​May 4 2017  Our last night was a delight.

Tinh and Lan have created a peaceful sanctuary in a harsh environment.

We dined at a Vietnamese restaurant 15 K out of town – Tinh and Lan Alice Vietnamese Restaurant.  I read about this amazing couple in an Outback magazine over 4 years ago and decided if we ever got back to The Alice we should try to find them.  They were refugees from North Vietnam who were eventually resettled in Alice Springs after many horrors including a terrifying boat escape to Hong Kong.

The entrance to the restaurant is a shading creeper covered walkway.
Can't recall the name of these melons but we had some for dinner,

Kaffir limes grow in a small orchard along with huge array of garden beds, behind the restaurant.

They worked like the proverbial when they got here with one dream in mind - to grow vegetables and start a restaurant to introduce Aussies to the taste of Vietnam.  They still work long tiring hours in the market garden they eventually managed to buy, to provide fresh vegetables and herbs for the market and their restaurant, but these days they no longer grow for the market. They are admirable, delightful and humble people.

Tinh and Lan Nguyen - with me after dinner.