UNFORGETTABLE ADVENTURE

We've had some amazing adventures over the past six months but this one was truly an unforgettable experience. Meeting our two guides in the hotel foyer we set off for our first home stay. We were immediately joined by the HMong ladies who walked the whole way with us. The first part of the trek along the road had us thinking it was going to be a walk in the park until we turned off into the forest. No-one told us we had to be mountain goats to embark on this trek and thankfully we had the HMong ladies to help us with the steep climbs and descents.















Upon reaching the turn off into the forest we were swamped with little children trying to sell us bamboo walking sticks.

Along the way the views and scenery were once again spectacular.

After 2.5 hours we reached Lao Chai for lunch.

After lunch and another hour trekking, all up approximately 12 kilometres, we reached our home stay at the Ta Van Village.

Jayden took to the dog after settling in and both him and Sofie have decided this is the kind of dog we're getting when we get home.

It was time to start preparing dinner and everyone pitched in to help. A snack before dinner though - you've heard of hot chips? Well this was hot chips Vietnamese style - with butter and fresh garlic after being deep fried - sounds gross but seriously decadent. Cooking video here.

Jayden made friends with the two little boys at the home, playing soccer.

Dinner time and we enjoyed delicious traditional Vietnamese food. The Vietnamese eat smaller breakfast and lunch and big dinner as this is the time family and friends come together.

Also enjoying meals with rice wine. Dave and Jason must have had at least ten shots each. I pulled out after two imagining horrific tequila scenes from the past ;) We were told no drinking, no man in Vietnam and also rice wine no headache, feel good. The husband and wife of the home (can't remember their names) we true characters and made us feel very welcome in their home.

When it came to bedtime I wasn't taking any chances - 2 pairs socks, thermal pants and top, trackpants, skivvy, coat, gloves and beanie.

After breakfast this morning it was time to say goodbye to our hosts and set off for the toughest of treks.

Before I go on I just want to say that the conditions these people live in day in, day out make you truly thankful to be Australian and have the luxuries that we take for granted every day. Things like hot water at the turn of a tap, washing machine and dryer, heating although nothing beats a good old fashioned fire, bedding consisting of more than a few inches thick of mattress, yet these people are happy go lucky, generous, helpful and fun to be with.

The trek today was 2 hours to the waterfall through mud, sludge, narrow edges along the mountainside, along the rice fields, through the bamboo forest, up and down steep hills. Again we were accompanied by ladies, this time from the Dzao hilltribe. These women are remarkable in strength and stamina and experience of the hills, one of them carrying a baby on her back also. In the first half hour I was seriously considering getting the first water buffalo or motorbike out of there but once I had a good laugh at the situation and realised I just had to keep on, keeping on and as Dave says "embrace the discomfort" it was wonderful. At times we were carrying around 5 extra kilos of mud on each boot making each step harder. Trekking videos here, here, here and here.

Once we arrived at the waterfall it was pure elation - I/we did it!! An overwhelming sense of achievement.

After taking in the waterfall it was another 1/2 hour climb up to the top of the hill for transport back to our hotel in Sapa and the freezing cloud and cold. To make matters worse the electricity is cut in the town (for maintenance) until 5 pm each day meaning the hotel is like the inside of a fridge :(

Dave, Jason and I have already been for a 30 minute massage. We're all sore in different places but especially our calves.

Adventure photos here.