The endless train ride

The night train to Lao Cai actually turned into the 1:30 PM train, almost 8 hours late due to a derailment.  The delay caused some inconvenience (they stocked too little coffee, expecting the train to arrive well before breakfast, as an example), but there were also some consolations.  Since the train was stopped for 5+ hours, we actually slept pretty well and if we'd travelled at night, we'd have missed the beautiful countryside scenery along the Red River all the way to the Chinese border.

By the time we arrived in Sa Pa, we were ready to ditch the idea of a couple of hours of trekking through some mountain tribal villages and decided to clean up, have an early dinner - late lunch and chill.  We'll do the hiking tomorrow. Maybe.

Sa Pa is a beautiful mountain town.  We thought the view from our hotel in Delphi last fall was remarkable, but the one from our balcony here is truly breathtaking!  After dinner tonight we went to an outdoor mass at the 1920's vintage stone church in Sa Pa. Half the congregation was in tribal garb - an interesting reminder of the Church's universality.  We'll get out and see the rice terraces, the regional handicraft market and take some more photos tomorrow before we head back to the train, but for tonight, it's time to turn in.