Breath taking SAPA (well, the hike is!!!)

Here I go again!

Here I go again! - I guess that's my favorite line when I travel. So, Here I go again after packing my things I headed to the airport for my flight to Hanoi.

Mid last year, I was blessed to travel to Saigon and after leaving Saigon I promised myself to come back again to do the adventure they call "The Great Ocean Adventure" - travelling from North to South of Vietnam or vice versa.

Inside Hanoi railway station

I arrived in Hanoi at 1900 and directly grab a taxi to take me to Hanoi railway station for my overnight train to Sapa in Lao Cai (Northern part of Vietnam). When you get off from the arrival area, you will be greeted with many taxi drivers offering you different rates going to the center of Hanoi. If you are into adventure and time is not a problem, you can take the airport bus that cost only 7, 000.00 dong (less than US$1)  going to the center of the city. The bus usually would take 1 1/2 to 2 hours travelling time (Well, you have to understand that Vietnam has one of the slowest transportation in Asia).  If you are travelling with a group better take the taxi and be good in bargaining for the price. Usually they will charge US$15-US20. Most taxi drivers in Hanoi can only speak little English but there are many airport staff outside that can help you, just tell them where you want to go.

The train going to Lao Cai

Going to Sapa has 2 ways. You can take the bus or take the famous night train that usually leaves Hanoi railway station at 9pm. Ticket will cost from US$25 - US$38, depends on what bed you want to have. On my case, I booked a tour from Kim Tours before leaving HK. Kim tours has one of the cheapest rates from Sapa, if you are booking online. For reservations, you can contact them at kimtours137@gmail.com and they will reply immediately. But if you have time in Hanoi, I suggest you to look around since there are still many tour companies that offers lower rates. For my case, I didn't have time anymore since my arrival in Hanoi is just 2 hours before the departure of the train and I have to consider that travelling time from the airport to the train station would take 45 minutes to 1 hour.

The train to Sapa leaves from Gate 4 of the station. Before boarding, I went to look for a store outside the station to buy some food and water for dinner and to my surprise they also sell sim cards with 3G service for US$4 (well that explains why I can easily upload photos in Facebook while I was in Vietnam). I got the Vina mobile Network that works pretty good but someone I told me that the good network in Vietnam is the mobiphone. Anyway, I guess it doesn't matter as long as I have a connection.

So the train left on time. When I was in the train, it reminded me of the train I took going to Beijing but definitely much nicer and cleaner. Beds are comfortable with electric ports to charge your electronic stuff. So basically I was able to sleep very well.

Outside Lao Cai train station

By 6am, the train finally arrived in Lao Cai. The staff from the tour agency meet us in the arrival area. When everyone on his list arrived, we board inside a bus that took us to the town of Sapa where our adventure starts. From Lao Cai train station to Sapa town, it usually takes 1 1/2 the most. So again another opportunity to sleep.

By 8am, we arrived in Summit Hotel for our breakfast. I was so delighted to see the buffet table infront of me since I was so hungry. The food they serve in the hotel was I guess above average yet not excellent. By 9 in the morning, we were divided into small groups for our tour. There are several tour package to choose by the way. One is the 3 nights 2 days Sapa home stay. Second is the 3 nights 2 days hotel stay. And third is the 4 nights 3 days either in the home stay or in the hotel.  The most fun package for me is the home stay where you spend the night in a local village with the local tribes. These different packages have different itinerary everyday but with same town to explore in the whole tour.

THE MAP OF SAPA

 THE CAT CAT VILLAGE

This way to Cat Cat Village

Cat Cat in Sin Chai Village is where you will see the people of the Black Hmong tribe weaving and embroidering their clothes. In this town, you can enjoy climbing the high steps of the mountain and love the beautiful Cascading waterfall. This town is also well known for local shopping if you are looking for local souvenirs and of course don't forget to bargain. At the end of the trail, you will find a local theater where young locals will perform some local dances. 

