Time for another ride
real bikers wear bandannas, carry muddy panniers over their shoulder, and sleep under dainty, flowery mosquito nets.
The road to Sa Pa
Bye bye Hotel Lan Anh II, in town that we think is Lai Chau but is actually, we learn later in the day, Tam Duong
Some big mountains through here
Young girl selling orchids on the road. I didn't buy one because I did not know what to do wit it on a moto trip, but I gave her 2K dong anyway.
her brother showed up, and was obviously much more excited to have his picture taken
Montagnards tending their paddies
terraced rice paddies
settlement
makeshift bike canopy. Bike seats get awfully hot after only a minute in the sun.
What's this? Another Lai Chau?
Water buffalo dragging a realy long bamboo stalk
This is the new Lai Chau... we were mistaken the night before.
Lai Chau has a new gigantic something... hard to believe this thing was built way out here in the middle of nowhere.
AIDS informational billboard. I particularly like the anthropomorphic condom.
yay, communism!
trying to outrun the rain
Hello!
nice hat!
What a trio
waterfall off in the distance
These ladies flagged me down, and eagerly and tried to ask me questions. Not getting any response, they proceeded to examine my bike and poke my tummy
They all chew betel nut, which as I understand it is a very mild narcotic chewed my mountain people. It makes your teeth completely black.
This is no special occassion... this is the way these kids dress every day
Fortunately, this place meets the ISO's 9001:2000 standard
Our next challenge: Vietnam's tallest peak, Fansipan
Fortunately, the road is open
Ominous rain clouds cover the mountain pass
river flowing out from the pass
motoring
Justin is, uh, looking for a quarter he dropped in the weeds
we've come a long way up this mountain
Fansipan is 3,125 Meters (10,215 ft) and is the highest peak in Indochina. The pass is at 1900 meters (6230 ft) and is the highest mountain pass in Vietnam. This is the highest point in the pass, and the highest we will go.
Justin at the peak
Dave at the peak, looking oh so sexy in rain poncho and helmet
The actual Fansipan peak, as seen from Tram Ton Pass.
once again, road work halts our progress
We are the first to arrive at a spot where people obviously spend a lot of time waiting before they are let through
more people
and more
looks like a mudslide
Not a bad place to wait, as usual
What a gorgeous town
We splurged (30 bucks total) and stayed at the Green Bamboo Hotel (Three stars! Which did not incclude AC)
View from the room
View from restaurant terrace
wow
The market at Sa Pa
Mmm... water buffalo hoove!
chickens
more hooves
Dog. Intestines are particularly valued as a delicacy
Grubs. If you ever try them, let me know how they taste.
Local Montagnards plying their handicrafts
Hmong stalls
Zao stalls
chickens roasting
The main square in Sa Pa
Catholic church. Goddamn French.
This is a Minsk. They are made in Belorussia. They break down a lot. I am glad I rode my Wave... it never broke down.
Another Minsk. Wouldn't you rather ride the little red Wave behind it?
Sa Pa at night
