It all goes south from here! Literally. Having reached the most northerly point of my itinerary in Sapa, (elevation 5000ft, pop, 32,000), a five hour bus ride from Hanoi first over straight, fast arterial toll roads and then on a tortuous climb up into the mountains, climbing up and up for more
than two hours. As we rose to higher altitudes the air became cooler compared to the sauna bath that is the low lands, noticeable even in our sealed air con bus and fascinating to watch the mist/clouds whirl in the valleys far below. Flat agricultural land in this region is at a real premium (as in non-existent) given the precipitous hill sides. The local hill people have developed real skills at contour farming. Most picturesque.
This was my first bus sector in a "sleeper bus" and when they advertise sleeper they are not over stating. No seats---- just beds! One does the entire journey on one's back. Actually a little tiring and I would have preferred
comfortable seats that reclined. Anyway, apparently in Vietnam, sleeper buses are the norm for trips over 3-5 hours, so it looks like that I will have to get used to being slung round hairpin bends while lying prostrate....
As we rose higher around the cork-screw bends, it was easy to see the local population becoming visibly poorer economically. The border area of China, Laos, Vietnam & Thailand is populated with tribal hill people, the Miaou and the Humong being two tribes in this region. Traditionally they have wandered across the national borders seeking trade and visiting family. Immediately, on arrival in Sapa our bus was swarmed with local tribes people in their distinctive costumes, offering various guiding services for the fair number of back-packers among the passengers who planned to go trekking in the mountains surrounding the town.
The centre of the Sapa town is dominated by a large lake, ringed by a railed
pedestrian walkway. Very picturesque and a 15 minute strolling circuit offers a view of the hotel lined lakefront from many different angles. Sapa lake is man-made, being held at such altitude by a large concrete dam. Beyond the immediate perimeters of the lake and it's hotels, the town itself can best described as being scruffy with large potholes and malformed pedestrian walkways. Large numbers of buildings appear to be semi-derelict or occupied by squatters----not exactly sure, but will get a better handle on the details tomorrow.
My hotel, 'The Lakeview' lives up to its name, being right opposite the water, although my third floor room hardly benefits --- the large window is just 2 feet away from a neighbours brick wall!
This was my first bus sector in a "sleeper bus" and when they advertise sleeper they are not over stating. No seats---- just beds! One does the entire journey on one's back. Actually a little tiring and I would have preferred
As we rose higher around the cork-screw bends, it was easy to see the local population becoming visibly poorer economically. The border area of China, Laos, Vietnam & Thailand is populated with tribal hill people, the Miaou and the Humong being two tribes in this region. Traditionally they have wandered across the national borders seeking trade and visiting family. Immediately, on arrival in Sapa our bus was swarmed with local tribes people in their distinctive costumes, offering various guiding services for the fair number of back-packers among the passengers who planned to go trekking in the mountains surrounding the town.
The centre of the Sapa town is dominated by a large lake, ringed by a railed
My hotel, 'The Lakeview' lives up to its name, being right opposite the water, although my third floor room hardly benefits --- the large window is just 2 feet away from a neighbours brick wall!
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