September 19, 2019
by Cynthia Fazekas
On day five we awaken from our night with the Dao People and are greeted by amazing views of cloud enshrouded mountains and drifting mists. We gather on the terrace to take in the view, enjoy some tea, and breakfast as our time with our hosts draws to a close.
Our van doesn't make the hairpin turn to go further up the mountain and we have to bail out so to lighten the load. After a few minutes of tire spinning and some transmission abuse, we climb back in and get on our way.
Eventually, the road becomes impassable by van. By foot, we climb even further and find our way up higher still to another gorgeous grove of wild tea trees.
These trees range from just sprouted to three hundred years old. New tree sprouts grow from wherever their seeds have fallen or rolled. Like the other trees we saw, these have companions such as fuzzy moss on their expressive branches. After enjoying some time here, we make the trek back to the van and then to the tea factory that belongs to the family that own this grove.
AT the factory there are two tasting tables set for us. We enjoy some rounds of white, then red tea (here they name it by the color of infusion so it is what we would call black tea in the US.) This family has some especially fruit-noted white tea. I get the aroma of ripe cherries when sniffing the leaves. They say it is not ready so we don't get to taste this tea, but their other white was a lovely, super light "frost tea" harvested in the colder months. It is quite delicate with soft hints of fruit.
Of course, if we could stay all day with them we would but we must get to the village center, settle in our hotel, and meet with local officials. Tomorrow we attend the opening ceremonies of the Vietnam Tea Masters Cup early in in the morning.
