We took a Midnight Train to Sapa

Okay so maybe it left at 9pm.  Let's just say with 11 people, 6 of them of the small variety, it felt like midnight.  And such a catchy title anyway! All Aboard!

Next and last stop...Sapa!  A little town in the Northern Mountains of Vietnam.

We traveled there on the Victoria Express.  

Only the finest transportation for my team.

Finding our berths...Our itty bitty berths.

No.  They did not sleep like this with these big smiles.
Our travel agent thought all 6 of us could squeeze into one berth.
She thought 2 kids to a bed.  I think she was thinking we had
Asian sized kids.

Deric to the rescue.  Much better.  Man berth!

Everyone good here?  Space is overrated!!!

This is what a 5am wake up call looks like on a train.
Yes.  They kick you off the train at 5am.

Sleepyheads...

After they kick you off the train at 5am they
take you to a restaurant for breakfast.  Yes, in Vietnam
soup is breakfast.  It was actually one of the BEST soups
I have EVER tasted!!!! Lilly likey.



First stop for the day...a local market hosted by the Flower Hmong (Ha-Mung) 
People.  These people have been in Vietnam since the 1800's and are
known for their colorful dress.  The market was fascinating!
These tough ladies carry their babies on their backs everywhere they go!  
Nancy and I could have used one of these backpacks throughout our trip!





Market here we come!


There was water buffalo trading...

Tobacco smoking....We think it was tobacco

Hair cutting...

Yes, you could even purchase a cell phone.

The kids did some shopping.





And Lilly and Winnie Kate tried on the latest Hmong fashions

You could even buy some fresh meat....

Time to head out-
Next stop, a walk through a small village.
Or should I say a RIDE and walk through a small village.

Water buffalo taxi at your service-

Aggie on a water buffalo

Beauty all around us

Bryant ladies having a chat

Lots of walking today.  I call this look Viet-done.

Take notice of the shades...she is about to give them away.

Notice the glasses on this happy little girl?

A gift from Olivia.

All her idea.  All on her own.  Proud mama moment.

After a train ride, a Flower Hmong market, a water buffalo cruise,

LOTS of walking, we were thrilled for a yummy lunch!

Next stop the border of China and our hotel!

See the red flag behind us?  That is China!  

We are so far North that we could see China.

Do you see how excited the kids are about this?

Team!  Point to China!

Potty break on the border of Vietnam and China.  Scary.

After a LONG day that started at 5am we made it to Sapa!

Our pretty little hotel, The Victoria Sapa

Back on the bus!  First full day in Sapa-
More walking and village touring.

First stop was a visit to this little school.

We were AMAZED at how these kids shimmy

up and down this hill from the playground area to the school

with absolutely no fear or effort! 

You can see from this view how steep it was!

Their classroom

An example of how high up these children climb everyday!

Our awesome guide Minh showing us the primitive

contraptions the Hmong people use to live.  He said these

people are living about 300 years behind the rest of us.

They use this to weave the bright fabrics you see them wearing!

Here Luke is grinding something..wheat or corn?

Potty break anyone?

A first for The Duke.  Using an axe and chopping wood!

Primitive or not, these people were so sweet and
gracious to let us into their homes.  They were always smiling!

The Hmong are farmers.

Recognize the interesting plant they are growing here?

We walked all through this area.
The views were just breathtaking!

Thinking this guy is going on the 

back of a motor bike.

Luke! Did you free him?

Here Nancy and I are channeling our inner Hmong woman.  

Where are those handy kid-carrying-backpacks when we need them?

Great day among the Hmong.  You could say it was H-mazing.

Lunch and shopping break-

There is that beautiful Hmong smile!

Back to the hotel-

Ready for our last day in Nam-

More walking.....

The lady in the red scarf followed us for our

entire journey.

These little girls ran up the hill from their 

school to get a snack and then ran back down.

I love this photo.

These little girls are super cute too.

More incredibly beautiful views.

What an experience!

One more school to visit.

 

On our way out we had some visitors waiting for us
by our bus.

I so wish we had some better treats than almonds and
dried mangoes but they didn't seem to mind!

In fact, they were thrilled!

Time to head back to the train-

Must wait in a restaurant before boarding at 9pm.

Kids needing a break from the Asian-
PIZZA

Blake played beauty shop while we waited.

All Aboard!

Ummmmmm...I don't think I am getting any sleep.

Uncle Russell did you steal a baby?

Time to head back to Singapore!

Thank you Minh!  This guy was amazing to put up

with this crew!  

It's not a vacation if a Bryant kid does not lose a tooth.

Before their flight back to the USA we brought them

our for some non-asian food and the coldest beer in town.

Vietnam we loved you!  But now it is time for a nap.

Cheers from Singapore!