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Published: January 14th 2009
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Thought I would try and write a quick entry before we got off for dinner somewhere. The internet is a little spotty up here, so we will see how far I get. I will have to add photos later as we left all our cables etc. in Hanoi
The train trip up here was uneventful. In fact I really enjoyed it because it reminded me of my far distant youth in England, where we used to go everywhere by train. I love the clack clack, clack clack sound of the rails. We were lucky there was no one else in our four berth cabin as it might have been a little crowded. At first we thought it was going to be a rowdy night as there were a lot excited people onboard but things soon simmered down. The cabin person told us he would knock on our door 20 mins before our 5:00 a.m. arrival but we are pretty sure it was only 10 mins as we barely had time to get our shoes on before we were at the station - maybe he overslept!
We have made good use of the extra jackets we bought in Hanoi (yes
Mike, we took your advice). It is funny really because everyone is running around with scarves, hats etc, even the staff. Most places are open air so when you go into a restaurant they rush over with a little fake fire that hardly gives off any heat and set it beside you. The restaurants also have open wood burning fireplaces in the middle of the room and these are also on the go, but with poor ventilation everything takes on a smokey haze. When the staff are not serving the customers, they themselves are sitting as close to the fires as possibe. Don has tried explaining that a grate would work wonders, even drawing them little pictures, but they don't know what he means or what he is trying to say!
We have done our share of walking up hill and down dale although not as much as others as I balked at a couple of the climbs because of all the steps. If Don were writing this he would tell you a tale or two but as he is not here I am getting off light! The alpine walking poles he bought me for Xmas have come in
very handy.
The different cultures and tribes are interesting and colourful but as in all areas where tourism is key to income it sometimes causes problems. The tribe people (the women) who come into the town of Sapa are quite aggressive and do not take no for an answer. They follow you from one end of the town to the other chanting again and again "You buy from her now you buy from me. You no buy from me I follow you all day". The girls are attractive and all colourfully dressed. They get married young and have many children. Most of them have babies on their back when they are talking to you. It is a tough life they live that is for sure. You walk through the villages and see they all live in the most basic of structures but--- they often have their tv's, motorbikes and cell phones - somethings are the same the world over.
The scenery up here is wonderful. We can only imagine that when spring arrives in a couple of months the area will be lush green with a blaze of colour. The mists hang over the mountains in the mornings
and remind me of Tony Onley's painting - that kind of feel - soft colours (blues and greys) fading off as the hills become more distant. (Martin, it also reminds us a little Rwanda with its valleys, mountains and rice paddies).
The next couple of days are going to be busy. Tomorrow (15th) we will go and visit another village, at night we travel back by train to Hanoi arriving at 5:00am in the morning (16th) and that same night we catch the train south to Danang. Hopefully I will find time to add pics in Hanoi.
I have tried adding a map to the text but don't know whether or not I have been successful. I don't seem to have mastered that - can someone let me know of a map comes up.
Time to got have some noodles for dinner now. Talking of noodles. When we went on our trek today we stopped for a lunch which our guide prepared herself in one of the home stay houses along the way. Of course it consisted of noodles with some meat veg and an egg. I told her it was delicious and asked what seasoning she used. 'Oh, it's instant noodles with the little packets of seasoning, then I add meat and vegetables". Probably Lipton instant noodles just like we get at home!! Well, at least I now know how to make a really cheap meal in 5 mins.
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Hazel
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noodle mania
Your blog entries are so fun to read. It's like we're right there with you. Your map seems to have come through, but is not nearly as interesting as your photos. I wonder how many more times you'll be served instant noodles in your days ahead. Fine dining at it's best. At least it's better than eating balls I suppose.