Stunned in Sapa

We got off our night train into the cold damp mist and headed by mini bus convoy up into the mountains. Occasionally the mist would clear giving us spectacular views of breathtaking scenery. Even being stuck for a few hours while diggers solved the problem of a land slide did not spoil the romance of it.

We were lucky that we arrived just before the harvest of the rice paddies so everything was carpeted in a lush green

 While walking down to the local village we met these ladies who, with their happy smiles, sing song voices and endless questions are actually very savvy saleswomen who won't stop at stalking you around town to nail that sale (in fact they make the Selfridges beauty hall ladies seem shy in comparison!).

 They are from the Black H'Mong tribe (one of the many minority tribes who live in the boarder mountains of Vietnam and China) and their main source of income is from the rice and corn that they grow on the terraced fields that shape the landscape of this region. The women also make and sell the embroidered clothing that they wear. They are really very poor and still have relatively few rights in Vietnam although hopefully that is now starting to change and we noticed a few new schools in the area. You can't help but admire their hard work and charm not to mention fabulous style.

 On our second day the skies cleared and a couple of the more persistent H'Mong ladies (and baby) led us down though the valley.

 Every view got better and better

 We came to a minority village at the end of our walk and harvest was in full swing, with all hands on deck from six to sixty

 Every available surface (including the school yard) is used to dry their crops.

 These villages closest to Sapa are quite touristy and you can't help but wonder how some of the minority villages that are more remote do when it comes to health and education.

We got a bite to eat at this great commie cafe

 Views down into Sapa town

 On Market day everyone comes from far and wide to sell their wares such as the indigo dye for making their Black H'Mong clothes

 Flowers for the local love market where hill tribes come to flirt and meet prospective matches.

 Red Dzao are among the other minorities in this area (they look a bit like ethnic Santas with their red hats).

Cute mini H'mong.

I think for us Sapa was a highlight of the trip and definitely worth taking malaria medication for!