Sapa
Sapa is a town set in beautiful mountains in the north of Vietnam. Usually people go trekking in the mountains, which was very much my plan, but unfortunately I felt a cold appear on arrival and decided it was worth resting up until I felt better. As a result I didn’t get to go walking in the mountains, but I did get to spend a lot of time appreciating them from scenic coffee shops. I also made it to enjoy Cat Cat Village, a slightly over-preened but undeniably cute Hmong (local indigenous group) village famous for handicrafts and some scenic walks when staying for a couple of days in Ta Van village nearby. Carla and I met up for dinner with Laura, a fellow traveller who we had both previously met in Bangkok months ago.
Sapa was a good place to rest and recover. Not a place full of memories, but over four months in to my trip, proper rest feels more important - and perhaps harder to come by - than adventure. It was also my last stop in Vietnam and it was good have time to reflect on the time I’ve spent here. I would say Vietnam has overall been my favourite country in South East Asia. Thailand just about wins food wise, and it’s too close to call in terms of raw beauty, but Vietnam has felt so real. Everywhere has a vibrant and colourful buzz about it, and rather than being surrounded by other tourists or backpackers, I was so often interacting with locals. Thank you Vietnam. What a beautiful country.