Hot chocolate and happy people!

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Hello happy people!

I made the night train without hitch and it actually wasn't too bad. Was sharing with a passionate Russian couple or some country that way and a sullen Vietnames guy who kept trying to smoke in the no smoking cabin and snored but a nice man i'm sure!

Arrived in Sapa around 6.30am stepped off the train and froze. I had been warned that it was cold but wasn't prepared for it at all. You could see your breath in the hotel bedroom, it was that cold! After checking in and getting breakfast we had a 2 hour trek to a waterfall and then back to the hotel for lunch the afternoon was then our own to kill.

I wondered into the town and fell completely in love with the place. If you are reading this blog and wondering whether to go or not, stop wondering and go, the place is outstanding. The scenery is amazing and the people the warmest and most happy i have come across in my travels. You just can't help but love the place and its inhabitants. I spent ages looking at the stalls and all the hand embroidered bags etc. I'm gutted that it's still too long to go for me to start shopping, i have to sit on my backpack now to get it closed! Nevermind maybe i'll return to Sapa one day. One young girl told me there is no English teacher in Sapa and they have to go to Hanoi if they want to learn English, bet you can guess what is going through my head now!

Anyway had a nice evening with a couple of Aussie girls and then an early night in preparation for a 5 hour treck the next day. The walking was beautiful we were followed the whole way by some of the tribes children who were mostly in national dress and made us floral bouquets and head garlands. They really were a pleasure and no bother, even when we got to their village and the serious selling started it was all pretty good natured even if you didn't buy anything. Had such a great day, the people on the trek were great, a mixed bunch from Switzerland, France, Canada, and Oz but we all got on well and enjoyed the day. Today was one of the days that makes all the travelling worth while and what makes it so addictive. I will remember today for a long time, can't explain what it was that made it all so perfect but but just loved it, truly did.

So after the trek and an early dinner i got the night train back to Hanoi. Had been dreading getting a bunch of plehgmy men but had 3 other women who were nice and friendly. Arrived back at 4.30am with no hotel to go to, so ended up going with 2 of the women to their hotel and sleeping in the lobby till 8. Then a short trip to the airport and to Bangkok, where i sit writing this now. Onwards to the South coast tomorrow.

Enjoy the pictures of Sapa, they don't do it justice believe me.

Till Ko Samuii. XX

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Photos

Day 1
Waterfall

A leaf
Mmm shiny ..

The locals
Colourful and happy

Rice fields
Amazing

More views
Isn't it great?

Indulge me
Did i mention i loved it?