Today was the second day of this trip on the Northern Loop with blue sky. I was hoping for the days with only blue sky for a few years – finally, I got at last one day of blue in the mountains. In the evening, I was even happier since I did not want to drive the small road up to the DT 128 in the rain with my Yamaha Exciter 135. And let’s not talk about the slick on the back tire. Best of all, most of today’s drive was still without power lines. And I can not say that too often. Even in 1989, when I was here for the first time, there were power lines everywhere. So it was a special day altogether.
Phan Xi Păng or Fansipan. 3,143 meters (10,312 ft), making it the highest mountain in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. His nickname is “the Roof of Indochina”. Now with a cable car and an exit to the Gift Shop!A farm with a view!Mountains and farmlandBlue sky and a waterfallThis way we goThe long and winding roadNot really a lot of trafficFor a change: Unspoiled mountainsSteep roads and Zick Zack mountainsFarmland eats it s way upNice selection
Lai Châu
Rice fields and a village in the valleyLai Châu – Super wide roads and big buildingsNot to much traffic in Lai ChâuLai Châu from the top.
The Mountains without Power
Mountains in the mistGreen hills and rocksLooks almost untouched AND no powerlines!That did not last to longThe power is on the wayUnspoiled? Almost – but at last no power poles!Landscape like this or farming along the small roadAnd from time to time small farm houses – without powerWater Buffaloes doing their water thingFarming takes over – starting hereImagine this road in the Rainy SeasonThey where the first with powerLast tree standingMore and more farmland
Panoramic View from Left to Right
The farmland eats the forrest againAnd more and more fires to burn the cut woodKind of a shock after all that green hills a few clicks backNot to much forrest leftA panoramic view over the mountainsRoads & FieldsIf only the mist would clearMy way out over the mountain into the next valley
Down into the next Valley
Looks like a new houseCould be a nice view – without the bare red earthWithout a warning: Concrete road again. Not really wide but easy to drive.That nice road turned a bit nasty after I saw this warning sign with the blasting hours. It was 14:39 when I took the picture.
After a while I was back at the QL 12 and turned right to drive up North to meet with Mitsos in Sìn Hồ.
This grave yard is not to nice but they do take care of the lawnMemorial Grave Yard
Sìn Hồ
Got my chain thightened here. 3 generations of mechanicsThe Asians like their food freshNot sure if that was a statement but there are not many places in Vietnam to be further away from Saigon. Well I liked it even more.Had lunch and later dinner after Mitsos arrived at this nice place
The Phúc Thọ Hotel
The Phuc Tho Hotel in Sìn Hồ. We had the room with the flag!The room was quite OKThe toilet not so fancy but the hot water worked – great!The view from the balcony to the left. Sìn Hồ main squareView to the rightThe first time I had Bamboo shoots in Vietnam. If those are Bamboo shoots.
Had to wait hours for Mitsos to turn up. Since he does not track where he drives, we will never know. Only one thing is sure – he drove a very different road to get here.
Today’s drive: I drove 151 kilometers in 6 hours, 11 minutes, with gas and food stops.
My mother got me an Eurorail ticket when I was 15, and together with two friends, we adventured into France. This was the beginning of a new addiction. I do like to take pictures, so one thing leads to another. On this site, I want to share some of my pictures and some of my trips with you! Now I am on the road for more than 8 months every year. Visiting old friends and making new friends while exploring this big blue ball.
