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We woke up this morning with about an hour to go until we got to Lao Cai station. We got off the train and found James' name being held up so we waited with the other people from this group. When everyone was together the guide took us over to a restaurant for breakfast. There were lots of Vietnamese people, the two Japanese guys from our cabin in the train and us. We were spread out in the restaurant because they had other customers too. We sat and waited, James nipped off to the train station to ask about earlier trains we might be able to get because we thought this might solve the problem, try to get an earlier train. On coming back no one had come to ask us about breakfast but they had pretty much served every Vietnamese there was in our group and the Japanese guys had nothing either. Eventually we got given a menu and were apologised to, we got an omelette sandwich each but were told drinks had stopped 20 minutes ago (yeah right) we had water in our bag so that was fine. We realised it was no drinks because all the Vietnamese had finished their breakfasts and were getting into the bus and they didn't want to wait for us. We got on the bus which was a sleeper bus, we got two beds together on the second level. It wasn't so bad, a bit strange as we've never been on a sleeper bus before, having to take a little blue carrier bag to put your shoes in before getting in properly was strange. We set off for the hills in Sapa, it really was hilly the journey should take about an hour but half way through we had to stop because we'd broken down. We sat on the bus for about 45 minutes before another bus came along which we got onto and set off again. We arrived in Sapa and were told the bus couldn't go any further so we would be walking 10-15 minutes down the road to the hotel. The walk was ok, us and the Japanese guys were there first and about 5 minutes later all the Vietnamese tourists came in. James gave over our tickets but we then had to wait. It seemed all the Vietnamese tourists were being given their room keys and we were last. Just before finally getting our key James asked about trains and whether we could book an earlier train for tomorrow night seen as he didn't get on very well at the station. There are a few different trains but they have to check to see if there are any spaces available first, so we've left it with them. We went up to our room, the Japanese guys had been told they'd missing their trek this morning because of the broken bus but at 1.00pm they would be taken to catch them up, they were doing a day longer in Sapa than us. It was about 11.30am now. We were told lunch was available now until 2.00pm and at 2.00pm we would be going on our first trek. Our room is really nice, we have amazing views, and even a bath which is always a nice treat! We went down for some lunch at 12.30pm ish and saw the Japanese guys so sat with them on a table of four. They then got moved onto another table (why, we do not know) by 12.50pm non of us four had food but the rest of the restaurant was eating. Then we got moved and the other guys too, back onto the same table just a different one than we started (wierd) we sat there for ages, talking, wondering where our food was etc. At 1.00pm a woman came over and said that they were going to serve the big group that had arrived then serve us our meal so that would be in 15 minutes time. This would mean the Japanese guys would be even later catching up with their group. But, that's how it happened we waited 15 minutes and then our food was served. They gave all four of us a plate, fork and spoon, the Japanese guys were frustrated at this too because their usual cutlery is chopsticks like all the Vietnamese in the restaurant. We ate our food, which we also noticed was different to what everyone else had and less. The meal was nice though and the Japanese guys eventually managed to get off on their trek. We asked when we would be going on our walk and were told 2.30pm so we went up to our room until then. We came down at 2.30pm to meet our guide, her name was Mai and she was from the Black H'mong tribe who lives out here in Sapa. She speaks very good English and told us we would be walking 6km today. We got some water and got on our way she led us down a path and told us bits about the tribe and what she does. The view from the walk downwards was absolutely amazing, the rice paddies make the sides of the hills so beautiful. She pointed out the village which we would be going into and we made our way down. There are a lot of shops on the way down, all based around tourists. Mai said that the tribe has changed quite a lot since tourism has been so popular, they now make their money in more ways than before. We came across a shop which had sugar canes on the floor, Mai asked if we wanted to try some. We said yes so she picked up the cane and started to take a knife to it peeling the bark off it. She gave us it in small hand sized pieces which you chew to get the sugary liquid from, then discard what's left in your mouth. It was nice! We made our way down further, seeing lots of very young children out with handfuls of sweets. Mai says that when Vietnamese tourists come they bring sweets for all of the children, she also said that the children know this and know where to be on a Saturday so they were out playing on the paths we were taking. Mai showed us the embroidery that the women make to sell, it's very impressive, she then showed us into another room. This one had a fire where cardamoms were drying, it also had a very interesting shelf with different sized jars with snakes in them! Yum! Mai also showed us jars which had tiny apples in them with rice wine and she said they add sugar to this to make a sweeter version. We moved on towards a hugs waterfall, it looked so out of place right next to their houses and shops. Next Mai took us to see some traditional dancing which was fun to watch. We then walked right around the rest of the village to walk back out and up again. On the walk back there was a little girl walking, she must have only been two years old, she had a carrier bag under her arm full of sweets and some money. There were no parents around her of brothers or sisters, Mai asked her where she was going, Mai laughed and said she answered with "I'm going home" (of course) she walked on the same path as us for quite a while and then she disappeared up some steps on the side of a hill, she knew exactly where she was going! We walked over a bridge but this wasn't so fun, it was swinging ALOT, there were quite a few screams from people crossing. Over this side there were local people on motorbikes offering lifts back up the hill (for a price) as it's quite a walk and there were mini buses to pick up loads of people on group tours. We walked past them all. There was hardly anyone walking as we were. Once at the top and back at the hotel we said goodbye and thank you to Mai and said we hoped she would be our guide tomorrow too. We went back up to our room and not long after went down to dinner, we asked about train tickets at reception but he was not able to get any for an earlier train, he said he had been asking people if they would swap but so far no luck, he said he would keep trying. Back up in our room we definitely needed an early night as we would be walking further tomorrow and have another nights sleep in the train to come.
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