Blog 18

A 12 hour night train found us arriving bleary eyed in sapa. Beers on the train with friends in our compartment helped us sleep a bit.
The day we arrived we eventually organised a lady to do a trek and home stay with, (after some heated village politics between the local ladies fighting to take us).

We arranged a 3 day 2 night Trip up to Susu's village and back. The weather wasn't great for views because of the low foggy cloud. By the time we arrived at the village it was about 4pm and the school kids were just leaving school to walk home through the rice fields. The meals we had with the family were amazing. Always steamed rice with about 6 different fresh main meals. The man of the house was pretty keen on supplying us with shots of rice wine 'happy water' which was pretty grim tasting but made for happy evenings.

The evenings involved a lovely hot fire in the kitchen, wink murder initiated by Mr Keating, charades, beers and trying to help the family out with washing up etc, but they wouldn't have any of it.

Walks during the days revealed some gorgeous rice field terraces and enormous lazy water buffalos.

The women and girls of Sapa spent their days sewing clothes, cushion covers, bracelets etc in gorgeously bright colours which they all wore. We did a bit of Christmas shopping from the hill tribe women.

All in all a happy few days in cozy cold Sapa, but ready for the warmth of Bangkok tomorrow! brrrrr...

Love Jo x