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.

(A birthday celebrating for Bang Cik)

(A night stroll in the mist)

(Couple shot in the Centre of Sa Pa)

        2015 Vietnam: 05 Sa Pa - Tu Le, Vietnam👉

👈2015 Vietnam: 03 Bac Ha - Sa Pa, Vietnam

2015 Vietnam Ride: 05 Sa Pa - Tu Le

“Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer...”

(Sa Pa is ready for winter)

Day 05: Sa pa - Mu Cang Chai - Tu le
Date: Tuesday, 24 November 2015
Distance: 205 km

This morning after breakfast we checked out and got ready to ride to Tu Le.

Mr. Long, the tour leader lost his motorbike key and had to call a mechanic to try start the bike. Another bike had a puncture and needed to be repaired. It was already late when we started our journey without Mr. Long, Mr. Ha and Mr. Dung. With Dennis leading the way we headed straight towards the main Fansipan Mountain range. We stopped for photo shots at waterfalls and some nice view points on the way.

(A wet morning ride out of Sa Pa)

(Stopping at one of the many waterfalls)

(Riding uphill into the mist) 

(Riding with care, low visibility)

(Climbing to the highest point)

(Scenic views along the route)

(The winding road is in good condition)

The massive mountain range dominates the route we were taking until finally we made a splendid climb up from Binh Lu and up to the top of the highest road pass in Vietnam, the Tram Ton Pass, often refered to as Heavens Gate. Crossing into Lao Cai Province at over 2,000 m the views are stunning and look over the main range. Then we descended to the mountainous Lim Mong valley .

(Passing through villages and small towns)

(Busy road leading to town area)

(Buffaloes dominating the road)

(Un-graveled dusty road)

(Man-made lake on top of the mountain)

(Miles and miles of paddy field terraces)

We rode slowly and carefully and finally stopped for a short coffee break at a small town. We rode another hour and had a lunch break when we were joined by Mr. Long, Mr. Ha and Mr. Dung who managed to catch up with us in time.

(A ciggie break on top of the mountain)

(What a happy lot, full of fun...)

(Want to go for a paragliding adventure anyone?)

(Tu Le valley in the background)

(A rest and view point area)

We reached Tu Ĺe around 17:00hrs and rested till dinner time. Dinner was sticky rice with omelette and food we brought from home. We slept well in the Nha Hang Pho Nui Hotel.

(A typical H'mong house in the village)

(The view from our hotel)

    2015 Vietnam: 06 Tu Le - Hanoi, Vietnam👉

👈2015 Vietnam: 04 Sa Pa, Vietnam

2015 Vietnam Ride: 06 Tu Le - Hanoi

“Traveling tends to magnify all human emotions...” - Peter Hoeg

(Sunrise at a small cowboy town of Tu Le)

Day 06: Tu Le - Hanoi
Date: Wednesday, 25 November 2015
Distance: 250 km

We had breakfast of half boiled duck eggs with bread. From Tu Le we rode to the petrol station to refuel but they were out of petrol. Luckily there were a few roadside petrol vendors along the road.

(The petrol station is out of gas)

(Buying petrol from road-side vendors)

Today we rode leisurely back to Hanoi absorbing the scenic forested and high mountain region populated by H’mong people. After the high mountain pass we descended and rode on the delta plains covered with paddy fields intermittent with small villages and towns.

(Riding out of Tu Le in the morning)

(Beware of buffaloes on the road)

(Caution! More buffaloes aheaad)

(Petrol prices in Vietnam)

(Riding downhill with care)

(Herbs sold by the road side)

After a short coffee break we detoured and went for a distance of off-roading on a slippery muddy track. Half way we turned back and took another route which was as tough as the first one and finally exited at one small town where we stopped for lunch.

(Coffee break, checking on messages)

(Riding on a muddy slippery road)

(Drier part of the track)

(It was drizzling and the road was slippery)

(Stopping for re-routing)

(A long way to the next town)

(Beware of passing lorries and cranes)

(School children cycling in the mud)

(Exiting at a small town)

(Motorbikes taking a rest)

(A vast tea plantations along the route)

(Crispy fried small fishes with rice for lunch)

We arrived in Hanoi in late afternoon thronging the massive after office traffic jam. We stayed the night in Parkson Hotel.

(Riding in the massive traffic jam in Hanoi)

(A delicious bryani dinner at Little India)

(Safely arrived at Hanoi town centre, a coffee break)

(Our lodging for the night, Parkson Hotel)

 2015 Vietnam: 07 Ha Long Bay, Vietnam👉

👈2015 Vietnam: 05 Sa Pa - Tu Le, Vietnam