Sapa, Vietnam Christmas day.
January 1, 2012
Merry Christmas in Sapa!
Our bus driver dropped us off just after sunrise at the wrong hotel, apparently a ploy to get us to stay at a hotel that the driver had working agreements with. It was too early in the morning for this Tom foolery… We were not amused.
After being left to locate our hotel on our own, we were still many hours too early for check in. We went over a possible day trek tour for tomorrow with our hotel clerk .
Sapa is a very mountainous village. The town itself is small, then trailing steeply off in all directions quickly. It does not take long to know your way around here.
The Sapa central market is somewhat typical of all that we have seen, charming and bustling. Food stuffs, fresh meats , and produce for the locals, ethnic handicrafts, and brand name knock offs for the tourists.
We did not really plan for the winter chill here. Although it is Christmas day at over a mile in elevation, we figured all vacations are shorts wearing vacations… 
When we arrived this morning it was probably upper 30′s. As we had time to kill waiting for our hotel, we opted to warm up at a health spa specializing in ethnic herbal hot soaking tubs.
Marie opted for a 60 minute facial. I the 30 minute tub.
My experience was very nice and perfect for the chill. A steaming wooden soaking tub that looked to be filled with dark tea, it smelled of wood bark, clove and cinnamon. The train and bus ride melted away from my muscle memory. Marie was less happy with her brusque and uninspired masseuse’s facial work.
Still… We are having the adventure of our lives.
A nippy golf cart ride back to our hotel… The new golf cart ( electric) had never been seen by the locals before. The Black Hmong tribal people and Sapa police crowded around the silent vehicle like it was an downed alien space craft. It is very cool to see things through such curious and innocent eyes.
Our room at the hotel is ready to check into.
As a general rule in Vietnam traffic, size rules. Large trucks and buses impose right of way to all things… unless you happen to be a 1000 pound water buffalo.
January 1, 2012 at 1:57 pm
Hi Billy! I’m really enjoying your journal. A quick update from me: It’s a quiet and relatively mild New Year’s Day so far. We saw Bob and Laura the other night, and Bob and I are going to ride our bikes up to Marshall this afternoon. Lynne and Jess are on their way to Mexico. I’m going to NYC later this week on business and I’m bringing Hannah with me.
Meanwhile, as you’re in Sapa, I would highly recommend dining at Muong Hoa. Great view, very good food, even hand-made french fries! The buffet is quite good too. The service can be a bit spotty, but nothing in life is perfect.
Love to both of youse guys.
-Steve
January 1, 2012 at 3:29 pm
Ah…these last 2 posts are fabulous. I love the photos, esp the chickens and the one of you 2 with the Sapa folks. I laughed out loud when you said you “were not amused.” So happy for you guys! We wait these posts eagerly!