Anyway, the train ride was fun. We almost finished a game of cards before tucking in for the night. At least on trains you can lay down.
Arriving close to 6 am this morning, after a quick coffee whilst waiting for our driver, we then drove the 45 minutes to Sapa. Sapa is in the North of Vietnam close to the Chinese border and at an altitude nearly as high as when we went to Saas-Fee, Switzerland.
Upon arriving in Sapa we were swamped by the local women selling colourful souvenirs. They followed us for most of the morning, even waiting outside our hotel, until they realised we knew the drill. We did, however, buy a few items off them.
A trip to the markets was spectacular. If we were staying is self-contained accommodation we'd be set with many fresh as you get foods. Of course, the dead animals were stomach turning for me but then there was an abundance of beautiful fresh fruit and veges too :)
After a nap in the hotel room we set off on our first trek to Cat Cat Village. Disappointingly the weather was and has been all day very foggy so we were unable to get views of the valleys below.
The walk downhill was fine. Just a little slippery. There were many interesting things to look at.
This lady, one of many known as the Black Hmong people, was kind enough to let us look inside her home. In appreciation of her gesture we bought this wall hanging from her.
And continuing on we reached the bottom and this magnificent waterfall.
Then......it.......was.......time........for.......the........trek.........back.........up.........(huff puff).
After warm showers all round we ate the best Vietnamese food to date tonight followed by massages all round. 580,000 for the 5 of us. Dong that is, equating to just under $30. Am I complaining now?
Tomorrow we're off and consequently off line for a couple of days trekking to a village for a homestay with a Vietnamese family. Now that should be interesting.
More photos here.
Can you book me in for some massages, I need one baddddddd....
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