The Road to Sapa

An early start today for the bus trip to Sapa. Overall, it was a very good road, except for the last 40k up into the hills of Sapa. In fact, it was the most consistent and best road I have seen in Vietnam. The Bus trip was comfortable and it only took about 6 hours to arrive in Sapa. The hotel is basic but nice, I have a balcony and good view over the valley. It is very steep here and where the hotel is located is not a walk from town that is advisable, unless you are Sir Edmund Hillary. Taxi is the go, although it makes the hotel a bit isolated.

I believe Sapa is around 2200 metres above sea level, so it is cooler here than Hanoi. Thats the same height as Australia's highest point. Vietnam's tallest mountain, Fanispan (I think) is about 3300 metres and is nearby.

This place is home to the Hmong people, and a few other ethnic groups in Vietnam and the women wear colourful traditional dress. I hope to get some photos later. They were all over the bus when it arrived trying to sell stuff but I didn't take any photos then.

The Bus

Rice Paddies at the base of the hills

Terraced Rice fields on the drive up the hills.

View from Hotel balcony.