Sapa for breakfast, lunch & umm, er... supper

Trip Start Oct 12, 2010

Trip End Dec 07, 2010

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Flag of Vietnam Sapa, Quảng Trị, Vietnam
Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Sapa is supposed to be a mecca for those wishing to do climbing, hill-tribe homestays & trekking (didn't realise the humble south african word was so global these days). I was quite taken by the idea of scaling Vietnam's highest peak, Fansipan, which tops out around 3140m. Unfortunately there was big festival at the time so mountain was off-limits (insert sulk here)

Not to be deterred, I opted for a one day trek amongst the rice 'fields' and minority tribe villages. This turned out to be a walk along a dusty track, passing barren terraced rice-fields (harvest done already), complete with aforementioned minority tribeswomen sticking to us the entire time like remoras. No amount of head shaking, ignoring or fast walking would convince them that I really did not want extra bracelets & beads. I debated jumping into the river just to see what they would do, but think they've dealt with these desperate tourists before so probably had someone waiting in a boat to cover that avenue of escape too!

All in all, not my favorite destination, but think circumstances & timing were not in my favour. I guess it could only be better for me next time!

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