So Cool.

The night train to Sapa doesn't actually go to Sapa. (Pronounced Sa Pa, BTW.) It goes to Lao Cai, which is right on the Chinese border and a huge point of entry for Chinese trade and Chinese tourists. Lao Cai is at about the same altitude as Hanoi, so the temperature is similar, i.e. steamy hot, even at 5:30 am, which is when we arrived.

It wasn't as steamy as it looks in this picture. That's just condensation
on the camera lens because of the temperature differential
between our frigidly air-conditioned cabin and the outside air.
I was unable to take more than this initial picture because the
lens became opaque for about 15 minutes.

We were picked up by a guide and a driver in a private car
and driven to Sapa (one of the perks of working for a travel company).
The altitude in Sapa is about 3500 feet, so the air is beautifully cool and clean.

The French built Sapa as a hill station to escape the heat of Hanoi.
It still has a very European, alpine ambiance. Here's our first hotel.
We just checked in for the morning to rest and freshen up before
starting our trek at 10 am.

The view from our window.

This is truly a beautiful place. A world away from the noise and

heat and humidity of Hanoi.

P.