Intro to Sapa

We start our morning with the hotel shop which has loads of traditional outfits. Mark, Dave, Cathy and Bill start the group out by trying on numerous hats and jackets. Soon they were joined by the rest of the group and everyone was trying on hats, jackets, skirts and scarves. We were all ready to make a deal for all our purchases and do some bargaining when we realize that the three ladies in there were competetors! Fortunately Cathy negociated for us and we all got squared away with all our garb.

Team Building begin...Hunt's and Scott's not really sure what to expect! So we hike the hill out of the hotel and get to a small field where we begin team sports. First activity was plank walking, five to a ski and you have to walk in conjunction with each other. Very challenging at first for all but especially for the youngest two, Isabelle and Elle. True to form, our boys were super competitive and tried to knock over anyone who was looking like they might beat them! Next activity was baton relay where we lined up and passed batons between our knees from one person to the next without hands. Again very funny and competive! Our last team building activitiy was moved indoor which we thought it would be great because it was blazing hot out there! We started our next game which was build a free standing balloon tower. Sounds easy but pretty challenging, only had balloons and tape. Key is to have a good base!

After we ate lunch we decided to hit the town. Seconds after we stepped out the door we were joined by three young H'Mong girls (one of many minority groups of the mountain area.) So we started walking around town to be joined by many many more. Basically each person was targeted by one girl and they stuck to that person like glue! We called them our shadow/personal escort. Literally you stop, she stops. You run ahead, she runs ahead. Everywhere turned she was there. Amazingly the spoke very good english but the standard questions were, what's your name, where are you from, how old are you and most importantly...will you buy something from me! We popped into the market area which really grossed alot of us out. Large fish in shallow bowls picked up and chopped in half, bloody halves flapping on the street and butcher block. We also saw frogs tied together at the waist all looking up like saying get me out of here! There was chicken legs, grubs and mud crabs to name a few. As move along with our heirom we made our way to a Catholic church where there was a key boarding lesson. Then it was off to the lake where we got lots of photos with all our shadows! Once we had a enough of a tour of town we headed back to the hotel for the kids to take a dip in the pool.

That evening we had a beautiful roof top traditional folk dance performance. It began with a flutiest which the flute was made out of bamboo. That and the other instrument that resembled a bamboo bagpipe were surprisingly just as beautiful sounding as an regular instrument. The girls danced, we had cocktails, and the flutist did acrobatics while he danced/played his instrument. Overall a very unique and delightful experience. After cocktails we headed down to a scrupumtious five course meal! Then it was off to bed so we could get rested for our next day trek into town. What a day, never experienced anything quite like it!