Arriving in Sapa after the overnight train ride, we were met with cold and dreary fog. We had 6 hours to kill in the main town until the driver for our homestay picked us up so we loaded up on warm weather attire and sought shelter at a local cafe where we sipped warm beverages and played cards. Needless to say, after the past 10 months of warm weather, a 40-degree and foggy day was a tough adjustment for us.


While in Sapa, we did a day trek through the rice paddies led by a member of the local Hmong tribe. It was fascinating to get a glimpse of how this tribe lives today, very similar to how they have lived for hundreds of years. We always have an incredible amount of respect for the locals and are grateful for the ability to see a small glimpse into their lives. Our guide on this trip had self-taught herself English by conversing with tourists who came to the village. She invited us into her father-in-law's house and made us a local meal over the fire.


In the evenings we made a fire in our homestay fireplace as a way to brave the cold and played cards. After two nights in Sapa, we were sad to leave, but eager to get back to warmer weather. For the return journey, we took a sleeper bus which provided each passenger with a sleeper pod.


Reading

  • Kyle: Elephant Complex by John Gimlette

Listening To