A new experience on our adventure - a sleeper train! We were apprehensive about what to expect, but were pleasantly surprised. It was a remarkably cozy & comfortable cabin for the following 12 hours.
The hills of Sapa are the largest rice terraces in Vietnam. As far as the eye could see there were steps cut into the steep slopes. It looked like the countryside was made of Lego!
After traversing the slopes we headed deeper into the Muong Hoa river valley, where we stayed with some local people in their home-stay.
The weather again was hot & humid and the air was a bluish haze, making the surrounding mountains fade into the distance.
The small villages were dotted between the terraces, close to the plantations to allow the farmers easy access to tend to their crops.
We stayed in this very simple house, our hosts had very little, and no more than a handful of English phrases with which to communicate. However, their warmth, generosity and hospitality spoke a thousand words.
Soi (the wife) was an excellent cook and put on a fantastic spread which we all ate together. Thankfully we have improved at eating with chopsticks, it could have been embarrassing otherwise! Sol (the husband) seemed intent to ensure we had a good time: he refilled our rice wine every 2 mins! We soon lost count of the toasts... suddenly the language barrier seemed less of a issue!
It was just the two of us in the loft to sleep, very dark and very quiet - that was until the family cockerel welcomed in the new day!
Another multi-day hike, but a very different experience. Rice terraces, traditional villages and bamboo forests - it could not have been more different than New Zealand. A great few days.
That looks like something completely different and memorable in its own right. It must have been absorbing observing the local culture and customs. And Dave, you're even looking quite tall! xxx
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