One fine day, me and my friends decided to go to Osmeña Peak. Without further ado, we packed our stuffs and prepped everything that we need to bring for an overnight journey without planning on where we are gonna stay or spend the night.
Early in the morning, me and my friends met at the Cebu South Bus Terminal. We thought that we can ride on the bus around 3 in the morning hoping to see the sunrise at Osmeña Peak but in our surprise, a numerous people lining for the bus heading to Oslob or somewhere going to the south of Cebu. We were able to get on the bus after almost 2 hours of waiting.
Tell the driver or conductor of the bus to drop you off to Dalaguete Junction to Osmeña Peak. The landmarks would be 7/11 and a bakeshop just across it. You'll also see many habal-habal/motorcycle in one corner waiting for passengers. The ride will take you for about 30-40 minutes and the motorcycle can accommodate 2 passengers at a time with a fare of 100 pesos each.
You'll be dropped off at the tourism office and you'll pay 30 pesos for the entrance fee. You may opt to get or hire a tour guide going to the peak. But for us, we didn't get one.
(not the summit yet)
You'll reach the summit for about 20-30 minutes only. Seems easy, right?
There is a camping site in Osmeña Peak if you plan to stay overnight but you need to bring your own tent. There will be a charge of 50 pesos per person.
The view was really amazing and breathtaking when you reach the summit. You'll see some neighbouring islands and beautiful seas. Time to inhale the fresh air!!!
Spend a lot of time taking pictures and maximising our time before starting our traverse to Kawasan Falls. We talked to a local and asked some advice on how to get to Kawasan Falls. We almost decided to get him as our tour guide for our traverse but in the end, we were so determined to try our best and be independent. So as you all know, we traversed by ourselves.
The calm before the muscle breaking journey
Still fine after an hour
We lost our way several times but we were so lucky to see some locals or passerby and ask if the way that we are taking is still correct or not. In this journey, we were not able to rely on google maps because the signal was not stable.
Finally! After 5 hours, we were able to reach the highway as what the locals instructed us. It means, we are almost done with our traverse.
The first waterfalls in Kawasan.
The second waterfalls.
The instagrammable dam in Kawasan Falls.
We took a tricycle from Kawasan going to Lambug Beach. It took as about 30-40 minutes to get there. We spend the night there by renting a tent that is good for 4 persons. Facilities there were good and locals are so helpful that you'll never be intimidated.
You can also check the video (below) that I made for this journey on YouTube. Don't forget to like, comment and subscribe.
4:30 AM Departed Cebu City
6:30 AM Arrived in Dalaguete (Drop off area to Osmeña Peak)
7:00 AM Osmena Peak Tourism Center
7:30 AM Touchdown Osmeña Peak
9:00 AM Started the Traverse going to Kawasan
2:30 PM Touchdown Kawasan Falls
6:30 PM Lambug Beach
Going to Hue, I rode a train for about 10 hours from Ninh Binh (I know what you are thinking!). Yes! It was a pain in my back especially I was assigned on the uppermost bed of a 6-bed room. But one good thing, I was able to sleep for 6 hours after eating dinner. It was my first time to ride the train for that long so I consider it as a nightmare.
I don’t wanna waste my time in Vietnam knowing that I have a spontaneous trip and uncountable places to visit here so after having enough rest, I visited the listed places below. And I hope you will visit these places someday or when you go to Hue because these places are so important to them.
Imperial City of Hue
Like many countries in Asia, Vietnam also used to be ruled by dynasties of families, emperors, grand palaces and many more.
So from 1802-1945, Vietnam was ruled by the Nguyen Dynasty. They are known to be the powerful family who had its capital in the city of Hue for more than 100 years.
By visiting the Imperial City of Hue, you’ll get to know more about their history. There was even a part of the citadel known as “The Forbidden Purple City” which was only reserved for the most important people in Vietnam.
Tu Duc Tomb
Built between 1864-1867, this tomb was designed as a tribute to the fourth Nguyen Emperor’s long and frustrating life since he served and died without heirs.
The tomb site and buildings are well preserved despite the war and time. This serves as a reminder that money and power can only buy one so much happiness.
