Finally made it to Vietnam (Sapa) a nice town in the north of vietnam at 1650m altitude so nice and cool! It actually snows here in winter. The Town is in the shadow of the "Fansipan" mountain which is 3100m high, so very mountainous here. Tomorrow we will start a 3 day trek through the mountains and villages. Looking forward to that. Quite a journey to get here, first day 6 hours from Laos via a remote border access point to Dien bien phu. (Where the french lost a decisive battle to the vietnamese in 1954) Not much to do there, so took the bus the next morning to Sapa.
Arrived at the bus station at 6:15 am only to discover the bus was already full. Looked like someone sold too many tickets. We did end up with a seat however after treatening to ask for our money back for each missing seat, so everybody had to get of the bus end and re-enter. Some not full paying passenger had to end up in the isle, but I think that is only fair enough when they pay only a small fare and have no reservation. The trip was hidious due to slips and bumps in the road. The girls took it pretty well, so after 9 hours we were pretty shaken but the scenery lifted the spitits quickly.
Very difficult road, lots of huge slips where being cleared and also the road follows the construction of the biggest hydro dam in south east asia the son la dam.
Anyway.. made it to Sapa with lots of great eateries (after 1 week without!) Had pizza and pasta last nice so that was a nice change from rice and noodles. Really enjoying Vietnam after sleepy Laos.
All go here. The hilltribe people have populated the town so lots of H'mong people in town dressing in traditional dress trying to sell you stuff.
The weather is going to be great for the next few days. Better than in NZ I gather?
Sapa vietnam
Slip along the way Vietnam
Instant noodle soup
Hitchhiking with the local Bob treecare.
Near Muang Khua Laos
Thanks for sharing your photos and impressions. I so much enjoy it. If you're heading for Holland please take the sun with you. It seems like Mr. Summer himself is traveling and not planning to come to Holland ... so;-)! take care, have a save trip all the way. Marie
ReplyDeleteWow you guys are having such an amazing time and building so many wonderful memories.......not all easy but such adventure. The world is so diverse and it is fantastic that you are experiencing some of that as a family. Be good to catch up and here more............we are thinking of going to Vietnam or Cambodia for my 50th next year and meeting my old pals from the UK and seeing all the pictures is very inspiring.
ReplyDeleteBest of Qi to you all for happy and wholesome journeys!
Rachel
Marlborough