Sapa

We took the night train to Sapa so had the day to relax in Hanoi, and relax we did. We found a spa and had a four hour package that included body exfoliation, body mud wrap, full body massage, facial, manicur and pedicure - 4 hours all for 50 quid!. The train station in Sapa is very close to the Chinese border. Luckily, or mabye not for our livers we found the bar on the train quite quickly....before we left the station! In there we befriended, among many some australian reality tv stars. They were really nice blokes who actually won the trip to vietnam on the show. On arrival to Sapa we managed to scam a lift on their tour bus.
After we found a hotel - 3 star, paid for 1-2 star, felt like 4 star - we had a sleep a shower and some food. Feeling much refreshed we also managed to tag along on the aformentioned blokes tour - a 3 hour trek down the mountain and up again stopping at the local village on the way. Sapa is very picturesque when you can see it - there's alot of fog. During the evening we found a cheep place to eat - us$1 for a main and stayed on for many beers, and maybe a small bottle of vodka. We had a sizeable group in our defense!
Quick mention here about the locals who try to sell you stuff. They are present in the whole of Vietnam and quite persistant, if you don't watch it you could easily buy 3 pillowcases, two hats and a musical instrument you don't even know what its for. In Sapa they take persistance to the next level and you actually get stalked. They will quite happily follow you down and up mountains and wait for hours outside your hotel. The only sad thing is while the mums at work the little childran have to fend for themselves - often selling too. You can Commonly see 5 or 6 year olds with their baby brother on their back.
The next day (friday) we arrange a moterbike tour to some of the remote villages. It was lovely, small little villages with no hint of tourism at all. After lunch - beef soup so I had a banana - we walked to a remote waterfall where all the locals swim. We had bought tshirt and shorts to swim in but we were assured by out guide and over moter bike driver that we were allowed to stip into our bikini's - infact they insisted. Soon after we found out why when we were offered a far, how should i put it, lets just say a personal massage. After a firm no we decided it was best to leave. We than had a hours ride back with these guys but i think thay had got the message!
Back to hotel, another sleep, another shower and more food and it was time to go home - well back to Hanoi. We artrived in Hanoi in time to meet a privat cab driver at 5am who promtly took me to the airport for my 8.30am flight. Don't worry mum - remembered my passport.
We have had to give our passport to all hotels on arrival so the police can track all travellers!!
I am now in Cambodia......