sapa part two.

since we arrived here in sapa, the whole town has lost power numerous times and we have only had running water for a few hours (they are in a drought). regardless, it is simply beautiful here. i realize i'm using that word a lot, but this country has without a doubt the most wonderful countrysides i have ever seen. the mountains, rice terraces and fields, islands and water - it's like we are on a different planet.

yesterday, we went on a 6km hike to a local village - that may sound easy, but everything here dirt paths and STEEP! it's like walking down rib mountain, but a bit more sketchy. it's eye opening to say the least and it really makes me appreciate the lifestyle i live back home. in the afternoon, bob went for another massage with a brazilian named diego we meet here. i opted to go to another rural village with a nice french couple we meet on the train. we rented moto bikes and off we went. at every village, there are english speaking locals that will show you around and answer any questions you may have. if you're lucky, they will invite you into their homes for tea. we were lucky and were invited to our guides home. while their houses are nothing but dirt floors and wood board walls, the hospitality shown here has been nothing short of amazing. so kind, so happy to say hello.

today, we went on another hike with our local guide bee, a 22 year old hmong girl, who speaks perfect english. we were excited to get out and see the scenery today as the weather cleared early on and it was sunny and wonderful. what we didn't know is that the hike was about 16km down the side of a mountain. it was about as steep as the ski slopes at rib mountain, but way taller - i believe we walked down 700m of elevation along slick / muddy trails, ledges of rice patties no more than a foot wide, and through a rushing river with water up to our knees. it was hard, but seeing all the villages close up and getting to experience the trails they have to walk day in and day out in their simple footwear was really educational.

the pictures throughout this post are just a few of my favorites i have taken yesterday and today, and i hope they give you a sense of what is looks like here. we are off in about an hour to catch an overnight train back to hanoi. a few hours after we get there, we catch a plane to hoi an where we will be for a few days. we should have internet more regularly from now on and we hope to post up more often this next week.

chat again soon!

- sep