Thursday, September 22
Early breakfast and suitcases into the trunk space. We drove pm. 7.00, and the trip went to Mai Chau, there are about 142 km. It was hard to get out of the Ha Noi - a lot of traffic. On the outskirts of Ha Noi, we visited a silk village, where they have many exciting things. We also saw the process from larva to silk thread and weaving of fine fabrics. Now it went against Hoa Binh. On the outskirts of Hoa Binh we turned left towards Son La, and the rest of the way was the most ascents. We had a little stop at the top, which was set up booths and sold freshly cooked, hot corn. A little stop where we from the mountain to see the town of Mai Chau far down in the valley. The area is populated by the White Thais, who came to Vietnman for more than 200 years ago. We were received by HOAs man, Thu, who showed us organized. After placement of our luggage we got a lovely lunch. Afterwards we went to a small town walk, where several bought scarves and other souvenirs. Now we were ready to ride, although the bikes were not the best. Mai Chau valley is a very beautiful place, and we enjoyed the ride at a relaxed pace, ca. 1.5 hours. Now we are in the bath, garden insect repellent and enjoy the cicadas and frogs sang before dinner time. 20. Then we'll see what the evening offers. We had a great evening meal with an exotic delicacy: insects of indeterminate species. All you could eat a little. Insects are very rich in protein. We did not last long out Thursday night
Silk Spinning
Then the group in high spirits on the way to Mai Chau.
Our accommodation in Mai Chau at Hua
Well arrived at Ban Lac, Mai Chau, we ate a good lunch at our Homestay
A lovely dish of edible insects, nam-nam. Perhaps crickets?
Friday, September 23
Today it was important school visits, there are about 10km out of school. Most of the road went uphill. We biked all 5 + Khoa. It was a little tough walk uphill most of the way. We all came through, although it took a long time. Many smiling children and happy teachers. We were at the school about 1 hour, and was also spoken with school director. He has been director for the last 4 years. The trip home was easier, here it went down. A small stop at the local market before we cycled home to a good lunch and a Tiger beer. We cycled back at. 14, a small detour to a disability center, I know the manager. She has 11 disabled and some children from disadvantaged homes. The style is reminiscent of Village of Hope in smaller format but I do not think the deaf children are deaf education. The first half of the trip was very pretty, between rice fields and small villages. We had a little break where we were given refreshing squeezed sugar cane with ice. The return journey was tough on roads in poor condition. There were only 8 1/2 km to Ban Lac with many trucks. Now we are waiting for a nice dinner later Thai dance as I write this story later. We had a lovely dinner on the last night in Mai Chau. At 20 there was great thai dance of 8 girls and 4 boys, very young. They did well. We were also down to dance bamboo dance. There was wine laid out, which could be enjoyed through the bamboo. Later we got coffee with rum and their local schnapps. It was not late; we're going to Hanoi in the morning.
Visiting a school class
Visiting a school class
Sale At market could be purchased live larvae ...........
........ and that could be purchased delicate dog meat
Beautiful dance performed by young girls from an ethnic minority "White Thai"
A spring dance with fans
Henning enter the dance from Khoas facebook
We Poeler wine in the care of bamboo straws and from the same jar :)