A traveller's reflection: 2015 Vietnam Ride: 04 Sa Pa

My Travel Journal

"There isn't much I haven't shared with you along the road and through it all there'd always be tomorrow's episode" - Elton John

I started traveling around the world since early 80s when I had the opportunity to combine business trips with vacations. Then later when my rezeki is in abundance, there were numerous other trips along the way for vacations, most of the time with hubby and the kids when the timing is right. I have also started to compile the journal and photo-pages covering almost more than 45 years of world wide travel. Some destinations I visited just once, others many times. Many of those places are the obvious famous places people would like to visit but some, the casual traveler doesn't even think to try. I have placed links to my travel at the side bar of my personal page, My Life Reflections, and will be updating them from time to time.

My wish is to continue my travel and complete circumnavigate the globe, insyaAllah…

Friday, 27 November 2015

2015 Vietnam Ride: 04 Sa Pa

“You don’t have to be rich to travel well...” – Eugene Fodor

(Having breakfast at the roof top)

Day 04: Sa pa H'mong Villages
Date: Monday, 23 November 2015
Distance: 100 km

After a good night sleep, we had breakfast in the hotel and started òur ride to visit some H’mong Villages at Ta Van in the morning and Cat Cat in the afternoon. We had our packed lunch at a Ta van Ecology Homestay.

(A cool view from the terrace)

(Road signages along the route)

(Stopping at one of the view points)

(Vast beautiful paddy and crop terraces)

(The bikers gang viewed from a hill top)

(A group photo at another view point)

(Crossing rivers to the H'mong villages)

(The walking tour guided by H'mong girls)

(Yeay! we are on top of the mountain)

(H'mong ladies walking along the paddy fields)

(Paddy replanting has not started yet)

(The H'mong ladies waiting for transport)

After visiting the village in Cat Cat, we took a long hiking trip to the waterfalls and walked the hilly terrain lined with small souvenir shops along the way.

(More signages on top of the mountain)

(Walking the narrow steep steps)

(Local Pashminas on sale along the track)

(Water irrigation, H'mong Village at Cat Cat)

(A long tiring hike to the water falls)

(A beautiful waterfalls, with icy cold water)

(Beatiful and scenic view of the falls)

(A motel by the waterfalls)

(The view of the surrounding mountains)

After visiting the villages we rode back to the hotel and rested until it was time for a birthday celebration sponsored by the organizer for one of our riders. We had cakes and fruits and was presented with a free Sa Pa t-shirt each.

Later, we had seafood dinner at the same restaurant we ate last night and had an hour of strong foot massage. We stayed another night at Sa Pa Paradise Hotel.