Sapa - Mostly Cat Cat village - day 3, and a mishmash of others

On day 3, our final day in Sapa, we decieded to walk down to Cat-Cat village, approx a 2 kms steep decent from Sapa, located at the bottom of the Moa Hoang valley. The village is home to the H'Mong ethnic group, and is surrounded in beautiful mountains, and terraced rice patties. The villagers wear a traditional dress, which is stunning, very beautiful with vibrant colours. Unfortunately, we could not surreptiously capture a photograph of their dress, as one generally has to negotiate a price, which generally draws much attention.

So, we conceded, to a photograph of their livestock; 3 cute pigs feasting

Terraced rice patties, which surround the village below

There are a network of trails in and around the mountains. Very muddy on this day

A lone house, situatated high, close to the entrance of Cat Cat village. On a clear day, this will have stunning views of the valley below. Sadly, the sun did not make an appearance on our hike.

Gordon at the ticket office at the start of the hike. One must pay 40,000 VND ($2) each to enter. It had just started to rain; Gordon looking indecisive?

Buffalo on our way down to Cat Cat village; everyone yields to buffalo. We were both fortunate to witness the mystical albino buffalo.

Pardon me, passing through - very polite buffalo

Gordon, in his pajamas, warming up by the fireplace after his hike up Fansipan

On our way out for dinner. Kathryn styling her new puffy jacket purchase on the cat-walk. Many of the stores in Sapa sold authentic North Face apparel for cheap ($30 US for a jacket). The clothing is made in both China and Vietnam. Needless to say, we, along with all other tourists, filled, and in some cases, saturated (Kathryn) any jacket void. At the train station, on our way to Hanoi, every tourist was wearing North Face.

Gordon strolling through the field of roses on day 1.

We are in Hanoi at the moment, settled in comfortably at the Sheraton. We both had a terrible, restless sleep on the train ride from Sapa, and were greatly relieved when the Sheraton permitted a 5am check in this morning.