We went aboard an overnight train - we shared a wooden cabin with 'African UNO' addicts, by jolly, I won almost every round. Sapa is one mountain train ride away, the weather was awesome to say the least. We spent 1 night in the hotel and 1 night 'homestay'. The hike or climb was super taxing for us (young, but super unfit, don't be deceived by looks). Many a times the whole group (of not-so-older folks) were way ahead of us, and sometimes it was so misty that we couldn't even see them. The hiking was made worse by the sticky (and sinking) mud while in Wellies (we were helped almost all the way by local folk who naturally expected us to buy their wares, instead, we tipped). Overheard a fellow country-folk complain (a national trait) to her guide about how dangerous the trek was ('I could have died climbing you know!' Yes, that's true since we were along the edge of the terrace sometimes, barely holding on to grass). Despite all my/our whining (WHY did we put ourselves through this, again?), it was especially memorable! And I love the Sapa handicraft too (bought a fair bit)! Highly recommended whether you are fit or otherwise, you'd get by somehow.
Before that, back on another boat to Hanoi
*cough* for reference
At tourist shopping
Guess what happened!
On the bus to/from train station
Breakfast at Sapa hotel
Before the start of the 'medium difficulty level' hike. (my foot)
Happiness comes in many ways
Our (pregnant) guide
Oh, you might need a recycled bamboo walking stick for hiking
Back to town
Quite a scary plunge
REST!!!
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