Lao Vàng Chải

Village Home Stay
Much up hill and down hill today … my ankle has gone blue (so I must have twisted my ankle as well or the patch worked … sort of … & sent the bruise and swelling somewhere else) and all leg and bum muscles were achy as I tried to get dressed under the doonas - 8’

Very cold over night and with the 2 heavy velour quilts on top and my thermals as pjs it was tough going to roll over as I stuck like Velcro.
I was toasty warm though and even threw off 1 blanket during the night for a little while.
Singapore (other trekker) snored heavily, so having not brought my ear plugs had a book playing in my ears for most of the night. Gma in the curtained off section next to me also snored and Sy told me as we left that Gma said I snored a little too!!

After a breakfast of copious pancakes Singapore and a new guide (original arrived to hand over to a replacement as her son was sick), took off to catch the bus back so he could start his 2 day trek to the Fransipan summit and we set off for a few more hours of walking trying to stay away from the big groups of tourists.

The buffalo are like mountain goats and perch precariously on steep slopes just off the trail. Don’t even realise they’re there until you hear the rustle or see a tourist taking a photo.

Sy was telling me she often has city tourists that have never seen a buffalo pat and when they’re partly dry on the outside they think they’re a rock and will stand on it. For some people and with some of the pats we’ve seen today that would be midcalf in steaming dung. She said that she sometimes forgets to tell the people they are not rocks, but I’m sure it must be hilarious when it’s an annoying person. She wouldn’t have admitted that. Standing joke today - watch out for the rocks.

Lunch was delish and a distraction, chicken fried rice while watching the ducks on the rice paddies below and a young woman with babe on her back round up her ducks to take them home, no easy feat as she had to stick to the edges of the rice paddies and the ducks were not compliant.

We waited for Zuyen to be delivered back to Sy and then I hopped on the back of a motorbike with her brother in law and her father took Sy and the baby.

Glad I thought ahead and put all my layers on again. Freeeezing! Lucky it was only 30 min

With an hour before the Limousine I jumped in an electric cart (mad driver) which dropped me at the Sapa market, it was only a quick look as most of the stalls were closed for lunch.

The fresh food and meat section were open as were a couple of restaurants and herb and tea stalls. I’ve cleaned up the snacks I had on board so bought a bag of dried mango.

A more sedate drive back, found a coffee and then back to the Office to wait and charge my phone. Down side of relying on it, can’t let it go flat. And that’s where the address of the accom is.

The offer of something is to be expected so shared some pomelo and tiny green apples, that were like a Nashi but one seed like a plum. Both very nice.

Limousine arrived and I was put in the back row (had the front seat coming up). I knew something was up, lots of discussion and gestures and a phone call and we hadn’t gone 5 minutes before we pulled over and I was moved into the front seat - I have clearly paid (unknowingly) for VIP treatment. Which may have been an extra $5, so worth it, to be delivered to my next home
away from home. I feel for the guide who is now sitting where I was as there was a big hard lump that I had just configured one of the provided blankets over.

5+ hrs to Hanoi. I pulled out my travel pillow, might need it with all the snoring from last night.

A 10’ temperature difference between Sapa and Hanoi, I’m looking forward to not being cold!

On the way up I noticed some road workers, full high viz, with hard hats pointing the directions to a small detour, wasn’t until we got closer that I realised they were mannequins. Have been watching for them so I could get a photo, but we just passed them and I was too slow! Bloody funny though. Especially the hard hats!

When I dug out my travelling gear, buried in the back of the cupboard, I was impressed that these pants still fit - I bought them in Nepal I think. I also remembered that there was something about these pants, but I couldn’t recall what it was. After a few hours I remembered - the zip doesn’t stay up. So for 2 days, I’ve been walking around with my fly undone, (gave up doing it up) thankfully enough layers that it would be hard to notice, but I also started today with my shirt on inside out. That’s what happens when you get dressed in bed. If I remember I’ll get the bloody zip changed with a tailor while I’m here!! Or this will no doubt happen again somewhere.

Delivered to my accom, but everyone was so helpful they kept shooing me down the street, even when I showed them it was number 9. Long past it when I figured it out and pretty much went back to where I’d been dropped off.

My room is on the street, so ear plugs tonight, bed rock hard, shower started great but went cold, there’s a washing machine here somewhere and a free breakfast.

Had a Banh Bo at last stop so that’ll do.
It’s 9.08 & 20’ yayyyy!Read more