6 Days Vietnam SaPa Adventure

Hello family and friends.

What a wonderful holiday I just had for myself. I joined 15 lovely ladies on my first American Woman's Association foreign tour. I didn't know any members of our group, but now feel as though I have 15 new friends. We had a lot of fun! This adventure was quite mild compared to my last trek, and without the worry of my childrens comfort and safety.

"The classic images of Vietnam-sampans, lotus-ponds, monkey-bridges, Ha Long Bay, paddy-fields, water buffaloes, deserted beaches, boat people, and coolie rainhats-are all connected with water, the lifeblood of a less-than-tranquil country that is now struggling to emulate its more prosperous neighbors." After decades of war, this beautiful country is opening its doors to foreigners, and making us feel welcome. The scenery is stunning, the archaic farming methods are puzzling, and the hard working Vietnamese people seem to have in indomitable spirit.

We spent the first and last day in Honoi. With elegant facades, temples, lakes, narrow lanes of the old quarter and densely populated, Hanoi underwent intense B52 bombing during the infamous Christmas of 1972. I found moments to pause and reflect on the progress Vietnam has made. While there, I visited the Temple of Literature, strolled along the Hoan Kiem Lake and took a thrilling (or dangerous) rickshaw ride through Old Hanoi. Of course, I ate! The French influence on Vietnamese cuisine is delicious. Baguettes, Pho (rice noodles), Spring Rolls! Oh my! And the shopping is amazing; lacquer, art, embrodery, ceramics, silversmiths. I must return with more time, money, and family!

Then it was off to the highlight of the trip. A comfortable, over-night train ride on the Victoria Express to the northern minority town of SaPa. Once a French hill-station and before that a market for ethnic highlanders, SaPa is the place to go for wonderful treks, breathtaking valley views and glances at the H'mong and Doa tribes. I was able to walk through rice paddies being harvested. No tractors or machinery. Quietness. Hard labor by the men and women, young and old. Children and animals playing.

The tribal women, and children, I couldn't resist, wearing their hand-made traditional clothing. The H'mong tribe: preparing the hemp, picking indigo for the dying process, weaving, sewing and embroidering. The Red Dao in their bright red head pieces adorned with jewelry and coins, and the Nhang, Tay and Flower H'mong. The Red Dao shave their eyebrows and hairline at age 13. Beautiful people against a stunning landscape. These people all speak their own language, although some can speak Vietamese and English. They are a poor people living soley off their own land.

I truly loved Vietnam, and I am fortunate to be going back this January. Jed and I are taking the kids to Central Vietnam, to spend some time on the beach, in HoiAn, take a train ride to Hue, and visit some of the war sites. It is a spectacular country, and people, for sure!

Thank you all for your enthusiasm in following our travels and reading our blog.

Lots of Love~
Lauren