First trek from Sa Pa

Our first trek was about 12 kilometres from Sa Pa to the Black H'mong minority village of Lao Chai and on to the Giay minority village of Ta Van.

                            We started off from central Sa Pa with Dung.

               View of Sa Pa sweeping up the Mountain.

     We were soon joined by two woman "helpers".  This is Su and some children who were selling friendship bracelets along the road.

      This bamboo forest was was a cool relief, as it was already getting hot.

    Before too long, we left the road and headed down a track.  The scenery was spectacular and very interesting.

    People working in the rice paddies.

    We awaited for a bit while this buffalo blocked our path.

    We passed a piggery.

    Su insisted on taking my hand, but Bill managed to resist the older woman's offers of help.

  Dung at the halfway rest spot.

     This cute little girl was dab hand at selling friendship bracelets.

    We're off again and Joy is making use of the brolly as a sunshade.

    This enterprising little boy is selling drinks in the middle of nowhere.

    View across the valley towards Lao Chai.

   Bill and Dung.

   By now we were quite a crowd.

    A bridge with out rails!

   

   Our turn to cross the bridge.

   The whole family is working on this rice paddie.

    The village has a new hydroelectric plant.

   Crossing the river to the lunch spot.

    A Black H'mong woman at her loom.

  Dung demonstrates a rice grinder.

    Village street.

    Dung took us to visit his friends and we were plied with "happy wine".

   The red bridge at Ta Van.