It rained all morning in Ha Giang. Undeterred we strode out to a local waterfall passing numerous dwellings and paddy fields.
We arrived at our goal, a waterfall, but the river was too high for it to be very fall-like and we weren’t able to swim in the pool as there was too much water.
After lunch we left Ha Giang and headed off to Hoàng Su Phì, which was one of the highlights of our trip with its awesome rice terraces.
We passed a road construction area and I was fascinated by the lorries reversing up to the edge of the precipice and dumping their load over the side.
However, the reason for this rock removal soon became clear when we were stopped in our tracks due to a landslide. 12 trucks of soil/rock (yes, I counted them!) and 1.5 hours later we were free to move on. 15 minutes later we hit, not literally, the next landslide so we strolled around taking photos.
This one was only for 15 minutes. More snaky, windy roads followed and then, again, another stop. This was for 45 minutes whilst they detonated some explosives on the cliff above the road.
It was more than a bit frustrating to be stuck so many times, although our driver, guide and JC seemed to rolled with it, and we wound our way up to our lodge on increasingly narrow and pot holed roads eventually arriving at 1915. Such a long drive - 5.5 hours instead of 3. By the time we’d unloaded and had a quick shower it was 2000. The lodge fed us, but bizarrely it was too late to even order coke, although cans of beer were still available - very odd.
Tuesday 05 July 2022
We were up and out by 0815 today with a local guide. The plan was to drive 70 km to the “most beautiful view in Vietnam”, then walk amongst the rice terraces, and wind our way home stopping for short trek amongst the paddy fields. The views on the way were good.
But the 3 hour drive - due to narrow hairpin roads - took 3.5 hours due to another road closure. Once at the viewpoint, the heavens opened and a monsoon storm rushed in. I stopped taking photos when you couldn't see anything.
Fortunately we were dry, standing under a lodge’s balcony, but the magnificent view dissolved in front of us as the clouds took over. The lightning strikes were pretty spectacular but gloom descended as we realised this wasn’t a short snappy shower. After an hour, during which we lunched and I amused myself by photographing the numerous butterflies, moths and bettles that took shelter in the lodge, we set off to see the terraces ensconced in waterproofs.
We weren’t able to get too close, due to skiddy paths, so we didn't have the most amazing ever experience, but it certainly wasn't bad!
Ploughing a rice terrace in the rain didn't look fun.
Local landslides.
The plan was then to drive back and stop for walks. As the rain was set in, this changed to a scenic drive back to the lodge. Unbeknown to us, this drive was extraordinarily long and, after a few hours, I was feeling pretty queasy. I think our local guide was trying to show us the best views but they were mainly all cloud covered so of limited interest, except if we got very lucky. I felt so nauseous I lay down for an hour or two.
We eventually returned to the lodge at 1915 after a 5 1/4 hour drive. Too long.
I was feeling so sick I forwent supper and was delighted to crash into bed. But not before giving Caitlin a quick ring to wish her a happy birthday whilst 3 toads hopped across the restaurant floor from a local pond.
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