Wednesday 24th December 2008

Another early morning arrival via Vietnam railways saw us in Lau Cai just 3km from the chinese border on Sunday, followed by a transfer to the formaer French hill station of Sapa. The hotel allocated for the trip had very good views from the balcony of the surrounding 3000m peaks at least when they chose to emerge from the clouds. Sapa is in an ethnic minority area with tribes people in very colourful dress everywhere unfortuately their one aim in life appears to be trying to get tourists to buy their wares and not leaving you alone until either you do or you get rude enough towards them so they get your drift. We did a short trek after lunch to Cat Cat waterfalls a nice spot although blighted somewhat by a lot of disposed plastic bottles in the water. Evening was spent drinking in the Red Dragon pub with some very agreeable aussies. The next day there was a longer trek of about 15k taking 5 hours through various ethnic villages and getting a chance to see how they cultivate fields and generally a glimpse of their lifestyle. It was nice to get out walking and work off some of the excellent food and drink we have had in Vietnam. The evening turned very wet and the cloud descended over the hotel so we turned in early. Incidently the temperature drops to freezing in Sapa so we had electric blankets and and a roaring fire in our room - very cosy. The final day was a bit of a washout with the continuing low cloud and rain making chilling out and comfort food from a french style patisserie the order of the day. Back again to Hanoi on the overnight train to arrive in the wee small hours of this morning. Before settling into the same hotel as before we visited Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum did not know really what to expect but he looked very stately and well preserved after nearly 40 years (although he goes off for 'maintenance' every year! The mind boggles). Off now to enjoy a Christmas Eve on the town, will miss the Carol service at Charlbury tonight, it feels a little strange not being at home with the family and friends, but we will be thinking of you all especially tomorrow.