Had a great two day trek among the H'mong. We were greeted at the door of our hotel by about 12 women from the H'mong tribe. Really strange they followed us through the whole 5/6 hour trek with baskets of their jewellery and various embroidery with the hope of selling us some at the end of the trek. They were very nice and always asking "Where you from" What your name" "Shopping????". On the way up on the tough up hill climbs the woman that was following me held my hand to help me. Her hand felt like a crab claw. No hand cream. Their clothing is very colourful and all hand embroidered. They say that girls are taught to embroider before they can walk.
The scenery on the trek was spectacular. Cascading rice paddies.
We visited a home with a water buffalo guarding the home. Great security but stinking just as we passed it decided to relief itself.
We also visited a school and really enjoyed watching the kids. Simon brought some pencils the kids swarmed him.
We were lucky we had a brilliant sunny day and had lots of breaks to look at the scenery.
Finally at last to our homestay. It was a really interesting experience. The food was delicious and the hospitality next to none. There was a large varanda with a great view and bird cages hanging all around it. In the evening at supper the mom and dad kept on making toasts with shots of rice wine. Mot Hai Bai Yo (One Two Three, Vietnamese cheer was shouted numerous times and everyone had a great time. Dorothy and I got a couple of beds on the main floor and in the morning it sounded like the rooster, pig and dog were right in the room with us.
Then the trek back. Yikes. A lot of uphill. I found a H'mong woman (who of course was waiting for us to depart ) with soft hands this time. She was such a help and made the trek a lot of fun. I was leaping from rock to rock like a leprocan. (Yes I know I can't spell)
Back to Sapa, then bus and overnight train to Hanoi enroute to Halong Bay.
The scenery on the trek was spectacular. Cascading rice paddies.
We visited a home with a water buffalo guarding the home. Great security but stinking just as we passed it decided to relief itself.
We also visited a school and really enjoyed watching the kids. Simon brought some pencils the kids swarmed him.
We were lucky we had a brilliant sunny day and had lots of breaks to look at the scenery.
Finally at last to our homestay. It was a really interesting experience. The food was delicious and the hospitality next to none. There was a large varanda with a great view and bird cages hanging all around it. In the evening at supper the mom and dad kept on making toasts with shots of rice wine. Mot Hai Bai Yo (One Two Three, Vietnamese cheer was shouted numerous times and everyone had a great time. Dorothy and I got a couple of beds on the main floor and in the morning it sounded like the rooster, pig and dog were right in the room with us.
Then the trek back. Yikes. A lot of uphill. I found a H'mong woman (who of course was waiting for us to depart ) with soft hands this time. She was such a help and made the trek a lot of fun. I was leaping from rock to rock like a leprocan. (Yes I know I can't spell)
Back to Sapa, then bus and overnight train to Hanoi enroute to Halong Bay.
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