Sapa - Lao Cai - Hanoi by local bus and local train (LC4)

The alarm was set for 6 AM this morning. Last check of the room at 6:40 and 15 minutes later we were at the main square in front of the church looking for the regular bus going to Lao Cai. We knew it was supposed to leave there - that's all. This morning we were lucky. Only 5 of us on the bus, the bus left 5 minutes after we arrived at the square and headed down the mountain road towards Lao Cai and the train. According to the train schedule there is one local train in the morning to Hanoi, that's it.
Most trains leave in the evening as sleeper services with very early morning arrivals in Hanoi. We wanted to have a look at the countryside from the train which is why we were going for the morning train. Some 15 kilometres down the road and our bus blew a tire. A loud bang and we came to a stop. Not the worst place, but we were stuck there. The bus driver and his assistant managed to get the spare wheel out of its compartment but the only tool they had on the bus was a small hammer - so we waited. And waited some more. Lots of traffic on the road but nobody to pick us up. We stayed with the bus and the other passengers and after an hour we were picked up. It was now a bit hit or miss whether we would make it for the train. Some 45 minutes to departure and we still had at least 25 kilometres to go. Doing the maths some 20 minutes later it was clear we weren't going to make it for the 9:15 departure. Our only hope was for the train to be a bit delayed. We were dropped off by the bus at 9:15 in front of the station and ran to the platform only to realise that the train today left at 10:10. Lots of time.

Tickets bought we headed for a cafe next to the station for a bit of breakfast and some water, before we boarded the train at 10:10 and slowly headed towards Hanoi. Lots of fields and rice paddies on the way, and lots of noisy Vietnamese in our train carriage making it a bit of challenge to do the 10 hour train ride. Looking at Google maps once in a while we realised that the train would pass right through the Old Quarter possibly stopping at the station there. It didn't stop though. Instead it went all the way to the main station, and we walked with our backpacks to the hotel - about 20 minutes through dark Hanoi. Once we had checked in, we left the hotel for some dinner having spotted a nice place on the way. Once we got there we were told the kitchen had closed. New place - and Italian lasagne for dinner. A long day of travelling and we've had our dose of Vietnam today. Ready for more Vietnam tomorrow.

All packed and ready to go

One last view from the balcony

Leaving some old friends behind

Fansipan in the horizon

Roots at the market

Yes, its dead

Waiting

Still dead

Finally at the station

Ready for some Pho for breakfast

LC4 - our train to Hanoi

Half way stop

Mystery food and snacks

At our "hostel" in Hanoi

Dinner with a view

Da Lat flower garden, train to Trai Mat and taking it easy

As agreed we met with Sam and Paul in the centre of Da Lat and spent the rest of the day with them. First destination was the flower garden which was really pretty, especially the area with all the orchids. The woman taking care of the flowers there were clearly happy to show them and pointed out the different ones with the most striking and surprising smells. We walked back to the city centre, had coffee and cake for lunch and took a taxi to the railway station.

There is one train running between Da Lat and the small village of Trai Mat some 30 minutes down an old railway line that once stretched all the way to the coast but was damage during the war and later dismantled. The train goes through the country side at a fairly slow pace but great to experience the landscape. Once in Trai Mat there is the option to walk to the impressive local temple which we did, hang out there for a short while before returning with the train to Da Lat.

Paul knew of an old rail road carriage that had been moved to a private garden and converted into a bar so after a few misses we found it close to the station. A really nice place to sit and relax in the afternoon and share some more travel memories. We headed back to the city centre, had vegetarian food for dinner and then split up wishing each other the best travels. We headed back to the hostel to pack stuff for three days with the Easy Riders. Pick up at 8 AM tomorrow.

Flower market

Orchid Garden

At Da Lat station

Arrived in Trai Mat

Temple

Back in Da Lat

Beer in the garden

Nice dinner

Taking care of Internet business