Sapa

We got off the Night train at 7am in the town of Loa Chi to be herded into our minibus for the hour drive up the mountain to Sapa. Arriving in Sapa we checked into the hotel to find our room will not be ready until lunch time. Not to worry we were introduced to our guide Sun who said our trek will start at 9.30am.........trek????

While waiting outside the hotel we were greeted by the local hill village ladies that took an immediate liking to Carly as she was close to their height. These ladies could not stop smiling and had you grinning from ear to ear while you were talking. They were dressed in their traditional hill clothes and all had very blue hands from using dyes.

Come 9.30am and we are off. Sapa sits at around 1600M above sea level so is covered in clouds. Visibility is down to about 2 to 3m in front of you. Walking down the mountain basically has you walking out of the clouds to these amazing views of the different villages that are scattered around the valleys. Rice paddy feelds are everywhere and blows your mind at how much work would be involved working them. The trek so far was all down hill...Carly and I can handle that.....just!

First we went through the village of Cat Cat were they proclaim that they don't eat dogs.....good stuff!!!
While the trek was mainly down hill we had our moments of up hill climbs so were very happy when Sun decided to stop by a waterfall for a break. Again we had local villages trying to sell the handcrafts but were very polite when we declined the sale.

Off we go again....this time up hill. Again you can't help looking at the padi fields that start down the bottom of this valley and climb up into the clouds. With fire breathing in our lungs and sweet dripping from all pours (keeping in mind it was only 4 degrees) we come to the beginning of a very step road that heads back to Sapa. These little men were standing around offering their services for $1USD and will drive us up......one look at Carly and we had a bike each leaving the rest of our trekking group behind......suckers!!!!!!!

In our room for a hot shower and fresh set of clothes....you beauty. Getting ready to go down for lunch the clouds broke from around the hotel and we could see part way down the mountain....absolutely cool!!!!!!

After lunch we had a look around Sapa. While the town is not that big it was easy to get lost as the cloud/fog was so thick. More locals were trying to sell us the goods surrounding you so you can't move forward....a lot of fun but retreated to the safety of our hotel. that night we went to a local pub called the Red Dragon with a Swiss couple we meet (Gregor and Karin). Quite a few beers later and closing time was closing in on us fast. We were all staying in the same hotel so stumbled home amongst the thickest fog.

Up at 8am the next day for another trek. My arse and legs were hurting and Carly was walking like she lost her horse but we ploughed on. Again we walked out of the clouds to these views that just keep taking your breath away. Today we were heading to the biggest hill village of 600 people. It was about this time that you realise while you are a tourist snapping photos this is actually these peoples lives. They produce crops and rice that will keep for their family and sell to us for luxury things such as ducks, pigs and chickens. Walking into the village we see a water mill that is slowly crushing wheat so they can make bread. The toilets involved canvas around a creek (and that all) that would wash away your waste. Gregor by this stage had taken a turn for the worst (Hung over) and went to use one of these toilets......he walked in and then straight back out thinking he can hold on. 15 mins later we are walking past something that resembled a long drop. Grego is in there in a flash. The sound of the noises he was making confirmed how he was looking......in bad shape!!!!!

Another hours walk and we were meet by a jeep that took us back to Sapa. We had a look around the local markets and brought a bracelet (Carly) and a mouth harp (Me). Come 6pm we were picked up for the overnight train back to Hanoi. We are not looking forward to the bikes and tooting of the city but it will only be for a few hours before we get an overnight bus to Hue.