Ha Giang Loop - Vietnam 🏍️

Arrived in Ha Giang after a 10 hour bus ride (pleasant this time) and spent the first night in the hostel there. At 8 we had to get up and have breakfast before we met our drivers for the next few days. But first I got to know the group with whom I spent the next 3 days. I don't think we could have been a better group. We were a diverse bunch from all over the world, we all got along really well and were able to really enjoy the time. Unfortunately, I didn't find out the name of my driver until the end because he was so shy and couldn't speak English, but he tried really hard and drove me safely through the foggy mountains of Vietnam for 3 days, even though he was probably no older than 18. After our motorbikes were packed, we started heading north into the mountains and getting closer and closer to the Chinese border (which is the northernmost point of the route). Unfortunately, it became clear to us pretty quickly that the next 3 days were going to be a pretty wet, foggy and cold affair. Our drivers took good care of us and made the first stop to equip us with rain ponchos. We then continued in our super stylish and colorful new outfits. On the way uphill we kept stopping at viewpoints and photo stops, but unfortunately we had to think about the view every now and then. But we didn't let the weather stop us from having fun. Headphones in, helmet on, music on and off we went again. We had lunch in a small mountain village from locals. The food was really good and they even had a small fire for us to warm up. The afternoon continued up and down the mountain. In fact, we always had pretty good visibility in the valleys and were all overwhelmed by the beauty of this country. We passed through mountain villages and were able to see the locals working in the fields and the children playing as we drove past. That impressed me quite a bit, I have to say. To be honest, I couldn't stop being amazed. We arrived at our accommodation in Yen Minh later in the afternoon. It was really nice but unfortunately also really cold. I definitely wasn't prepared for this in Asia but thank God I packed warm clothes for New Zealand and can wear them all now. Before dinner we took a walk through the village to get our feet moving a bit after being on the motorbike more or less all day. It is tradition to have “Happy Water” after the meal. Happy Water is home-made rice wine. It's debatable whether it's good or not, but at least it's warming. So you might not be able to stay with just one shot because it's so cold. The rest of the evening or rather night was spent with karaoke and playing cards. But at 8 in the morning we started again. First have breakfast and get back on the bike. We then drove through several valleys and passes again and stopped at the best views. Unfortunately, the weather was also very poor that day and the views were accordingly, but I still enjoyed it. This feeling of sitting on a motorcycle in the middle of the mountains of Vietnam is actually quite indescribable and associated with complete freedom. In the afternoon we went quite steeply and bumpily through a valley downhill to a reservoir, where we then took a boat trip. It was also good to move around without a motorcycle again. If the weather was good we would have been able to see the Chinese border but unfortunately it was hidden from us in the fog. The boat tour between the mountains was actually breathtaking. We then went back up the valley again and with a few more stops with indescribable views to the next accommodation in Meo Vac. We definitely weren't motivated enough to go for a walk that evening and just enjoyed a hot shower! After dinner there was of course happy water again. Because it was already our last evening together, we decided to give it our all again. In the truest sense of the word, at the end none of us had a voice left for singing karaoke and Happy Water was empty too. But dancing, singing and having fun even made us warm! But the next day was even colder. It was drizzling again early in the morning and our stomachs were still a little too sensitive from the Happy Water for breakfast. But as soon as I sat on the motorbike, everything went away and I just enjoyed the last day. We made a few stops in the middle of the mountains and could just look out over the valleys! On the last day we even had some views for lunch and enjoyed it even more. In the afternoon we arrived back in Ha Giang. So it was now time to say goodbye and continue on to Sapa. It was only 3 days, but they were just indescribably good with such wonderful people that I definitely haven't seen the last time. I'm still completely overwhelmed by what I've experienced and now I have to think about everything over the next 10 hours around the bus! 🫶🏼