Vietnam Day 4: Lao Cai to Sapa (Part 1)

27/06/07

We arrived at Lao Cai train station at around 5.30 am and we were so comfortable in the train cabin that we did not want to wake up after the train stopped. The train attendant knocked on our cabin door and we promptly grabbed our stuff and left.

Beside the train

We walked to the exit of the station and there were many people with A4 sized names waiting for people. We searched a while to look for someone with the word "Kiat" and he brought us to a minibus that will bring us to our hotel.

At Lao Cai

Lao Cai Train Station

We waited in the minibus for about 45 minutes for the people from the next train to arrive. Luckily, the weather in Lao Cai is more cooling compared to Hanoi.

Anyway, we were off to Sapa at about 6.45 am and i didn't sleep during the bus journey coz the view is simply fabulous.

Mountainous regions in the background

Padi fields in the highlands

We got higher and higher and we even surpassed the clouds! For people who do not know, Sapa lies 1600 metres above ground.

Buffaloes on the road & Clouds on the mountains

We reached Sapa Summit Hotel after an hour in the bus. There were many ethnic minority children dressed in their traditional clothing waiting outside our hotel.

Ethnic minority girls

The rooms were still not ready as it was very early and we had breakfast at the hotel restaurant next. After our meal, we took a walk outside the hotel and were greeted with breathtaking scenery.

Mountains

Padi fields

More mountains

Another shot

Soon, it was 9 am and we checked in our rooms. We all took a bath first as it was too inconvenient for us to do so yesterday. Headed out to tour Sapa town for a while after we freshened up before the trekking which starts at 2 pm.

A local provision store

The idyllic houses

More scenery

We then proceeded to the center of Sapa town next.

The large square in the middle of Sapa town

A church

To be continued...

End of Part 1 (5.30 am to 12 noon)