We didn't want to take the normal tourist bus to see the villages of Ma Cha and Ta Phin so we decided to pay two motorbike drivers to take us from Sapa to the village of Ma Cha where we would walk from there to Ta Phin.
Problems? Yes, of course! Fred skillfully negotiated a lower price on the cycle ride and the drivers skillfully dropped us off in the middle of nowhere with about 4 kms left to walk to Ma Cha.
What a stroke of luck, as we met three fantastic ladies from the Red Dzao tribe and they "sorta" tagged along with us with the before mentioned great smiles! They took us on trails beside rice, corn and indigo fields and we were constantly amazed at what was ahead of us.
They helped us take shortcuts through other mountain villages, they fed us a lunch of cucumbers when we took a break and later they invited us into their homes.
My favourite, the water buffalo, were plentiful and we were warned a few times that some of them were not agreeable to picture taking.
Ta Phin was our final destination and we were told constantly that it was just over the next mountain. That was no lie as we are sure we walked at least 10 kms to get to the village. It was constant up and down through valleys and over hills.
This was the real Vietnam we were looking for. No tourist stops and very few foreigners.
On arriving in Ta Phin, we were encouraged by them to enter their homes to see where they lived and to meet their families. We could only visit two homes as the third was "just over the next mountain" at least 20 minutes away.
Our legs didn't give out like yesterday and we are so glad as we wouldn't have wanted to miss this experience for anything.
We wanted to offer them a monetary gift, but had been told by a guide yesterday that it is more respectful to buy rather than give. So does anyone need a Red Dzao shoulder bag? We have two, plus a table mat. Fred negotiated a better price for three items we didn't need. But...the information we gained was worth more than any items we bought.
Now for the ride back! We knew we couldn't walk the 14 kms back to Sapa so before we realized it we were offered a ride on their families' motorbikes - at a cost, of course.
I let Fred ride with the young son and he is still drinking wine to get over the speedy trip. I, on the other hand, told one of the ladies that I am a chicken and she warned her husband. Nice slow ride for me!
The day could not have been better. Sometimes you just have to let things happen.
5 comments:
It sounds like you & Fred are considering renting land there and growing rice! Might be a good way of life - away from the rat-race!
Good for you guys for seeking out the adventure.
Hola amigos. Your trip sounds wonderful, my goodness what an adventure. Really enjoy the reading and the pictures.
Hey Fred, I wouldn't mind one of those nice bags, hey, I'd pay for it.
Okay, keep the pics coming we're so enjoying reading, etc.
Have a great time,
Love Your SC neighbours,
Dennis & Gloria xxoo
Gloria, you may not want it when you see it, but it is yours!
Hi to Dennis and Spice.
Adelle - we certainly wouldn't need a gym membership if we lived here. My calves are feeling it today.
Hey....looks like Fred got Hmonged by the same girls that sold Jim some bracelets (want some?). Colleen good call on the slow motorbike ride! Great photos ....keep them coming. And how was the train ride?
The ride was long and very rough. Not looking forward to tonight's ride back to Hanoi. Washrooms are difficult to deal with.
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