Detailed Postings for the Day
My first visit to Sapa started all the way from Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. Specifically at Hanoi Railway Station where the six of us shall embark on our virgin sleeper train experience!
A long journey from 10.00pm till about 6.00am; the train journey wasn't as bad as expected and I even managed to catch some sleep even though I will not be able to do so whenever I took the overnight coach from Singapore to Malaysia! Maybe having a proper bed did help.
Out of Lao Cai train station, in search of our transport from the hotel. In case you are unaware, the overnight train didn't bring us direct Sapa Town, which would be around an-hour ride away.
A private shuttle just for our family of six! Thankfully, I caught a few winks in the train and was pretty alert to my surroundings, in addition to being in a good mood. Terrible sleep spoils the mood for sure!
Sights along the way, including a new highway across the valley.
Safe arrival at ALIANA Boutique Sapa Hotel & Spa where our requests to check in early was only partially approved, with just one out of three rooms. Well, better than nothing!
After dumping all our luggage at my dad and Alex's room in ALIANA Boutique Sapa Hotel & Spa, it's time to proceed out to make full use of our time in Sapa! Here's a customary picture.
While ALIANA Hotel was good, I am totally not accustomed to having my accommodation far away from the city centre; it's a walk of almost 600 meters, without any shopping option! To be fair, ALIANA was known for the view of the valley, which didn't appear in the three days we were there!
Well, I am a positive person and shall make do with what we had! Here's a funny photograph of a blown-up Santa attempting to climb up to the second floor of a hotel.
Photo time; be prepared for more in this post!
The iconic building of Sapa; housing the Sapa station of Sun Plaza that would bring us up to Fansipan, highest mountain of Vietnam, and also Hotel de la Coupole Sapa, most famous hotel in the area! You would often find tourists taking group photos in front of the entrance.
I was all bundled up because the temperature was a mere 9 degrees celcius! As a kid, I was marvelled by the "smoke" emitting from my mouth. As a middle-aged man now, I am still entertained by it.
Photos again.
After a not too satisfying meal at Cho Ban Pho Restaurant, it's time to hit the street again. This time round, I was more prepared on what to do. The place we would be visiting was about 2.1 kilometers away.
With plenty of time to spend, we decided to walk instead of taking GRAB! Expected duration to walk from where we were would be about 40 minutes. Our family love to walk, so long we don't have to climb stairs.
As we were still within the town centre, there were still some things to see; like live chicken for sale. As we veered towards the exterior of the Sapa town, the roads became narrower, the traffic was also much lesser.
Strolling in a single file, I am so glad to have gotten hiking sticks for my dad, and also a new pair of hiking shoes from decathlon! If frugal, stingy him had insisted on wearing his old pair of shoes, high chance he would fall numerous times on this trip!
Shrouded in clouds and fog, there's hardly anything we can see. This was a pity as we were so looking forward to the beautiful panoramas shown in videos on YouTube and photographs on blogs.
Continuing our way; I have no idea how this couple would be able to ferry the gigantic tub using their tiny motorbike on a slippery road!
Water from drain that turned into a waterfall surrounded by clusters of bamboos.
A stone church? No, it's The Tonkin Spa! Google Map review rating score was 5.0 from over 150 reviewers. Shall keep this in mind should I be visiting Sapa again in the near future!
Onwards, we trotted!
Two of them were curious of us and of course we took this opportunity to take some memorable photographs, all the while maintaining a safe distance, and minimum contact.
Found a shortcut to the place we would be visiting. p.s. we didn't save a lot of time but there were so many free photo spots along the way; it would be totally worth it!
Time to buy tickets for the attraction.
Photos again as we ventured out again.
Yes, another almost 600-meter walk.
Starbucks outlet.
Alex had to patronize.
The view right after we stepped out of the entrance of Sapa station. Shrouded in fog that had no intention to be blown away, you wouldn't even know that there's a parade square unless you are closer.
Proceeding to our dinner venue.
Instead of being all gloomy and dark as sunset beckoned, my eyes went wide open with the excessive light pollution! In the midst of low visibility, they were an incredible sight to behold! More of that at nightfall.
Dinner at Cirrus Restaurant - Asian Food in Sapa, with the sturgeon steamboat! It has a Singapore connection as the chef and owner hails from the little red dot! From Google Maps, I noted it has moved to a bigger premises at another location; do check it out if you are in Sapa!
Lights were much brighter and vibrant after sunset, and it also helped that the fog had cleared slightly. There were much lights that again, some travellers looking for an authentic French town would be disappointed, and find Sapa Town overly touristy.
Some shops were literally covered with lights!
I was wondering what this tentage was for.
Turned out to be a funeral! Hm... how would funeral arrangements and procession differ in Vietnam? I am curious but I am not that insensitive to barge into the funeral and ask...
Street stalls that reminded us of lok lok! My brother in law was keen to try the food but we were too full! And it's unfortunate that we also didn't manage to check it out the next day! Sad... next time it shall be.
More photographs as we made our way back to the hotel.
This quaint little house appeared to be from the medieval age or straight out from a fairy tale! It appeared to be abandoned or something as there was absolutely no light, with weeds growing out from the roof.
It may look futuristic at the moment but once day breaks, the Sapa Church was a picture of historical heritage as it was made of stone and built in 1895!
Depressing to see a local Hmong girl dancing in the girl, in the hope of getting some donations. It was pitiful but please do not give any money as it would result in them being forced to work, instead of going to school and be like proper kids.
Mesmerizing lanterns on the second and third floor. There were so many restaurants without customers that I wonder how would they survive!
Photo time!
Fog was thicker as we bypassed Hotel de la Coupole Sapa; would I be fortunate enough to stay at the top-tier hotel in my next visit? *praying for big TOTO win*
Gala dinner with a bonfire in the middle!
In the freezing open!
We were attracted by the noise, and happy to get closer for some warmth from the burning wood! p.s. we didn't even know there's a hotel there as it was up a slope!
Ending the night with hot beer, chips and french fries at the hotel!
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