Sitting inside a cloud

We have now abandoned the crazy city life for the mountains of northern Vietnam. Being the intrepid backpackers that we are, we took the very exciting night train from Hanoi to Lao Cai and then onto the mountain town of Sa Pa (get your atlasses out). However, instead of ending the adventures here like 99% of all other tourists, we carried on deep into the mountains and stayed in an ecolodge for the night. Our guide from Sa Pa drove us along increasingly narrow rubble tracks alongside terrifying sheer drops. On the road were several boulders that had clearly just plumeted from above and in several spots water was furiously gushing across our path after the heavy rain in the morning. Dead exciting!

Our lodge had absolutely incrediable panaramic views of the moutains. We were both lost for words when we first got there and saw the spectacular waterfalls in the distance and delicate rice paddies chipping away at the mountain sides (steppe agriculture). In the afternoon, we went trekking with a guide who took us to see yet more amazing views and villages of the so-called minority peoples. There are 5 types of minority people in Vietnam, all living in the north, and they all wear tradional colourful dress and speak their own languages. Their houses are very primitive and in many areas money is not used. However, this is not to say that they are backward. Most families own a motorbike and many of the people we past on the path were carrying umbrellas (and why shouldn't they!). The children run around the mountain paths freely and are always happy and smiling.

We were very sad to leave the lodge this afternoon. I saw more wildlife on that hilltop that I have this entire week. Lots of very pretty butterflies and a Preying Mantis that landed on our chess board last night! I've uploaded a few photos (see link on right) and below is a video for you! The camera didn't adjust to the darkness in the lodge but you get the idea.