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Published: December 1st 2006
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Current mood: Im in Nam what do you think?? im chuffed!!
Well well well.......... im at last after a year of waiting...... in Vietnam!! The border crossing was simple enough ( a few check points on either side of the bridge but no worries). The delight to the beginning of this trip across the border was the Bridge that seperates the two countries!!! It is packed with people simply fluttering across from both nations loaded with all sorts of goodies that i presume will be sold to either side as trade and so forth! The quantity of goods being dragged across was enormous and the way the Sun shine was hitting the Vietnamese side was outstanding!!! Considering it is simply a bridge that devides the countries the way they look is just so different!!
Through the border we head to find a cash point and find a bus to Sapa!!! Wedged up we turn to see a fruit and veg van just sitting there pleasently with a vietnamese guy hanging out the window shouting are you ok??? Unsure about the money still i haggle him from 40.000 Dong each down to 15.000 dong ($1) between us) The views from
the Bus ride were great!!! Vietnam is pretty!
As per... looking through the Lonely planet was a waiste of time with ideas for accomidation as we kindof stratigically pulled up outside this guest house that was riddled with touts from all over Sapa!! To avoid complication we took our room in the hotel for $2 a night and went out for breakfast and a touch of sight seeing!! Today we head to the Watch Tower!
The route on the way to the look out point was great!!! Sweeping Valleys and greenery all around!! it was amazing!! walking through Secret Gardens and many types of pathways going from Dirt trails to stepping stones!! Simply im already happier here than in China!! (although the friends and times i made and had there were unforgettable) My first day in Sapa........ Great! On the evening Izabel wassleepy so im thinking ive gotta get out to see whats to do in Sapa of a night time!!! again the Lonely planet faild me but a result from walking all over town in search of the promoted english pub was to meet a guy from the states called Jacob!! He pointed me in the direction
of Tao Bar which was a good laugh!!!
The Second day Myself and Izabel Went out on the Mo-peds!! for Five dollars a day you can go anywhere you like so with out hesitation (maybe a little) we went in search of Ta phin Village!!! This village was Awesome!!! Around 12km from sapa this Sleepy little Village was up in the hills surrounded by rice terraces and lovely little traditional houses!! We spent the day walking around looking in the tribe ladies houses and speaking with the children!! The day was simply breath taking!!! The only slight draw back was how you are constantly having to say no to the women attempting to sell you items of everything from hats to full costumes!!! When we first walked through the Gates i was approached by this lady who was in search of the sale but also guided us around her home and village..... let us into lots of inside knowledge and on the whole was very polite, so i had decided to only buy from her!!! She worked for her money!!! The others were just shy of beggars!!!
Up in the Ta-phin we were invited into Various homes but
the second was the most memorable. We went in to be greeted by the children both neighbours and the kids of the house! Sitting down we were offered a nice cup of tea which after drinking i was thinking TYPHOID!!!! oh yes.......... unboiled streen water with tea leaves cup of typhoid!!! think im going to regret that! but anyway i crack on and am fine for the rest of the day and night... woohoo i escaped a bad belly!!!! (hahahaha me thought!!) That evening though we had a great time!!! Straight down to Tao Bar and met a French guy called Mehdi and agin Jacob!!! Izabel also came along for the party this time!!! lots of pool later we all retired and hit the Sack!!! Tomorrow we plan to see a waterfall (which will be my first) i canneee wait!
Up for breaky and my guts are rotten!! still we meet the ladsup by the church and head out on the peds!! Most of the day i felt like shit and even Puked on the highest pass in Vietnam!!! hahahah the waterfall was pretty though!!! at around 3pm i retired and went to the room for hours of shouting
Ralph and the occasional BOB!! OOOOh a delight!!
The next morning at 6 i was up and hungy as a mother F****r!! Izanell had planned for us to meet the guys and head out to see some sights!!! This was the best day in Sapa!!! There are these local girls who in turn with the elder women sell rags and such things but also work the bars hustling for pool tips!!!! Through playing pool in Sapa we got chatting with them. Now these kids are no older than 15 and are so unbelievably polite!!! ( i suppose its for the Dollar) but anyway its easy to talk with them without parting with any cash!!!
So on the morning after meeting the guys for breaky we decided to take the kids out for lunch in turn of there guidance around the local Villages!! what a result........... The girls invited us to there homes, told us of there lives and how most of them didnt go to school as they were to poor!!! shocking stories but a great day with them!!! The roads were a great laugh on the peds!!! really i think we needed off road bikes but hey
its so cheap here to repair things!!! No damage later we got back to Sapa for lunch and another fun night of drinking!!! Mehdi left and will be missed!!! hope to see him in Hui!!
So tonight on Thursday 31st November i leave to head in the direction of Hanoi!! so for the day Jacob Izabel and myself all go out trekking down through the Valleys and Fields!!! this was a great day!!!! lots of laughs and dodging Spiders that looked deadly we walked for nearly 5 hours before our return to Sapa Territory!! I grabbed food said good bye to the guys and a thank you for the day and ran for my bus pick up at the hotel!!!
Sapa was a really Fun start to my Vietnamese adventure!! Thanks to all the guys i met on route!! I had a top time!!!
For now i have to sit on a sleeper train so ill love and leave you all for now!!!
Stay tuned for fun in Hanoi!!! Im meeting Han and its going to get wild! Love from a Brummy See you all soon
Miss you all heaps kids!!! love to all the
family!!!
niki
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Alex
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You look like you're having a blast. Pics are wicked! Take Care love Al. x