Dec 21, 2007 - Among the H'mong

The diversity of Vietnam has not ceased to amaze me. I've earned my frequent flier miles, as Vietnam is a deceptively big country, and its been quite a few overnight buses and trains that have finally led me to Sa Pa. ... It's been worth every mile, however, as Sa Pa is the perfect antidote to Hanoi. ... A few thousand meters high, it is a small peaceful town with mostly a Hmong minority group.The diversity of Vietnam has not ceased to amaze me. I've earned my frequent flier miles, as Vietnam is a deceptively big country, and its been quite a few overnight buses and trains that have finally led me to Sa Pa. ... It's been worth every mile, however, as Sa Pa is the perfect antidote to Hanoi. ... A few thousand meters high, it is a small peaceful town with mostly a Hmong minority group....

Dec 1, 2007 - Day 67 - Stunning Sa Pa

It was about 40km to the old hill station of Sa Pa and the scenery was absolutely stunning. ... We spent the morning wandering around the Sa Pa market observing the various minority hill tribespeople who come in to sell their wares. ... There are 5 main types who live around the Sa Pa area including Black Hmong, Red Dao, Tay and Day. ... While Phil and the girls relaxed I headed out and climbed the hillside behind Sa Pa for a wonderful view of the town. ...

Nov 11, 2007 - Bac Ha Market and Sa Pa

No thanks! Then after the market and a really scary, uneatable lunch, we drove back down the mountain and to Sa Pa. ... We also found a rice paddy field full of children and water buffalo and so I got some great pictures of that too! Sa Pa is a lovely mountain city and the people look very different. ... I am sure I will get pictures tomorrow! But when we finally reached the top of the mountain and were in the heart of Sa Pa it took my breath away. ...

Nov 1, 2007 - Homestay in village near Sa Pa

Richard typing. Finally, after hiking about 14 kilometers (we are pretty sure this correct since a road sign we saw later said Sa Pa was 12 kilometers away) we arrived at the small building where we had lunch. ... We borrowed the guides phone and called the Handspan headquarters in Hanoi and made arrangements to switch the tour package that allowed us to spend the night in the hotel in town and so before long a van came an picked us up and took us back to Sa Pa. ... As part of the new tour dinner, breakfast, and lunch were included and our rooms had a nice little electric fireplace heater that quickly warmed us up.Richard typing. Finally, after hiking about 14 kilometers (we are pretty sure this correct since a road sign we saw later said Sa Pa was 12 kilometers away) we arrived at the small building where we had lunch. ... We borrowed the guides phone and called the Handspan headquarters in Hanoi and made arrangements to switch the tour package that allowed us to spend the night in the hotel in town and so before long a van came an picked us up and took us back to Sa Pa. ... As part of the new tour dinner, breakfast, and lunch were included and our rooms had a nice little electric fireplace heater that quickly warmed us up....

Aug 1, 2007 - Star Trekking: The Next Generation

Hey all, So it turns out the overnight train was the poshest transportation we have yet encountered. We spent the rest of the day getting to know the mountain town of Sa pa. ... Early the next morning we headed out on our second multi-day trek of the trip.Hey all, So it turns out the overnight train was the poshest transportation we have yet encountered. We spent the rest of the day getting to know the mountain town of Sa pa. ... Early the next morning we headed out on our second multi-day trek of the trip....

Jul 13, 2007 - Sapa

Trekking through mud in the pouring rain is not all that it is cracked up to be.Trekking through mud in the pouring rain is not all that it is cracked up to be....

May 8, 2007 - Sapa, Vietnam

I just spent the last three days in Sapa, which is in northern Vietnam very close to the Chinese border.I just spent the last three days in Sapa, which is in northern Vietnam very close to the Chinese border....

Mar 14, 2007 - Sapa

Again, no pictures.Again, no pictures....

Feb 8, 2007 - Sa Pa, Vietnam - Trekking

February 8, 2007 We arrived in Loa Cai train station bleary eyed and disoriented at 6:15am. We hopped in our minivan from Handspan Adventure Travel, and headed up to Sa Pa via a very winedy and hilly road. ... I nearly lost it a couple times, and I don't usually get carsick.February 8, 2007 We arrived in Loa Cai train station bleary eyed and disoriented at 6:15am. We hopped in our minivan from Handspan Adventure Travel, and headed up to Sa Pa via a very winedy and hilly road. ... I nearly lost it a couple times, and I don't usually get carsick....

Jan 22, 2007 - Sapa

We arrived and immediately got on a minibus to take us to the town of Sapa which is about an hour and a half from the train station.We arrived and immediately got on a minibus to take us to the town of Sapa which is about an hour and a half from the train station....

Jan 17, 2007 - Night train to Sapa

The sleeper from Hanoi was great fun.The sleeper from Hanoi was great fun....

Dec 27, 2006 - Sa Pa - Mountain town in Northwest Vietnam

Sa Pa is much similar to Longsheng, China and not far removed from it either. ... 5 Km from the Chinese border and 30Km from Sa Pa. ... Stayed at the Chau Long Hotel the first night and Topas Eco Lodge the second.Sa Pa is much similar to Longsheng, China and not far removed from it either. ... 5 Km from the Chinese border and 30Km from Sa Pa. ... Stayed at the Chau Long Hotel the first night and Topas Eco Lodge the second....