Sapa

Located around 350km north west of Vietnam is Sapa- a verdant valley nestled between imposing mountains with views of paddy fields and rolling hills. the first impact of the lush greenery is blissful and calming. Sapa is situated at a height of 1650m and has wonderful temperatures of 17 - 14 in May. As it rains sporadically at this time of the year, we were greeted with rainfall now and then.

We drove from Hanoi to Sapa. The journey took around 5 hours with halts in small rest houses that provided basic amenities and food. Tender coconuts were in abundance - served chilled. The day was beautiful for the journey. Within half hour we were on the highway to Sapa. The first  pitter patter of rain drops on the windows was music to our ears. 

The lush greenery  around us with the clouds drifting lazily in the breeze was p was soothing to Dubaizens. Stopping by at one of the rest houses, we tried the local hookka, which was trifle strong on the throat. 

We stopped over for lunch at the Red Dzag House that served authentic Vietnamese cuisine served by pretty waitresses who were dressed in traditional Red Dao outfits.
Moving around Sapa, one was reminded of hill stations like Mussorie barring the noise and pollution! However the residents seem to have realized the commercial and tourism possibilities - as such, there is plenty of construction work going on, with each one jostling for space and view. We decided to trek to Cat Cat village prior to checking in to our hotel Victoria. 

The trek was through a wooden arch leading down steep steps. Our guide told us that the shops that have sprung up recently housed by resident tribes is the spin off from the tourism industry. Every shop was selling the same local products. Browsing through one shop is same as the other.  However, Swach Bharat campaign seems to have been imbibed and ingrained here than in India! 

As we trundled down the steps, there was displays of rice mashers that used to operate by flow of water in the past, kept as displays now. We also walked past families printing indigo dyes, hand weavers. Numerous home stay options were also springing up. The path was actually lively with a lot of visitors from Vietnam as it was a weekend. Most of them were attired in the local tribal costume. 

The views from every corner looked up to stacked paddy fields and wispy clouds floating midway between tall mountains. The paddy terraces were beautiful and the views kept one going despite steep descent at places, walking over cobbled stones.

At the bottom of the steep hill, there was a stream with a forceful current with a medium sized flow of water and a small waterfall.

On the opposite side, the stream broken or a separate one was also falling from a larger height. The color of the water was chocolate possibly due to large scale silting as well as the rainy season. 

It was a pretty sight though as it was done up with a water wheel and colorful bridge cross over points with many spots to view and feel the spray on one's face. Several pictures later, we clambered uphill and while the gents preferred to trek, the ladies hopped on the willing, young motorcycle riders uphill. 

We stayed at Victoria Sapa - a beautiful resort built with elegance and taste, overlooking the lake in the centre of town. The architecture was of a traditional chalet that blended perfectly with the mountain surroundings. The gardens were exotic and gave many a photo op.

Bamboo seats colorfully presented.

Thoughts with chai

Misty mornings

Waking up early the next day we set off for a leisurely trek to Y Linh Ho village. It was a easy trek walking past undulating paddy fields. Y linh Ho is a beautiful valley, picture perfect with meandering clouds on hill tops with the view of the tallest mountain in Vietnam Mount Sapian. Our guide told us that he used to trek to the mountain top in 2 weeks - however now, it has been made easy with rest houses and cable cars. Green fields as far as the eye could reach. Small hamlets sprinkled along the fields with children playing outside.

 After 4km on the main road, we started going down to the valley through narrow paths viewing the terraced rice fields to get to the hamlet. We trekked  along the stream of Muong Hoa to go to Lao Chai village.

Trekkers path

Terrace rice fields

River meandering through the village.

Paddy fields along the path.

This village is home to the Black H'Mong who wear  dark clothes in black and navy dyed with indigo. There were several shops selling the Indigo dyed clothes. Picking up, some locally fermented plum wine, we smelt the air scented with fresh, wild flowers and fruits.

 By this time, as we had descended into the valley, the temperature rose from the comfortable 17s and as we neared the end of the trek, past the restaurants advertising frog legs we were indeed glad to get to the air-conditioned comfort of the van waiting patiently.
 With difficulty, we managed to pick up some wafers that did not have either lamb or pork and rested our weary legs on the 5 hour ride back to Hanoi.