Today, left at about 9:00 with guide, Dzung, for the market town of Bac ha. It took about two and a half hours down the mountain from Sapa through Lao Cai. The road is very windy and because today was a holiday, lots of crazy traffic - motorbikes by the thousands - some with three or four people on board, trucks, horse drawn carts - you name it - we saw it. Some spectacular scenery but whizzing down the mountain overtaking trucks,cars and motorbikes on improbab...

Today was a quieter one in Sapa. Breakfast at hotel another great buffet with a wonderful array to chose from. This time there was local produce in the way of plums, peaches, and both done in conserves. We met our guide and drove to the tallest waterfall in Vietnam. It was pretty - called the Silver Waterfall but oh, all those stairs to climb with our shrieking muscles. And it rained again which made them slippery so again I walked down very carefully. Then t...

Last of Hoian -managed to get in a last swim in the ocean before the car trip to Danang and flight to Hanoi. Had the afternoon in Hanoi, so wandered around main lake and shops. Then attended a session of the famous water puppets which were entertaining. Puppeteers dressed in waders manipulate the puppets to tell a story accompanied by a traditional band. Then to the railway station to leave on the overnight train to Sapa. We were comfortable in a deluxe cabin...

Five days in Hoian at a lovely resort right on the beach. What a perfect way to start a holiday and unwind after the mad rush to finish up at work, get packed and get away! A gentle start to the day with a fabulous smorgasbord brekky, a swim in the ocean and relaxing on the beach under a thatched grass hut. When it gets too hot, a move to the pool with more shade and a snack for lunch. Then, an afternoon snooze and into town fir some site seeing and shopping....