Trekking in Sapa

So as soon as we got back from halong bay we got on the first of many night buses up to sapa. No rest for the wicked, or those with little time! The vietnamese night buses are quite fancy however compared to the rest of South East Asia! Proper reclining seats, blankets and a toilet. Although the latter was more of an inconvenience by the end as the smell was not pleasant. However it got us there in one piece ready for our two day trek.

Day one we first had breakfast and met our wonderful guide La. A local girl all dressed in her tribe's colours. She was part of the black Hmong tribe and wore a long skirt and shirt dyed in indigo from a local leaf. And she was lovely! She told us all about the tribes' history and the nature. Plus she was hilarious. We trekked 11km on the first day and arrived at the homestay for dinner. The host family was amazing. We were twelve in our group from all over the world and they prepared a feast for us! That night was played a drinking game with rice wine and chopsticks. The rules are the same as spoons but somehow it's so much more exciting with chopsitcks! Harder to grab!

Day two we trekked for a short while until lunch. However it was not easy. It had rained over night so the muddy paths were really slippery. I think I was the only one who didn't fall. Everyone else had little guides to help them down. Who subsequently sold you trinkets at the end. And the currency here is hard to get your head around. A pound sterling is around 30,000 dong. Just too many noughts! After a final lunch of pho (noodle soup) we got the bus back to sapa. Then it was a quick shower and an even quicker look around the town before it was time to board night bus number 2. Sapa it has been a pleasure. The scenery was stunning and the group amazing!