* pictures noted bottom to top
We boarded the crowded train in Hanoi at 9 pm for our 9 hour overnight ride to the Sapa region. Accommodations were adequate, but not 'plush' (picture 1 & 2). Thank goodness we took the advise of Quynh and bought 4 beds to ensure the small compartment would be occupied by only us. After slugging down a tasty Bordeaux (we didn't have glasses), we took a sleeping pill and begged for slept in our bunks. Since the bathrooms were primitive at best and toilet paper was questionable, trips to the bathroom were kept to a minimum. We finally disembarked at 5.30 am still sleepy but ready for our long touring day.
At the Lao Cai train station, our guide Lan and driver were waiting for us. Right away, We made a stop outside the station for breakfast since nothing was served on the train (which really was a good thing). After a very light meal we proceeded 2 hours to the Bac Ha Sunday Market. It was huge and very crowded (picture 3). We walked around observing all the transactions taking place with livestock, including dogs and horses (for reasons you really don't want to know), meats (from the livestock), fresh produce, clothes, silks, you name it, they had it. Richard even bought the favorite locally produced corn 'wine'- better described as something akin to moonshine.
After the Market we visited a local village (picture 4) and was invited to walk through a few of the rammed earth homes that included everything from sleeping quarters (with TV sometimes),open social space, kitchen with adjoining structures at each end for pigs and horses. We then proceeded further to an adjacent village for a delicious lunch (picture 5). We then stopped at one of many China/Vietnam bridges across the River (picture 6 of China border). Finally we arrived at the beautiful Victoria Hotel (picture 7) in Sapa via the incredibly breathtaking Sapa Pass. Once at the hotel we enjoyed a shower, wine (in glasses), wonderful dinner and lovely room.
Since our driver was scheduled to pick us up at 5 pm for the 1 hour ride to Lao Cai train station We decided to have a leisurely morning doing some reading and computer work at the hotel. After checking out we explored the charming town of Sapa viewing the colonial architecture, the lake in the center of town (picture 8), and endless rows of street vendors with decorative local women selling every kind of commodity imaginable from textiles, jewelry, shoes to apathocary goods (pictures 9). As usual, the day went quickly and before we knew it our driver was at the hotel to take us back through the beautiful Sapa Pass where we were amazed that where they couldn't carve out rice paddies they planted corn on slopes greater than 60 degrees (picture 10 & 11) with local people (picture 12) and livestock (picture 13) ending their work day walking along the steep highway. Once in Lao Cai, we rested at a cafe close to the train station square (picture 14 of narrow, colonial architecture) before fighting the masses of people pushing to get onto the overnight train. Prepared this time with toilet paper and our own jar, thankfully the seemingly endless 9+ hour trip to Hanoi was over. Very road weary, we took a taxi to our hotel to gratefully wash and rest.
Next we had a light day in Hanoi meeting up with Quynh to visit and confirm the next part of our itinerary to beautiful Halong Bay.
At the Lao Cai train station, our guide Lan and driver were waiting for us. Right away, We made a stop outside the station for breakfast since nothing was served on the train (which really was a good thing). After a very light meal we proceeded 2 hours to the Bac Ha Sunday Market. It was huge and very crowded (picture 3). We walked around observing all the transactions taking place with livestock, including dogs and horses (for reasons you really don't want to know), meats (from the livestock), fresh produce, clothes, silks, you name it, they had it. Richard even bought the favorite locally produced corn 'wine'- better described as something akin to moonshine.
After the Market we visited a local village (picture 4) and was invited to walk through a few of the rammed earth homes that included everything from sleeping quarters (with TV sometimes),open social space, kitchen with adjoining structures at each end for pigs and horses. We then proceeded further to an adjacent village for a delicious lunch (picture 5). We then stopped at one of many China/Vietnam bridges across the River (picture 6 of China border). Finally we arrived at the beautiful Victoria Hotel (picture 7) in Sapa via the incredibly breathtaking Sapa Pass. Once at the hotel we enjoyed a shower, wine (in glasses), wonderful dinner and lovely room.
Since our driver was scheduled to pick us up at 5 pm for the 1 hour ride to Lao Cai train station We decided to have a leisurely morning doing some reading and computer work at the hotel. After checking out we explored the charming town of Sapa viewing the colonial architecture, the lake in the center of town (picture 8), and endless rows of street vendors with decorative local women selling every kind of commodity imaginable from textiles, jewelry, shoes to apathocary goods (pictures 9). As usual, the day went quickly and before we knew it our driver was at the hotel to take us back through the beautiful Sapa Pass where we were amazed that where they couldn't carve out rice paddies they planted corn on slopes greater than 60 degrees (picture 10 & 11) with local people (picture 12) and livestock (picture 13) ending their work day walking along the steep highway. Once in Lao Cai, we rested at a cafe close to the train station square (picture 14 of narrow, colonial architecture) before fighting the masses of people pushing to get onto the overnight train. Prepared this time with toilet paper and our own jar, thankfully the seemingly endless 9+ hour trip to Hanoi was over. Very road weary, we took a taxi to our hotel to gratefully wash and rest.
Next we had a light day in Hanoi meeting up with Quynh to visit and confirm the next part of our itinerary to beautiful Halong Bay.
1 comment:
Xin Chao, you two.....soooo glad you got to Sapa. xo R&A
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