This was my view from the bottom bunk of the overnight train. It takes 9 hours from Hanoi to Sapa which is in the hills to the north close to the chinese border.
Glynis told me the train leaves at 8:30 and it was only 8:20 so she was going to nip out and grab some beer from the hawkers on the platform. My heart skipped when the train silently departed at 8:25 (Its proper time). Luckily she had just boarded the train just as it set off.
Fish in the front, chicken at the back. No need for a refrigerator. We were in one. We had gone from 30 degrees in Penang to 8 degrees here. Give me a stick and call me a popsicle because I did notice that 22 degree difference.
Our first warm up 4 km hike. Glynis made some friends.
Contrast of the clothes to the dull misty day
Someone does not look happy with his lot but I am sure he is smiling inside.Such a grand looking buffalo.
Time to check out the latest outfits. The guy with the red hat is our guide. My shoes were falling to bits so he repaired them by drying them over an open fire and superglueing them. Great job and good for another 200 km.
House made of clay.
Bottled snake.
What is it good for?
I dont know.
Family photo. We were probably the most under clothed travellers that day. Almost all were decked out in serious alpine clothes. Head to toe (fake) north face gear was the norm.
Would have loved to see a kiwi farmer do the walk. Gumboots , shorts and singlet.
We passed on the pigeon and buffalo meat
But did enjoy the kumara (sweet potato) roasted over the hot fire. In fact I got more comfort using it as a hand warmer than eating it.
Sometimes the cloud settled in the valley below and we had a great view
Later the cloud base would come up and it would be back to fog
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