Finally it was time to go on a motorbike-trip. I’ve been talking about it to so many people along the way, so I just had to do it.
Me on my russian Minsk.
Highway 32 - or hey-way...:)
Rented a good old Russian Minsk from the Vietnam-war and named it Liberty. Got a map over northwest Vietnam and headed out of the city towards SaPa. Took about an hour just to get out of the city, the traffic here is fun (read: crazy). Took what I thought was one of the main roads…, but surely it couldn’t have been. After a few hours the street narrowed into a small path because farmers use the road to dry corn and grass. People are so friendly and children are waving to me when I cruise by.
Even in the dark big trucks cut corners, so you better stay on the side...
I started at noon, so I knew I wouldn’t make it all the way to Lao Cai (the northern city at the border of China). Kept on going a few hours after it got dark, but driving in the dark here is not recommended unless you have really good headlights and good nerves. Wondered how far it was to the next city, so I stopped at two houses to ask and signaled that I wanted to find the next hotel for the night.
Me and my pupils...:)
They took me in, and I got a huge place all to myself. The word spread fast, and soon after 10 children where knocking on my door. Spent the next 45 minutes teaching and helping the children with their English homework. I can understand why people become teachers, it’s so rewarding seeing children learn and appreciate the help.
Chinese border. Picture taken on the way back. At the time it was best to get the hell out of there.
Got an early start and drove the last 100 km to Lao Cai. My first objective was to find the train-station to buy the return ticket to Hanoi for me and the bike. Saw some trucks in line and something that looked a bit like a train station on the other side. A few kids signaled that I should keep going – so I did. Suddenly a bunch of guards came running out… – I was half way into China…:) On the way back the kids were laughing. Luckily I wasn’t arrested as a Chinese spy or something.
On the way to Sa Pa.
Amazing how the grow rice in the hills.
The nature from Hanoi over the mountain passes up north was beautiful, but the way up to SaPa was something else. It was a little bit misty, so the pictures don’t justify the view and atmosphere. You have to come here.
Found a hotel next to the lake which was run by an old Vietnamese general or admiral. He didn’t speak a word English but he showed me a large room with nice view over the lake and I paid the astronomical amount of 5 dollars. It was nice to have a shower after 2 days on the bike.
Following as best as I can... or I messed up a bit on purpose - they laugh more when you are being stupid:)
Clean and fresh I was ready for new adventures, so I got on my bike and headed downhill on the other side of SaPa. Took a detour on a dirt road up the hillside and after a few miles I came to a school. Don’t think they get many visitors up here, so all the classes gathered around and the teachers set up a dancing lesson for me after I had a short geography lesson with the class. When you say you are from Norway and they say “ok, yes” they actually have no idea where or what Norway (or No-Wei as they say) is. My drawing-skills isn’t the best, but I think they understood:)
This sign means something like: "upside-down-bridge"
naturally... because the water doesn't run under...:)
Silver Waterfall
The next day I did the main sites around SaPa and first headed to the Silver Waterfall and then to Cat Cat Village.
Cat Cat Village is down below, and all the way down was another waterfall. You see the path on the other hillside? Yeah - I decided NOT to go up there...
Walking up and down stairs for many hours really got the best of me. I haven’t had a solid meal in 5 days so my strength is not on top. Won’t go into details, but let’s just say that my colon have a bit of identity-crisis…
On the way back to Lao Cai I visited another village and went as far as Liberty would take me. Still it was miles and miles of paths up the mountains. Went up one narrow path and just had to keep going because there was no chance of turning the bike around, it was too steep on both sides.
Last stop before catching the train was these caves. Said I didn't want a guide and went as far as I could - then suddenly they turned of the lights... Luckily I had a small headlamp. Lets just say I didn't feel like tipping the guy outside afterwards...
Got to a house where you wouldn’t believe someone could live (“der ingen skulle tru at nokon kunne bu”:) The woman living there where out of the Cham-minority (I think it was) and she spoke a little English. Her two kids walked all the way to school every day – no school-busses here. Had a delicious sweet potato before I went on my way (my first meal of the day).
The nighttrain back to Hanoi was superb and I got back to Hanoi about 05:30. Had a few hours before returning the bike so I just drove around and went to some parks. At 6 am the parks are full of young and old people playing badmingthon, jogging, joga, aerobic-movements of some kind… Anyway – you don’t see that happening in Norway!! Love Vietnam, but now it’s time to head to Lao.