The welcoming locals

Paul and Bridgitte from Australia, having a nice hike with the locals

a 16 years old girl with her little baby

The simple life in SAPA

They don't need ipods and wii just to enjoy life

The trekking usually last for 3 hours back and forth. On the way to the village, you will be welcome by local tribes and they usually will accompany you during your hike. Some of these locals are young with babies on their back. And please don't be deceive, they usually are friendly...and maybe extra friendly with good English. They will usually start off by asking your name then your age then where are you from. After awhile they will tell you "Buy for Me" while showing you different handmade stuff that they made. 

My advice is never ask to bargain if you are not interested in buying since I guess for them when you ask, it means you are buying. The Cat Cat trail is the shortest hike you can do in Sapa.

Performing youth in Cat Cat Village

The beautiful falls in Cat Cat Village

THE YLINHHO, LAO CHAI AND TA VAN VILLAGE

The Black Hmong tirbe

This is the longest and semi extreme hike you can do in Sapa - the hike to the Muong Hoa Valley to see the magnificient mountains and terraces of Sapa (The pride of Sapa). 

It's not an easy way

Paul having a good time with our guide

Let the trekking begin!!!

What's for lunch?!?!?

First, you will start walking On the small trails to Ylinhho Village where you will see the local Black Hmong tribe and through the lush rice terraces towards Lao Chai village. Mind you the way sounds easy but it's really not. It involves up and down hike, extreme mud, slepery trails, small paths and etc.. In short, it's challenging! By 1pm, you get to enjoy yummy local food near Muong river and experience the Black Hmong life and traditional culture. Next you will cross the suspension bridges as you walk through Lao Chai village to Ta Van village inhabited by Zay minorities, exhibiting strong Chinese culture.

THE SILVER FALLS, LOVER'S FALL AND THE HIGHEST PEAK

Here I go!! Escaping to extreme!!!

Staying in Sapa doesn't always mean trekking and hiking. You can rent a motorbike for US$5 and buy a petrol for another US$4 then you can drive your way up north to Thac Bac town (45 minutes to 1 hour from the town of Sapa) where you can find the longest falls. 

The silver falls - longest one in Sapa

The lover's stream

The beautiful lover's falls

Drive further to see the beautiful lover's fall. Going to Thac Bac is easy. You just have a map in hand, a motorbike and an adventurous wild spirit. Just follow the path and signs and you will manage. The silver falls is nothing special. It's just a long and tall falls. But it is really a must to see the lover falls. Entrance fee is 20, 000 dong. From the entrance, you still have to hike up and down towards the stream and I tell you, you won't be disappointed. I have seen many beautiful falls in the Philippines and I could say that seeing this is worth it too. The falls is just small but I guess what makes it special is the surrounding. Very relaxing and very peaceful.

THE MARKET

One of the locals in the market

In the local market where local minorities are selling their local products

Wanting to have a North face bag? Then this market is a must to visit. This is where you will find different north face products- from bags to jackets to shoes to accessories. You can find local souvenir shops too.

My new set of friends - Paul, Bridgitte and Sven

Another set of new girl friends

In this trip I met amazing people who's stories teaches me in one way or the other.  People who I believed will always be remembered. In this trip I met one inspiring couple, who's travelling stories were pretty amazing. In that trip with short conversations, I felt blessed meeting Paul and Bridgitte. Talking to Paul was like talking to my Father, who I miss so much after his death. Paul is a man of wisdom, of knowledge and of experiences. In this trip, I also met Paul's very adorable travel mate, Mr. Bunning, a little bear. It's also through someone in this trip that I was reminded that in life, there are plans you make that somehow will not just turn out the way you wanted them. C'est la Vie, as they say!

Meet Mr. Bunning, the most charming bear in the whole universe

 I guess that's the beauty of travelling alone. Alone you are approachable and you tend to make friends. I want to quote one of my favorite traveler's words  "The painter's life is a solitary one, and for me travel was to a certain extent the same." 

It was so heart breaking to leave the town on the night of the second day. Not only I will miss the place but I will somehow miss the friends I made.