Sa Pa = Trekking.
Hiking through rice fields, bamboo forests, and at times down steep super muddy ravines (think slip and slide). I signed up for this package:
-Overnight train from Hanoi 8 hrs north to Lai Cao (1 km from China border!)
-Shuttle bus 1 hour to Sapa
-Shower and breakfast stop
-Hike what turned out to be 19 km or roughly 12 miles with a lunch stop
-Stay with host family, cook, eat and drink rice wine till you pass out in your loft mat cover in mosquito netting
-Wake up and hike 10 km to another village
- Shuttle bus and overnight train back!
It rains a TON here, which means everything is green and there are waterfalls everywhere. So...we lucked out with weather yesterday and it was sunny and HUMID all day! However, this morning we woke up to rain, rain, and more rain. Our guide informed us it would be unsafe to continue our hike so we lounged around with him getting advice for our onward travel and enjoying the rain with the gorgeous scenery from under a roof and then got picked up. Though disappointing to not complete the trek as planned, my sore body and blistered feet weren't all that disappointed - and the rain has provided a pretty mystical view of this beautiful rural landscape. However, it is definitely a bit treacherous for driving! Next stop: off the train at 5:30 am and on a bus to Halong Bay by 8am! I have met two German girls who had the same two trips planned - yay for good company!
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| Look at all that RICE!!! |
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| Hmong women who followed us, helped us not die, and sold us handmade items |
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| Our fearless, funny, and not PC tour guide Two |
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| Don't miss the kidnapped baby bird in this pic... that came with us and became a gift to the boy at our homestay! |
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| Dyed with natural indigo |
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| Water Buffalo |
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| "Helping" make spring rolls for dinner |
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| Look at this feast!!! |
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| Watch the rain...for 3 hrs this morning |
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| Our group! Family from Slovenia, two girls from Germany and one from France |
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