Saps in Sapa.

We started our last day in Sapa with a great breakfast buffet.
Note to bacon lovers: the bacon here is really good--smoky and
delicious--but they don't like cooking it much. It's mostly just warmed up
and flaccid. Tasty once you get used to it, but I still prefer crispy.

The Black H'mong women were out selling their wares.
Their clothes get their distinctive color from the indigo dye that they manufacture.
Many of them have their hands and forearms permanently stained by the dye.

You can probably guess where the Red Dao women get their name.

Their headdresses are wonderfully ornamented with brass and beads.
Click on the pictures for detail.

The town really reminded us of the hill villages of Guatemala.
Even down to the big Catholic church on the town square.
But then there are the big billboards of Uncle Ho to remind us
we're still in Vietnam.

We spent some time bebopping around town.

Inspected some bamboo root sculptures.

Met some friendly monkeys.

Passed on the BBQ chicken and grilled eggs (in the shell).

A beautiful morning in this alpine paradise.

P.