rain rain go away........

We had booked our bus tickets for Sapa a few days before in downtown Hanoi. I had been very careful as I know there are a lot of tour operators who aren’t genuine. I did my research, found one recommended, wrote down the address, found it,checked it before I went in that it was the right one and then booked our bus tickets. When We came out I realised there were four tour operators on the same street all with the same name, same shopfront and all number 62!  So when the driver arrived we were very relieved. 

We were ushered into a mini bus which hurried through the streets of Hanoi before we were unceremoniously ‘dumped’ near to some parked buses which the driver pointed to before driving off.  So much for customer service! We worked out which was ours and boarded. These buses are called sleepers. They are slightly higher than normal coaches but have three single rows of ‘lay down’  seats one above and one below. We headed for the back (on school trips the naughty kids always went to the back). it was odd at first laying down but we slept for most of  the 6hr journey.

We arrived in Sapa to rain. Torrential rain. The 15 min walk to our accommodation took 30 mins as we could not find it and only then with the assistance of a local barman (we repaid his kindness by having a drink in his bar). We were soaked. Our bags, despite having rain covers were soaked. Whilst having our Arrival cup of tea we got chatting to young couple who gave us some great information on places to go in Vietnam and beyond and we ended up going for  dinner & drinks together and playing blackjack. That saved the day from being a total washout (pun intended).

Next day we had a strategy – buy giant umbrella’s &  have foot massage. Umbrella’s worked massage experience not as successful as it was marred by a sniffing masseuse. Sniffing is in my top five most hated things, along with white socks, swishing ponytails, badly hung bunting and people riding horses on the road. This was our only venture out. If was too wet and cold so we went back to the hotel – to our cold room. 

On day 3 the rain stopped long enough to have a view from our “room with a view” &  to venture out for a walk/trek to Cat-Cat village. Although now set up for tourists, it's still very pretty and gave us a real feel for local life.  occasionally the clouds would part & let us glimpse the views but not for long. However we managed to clock up 14k on our steps so we felt like we had done something. Apparently the rain usually comes in blocks of 3 days then sunshine. So weren't we the lucky ones that day 4 was worse not better. 

We had a new strategy. Hire a driver to take us up to see the hills,waterfalls & views - & every so often we saw a view. It was as good as it was going to get so we were grateful. Ordinarily Sapa is a beautiful town surrounded by hills and mountains including the highest – the comedically named Fanispan which is Vietnams highest peak. I know this because I read it and I also saw it for a nano-second.

It was time to leave Sapa before our skin rotted off us. At 10pm we boarded the night bus to Hanoi Airport. We assumed the laying back position and dreamt of sunshine.