Stunning Stay in Sapa

Young village girls making the trek with us from Sapa town back to their villiage. 

This was a sunday, their only day off and they had to travel hours into town to buy food and essentials for their families. 

We went on a three day journey outside of a town called Sapa located near the Vietnam/China border.  Missie got the chance to take her first night train and we lucked out and got a first class ticket!  Our bunk mates were two Swiss girls and Missie told them how her grandma is dreaming of the day she gets to visit Switzerland.  The train was very comfortable, we got on at around 9 pm, slept like babies (even rocked by the swaying of the train) and before we could even dream it was 7 am and time to get off.

Riding 1st class! 

 Sapa was actually even colder then we expected, so with a few precious minutes before we left for the trek we went to the local market and bought some more clothes to stay warm.  The trek its self was absolutely great.  The scenery looks like its straight off a postcard.  Our first day was very cold and misty, however it just gave the air such a fresh and crisp taste to it.  Having been inhaling the Hanoi traffic fumes for a fews days made the Sapa air just that much better.  The mist created such a beautiful touch to the gorgeous mountain view as it lingered just at the mountain peeks.  

This woman walked with Missie and I until reaching her village (below)

Now for the trek.  We were greeted at our hotel by our guide and several village women (dressed in their traditional clothes) who would embark on the first day trek back to their homes.  These women walked a few times a week from their villages to Sapa, bearing all the essentials that their families need in a bamboo woven basket on their backs( sometimes its a baby on their backs!).   So we trekked the country side for several hours up and down rice fields, dodged various livestock(bulls, chickens, pigs, boars, ducks, dogs, cats) inside and out of villages and just simply enjoyed the amazing views.  After we arrived at our home, where we would stay the night, we really realized how simple life was out in the Vietnam country ( I know that they work hard, the callused feet show how hard they work day in and out, but its just that they seem to take the time to slow down and enjoy life. 

Trekking and singing Christmas songs. 

The hoops represent a Vietnamese tradition in the villages counting the length of marriage. 

Rice Field. 

At the home we enjoyed a wonderfully three hour cooked meals, which Missie and the other girls on our trek help cut/peel vegetables, roll spring rolls, cooked tofu/meats as they all chatted and laughed getting to know the locals.  Meanwhile the MEN were outside enjoying a well deserved beer or two ( I did go in and help a bit!)  

Peeling  veggies 

The meal.  The dinner was honestly the most I have eating since......I don't even think there is a since, I seriously have never eaten that much before...it was awesome.  The food was so good.  I even ate 20 spring rolls.  Seriously 20, and so much other delicious food.  After our bellies were stuffed to capacity, out came the infamous Vietnam rice wine!  Taste like crap, but as they say makes you Happy!  And happy it did, as Missie and I found our selves singing a duet to Enrique Iglesias' Hero.  Not to worry we weren't the only fools, as we learnt that the Irish can't sing Madonna songs!  

The group eating a feast! 

Rice wine and Karaoke 

The next morning I woke with a bit of a hangover, but nothing a nice banana pancake(or five) breakfast can cure.  So set out for another glorious day trekking.  It was simply beautiful as the sun decided to share its wonderful kinda warm rays with us and we got to see Sapa in a new "light".  

We ended the day back in Sapa town( where we indulged in the hottest shower yet!)  and boarded the night train again and headed back to Hanoi, where we would be heading out to Halong Bay pronto.  Once we arrived in Hanoi at 4 am, we went back the area  were we had been staying, thinking that the city would still be sleeping away.  To our surprise sleeping was the last thing going on, as over 100 Vietnamese people were doing Tai Chi around the lake.  It was crazy.

Anyway internet is slow out here in Laos, we will catch you up on Halong Bay and Laos in the next week.  

Take Care 

 Happy Birthday to Missie (tomorrow! were going to learn how to control, ride, communicate, feed and bathe elephants)

having troubles getting the rest of the photos up, will post soon