Our journey to Sapa & trekking

So we made it to Sapa, flight from Luang Prabang to Hanoi (we had pre arranged our Vietnam Visa paperwork which made it a very easy process), then a taxi ride in a thunder storm to the train station (wow - crazy busy place!), we then caught the overnight train to Lao Cai, which we had pre booked & paid for through our trekking company, it was an 8hr train ride on a sleeper train, it was surprisingly comfortable. Finally, an hr mini van ride into the hills to Sapa Town. We had breakfast & a shower at the headquarters of Sapa Sisters trekking co (@ The Graceful Hotel), where they have a room to store luggage. We then met out trekking guide - Lan for our two day trek & overnight home stay, she showed us some options on a map of which direction to trek & agreed to head down into the valley. It was torrential rain when we set out & Lan convinced us to buy an umbrella each to keep us dry (so glad we did!) ... sadly it was raining until lunchtime, loads of water & mud- but wow what a place ... We trekked down into the valley & had two local women follow us & help us (who in turn expected us to buy their wares @ lunch time). Stopped for lunch at a local village, then continued on for another couple of hours to get to Ta Van, the village where we would spend the night @ a homestay. Our hostess was super welcoming & as we arrived mid afternoon, we just showered & chilled out on the front veranda. She cooked us an amazing dinner of meats, vegetables & rice ... of course a beer, then some 'happy juice' (homemade rice wine @ approx 33% alcohol). Early to bed tonight as we were knackered!Read more