We took the overnight "sleeper" train from Hanoi to Lao Cai and subsequently sat through a 1.5 hour bus ride to Sapa.
Although communism has taken a backseat to capitalism, the communist mantra is most real at the train station. The train conductors wear khaki green army-like uniforms. THe station has a cold, stern feel to it. Its definitely not a place you want to curl up reading your favourite novel.
Finally arrived in Sapa at 7 am the next morning. The town Sapa is fast becoming a commercial tourist attraction. There are several hotels there and some locals have switched from the agriculture industry to the tourism industry. Many young girls opt to be tour guides, picking up english from tourist. They are a cute young bunch. But dont be deceived by their looks or age, they are pretty streetwise and can be aggresive!
Tour guides
Sapa town
We placed our luggage in our hotel room, had a typical breakfast of pho and baguette (the French once occupied Vietnam) and freshened up. Note: When travelling and staying in cheapER guesthouses, always bring a sleeping bag. They do not change the bedsheets for you.
We then met our tour guide, Mimi and started our walk (perhaps 'hike' is a more appropriate word)
We passed through several markets and stores selling ethnic clothing
Ann and I tried on ethnic clothing but decided that we look fat in it. Plus, its not exactly optimal hiking wear.
After walking 500 metres towards the outskirt of town, there was a total change a scenery. Mind blowing. Surreal.
A local's home
Their kitchen
Washing up area
Curtains?
Pic courtesy of Ann :P (to her credit, she didnt realised she captured his thingy.) Little boys run around without pants. Probably makes it easier to answer Nature's calls.
After that we walked and walked to a village called 'Cat Cat'
We had to climb some hills too
Brave Ann conquered the hills with her thongs.
Communism is evident
Their main source of agriculture is paddy
The local's culture is fascinating. Its a whole different world unknown to us. They still wear their tribal costume not merely to impress tourists but as their daily wear. Walking through the paddy fields, Mimi asked me, "So how old are you?" "22," I answered. "You married?" she continued. "Em...no. At what age do people get married here?" I asked with hesitance. "15 years old," she replied. You could imagine the shock on our faces. Me, being 22 years old, would probably have reached expiry date and should be taken off the shelf had I been born a local.
"So how many buffalos to get married?" we asked cheekily.
"Two," she replied.
A buffalo costs 200 US
"Serious?? Chicken? How many chickens?"
"Six"
She then shared with us that her younger brother who is now 12 might be getting married soon. Has he reached puberty??? I asked her with reluctance whether he has a girlfriend. She said, "No need girlfriend. Just three days to find wife. Just see pretty, then get married." Males at their most primitive nature.
Potentially getting married soon whilst kids in the world we know are still burried in schoolbooks.
Waterfall
Local food. Fermented rice cooked in bamboo. That's our tour guide, Mimi.
The locals do not waste time. They even make clothes while they walk from one place to another. They always have thread in their hands.
Workers having a siesta
After Cat Cat village, Mimi brought us back to Sapa. She told us to rest and have the rest of the day off as we had a bigger hike the following day. We spent the afternoon exploring the Sapa town.
Walking in the markets. Cobra and scorpion in alcohol.
Local craft. Very creative.
Local school
We even had real authentic Vietnamese coffee~!!
With a Vietnamese bloke who is from the 'Tai' village. He is one cheeky chap who proudly told us that he has three girlfriends from three different villages.
That night we joined Mimi and her friends at a local pub. Its probably the 'place to be' in Sapa.
Oh boy, the Sapa girls were aggresive. They dealt the cards like a pro. Tables were slammed. Cards flew in the air. They even played pool like men. They potted the balls without ease.
My first time playing pool with girls wearing tribal costumes
About 12 am, we called it a night and headed back to get some shuteye.
The next morning, we headed to two more villages. There was a drastic change in weather from the day before. From sunshine to foggy and cold. A change which was a little too familiar :P
Taken in the morning. Seems a little ghostly? I changed the white balance settings :P
Crossing a bamboo bridge
While we huff and puff carrying just our body weight, the local women have to walk for miles on end with firewood on their backs. The baskets are about 20 kgs and because the sticks are so long, its hard to balance the basket on your back.
We struggle even walking 5 steps
The locals made it look like they were carrying baskets of feathers.
Walking through paddy fields
Ben slipped from the rocks.
This innocent thing is 'food'. Dogs here are bred for consumption =(
Jumping stones
Boys practicing their kung fu skills
Wild plants growing in the paddy fields
Local church
Sapa version of our Malaysian 'getah'
Cheeky!
Playing with real Lego. The kids here are so happy and carefree playing in their own world. Their imagination is not restrained by computer games or the television set. They breathe fresh air and eat fresh veges and meat. Back to the basics. Back to the simple things.
Kids toy. Its a horse.
Animals run wild along the pathways.
Cow lungs anyone?
After we got back from the hike, we decided to go around Sapa on bikes!
I rode a bike!!
Okay...I kinda rode a bike. Long enough till I lose my balance and start all over again. I thought bike riding was like riding a bicycle except with a motor. Boy, was I wrong. Its harder than I thought :P Sadly, I had to become a passenger. Nonetheless, it was fun!!! Being on a bike is much more thrilling than being in a car!
After our bike ride, we quickly rushed back to the hotel to collect our bags. We had to catch a bus back to Lao Cai and then take the night train back to Hanoi.
Sapa was definitely my favourite part of the trip. I loved the people there. They are so friendly. I learnt so much from just going to Sapa. Going to Sapa refreshed my perspective on life. Living in big cities, being caught in rat races sometimes really screw up your perspective on life. The locals live such simple life yet they are happy. Perhaps thats what we need. To be contented with the small things.
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