Just before we got on a train out of Bangkok a month ago, we met a nice café owner who made a mean yogurt and granola, was drunk, spoke great English, and was in the mood to share some of his philosophy with us. We were a bit concerned at the time, as we had just bought train tickets to an island before checking the weather and now it looked like it may rain a lot as there was some monsoon or big storm near by. I asked Mr. Dong (I’ll call him this as I never did get his name and maybe Doe is Dong in Thai) if he had any insight on the weather, being a local and all, and he replied, ‘Why do you care?’ – in a very nice way. He then clarified his point. He just meant, what does it matter if it rains or is sunny? It’s not going to make you happy, you are still with the one you love and you are still the same person, etc. Of course I have heard this type of thinking before, circumstances are 10%, how you react is 90%, happiness comes from within, bla bla bla. But for some reason, it hit me like a new idea this time and ever since I have been reminding myself that I don’t need the perfect weather or a perfect view or a perfect boat ride to make me happy. It has been very nice. Many times in the past we would get somewhere and I would do my best to convince myself that we had made the right decision and isn’t it great that we were now in this beautiful place instead of the other beautiful place we were thinking of going, trying to figure out what is best or what could have been different instead of just enjoying what is right in front of me. I know this is no new idea and I didn’t make some big discovery, just thought I’d share as it had an impact on me.
It just so happens that the circumstances are lovely at the moment. Haley is next to me, sleeping peacefully under the covers (it’s that cool) on our nice big soft bed and I’m sitting in bed staring out our open windows (when I’m not typing) at the mountains and the morning fog in the valley below. We’ve been in Sa Pa , Vietnam for a few days now and it is looking more and more like it may turn into a few weeks. Some of the reasons that we like it here include:
1. The weather. It is very nice to be cold once in a while. It probably ranges from about 80F to 65F. Makes it easy to go for runs, ride scooters, swim in rivers, hike up hills, etc. This place may rival Atenas for best climate in the world – at least in June. Wanna come visit Peter and Nim?
2. Our room. We have a huge room and balcony staring out at the valley below. I’m still hoping that it will get a little bit colder one night so I can use our fireplace.
rainbow in valley from our balcony in sapa at cat cat hotel.
3. Leu. She has a stand in the market here and cooks whatever we want and does it very well. I’m trying to figure out how to have her improve on the last lunch that was fried rice noodles with oyster mushrooms, morning glory (sorta like spinach – when we order it she runs down the alley to another stall in the market to buy it fresh to cook), bamboo shoots, onions, garlic, tofu and all kinds of spices. I’m thinking that I’ll ask her to add eggplant today. One plate costs about $1.50 USD. Also she is very sweet and we have a nice time even though verbal communication is not an option (no English for her, no Vietnamese for us).
our friend leu eating some pho after cooking our noodles
4. Scooter access. $5/day
look what i found.
5. Great hiking. This place we went yesterday looked like it was out of a dream.
this picture does no justice to this spot, but at least it gives you an idea.
6. Cute kids. Two girls followed us for an hour or more when we were running down the road the other day.
haley with her personal trainers
7. Great market.
sapa market
One thing that’s not the best is that it’s hard to walk too far without gathering a posse of indigenous women saying “hello, where you from? what your name? you buy from me?”. They will follow you forever – seriously, like all over town. At least they are smiling and nice.
Before we came to Sa Pa we were on the Dragon Pearl 2 with Mr. Do in Bai Tu Long Bay (extension of Ha Long Bay). It was amazing. We spent 2 nights and 3 days with 18 other amazed tourists, plus 7 crew, plus Mr. Do the tour guide. Some of the highlights included: the view from our room and bathroom porthole, kayaking (all 3 days) in the glassy waters and through caves, gorgeous sunsets, a crazy dinner in a beautiful cave, many-course meals, swimming and great boat mates.
bathroom view
bedroom view
sunset synchronized dive
dinner cave
typical bai tu long scenery
i thought this was a funny picture
dinner time on the dragon pearl 2
Other notes:
Our shower in Sa Pa has very little water pressure so Haley pays $3 to get her hair washed and dried and her head massaged for 30 minutes.
I pay 4$ to get my head, neck and shoulders massaged while I wait.
They sell tons of North Face stuff here for super cheap. I guess because it’s made around here. I bought some nice running shoes for $24 and Haley got a nice $5 running hat.
Haley has not injured herself or gotten sick in more than a week.
Kumiko and Megan, this video’s for you.
5 Responses to Bai Tu Long and Sa Pa and passed-on philosophy and Happy Birthday Cathy E.!