12th April 2007
We arrived at 6am upon a noisy rattler, our spirits diminishing but the experience valuable. The trip from Hanoi to Sapa took approx 10hrs.
The bus trip from the train to Sapa was relentless. We continued to climb into the mountains our view impaired by the heavy mist.The motion of the bus the previous day, the train over night and the journey this morning was beginning to challenge my physical state.
Sapa appeared from nowhere, blanketed by mist the streets were quiet. It was still early (7:30am)as we forced our way through the narrow streets. The horn of the bus in constant use. We arrived at the Hotel, an oasis in this adverse world. The group moved hastiliy into the hotel, the breakfast extremely welcoming and the escapism from the cool of the highlands very pleasing.
13th April 2007
The support and qiuet of a warm and clean room boosted our morale as we began to travel deep into the valley. The vision poor and the road narrow as it snaked along side the steep escarpment. Early in the morning we had bought rain jackets, only 20000 Dong (2 dollars Australian). This investment proved its validity.
After a short trip from Sapa, the bus came to a hult and we scrambled out. Our vision of the geography overwhelming. Terraced hills dominated the escarpment, steep muddy roads climbed the hills and the smoke from the villagers disperced in the cool highland air.
The local villagers dressed in traditional black dress and red headress moved towards us urging the group to spend. The track down into the villagers was estremely steep and rugged. It was like trying to walk on ice. Small boys tried to sell banboo sticks to help us travel, and the women and young girls burdened by the weight of the children and their possesions tried to sell what they could.
The journey through the valley was an incredible experience. Men plowed the rice terraces in preparation for the season ahead and the local women assisted us on the diminshing track. Unfortunately the was a consequence of their assistance as we felt obligated to purchase what they had to sell. A 25yr old women carried her young 5month old baby on her back as she assisted my travel. I bought a small blue key ring lined with silver thread and in return for my converstion she gave me a red woven bracelet.
The muddy path was diminshing as the rain continued it covering of the land, as our party was now covered from foot to toe in mud. I cannot describe the beauty of this place in words so I will end my blog now.
Eventhough we finshed tired, wet and muddy, this experience was something that I will cherish for a very long time.
