Automobiles, Trains, and Planes

Coming down and out of the mountains was a long day of travel. We bid farewell to out mountain paradise, and had Mario Andretti's distant cousin zip us to the nearest city, Sapa. There we had a few hours to walk off our vertigo, grab a coffee, and climb back into the van for the second half of our ride. Within five minutes of departure, one of our party, who shall remain nameless, realized they needed to pee. Unfortunately, there was absolutely nowhere to pull off on the snakey, skinny roads for a painfully long hour down to the crossroad town of Lao Cai.

Again, we had a short time to grab a bite, at the worst restaurant (when you order pho, and get no broth, but instead a pile of greasy noodles and French fries, you know you are in trouble). Then it was back on the night train to Hanoi.

We arrived before the city woke, caught a cab back to our familiar hotel, and crashed for a nap and shower before we headed to the airport! Luckily, domestic air travel is easy and efficient in Vietnam, no one quart ziplocks with your toiletries, or taking off your shoes. However, brass mouth harps bought from hill tribe people will get you stopped and questioned for drugs and weapons!

 

Landing in Da Nang, we were greeted with 38 degree (C) heat, and a driver with an air conditioned car and cold, bottled water. Such a change from the mountains. Everything was brighter, spicier, delicious.

 

 

 

 

 

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