Our hike in was a muddy one. It had rained the day before, and poured on us as we walked, but the women who accompanied us on our walk kindly shared their umbrellas. It dried up eventually, and when the fog cleared, we had beautiful views of the rice paddies, that wouldn't be harvested until spring.
After being sent to our room to nap, we were told to come down for our bath. And, being good cattle, we followed. (I should also note that it was Valentine's Day, which is obviously not a thing in Vietnam, but the bath was some serious "romantic" spa treatment!). Apparently herbal baths are a thing in the Red Dao culture. So, Adam and I were shown to a little cement room with two barrels (similar to a halved wine barrel) filled with hot herbal water. We were quite chilly, and eagerly - gingerly - climbed into our delightful little baths. It was the perfect end to a muddy trek, and a lovely pre-dinner activity.
Being welcomed in to the shack-like home of a beautiful family, participating in their rituals, and breaking bread was truly a unique and unforgettable experience. Our time in the village and on our trek was definitely a highlight of Sapa, and a wonderful final hoorah in Vietnam.