Sa Pa

(All outfits from H&M) 

After 6 hours in the Topas Mountain Express from Hanoi - a glam van with mobile wifi whut whut! (Other alternative to get to Sa Pa from Hanoi would be the overnight sleeper trains) Drea and I arrived at Topas Ecolodge. The location of the Ecolodge is simply breathtaking and stunning! Perched at the end of a ridge at an altitude of about 1000m there's a glorious 360 degree panorama view over deep valleys, hanging valleys, terraced paddy fields and numerous mountainous peaks disappearing into the distance and into clouds. Topas Ecolodge is one hour drive away from the bustle of Sapa town. The remote area where I stayed at you'd get to see the simple daily life of the locals from the ethnic minority tribeswomen in traditional costume with their children to ladies doing embroidery to children playing in streams and farmers working in the fields with their water buffalo.

The best way to explore the surroundings is to use a mountain bike at your leisure, a take a guide for a day and trek (weather permitting) and perhaps check out a villager's house! Drea and I we had a guide with us for a day and he took us for a hike and we ended our hike at the river to cool off! The scenery from our hike is incredibly stunning! We also got to visit a few tribe villages and we had such a great time interacting with the villagers! They're all so beautiful and gracious!

Such a stunning location and an absolute highlight not to be missed! Whilst I was there I felt my lungs inflate with the onrush of scenery - air, mountains, trees. I thought, 'This is what it is to be happy.' Really thankful that Drea and I did this trip together and this concludes our North Vietnam adventure. And of course, I'll be coming back for more!

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Fierce and Love,
J