Sapa

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For those of you who are receiving my travelblog for the first time, welcome.

For the newcomers and regulars I hope you all had a happy new year and I hope 2009 will be a prosperous year for you. Personally, I think the economy and the stock markets are going to tank, but I digress. Before contiuing, I am having problems proofing this blog so I am going to wing-it and publish it anyway, sorry if there are any back links ....

I came back to Hanoi recently to get a visa for Thailand and I will be taking the train back to Sapa, Vietnam tonight. I also decided to extend my visa for Vietnam so I will be staying in Vietnam (Northern Vietnam) for a little longer (taking more photos) before heading back to Thailand via Laos. I will probably be spending the Chinese new year in a H'mong village outside Sapa.

For those of you who know Sapa the area is "peaceful" and the minority people are genuinely kind. They also have great memories. I was surprised by how many people came up and said they remembered me. A few even said, "how is Paul, the Australian guy you were with?", or where is the Swedish photographer you were with last time. The people who run the food stall where I eat at in the market remembered that I gave their little boy my hat before I left last year. Great memories, I don't even remember what I had for breakfast this morning!

I took a fun filled three day "motorcycle photography" trip from Sapa to Bin Lu. I have also taken a few other little trips and shot a few photos which you can at the following links:
sapa

Bin Lu

Bac Ha market

Moung Khuong Market

(trooper I'll have some non old lady photos for you soon). I am sure I wil take another Motorcycle trip to Lai Chau (sp) and some other villages before heading to Laos.

Based on the world economy I need to get to work ASAP. Speaking of the economy, here is a great article that puts things in perspective: http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/01/open-letter-to-congress-on-sharing-pain.html.

To do a spot test and see if you guys are reading this I have a few questions for some of you. Wendy where did you and Dusty end up going? Trooper how is the new dog? Karate man, where is Rambo? So Paul (from Australia) how are you? Robbie, how is the deal coming along? Starfish. I would say Dave - but there are probably 10 Daves receiving this (good name by the way). Pam and Leslie I know you are reading this so thanks. Big Bob, I know you aren't reading this but maybe Terry is. Mom, - better not push my luck. ok, that was just a little filler, hope all is well and I will be in touch

Cheers,

Dave / Yogi

F O T O S B Y D A V I D

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Photos

posing
showing a model what "happens" when i bring the camera up to my eye

models and guide
Here's khu showing a photo to some of the girls. Thanks to here and her sister I can get some non deer in the headlight shots

foggy
Sapa is "high" up and the day I arrived we were in a cloud. I think I shot this on ein the afternoon.

jdog
"You aint gettin my passport!" "red back pack", "red back pack"

Comments

[Larry]

Superb
Those "fog" pics are out of this world..seriously some great pics man!!!

[Mark White]

Faboulous Old Lady Photos
Dave, you sure do have an eye for the the old gals. Your photos are just superb as usual, making the common sights over there seem uncommon. You're living the lives the rest of us dream of. . BTW, are you "Photoshopping" your photos?... you look younger than you did last year! Lucky fella. Hope to see you again one day. Mark from Halong Bay

[trooper]

mr
"MR" is doing well, he grows a few pounds a week! It appears that dentistry would be a good job for you to look into. Remember-change is here in the U.S, the world should be in good shape soon! PS you missed the 170 million dollar party! Don't worry, every American will wiggle their piggy bank. Be good.

[steve]

missing VN
Hey Dave, you're making me want to go back to HaNoi. I never did the overnight to Sapa but Kim had several times and love the Hamong people as you do. See you in Ely if not in VN. steve

[Cousin James]

Yogi, Very nice pictures as usual. It's always nice to see how the other half of the world looks. Take Care, James.

[Karateman]

Answer: "You are where you want to be"
Rammmbbooo! You photo skills have surpassed the Sinsey master. Your latest round of images are worthy of a National Geographic spread. Hope all is well and keep showing us how beautiful the world can be through your eyes and lens. Later, Karateman!