Day 3 - Hanoi

Yesterday wasn't a great day, the humidity was 300% and I felt nauseous all day.

We wandered the streets for a few hours, Garrett got hustled by a shoe repair guy and paid 250,000 VND to have his unbroken cons repaired.

Keen to escape the heat in my nauseated state, Garrett found us a shopping mall to hang in... Well shopping mall is an understatement, the Royal City Mega Mall, was indeed mega. Featuring an indoor underground version of "wet and wild" ! 

We returned to our digs for a nap, not well earned but required. 

In the evening we ventured out to find dinner, hidden in the Old Quarter we found "Green Mango" and though the food was delicious "Sweet Chicken and Cashews" my poor stomach wouldn't cope. I felt like I had offended the restaurant owner, a sweet French man who kept asking if I liked my meal. Eventually the language barrier was overcome and he understood that I was unwell and offered us a 10% discount for our next visit. 

We walked back via Hoan Kiem lake, and enjoyed watching the locals gathered by the lake, drinking "bia" and chatting. 

Day 1 - Hanoi to Sapa

Anticipating a 6:30am pick up for our bus trip to Sapa, we were up early and went for a walk at Hoan Kiem Lake. It was bustling at 5:50am, people going about their daily exercise regimes, stretching and moving to the music being broadcast on the public address system. We returned to our hostel where we enjoyed a breakfast of hot French bread, jam and fruit.

Our bus arrived at 7:10am and after several other pick ups in the old quarter we were on our way. 

5 and bit hours later we arrived in Sa Pa. After a quick bite to eat we settled into our digs. 

At 2:30pm we headed to off on our trek. There a just no words to explain the beauty of the Sa Pa valley, so I'll show you some pictures instead. 

       

                                      

                                      

 This beautiful Black Hmong woman, carried her little bubba who is just 1 month and 20 days old with her for the duration of the trek, AND she helped me down the muddy slippery hills, making sure I did not fall, total Grrrl Power right there. I thanked her by purchasing items from her that she had handmade. 

                                      

Transit

We arrived safely in Hanoi after 18 waking hours, we were ready to fall into bed. 

But not before I flooded the bathroom by accident and the AC unit dripped condensation all over the bed. 

Thankfully the time difference meant that we got a full nights sleep.

Saying See Ya Later

It was tough saying see us later to my little munchkins at Coffs Harbour airport as I flew to Sydney to meet Garrett. I have to admit this mumma had a few tears on the plane, but I know they will have a blast with Nanna Robbie and Poppop. 

As we flew in over Sydney my excitement started to build, more about seeing Garrett for the first time in 4 days than for the holiday :) 

Leaving on a jet plane

Here we go..... 

Thanks to Gem and Ally for loaning us their living room floor last night and delivering us safely to the airport.