Hanoi was rainy and cold the entire few days that we were there, but even worse was the fact that they closed ALL tourist attractions/major sites due to the Corona Virus. Lainie and I think that everyone is blowing this way out of proportion. Jokingly, I told Lainie that standing outside in the cold and rain could get us sick faster than this stupid virus - I still think I'm right. Anyway, we walked around the dreary city and day-drank to pass the time before we moved on to our next destination: Sapa, Vietnam.
To get to Sapa we took the Chapa Express: a cozy overnight sleeper train. I am still surprised and proud with myself for taking this train both ways. Before this trip I was truly scared of trains and would avoid them at all costs - I'm not quite sure what changed other than the idea of getting out of my comfort zone. The Chapa Express did not bring Lainie or I the best night's sleep with all the bouncing, but we made do. Our hotel in Spa was our "splurge" hotel. The Hotel De La Coupole is a GORGEOUS place set at the top of the Sapa rice terraces. The room would have been perfect if the view was a little better - we were basically living in the low-hanging clouds. We decided that our first of the two days in Sapa would be a relaxing day, and spent some time at the spa. The next day we toured two of the villages down in the valley below our hotel. The Lao Chai and Ta Van villages are tucked into the steps of the rice fields and are very minimal: dirt roads and small shack-houses. Water buffalo (family pets) roam around the terraces and graze peacefully. When the sun peaked out, the view of the rice terraces was incredible.
After another train ride back to Hanoi, we were headed back to the airport: Phnom Penh awaited our arrival! At first, the heat felt very good coming from a cold and rainy few days in Vietnam, but now I am sweating again (not complaining!). We headed to our Airbnb to find that it had almost no air conditioning - this just would not do. So, like the snobs that we are, we got a refund on that spot and quickly changed to a new location: this one with an incredible view of the city and plenty of aircon.
We only have about 3 days here, so yesterday we did a full day of walking around the city to the National Museum, the Central Market, and the Wat Phnom Temple before my poor feet couldn't handle my shoes anymore - so many blisters! Today began with the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda, and then grew a little more grim as we visited the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, S21 prison, and the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center (otherwise known as The Killing Fields). All of these locations were mentally draining and left Lainie and I agreeing that the world is a "fucked up place" (pardon my language). All we can do is remember the joys that life has to offer and hope that history never repeats itself.
On a lighter note, we are now relaxing and will soon head out to see the night market and the Sisowath-Quay boardwalk.
Wish you were here!
Lilly
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