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Mission Impossible? <br />To travel the world and give you all a run down of adventures, experiences, things to see and the best bars in town! I may even stop here and there and earn a few bob...but after this who would have me...

Asia, part III: Vietnam (1)

Richard Rosss
2006-04-03 13:39:58

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Chinese, as they are similiar, but with diff badges.

Back from Sapa and an interesting few days there. Got the v comfy sleeper up there, and shared a carriage with a nice Irish girl and an American couple. I woke early and saw the beautiful countryside roll past me - in the rain. Arrived and caught a bus to Sapa. We climbed up to 1600m. Upon arrival our guide met us and moaned that we were late (our train was 3hrs late!), so we had little time for brekkie and none for a shower!

We started to trek, in the rain, to some villages in the valley. Whilst trekking the muddy paths ,we were hounded by loads of kids trying to sell us blankets/chains and other tat...all afternoon. Rolled into our homestay place and sat and chilled/dried off in the afternoon sun. Chatted all nite - good group of people! We stayed in a local Black Hmong village - I was knackered so I headed to bed early. The trek was not that easy in the mud and that most of the paths were up or down slopes!

The following day we trekked to some other tribal villages where their costumes/language and customs were totally diff. There I crossed the bridge of death...1 in every 4 slats was missing as it was under repair. Whilst I was walking a plank broke away and fell into the river. I lost my balance and landed on the bridge (unfortunately on a section that was just being painted!) So now my trousars were yucky! Caught a ride back into town and cleaned up. Said bye to the others and then wandered round the mkt. It was full of locals from the hill tribes. An amazing array of colours and custumes were on show there.

The next day I just wandered round the small town and read my book. There wasn't much to see, so I read loads. I went to the Observatory restaurant for a shake - which was delish! I managed to sneak a couple of shots of the locals with all their gear on, I hope they come out! I caught the bus back to town at 4ish ...