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.
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.
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| All packed and ready to go |
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| One last view from the balcony |
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| Leaving some old friends behind |
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| Fansipan in the horizon |
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| Roots at the market |
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| Yes, its dead |
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| Waiting |
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| Still dead |
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| Finally at the station |
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| Ready for some Pho for breakfast |
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| LC4 - our train to Hanoi |
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| Half way stop |
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| Mystery food and snacks |
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| At our "hostel" in Hanoi |
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| Dinner with a view |
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