Arriving in Lao Cai town after 9 hrs night train journey from Hanoi to Northwestern border of Vietnam, another 1hr shuttle bus to Sapa. There are many different trekking trails for adventurous trekkers ranging from simple within a day walkabout to nearby villages or a 4day trek up to 3200masl at FanSi Pan, the peak of Indo-China. Usually you would be advised to have a trekking guide either in a group or personal guide who will take care of everything along your trek, even food and camp.
Whichever you choose but please do not trek durin winter months (Dec - Feb) !! Autumn is best time.
Because of the weather misfortune,we had to change our trekking itiniary and shorten it to the simplest trail. Our personal guide, Toom takes us to
Ta Van village with a Homestay, Cat Cat Village and back to Sapa.
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| our personal homemade map ! only we understand. |
ALONG THE TRAIL.....
AMAZING SCENERY..pic taken from the bike on road
valley of
Ta Van Village
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| do you have the time, dear ? |
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| don't ka chau !! am trying to cross this river !! |
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| our personal trekking guide ,Toom |
Local HMONG woman giving a helping hand ...
off we go !
its HARDER than it looks, OK!!
Toom looking bored ya ! ha ha
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| homestay at TaVan Village |
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| MADE IT !!! YEAH !! |
Assume this must be the Hydro-electric system ...
CAT CAT VILLAGE...
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| drying corn |
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| pumpkins on the roof |
As we trekked towards CatCat village, we passed beautifully terraced rice paddies and villages of H'mong, one of Vietnam's many ethnic minorities.Giant old pine trees and expanses of yellow bamboo mark the higher reaches of our climb and one may sight mountain goats and langur monkeys along the way. On reaching CatCat Village we find it to be pretty touristy ! lots of tourists come by shuttle buses to this sight.
Mt Fan Si Pan at 3143masl, is the highest peak in Vietnam and the entire IndoChina peninsula.This remote trek provides plenty to see and absorbed,from scattered rocks inscribed with drawings and designs of unknown origin to the French influenced hill retreat town with beautiful villas and cherry forests.Mt FanSiPan is a very challenging trek which we would need a guide, cook and porters. Unfortunately, due to cold and wet weather conditions in January made it impossible to continue our mission ! will try again next Autumn! ... so this picture was taken at CatCat Village in front of a cafe named FanSiPan Cafe ! ha
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| family photo at CatCat Village |
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| CatCat Village suspension bridge |
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| defrosting backside !! |
Oh Oh, soaked to the bones !! COLD and WET ! 
motorbike taxis..
motorbike taxis..