Sapa

---

Back in Hanoi, we transfer to the train station for the overnight to Sapa. I can’t believe how nice the carriage is - our travel agent is looking out for us again! We arrive in Lao Cai in the morning, we are really close to China now, only about 3 km from the border. Sapa is one hour drive away. The mountains are beautiful, temps are cooler but not cold like everyone told us. Our hotel is really nice with a balcony overlooking town, green valleys and mountains. The area is most popular for trekking and visiting the nearby minority villages.

As soon as we set out to explore we are met by two minority tribe ladies and ended up with six or seven ladies trying to sell us stuff, but then we just ended up talking, laughing and having fun. Cliff tried to help them sell bracelets and handbags to other tourists but no luck! They have an incredible knowledge of English that they have learned from tourists and are great at conversation. They are very friendly, ask a lot of questions and want to tell you about themselves and their children also.

We did two treks while in Sapa the first day was 7km to Cat Cat Village and waterfalls and the next day a 12km trek through local villages, farms and to a minority home. Day one was pretty easy. Nice views, good trails, small hills, no problem! Day two, well that was another story! Thank goodness Ruthie had the help of a minority guide to hold on to her most of the way. We went through rice paddies, indigo and hemp fields, creeks, over stuff, on slippery muddy paths, and up-hill both ways. It was a great experience, probably six hours of hard walking, but it was tons of fun!

We’ve had a great time in Sapa, but now the resting is over and time to get in travel mode once again. Here’s our schedule:
Check out of room at 11:30am
Lunch at noon
Free time in Sapa til 5pm, then dinner
6pm bus to train station
8pm overnight train back to Hanoi
4am arrive in Hanoi, cab to airport
Wait until 3pm for flight to leave for Bangkok
Arrive Bangkok at 5pm, taxi to guest house and finally checked in at 7pm
We are beat but we are in Thailand!

---

Photos

Sapa
This is the view from our hotel balcony!

Drying Hemp
Local clothing is made from hemp fabric

Easy Does It
One slip and it's a 3 meter fall

Ruthie & Trekking Partner
Yes, I am 7'4"

Comments

[Stephie]

Back in Touch!!!
YEAH!!! Good to see pics and hear of your adventures again! Missed them while you've been offline! Amazing adventures. Glad you're doing well and having the time of your lives! Love ya! Cuz Stephie

[Kirsten]

Perspective
Is that list picture right? Were you that much bigger or was it just a trick of the camera? SO GLAD you got your own laptop!! Really looking forward to lots of posts and pictures! Kirsten

[cheryl hollis]

love ya
hey guys, i so much enjoy your pics @seeing where you have been.no, i will never go because of how i have to get there!!!!!looks like you are having a blast meeting all those people but i understand you still like some of the "stuff" here in the states. can not wait to see you both whrn you get home, guess i will close and eat some JUMBO PEANUTS!!!!! love ya both, aunt cheryl