SAPA, Vietnam

We're finally back from our 10 day excursion to Sapa, Vietnam. A small mountain resort town on the northern border of Vietnam and China.

It was beautiful and very relaxing, but still quite touristy. It's mainly populated by Vietnamese but the surrounding mountain regions hold a variety of "hill tribes" and Vietnam's "Ethnic Minorities" : the Black H'Moung, Red Tzao, and Tzai people all live in small villages in the countyside working as farmers. They each speak their own language and wear specific costumes/uniforms according to their tribes. Vietnamese and English come as seccond and third languages to all of these people. Many of them come to Sapa to sell souvineers or work as guides and in the tourist industry.

We spent much of our time there exploring the area's waterfalls and taking short hikes around mountains. We tried to arrange a 2 day trek up Mt. FanSiPan (vietnam's highest peak) but the rainy, cloudy weather foiled our efforts.

The highlight of the trip was our three day trek and two night home stay through the valley stopping for meals and staying in villages along the way. Our local guide, AnChi, was a tiny but loud and boisterous 17 year old girl from the Black H'Moung tribe. We trekked for three strenuous, slippery, and wet days up and down muddy trecherous paths through the gorgeous country side seeing only mountains, farm animals and rice patties as scenery.

The homestays were super fun too. The first night a Tzai family hosted us along with another English couple and a group of Swedes. We got wasted on lots of Tiger beer and "happy water" (rice wine) the kept flowing til the wee hours of the morning. The next day was rough but we finally made it to the town of Ban Ho to relax in the "hot" (luke warm) springs and enjoy the views.

We are now currently back in Hanoi for a few more days before we fly into Vientienne, the capital of Laos.

I have to say the further I travel north the more Vietnam has grown on me. Saigon had some fun times hanging out with Kelly, but for the most part seemed to lack character and soul. Hoi An and Hue were beautiful old towns with great food. Sapa was gorgous and the hills, mountains, and coutry side stunning.

HOWEVER, i am so sick of the Vietnamese constantly hounding me to buy things. It seems Vietnamese (and SE Asian's in general) only see Westerners as $$$$ signs. It's impossible to walk down the street in peace without being inturrupted, followed and (at the very worst) surrounded by locals pestering me to buy whatever they have to offer. At first I turned them down politely now anytime someone comes up to me or inturrupts a conversation it's all I can do to fight my urge to punch them in the face. for realz.

So, that's my little vent for now. Tomorrow morning we leave for our two day boat tour of Halong Bay and shortly there after head over into Laos (my seccond new country on the trip) for some laid back nature and new adventures.
I'm ready a change of pace.

that's all for now, over and out...
~ miss shay coh