Ha Giang Loop

Hi everybody,

I’M BACKKKKKK. I know you all have been on the edge of your seats waiting for the next post. So here I am!! Forewarning; this is a longer post since I’m trying to encapsulate four days.

The last four days have been amazing, perhaps some of the most remarkable I’ve ever had. Get ready for lots of scenic photos.

The deluxe bus (I mentioned it in my last post) dropped us off in Ha Giang, a town in northern Vietnam (see some sick photos below).

Then, after quick night, we all woke up at 6:30 a.m to begin preparations for our motorcycle journey.

For those who don’t know, the Ha Giang loop is a four-day, scenic motorbike route spanning 350 km, or 217.48 miles for those Americans and Brits reading along. I booked through a company that provides easy riders who are locals driving the bike while you sit on the back.

There were four groups with 20ish people. I somehow got paired with the lead driver of our group (aka the boss man) named PépSi (like the drink). This means I got to ride in the front of the group for the entire trip 🙂 Which is SUPER LUCKY.

As you leave town on the bike, the views suddenly change from the city to breathtakingly lush mountains. The first day was sunny, and we could all see the expanse of the landscape. “Very, very lucky,” as PépSi would say. Pictures from the first day are below.

The main crops grown in the small villages we passed are corn and rice. You could see locals in the field with shears and corn drying on the side of the road. There were also very cute kids who waved/wanted high fives all over the place.

They provided us with local cuisine throughout the trip, which was fire.

We finished driving at around 4 pm every day, and all got some much-needed chill time. I will say it’s nice to spend four whole days with the same people. Even though it’s a lot of socialization, you’re not meeting people 24/7, so the social battery is not drained as quickly. I’ll put a picture of my group below. Five Irish, five English, six Dutch, and two Spanish people were in my group.

We sang a lot of karaoke and drank Happy Water with our riders. Happy Water is a very potent Vietnamese rice wine. I will try to post a video of the cheer we do before drinking it below.

The second day was cloudy but still decent weather… can you see where I’m going with the weather descriptions? Again, the scenery was staggering. Pictures below.

The loop goes right by the Chinese border. You can see a fence the Chinese built with guard towers frequently interspersed. They even cut into the mountainside to install the fence. Look at how close I was. Wow.

The second night, it started pouring. The people at our accommodations literally had to use brooms to keep the Water from the front eating area.

We awoke to thick clouds and no rain on the third morning; HOWEVER, it quickly started pouring. Even with the raincoat, you just get absolutely soaked. The clouds were so thick you could barely see in front of you. It was a bit scary because I was first in the bike line.

The road was also beyond muddy in spots. The bike would sputter out in the mud….

We took a boat in the rain, which still provided breathtaking views. Here’s me in my cute rain outfit, which I had to buy to put over my raincoat. I also bought rainpants. 🙂 “Very very cloudy day, so sad,” my driver kept repeating.

On the evening of our final stay, I walked through the small town with one of the Dutch girls, Ester. I have one word: MUD. The rain destroys the road, and the bikes slug through it.

On the final day, we woke up to a downpour. I had also left my raincoat outside to dry (stupid, I know). It was soaked. Luckily I bought a rainsuit from the hotel. My tennis shoes were also scary. Wet, muddy, and smelly. I put them in a plastic bag and wore my Chacos for the rest of the trip. I’m still scared to open the bag btw. If anyone has any cleaning shoes tips for me, let me know.

Something about raindrops stinging your face makes you look forward to a hot shower. Also, all your clothes reek of sweat and wetness by the end. Yum. At least the rain broke for the last few hours of the journey!!!!

I just had those “once-in-a-lifetime experiences.” Obviously, I can come back, but something about doing things for the first time makes them extra special. I also sang a lot karaoke again… I think I’m becoming a pro.

As of now, I am back in Hanoi at a hostel. I have one more night here, and then I plan to fly to Hoi An in the south of Vietnam (although I haven’t booked my plane ticket or accommodation yet.) I am embracing the backpacker lifestyle of living day to day.

Oh I also got to see Greig, my Scottish friend I met in Laos, for breakfast this morning. Bonus of the backpacking life!

Your smelly, sweaty, and in awe girly,
Mahala

Ps. Don’t worry; I turned in all my clothes for laundry today. Thank GOD!