Mudsliding with the mountain folk

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Sapa is bloody freezing! What makes it worse is the high humidity and fog, which means that the air is so moist that your clothes are always damp. It goes right through you and seeps into your bones.

Our trekking group consisted of our guide Cee-Cee (cheeky 17 y.o. Hmong native), a couple of French guys, and a Jap dude. We were followed every step of the way by an entourage of local villagers whose main aim was to peddle their wares. There was no escaping them as our progress was severely hampered by the track being very muddy and slippery.

Visited 4 villages over 3 days and covered 24kms - Lao Chai (Hmong people), Ta Van (where we stayed with a local Hmong family), Giang Ta Chai (Red Dao people), and Cat Cat (Black Hmong people). Had a great night at the homestay playing a Jap drinking game with some home-brewed rice wine.

Spent one afternoon exploring Sapa town, which is a bit blah. But the overall trip was an interesting experience and well worth the journey.

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Photos

You like rug?
Part of the entourage waiting to pounce on unsuspecting tourists

Walking stick
Who needs a fancy walking stick when any old bamboo pole will do. Really handy for trekking through the mud.

Mudslide
Trekkers heading down a steep muddy slope in the morning mist

Trekking through the paddies
Just like walking on a gymnastics balance beam.

Dinner time
Cee-Cee (guide) and our host family cooking up a storm

Family meal
Chowing down with our hosts

Black Hmong woman
Distinguished by their indigo-dyed clothing

Black chicken
A Sapa specialty

Sapa BBQ
Waiting for my dinner to be cooked. Skewers of pork and tofu, with sausages, and sticky rice (cooked within the bamboo rod).

Comments

[Richard]

How bizzare!
I think I was sitting behind you when you were doing this blog at the A-Z queen cafe! Look like you had a better time than we did in Sa Pa as it was all fog for us. People were pretty cool though wern't they. Good luck on the rest of your trip and great photos. Richard

[Bhutan Girl]

Muddsliding
Bud, As always, I am in complete awe of you. You are amazing. I miss you heaps and wish I was with you. Lots and lots if love, Al xx