Sapa Trekking Trip 03 Nov - 06 Nov

My last backpack trip in year 2011  (a◕‿◕a)

Done some research and friends recommendation, finally decided to go Sapa, Vietnam! Authentic and beautiful place that never forget. High mountains, rice padi and cooling weather! Great to go during November to February, as the weather is very cooling! Occasionally snowfall in winter. Phew! Fortunately during my trip, there wasn't any snow. Otherwise, trip will be affected. 

Day 1 - Overnight train Journey 
Took an overnight train from Hanoi station to Lao Cai city. Estimate 9 - 10 hours ride and arrived at Lao Cai city around 7am in the morning. Lao Cai is the last station. 
You can book your train ticket at Train ticket booking

Day 2
Met our tour guide, Ah Bang. He bought us to a nearby restaurant to freshen up and had breakfast. After breakfast, we took a mini bus heading to Sapa. Around 1 hour bus ride. Finally we arrived Sapa town and alighted at one of the hotel. Repacked our backpack and getting ready our trekking trip. We passed thru the village and saw greenly bamboo forest! 

During our trekking, we passed by an spectacular scenery of the highest part of Hoang Lien Son mountain range. As November to February is non harvest period, all of the crops were abandon.  

While trekking, we came cross the kids heading to back home. The kids were lovely and sweet. 

Not only the lovely kids, we saw some wild boars .... 

After few hours, it was lunch time! We arrived at a small hut that managed by ethnic Y Linh Ho villagers. Our tour guide cooked fried rice and prepared some fruits! Simple but nice too...burp burp! After our lunch, we carried on our trek for few hours and finally we arrived Ta Van Village. Tonight we would stay in Ta Van Village for an unique life experience. The family prepared super nice dinner for us. Most of the food were from their own farm! Vegetables, chicken, pork and shāojiǔ! Omg ...super awesome. After dinner, we loitering around the village. 

Day 3
As we were exhausted from the previous day, we forgo the bamboo forest trekking and opt for simple route! The tour guide bought us to the Cat Cat village. Getting through Cat Cat village of the H’mong, we visited some local homes, witnessing their daily life activities and experiencing their hospitality. 

We continued walking down to the valley bottom, having a break at a stunning waterfall. After resting, we heading back to Sapa Town. Freshen up and having dinner at a fine restaurant serving local cuisine.  

Day 4
Today we are heading to the Bac Ha market (Sunday market). Bac Ha hosts the biggest fair near the mountainous highlands and the Chinese border.The market was very crowded, local products for sale or barter are carried on horseback.

After wandering around market, we heading to Lao Cai station for taking the night train back to Hanoi.

If you interested to go Sapa trekking, you can email to Ah Bang. As his quote reasonable price.

Ah Bang's email address: bangsapa@hotmail.com

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Penang Trip Rest and Relax

Right after our adventurous trip, we took night train heading to Kuala Lumpur and followed by bus ride to Penang. This was not the first time heading this nice place....why nice? In Penang, there are alot of nice food and sightseeing too. Friends bought us around and try their inexpensive local food. Simple and nice! Yummy ㋡

Well, I am a person who love to eat! Of course I will share with you.... so check it out ٩(-̮̮̃•̃)۶

For breakfast, you must try this! 

Sunny side up & toasted bread (with chilli). 1/2 cooked sunny side up in bread. Especially while chewing, so juicy and this goes extremely well with any kind of drinks_tea, coffee, teh tarik (拉茶) or even soft drinks_ Burp burp!!! Not only that, the price only RM 3.00!!!

If you prefer soupy base, can also consider having 
Guo Tiao Tang (果条汤) Kway Teow soup (known as flat rice noodles) OR
Mian Tang (面汤) Mee soup (known as egg noodles)
Very traditional style. Cooks with minced pork, some thinly sliced fish cake, a piece of bean curd, an egg, a pinch of spring onions and fried lard. The stock is a bit oily (caused by the minced pork) but not salty at all...must go with chilli padi (指天椒) or pepper to taste. This is very awesome! A bowl costs only RM 2.70!!! Gosh! 

Guo Tiao Tang (果条汤) Kway Teow soup (known as flat rice noodles) 

Mian Tang (面汤) Mee soup (known as egg noodles)

Not only these food, there are some nice food in this coffee shop too. Chicken rice, Char kway teoh (stir fried flat rice noodles), hokkien mee (Penang prawn egg noodles)! Cost around RM 2.80 to RM 3.00. So reasonable!! 

Location of the coffee shop: Sungai Nibong, Jalan Bukit Kecil 1(Opposite police station & Guang Hua Primary School).  

After breakfast, we went to Kek Lok Si temple (极乐寺). This is a very well known temple and it is the largest buddhist temple in Southeast Asia. Not only that, there is also has a 30.2m bronze statue of the Kuan Yin. So must visit. 

Kek Lok Si temple (极乐寺)

30.2m bronze statue of the Kuan Yin

Beside taking photograph, you can also divination. Gets the wishing ribbon and hang on the tree. "Boh pi boh pi" (保佑).

After praying, you can walk around and see the beautiful scenery. Enjoy the breeze. 

