Trek to Hmong Mountain Retreat

Yesterday we set off from Sapa, with the same guide, La My, to walk along local paths, through bamboo forest, passing rice paddies on the way. It was mostly a downhill walk , with just a few uphill sections. The paths were muddy and steep in places, buffalo trail and local tracks in the main. We saw water buffalo, lots of ducks, ducklings, geese, hens and cockerels, some of the foul were being farmed, on a small scale though!

Our progress was slow with Orlo but we reached the lunch venue by about 1.30. After a meal of spring rolls, rice, vegetables and a meat stew, we set off again. It was probably about another 3 km to the next village of Ta Van and the meeting point with the mini bus to take us to the ' hotel' I think we walked about 9 km in all.  Quite a long way for a ' just 4 yr old'  the weather was dry and muggy to start with but the rain came about  half an hour before lunch, so on went the waterproofs. My cape is ideal for this situstion, although with the warmth and 100% humidity we were wet inside and out!! I am getting quite used to that situation !!

We arrived at Hmong Mountain Retreat about 4.0 pm and were shown tothe two  bedroom   Hmong house we had booked

It is the building on the r h side of the photo. The 'hotel ' is made up of several small bungalows and the house plus a central traditional building which house the sitting and dining  areas, the showers and toilets.  The house was built stilts and had very uneven floorboards and high door threshers to negotiate. The buildings are in paddy fields and there are some interesting pathways to negotiate too !! ;)

In the evening we were served with a three course vegetarian meal, most of which I enjoyed. I wasn't very keen on the cassava dessert though. Breakfast this morning consisted of two fried eggs, half a baguette and a slice of cake and local plum jam.

There was no other food available outside meal times, although it was possible to order a cup of tea. 

The beds were comfortable and supplied with mosquito nets, I saw fireflies in my room and outside when I went to bed.. We went to bed early and got up quite early too! 

Back to Sapa this morning where we are staying at the Village Noshery again. We tried to get a home stay but it fell through.  Today we walked down to Cat Cat village again, but with me as the guide this time ;). We also saw the cultural dance show which was slightly different to the one I saw on Saturday. We got motorbike taxis back up to the village. 

View from the Hmong house 

Snack lunch in Cat Cat, sweet potato and bean cakes and sticky rice served in a bamboo cane with sesame seed dip. 

Although there were a few drops of rain this morning, the day has stayed dry despite the threatening black clouds. 

The agenda for tomorrow has yet to be planned ! The only fixed point being departure from here at 5.0 pm for the hour drive to Lao Cai and the train at 7.30 pm. We are due to arrive back in Hanoi at 5.0am on Wednesday.