Sapa, Vietnam

 After a few frenetic hours in Hanoi trying to hit the major sights on little sleep, we took a private “limo” bus to Sapa in northern Vietnam.   Travelling as a group of 10 makes private transportation a much more enticing option.  Kiddos are now expecting lazyboy type chairs with massage functions on future rides.

Northern Vietnam is known for rice terraces built into the mountains and hill tribe people selling their colourful fabric to wares. We stayed in a small village and spent our time walking through rice terraces, enjoying the best bubble tea, and trying our hand creating indigo batik artwork.   Different hill tribes have different crafts, we learned that what is sold in the market can be either new wares designed specifically for sale, but much of the more intricate pieces are actually second-hand goods.  They will wear their clothing for a few years and then sell it or repurpose it themselves into wallets, placemats, table runners, etc.  Different tribes specialize in different crafts with the primary offerings being indigo dyed batik (wax painting), brocade (embroidery and cross stitch) and home made hemp fabric.  Many Hmong women will grow, spin, weave and dye their own hemp.  

The temperature in the mountains was a refreshing change, it was cold enough overnight to warrant a comforter.  

We also decided this was the place to get nails done!