Friday, January 11, 2013

Lao Cai ,Friday

The train arrived about 6:30 to a cold, wet and dark Lao Cai.We had to firstly run the gauntlet of taxi and tour bus operators before we could free oursleves of the verbal onslaught. Once across the square and safely in the main street we began to search for Hotels, Khach San and Nga Nghis. We walked around looking for places to stay that looked open at 7 am. The square is surrounded by them and them scream $$$$, 5 & 6 stories of flashing lights. We headed down the main street and off into a side street and came across the Galaxy. So we have a lovely spacious clean room with views, 2 double beds, flat screen tv, phone, wifi, mini bar, ensuite suit etc etc for 400 000 VND $20. This looks and feels like the off peak season. To top it all off we had breakfast as soon as we booked in, yes breakfast is included.
Today we have spent most of the day walking around Lao Cai. It is not a tourist town but a place where people transit through on their way to Sapa. The river is large and fast and has many home market gardens along its banks. The town is split by the river and there is a silent but imposing third presence. There is a much bigger Chinese city as a silent twin.
This afternoon Carol treated herself to a foot massage which by all accounts was really lovely.

 China behind the bridge
 Wedding reception venue
 Home market gardens
 Lao Cai Station
 Galaxy Hotel Lao Cai
Bicycle  street vendor
 View from Hotel roof
 View from Hotel roof


 View from Hotel roof

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