Sapa - North Vietnam

Sapa, a little mountain village in the North of Vietnam was a great experience and the cool mountain air a nice change to the constant sweating.


Our hotel in Sapa.


Overwhelming welcome from the local women, who pushed themselvels at the hotel door when we arrived begging for our business - most commonly used phrase in Sapa was "buy something from me".


Walking on the streets of Sapa with cows.


David was feeling brave when taking this pic.


We took a 3 day hike from Sapa to the local villages....some of the local women are helping me down the slippery, muddy slopes after 2 days of rain.


Tough life of a rice farmer.


Somewhere near by Sapa as the clouds lifted temporarily - luckily it didn'train all the time!

Arriving to one of the villages for some lunch... we got totally ambushed there by at least 50 women trying to sell us something.

We slept in a village 'home stay'- here having dinner and of course, rice wine.

Our 'home stay' had a pool table - the game was interrupted by passing cows.

Being afraid of heights does not help here - I was very thankful for the help from local ladies even though I knew nothing comes free in Asia.

Beatiful views from high point of our hike.

Crossing a mountain river - I kept receiving help even when it wasn't really necessary.

Us 2 towering above our H'mong tribe helper.

This refreshing rest stop from the hike was much needed, although I ended up with blue hair from my newly purchased hair band. It's now blue and green....how funky :-)

David sitting far too close to the edge of the waterfall :-(

Grabbing a breather and preparing for another sales ambush. Overall I ended buying a hair band, purse, wallet and postcards. Its sooo hard to say no.

Passing a suspect looking plantation :-)

...and another :-)

They use marjuana ( hemp ) for making yarn.

Local kids playing.

Maybe David should get a job!

Bonding the finished material with a heavy stone block to make the fabric shiney.

Its amazing what they can do with water here.

As soon as you get your wallet out you are immediately mobbed by local tribes women all desparate to make a sale. Somewhere in this croud is a westerner.