The hostel is a little subdued today. In between the rain I go for lunch and explore Sapa. An interesting town with lots of village woman (Hmong sisters) selling their traditional gear. I fix Lulus broken tablet and she is over the moon. I am tired but drink the free beer and beer offered to me as gratitude from Lulu. Some people go back to mamas but I hang out with Justin, Lisa and Patrick. Lulu tries Mamas and wins a T-shirt off the London lad in a pool co...

I have a few hours kip and get awoken with a beer. Sam's birthday so we spend the day drinking gin and tonic. I have met so many amazing people and travelling on my own has increased my confidence again no end. Happy hour has begun so looks like a delayed hangover on the cards. I have a fabulous burger at the hostel that sets me up for the day. Sam buys a complete traditional outfit for his birthday from a local Hmong tribes woman. A Kodak moment. Him and S...

Walking through Sapa, myself and Melissa are guided by a tribeswoman. Melissa had heard of a hostel called Mountain view. 15 minutes later we arrive in the dark. Unfortunately I can't check in till 2pm, so get to know some of the hostel party animals still up and drinking (will turn out to be good friends and the staff). I grab a well deserved shower(LT) and tuck into a great breakfast of coffee, potato and pancakes. Even a banana. Its the most I've eaten in...

I am up at 5am. The town radio waking me before my alarm clock. I say farewells to Anna, unable to sleep through radio Laos too and I head one last time across the rickety old bridge. There are 3 westerners and luckily there is a bus today. I chat and have a coffee with the German girl, French girl and her cousin. I sleep till the laos border crossing. I hand over the exit doc and head the 5km in the bus to the Vietnam border. I fill in a medical form and m...