The run out to Bac Ha reminded me of Ha Giang. While we didn't reach "Heavens gate" but we certainly went through Purgatories gate just before heaven. With my eyes firmly fixed on the hill side we climbed for about 20km. The views when I quickly glimpsed them were spectacular. Steep enormous valleys, hills zooming to the sky. It was all a bit on a grander scale than I expected.
The markets when I got there were the biggest I have seen so far in South East Asia. a panoply of colour and movement. Flower Hmong women everywhere. wearing the most colorful of dresses and headscarves. The selection available was amazing. Tet was coming up so the locals were out trying to get that one last pressie for Auntie Xeo. Instead of Christmas trees lots of people seemed to be acquiring branches from what looked like some kind of plum tree. The fruit and veg section was predictable but it was limited by comparison with the south.I think that this is because it was winter and bloody cold and a little damp. The live buffalo sales were going at a pace with lots of individual deals being thrashed out. Walking back down the hill from the cattle I came across the pig and dog market and they even had Cats! I have to say I became convinced that they must be a very sophisticated society indeed to be eating cats. We can learn a lot from them.The other parts of the market were made up of clothing and craft stalls catering to both the tourists and the locals in equal portions.
The trip back was an anticlimax by comparison and I spent that night in a nice restaurant contemplating the trip next day
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