bowral high school

sapa to saigon

calvin_joel — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 22:12:00 GMT

Yeserday we were given the morning to explore Sapa before we visited our last mountain village inhabited by the zao people. The zao were all very friendly, showing us through their village and teaching us their costoms and traditions.

In the afternoon we departed Sapa to the train station and left for Hanoi. Once at Hanoi we caught an early bu to the airport to go to Ho Chi Minh city/Saigon. Once at Saigon we were given time to explore the colourful markets and busy city life.

sapa valleys

calvin_joel — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 18:27:00 GMT

Today we caught a bus from our hotel down into the vast, colourful valleys of Sapa. Here we left the bus and followed our local tour guide, Chin, through two local tribes that inhabit the area. First we walked through the village of Lao Chai, home to the Black Hmong community. The path that the group was led along was not pavered, and due to rain wasespecially muddy anmd slippery. The second village we experienced was Ta Van, home of the giay people.

Walking down into the valleys was very insightful, our tour guide taught us many of the local customs and traditions as we walked.

At the end of the walk everyone was covered in mud. just a suggestion for those that come to Sapa, do not wear your best clothes.

train trip

calvin_joel — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 15:32:00 GMT

yesterday we caught the train from Hanoi to Sapa. the majority of the group found the trip unbearable,and uncomfortable. the train left from Hanoi at 10 p.m and arrived at Sapa at 6 a.m.

we arrived at Sapa during a rainfall, from here we caught a bus to our hotel at the bottom of misty mountains. the hotel hosts one of the most spectacular views in the world. the misty mountains set a picturesque scene of tranquility and peace.