Today we setting out on a two day hike in Sapa and we are just walking through the town.
We've picked up a few more people who are joining us and we've already picked up some
local buddies who will be walking with us it seems.
Today's hike is going to be divided into three sections and the first village that we will
be visiting is called Lao Chai.
It's about eight kilometers from where we started out and we're two kilometers into
the trek so far.
It is getting really hot and I'm sweaty so let's keep going.
Tell us about the scenery?
Unbelievable.
Everywhere we walk.
So as you can see over here there is a bit of a landslide that is blocking the road into
the town.
I thought I heard a waterfall down there.
It turns out it is just a river.
It is still impressive.
So after several kilometers of hiking we're finally approaching the village of Lao Chai
down below.
So we are about to cross this bridge into town and it is not for those who have vertigo
because there are railings on this bridge.
After two hours of hiking we've reached our first destination point Lao Chai Village.
It is time for lunch and I'm pretty hungry.
How about you?
I'm starving.
I can't wait to get there fast enough.
It is just over there where the bridge is.
That is Lao Chai.
We are going to continue our trekking journey.
We just finished eating lunch in Lao Chai and next up we're going to a place called
Ta Van.
That is meant to be three kilometers away.
So we are walking through the town of Lao Chai and people are just going about their
daily business.
They are herding ducks down the street and there are men working the fields with their
water buffaloes.
Friendly kids running around playing.
Yes.
Sam wants to live here.
I do.
You can see these rice terraces in the mountains and you can also see them right in the towns.
Okay, cowboy.
More postcard worthy views from over here.
We are taking the scenic route and right now we're just walking past some rice fields where
people are working the crops.
I think these next three kilometers are going to be worse than the eight kilometers we previously
did.
Earlier we were walking down hill.
Oh come on, this is the reward.
We're climbing up terraces.
Look at all the kids up there.
Those little kids up there were throwing rocks down at us.
So a status update.
How are you feeling now?
Uh.
And your legs.
Uh.
She is a city gal from Toronto.
And here we've got butterflies feasting on poo.
So the village that we are staying in for the night.
There is a bigger duck population than there are people and we have lots of friendly cats.
We are here.
Full of zest and energy?
Made it.
Ta Van.
The village of Ta Van.
What have we got under here?
A little cat hiding.
So we've arrived here in Ta Van and this is where we're going to be sleeping.
Home stay time.
It's like camping.
So this is our second day of the hike.
We're heading to our third village and then afterwards when we finish we're taking a bus
back to Sapa and then this evening we're taking a train to Hanoi, so we've got a really busy
day.
Well now that it is day two I can say with absolute certainty this is the most scenic
hike I've ever taken in my whole life.
Anyone who visits Vietnam definitely make time to go on this type of hike.
It is phenomenal.
So right now we've got a bit of shady reprieve.
We're walking through the bamboo forest.
Quite tired at this point and the terrain is getting really muddy.
I just wore flip flops.
Owe!
Something bit me!
Oh my gosh and there is the largest spider I've seen in my life.
Where?
So what just happened there?
There is fresh shit for us to hop over.
This pretty much wraps up our hiking tour here in the Northwestern part of Vietnam.
It was a great experience but also very tiring.
We are staying in a mountainside town of Sapa.
We've been here two days now and today we woke up bright and early at 5:30 in the morning
and now it is about 7:30.
We are heading on a hike to Cat Cat Village.
Hello.
Okay.
Cheong.
We have arrived at Cat Cat Village now.
It is located I guess at the base of the mountain or in the valley, so we are just walking down
hill enjoying the views.
Well someone has walked away with a new souvenir.
What is the meaning of this?
I sure have.
My new four dollar cowboy hat.
You are like Vietnam's Indian Jones.
Yeah.
As you know.
I'm a man of many hats.
We've been walking around for about an hour an and half.
It has almost been straight downhill, so now we've decided to head back and we are going
to be walking uphill the whole way.
I'm not sure we have the energy to get back.
I'll be fine.
We may have to live in Cat Cat Village forever.
Yeah, I think it would be a great place for you to live.
Excellent, we'll be farmers.