ReplyDeleteWish we could have taken it for a spin Andrea! That place was just incredibly special!
ReplyDelete