After temple visit, we heading downwards to a stall for Penang Laksa. This stall can be found along the road...Very crowded when we arrived as it was lunch time! The stall name: Pasar Air Itam Laksa (亚依淡巴杀加沙). Each bowl cost only RM 3.00. Business hour: 11.15am - 7.30pm. 

After laksa, we heading back to my friend's place and took some rest. 

Tea break time! High tea at fine restaurant? My friend drove us to one of Penang Heritage ...clan jetties at Weld Quay (also known as Pengkalan Weld). There are 8 clan jetties along Weld Quay. Namely Chew Jetty, Koay Jetty, Lee Jetty, Lim Jetty, Peng Aun Jetty, Tan Jetty, Yeoh Jetty and Mixed Clans Jetty. Chew Clan Jetty is one of the longest and best-preserved clan jetties located along Weld Quay, just a few hundreds meters away from Penang ferry terminal. 
Along one of the clan jetties (cannot remember the name of clan), there is a small stall selling Lor Bak (Nyonya food). Freshly make daily. Must try! Eat when it is still "HOT"...crunchy outside and the fillings very soft! AWESOME!!! you will love it! Moreover it only cost RM 0.80 per piece! Gosh! ✿◕‿◕✿ You can add chilli for extra taste. 

After our snack, we heading to newly open shopping mall, Straights Quey Marina Mall, Tangjung Tokong. Walking along the sea side enjoy the sea breeze and scenery. 

Having great time outside snoopy restaurant! yeshhhh. Some funny shots that always make me laugh whenever I look at these pictures! You guys are super comical fellows! 

Actually there are lot of nice places and food in Penang. Such as Hock Hin Keong (Snake Temple), Penang Museum and Art Gallery, Butterfly Farm, Putu Mayom, Salted fish Fried Bee Hoon, Curry Mee ...shall visit Penang again if there is another opportunity. (a❤‿❤a) 

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Places of Interest & Sightseeing in Penang details

Penang Clan Jetties, Weld Quay

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Gunung Stong l Malaysia (21 Oct - 22 Oct 2011) Part 5

Heading down from Gunung Stong was very tedious and dangerous. Slippery mud and also the steep slopes would cause injuries. I was so clumpy and fell couples of time. Had some minor cuts, but this was a great experience that I had ever gained.  (≧◡≦)
After a few hours heading down, we finally came down safely.

Life is a song - sing it. 

Life is a game - play it. 

Life is a challenge - meet it. 

Life is a dream - realize it. 

Life is a sacrifice - offer it. 

Life is love - enjoy it.

Had some rest and we went to back to the starting point for shower. Later the tour guide drove us to the Gua Gelap ("Dark Cave"). 

Follwed by Gua Ikan "Fish Cave"

After some sightseeing, we heading back to the coffee shop to had our dinner before taking the night train to Kuala Lumpur. 

End of our adventurous trip @ Gunung Stong 

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4

More pictures @ facebook:
Gunung Stong
Little Turtle's photo sharing

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Gunung Stong l Malaysia (21 Oct - 22 Oct 2011) Part 4

Woke up around 5plus in the morning and getting ready to see the sunrise! Camera and tripod ready to capture the stunning cloud sea! We waited patiently! Having a cup of hot coffee and enjoying these beautiful cloud sea and sunrise. Hoping the time would stop at this unforgettable moment.....

After having these good views, morning bathe...OMG! Cold cold water! I freak out while crossing the rocks! So difficulties and dangerous. So my friends went ahead. 

After morning shower, we packed out bag and get ready to heading down! Goodbye Stong Waterfall! 

To be continued...

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 5

More pictures @ facebook: 

Gunung Stong

Little Turtle's photo sharing

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Gunung Stong l Malaysia (21 Oct - 22 Oct 2011) Part 3

After dinner, the guys washed up! So "nice" ...hahaha

As for the gals, we sat at a corner and enjoyed the scenery. Seems the dark clouds were coming. Phew! These dark clouds just passed by and blew away by the winds! Yeah 

We gathered around and waiting for sunset! Chatting and saw twinkle twinkle little stars!

*☆⌒9⌒9⌒9⌒☆* ゜ 9⌒9a+☆+a9⌒9゜ ☆:*´¨`*:..:*´¨`*:.☆

To be continued....
Part 1
Part 2
Part 4
Part 5

More pictures @ facebook:
Gunung Stong
Little Turtle's photo sharing

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Gunung Stong l Malaysia (21 Oct - 22 Oct 2011) Part 2

Right after washing up, we had simple lunch .... tuna sandwich! Super duper hungry! 

Replenished our energy...setting up our tents! 2 tents _ 1 tent for the guys and another for gals!

Right after setting up, it was shower time! C'mon we were in the jungle and there was no washroom around. So ..... please don't expect too much! Love the god creation_nature! Shivering...cooling o(╥﹏╥)o

The water is very cold but refeshing! These guys really enjoyed it very much!

After shower, we gathered the food and prepared our dinner. Well no nice restaurant around ...we cooked our own food! We had instant noodles, chicken curry and soup!

To be continued....
Part 1
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5

More pictures @ facebook:
Gunung Stong
Little Turtle's photo sharing

Read More