Sapa…

Just got back into Hanoi after 2 nights up in Sapa and what an amazing place that is! People I have met have been telling me that Sapa was their highlight of Vietnam so I knew this place would be good and it certainly didn't disappoint!

The night train up was much better than the bus, even managed a couple of hours sleep before arriving in Lao Cai station. Once off the train it was a 40min minibus ride up the mountains to this beautiful town set on a hill that could easily have been mistaken for a swiss ski resort. It was really cool to see all the black mhong women walking about in their full outfit, you will see what I mean in the pictures. Just a shame they kept bugging you every minute buy the things they made.

The first day I hired a tour guide and a moped and asked the guy to take me to places that were not on the normal tourist trail…he certainly did. This guy was taking me across roads that people were actually turning away from when walking because they were just massive rocks. We went through rivers and over sand dunes which at times were a bit hairy but we made it to some amazing places and got some great pics.

First night I bumped into John and Ingrid from Oz who we had seen on our moped trip that day and we decided to head on out the next day without a guide. This day ended up prob being the highlight of my trip so far. Beautiful views of the mountains, walks along the national park, swimming under the waterfall with nobody else around just complete silence…amazing! The only problem was getting a flat tire on the way home but luckily some locals helped and within 30mins I was on my way…nice people.

Unfortunately whatever I put down on this blog will not give this place justice so I will instead update my pictures and let you see for yourself.

Tonight I stay in Hanoi then its off to Halong bay for an overnight cruise in a junk boat…this should be fun!

Oh one more wee story, went for dinner in Hanoi to Highway 4 (very good food) and asked to have a table upstairs. The guy said no but 5 mins later said there was some space and led me up 4 flights of stairs. At the top he opened a sliding door and asked me to take my shoes off before going inside. I walk in and there is a table of 8, table of 6 and table of 15 Vietnamese all having parties in this room then a table with just me…I was just a little out of place as the whole room went kind of silent when I walked in! after 10 mins they were all shouting at each other again which was fine but certainly felt a little bit like a sore thumb!

Anyways, enjoy the pictures

G