Royal Tomb of King Khai Dinh
Of all the rulers who had built themselves a tomb, I can say that Emperor Khai Dinh built the grandest design. With the 37 steps entrance, framed by carved dragons. Statues of horses, elephants and military line the forecourts. Ceramic and glass form mosaics of dragons along the walls. The ceilings of the tomb are hand painted.
Emperor Khai Dinh died young and was not very popular among the people but the design of the tomb itself will give and leave you a mouth opening art masterpiece.
Thien Mu Pagoda
Built on the overlooking hill of Perfume River lies a pagoda that serves as an icon of Vietnam and a symbol of Hue as the citadel. This 21 meter high pagoda was constructed under the reign of Emperor Thieu Tri in 1844.
Over the centuries, the buildings have been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times.
It is advisable to visit in the morning before tour groups show up.
Thanh Toan Bridge
Driving through the beautiful rural landscapes, I found this almost deserted attraction. Known to be the sister bridge to Hoi An’s famous Japanese bridge.
The bridge is difficult to find so make sure you pinned the right place on your map if you’re going there on your own.
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Ninh Binh—2 hours away from Hanoi, is a good place to unwind with nature and its unique surroundings.
Below are the best places to visit and shouldn’t miss when in Ninh Binh!
Phat diem/church
A very unique and most beautiful church in Vietnam. With a design that is one of a kind in Asia. This gothic church is built from stone and wood with a great Vietnamese architecture. This made the church beautiful and interesting to see especially for the tourists.
Bich Dong Pagoda
This Pagoda was built in a cave. You have to climb the stairs going up for a few minutes. When you reach the cave, you’ll see some buddha statues inside. I was a bit disappointed and feel unsurprised about the place.
Tam Coc
On my way to Bich Dong Pagoda, I saw this place with a lot of tourists. So after visiting Bich Dong, I stopped by this place and found out that it is possible to ride on the boat to enjoy the magnificent view of the mountains.
While being paddled, I saw some beautiful limestone mountains, river, rice fields, pagodas, ducks dipping in the water, birds flying around us and even passed through some caves.
While being paddled, I saw some beautiful limestone mountains, river, rice fields, pagodas, ducks dipping in the water, birds flying around us and even passed through some caves.
Hang Mua Peak
So make sure you were fueled up with energy and water because the higher you climb the more sweat you’ll have.
AND don’t forget to take a glimpse of the dragon on the top of the mountain but be careful when climbing the rocks going to the dragon, they are so sharp and scary.
Bai Dinh Pagoda
This Pagoda was the tallest I’ve ever seen. And I am right! Based on my research, Bai Dinh Pagoda is the tallest and largest in South East Asia. It also houses the largest Buddha statue in the record.
It took me more than an hour to visit the whole place. Get your legs ready because you have to take a lot steps before you reach the Pagoda.
It took me more than an hour to visit the whole place. Get your legs ready because you have to take a lot steps before you reach the Pagoda.
Trang An (King Kong's Paradise)
Did you know where are the most important scenes from Kong: The Skull Island was taken? Yes, it is from this place. The place has a stunning and untouched beautiful scenery and surrounded by gigantic stones.
Some props from the movie was still there including the village and boat they used to escape from the island (according to the movie).
You can also take a picture with the tribes from the village and may give a tip. It was a wrap though because there were a lot of tourists visiting the place.
Ninh Binh is surely for the people who loves nature and seeking for a peaceful mind. It is probably my next favorite destination after Ha Giang Province and I’m sure that I will go back here again and again and again.
You can also take a picture with the tribes from the village and may give a tip. It was a wrap though because there were a lot of tourists visiting the place.
Ninh Binh is surely for the people who loves nature and seeking for a peaceful mind. It is probably my next favorite destination after Ha Giang Province and I’m sure that I will go back here again and again and again.
HÃ Giang is a remote province of northern Vietnam and about 7 hours drive from Hanoi. It has the most epic and beautiful untouched scenery. HÃ Giang province is rarely having visitors or tourists(Idk nowadays). Most of its population consists of ethnic minorities.
The provincial capital, also called HÃ Giang, is connected by Highway 2 and is 320 km away from Hanoi. It is said that Ha Giang is the poorest province in Vietnam, but I don't agree with that. In my opinion, Ha Giang is the wealthiest because of its rich nature, happy people and the never-ending culture that is well preserved and maintain even for their small children.
