Souterk

This morning we walked past the museum and St Andrew's Cathedral then over Anderson Bridge to Merlion Park. Then we continued along the river and crossed at Elgin Bridge. As we were heading back it started to rain heavily as it does here so stopped for lunch and then returned to the hotel to rest. Later we went down to Bugis Markets for a while then back to the hotel to pack for our flight home tomorrow.... read more

Our taxi arrived at 6.45 to take us to the airport. We checked in and went through, purchasing a few more gifts at the airport shops. The flight was a little late and almost 3 hours later we landed in Singapore. We got some money at the ATM then caught a taxi to Hotel Mi. ($18 taxi). The hotel is very new and in a very convenient and nice area. We freshened up and headed out finding a street market and then the Bugis Markets passing an Indian Temple and a Chinese Temple. We had some dinner at Bugis Junction before returning to the hotel.... read more

It was our last day in SaPa. We packed our bags and Song, Chung, Su and Glenn arrived. We chatted for a while as we were waiting for a key to a different room so that we could put our luggage there for the day. They showed me the things they had made and gave us some gifts and we tried to work out some birth years and spelling of family members. Once we had moved our luggage we headed to the market lady's shop for lunch meeting Vang and Pai on the way. After lunch we went to see where Glenn and Su are staying and also to see Cedric and Pan's shop. Back at the hotel we brought our luggage down to the bar. Luu and her mother in law came to say goodbye ... read more

Today Su's sister Sa Sa took us on a trek to the waterfall. We caught a taxi to the family rice fields where Khu, Vang, Hu and Nhu were harvesting sticky rice. Their land is on the high side of the road with magnificent views. We stayed a little while and then started our trek. The first stop was at a lookout where we were surprised to see Su's grandmother. We took the opportunity to give her some sunglasses and reading glasses and her friends were pleased to get some too. After taking some photos we set off again. We walked to Ta Van village and then along the path/track/muddy trail to the waterfall. We picked up a couple of followers along the way, one of them very helpful as I tried to keep my footing. ... read more

We shared a Taxi with Tim and Meena to the village wedding celebration stopping at the roadside and then climbing up the hill to the home. The family and friends were gradually arriving, some carrying tables, chairs and ice. Glenn and Su then arrived and went to change into their Hmong clothes. The new bathroom was still being finished with the doors being attached. There was an opportunity to take some photos and then the food was all brought out. We started at a table outside but soon were asked to eat with the family inside. There was lots of different dishes - pork, chicken, rice, fish, watermelon and mushrooms. After the meal there was a small family rice wine ceremony where Glenn and Su and Malcolm and I drank two shots each of rice wine, ... read more