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
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.
Ha Giang Province is not just a home of fantastic mountains or never ending hills and valleys but also the home of almost 80 percent of ethnic minorities. The northernmost part of Thailand and the last edge between China’s border. This place seems to be unique and still remains untouched by mass tourism.
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It is my second time here and would love to explore more about its hidden treasures.
There’s a lake named Tu Linh, decorated with Chinese inspired architecture with 4 sacred animals.
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Thon Tha Village, with a tiny population of about 550 people composed of Tay minorities and living in a primitive way of life, this village has been peaceful but open for tourists and opportunities.
Me and my friends continued our way until we reached the dead end and we saw a breathtaking view from where we were standing. (OMG I can stare at this view forever)
Waterfall near Ha Giang proper, going to this mysterious waterfall, I lost my way many times. It seems this waterfall is only for the locals but I found my way to get there.
With the help of my local friend, I, together with some friends, we were able to reach this secret waterfall (not secret nor hidden anymore).
After about 30 minutes drive, we parked our motorbikes inside the house of a local and paid a small amount for the parking fee. Then we crossed the river where the waterfall runs through.
Following the way up after crossing the river, you’ll see a field full of grass.
We tried climbing the rocks to uncover the beauty of this waterfall and TADAAAA!!!
Just be careful if you want to jump over the water, some parts are shallow and full of rocks beneath the water.
What else you can ask for? Quite, peaceful and no other tourists or locals, only US! It is worth crossing the strong current river.
3 most significant reasons why I love Ha Giang:
1. The people are so hospitable. They will invite you for something even you’re a stranger for them. May it be a small dinner, cup of tea or getting drunk by the corn and rice wine.
2. They preserve their culture and ethnicity. Even the youngest generation will still wear their traditional dress.
3. A place to find yourself because you’ll get lost with it’s beauty (talking about the amazing mountains).
In this journey, I focused more about the places that remain to be discovered and hidden for some tourists who go there.
Thach Lam Vien, about 3.5 kilometers away from the center of Ha Giang, you’ll find this 16 hectares of beautiful nature reserve of Phong Quang. The resort still preserves the harmonious beauty of man-made buildings with the wild nature of the place.
This ecotourism is built on the slopes of rocky mountains with many small caves in the regenerated forest. From Thal Lam looking down is a romantic stream with green water flowing down the Lo river.
There’s a lake named Tu Linh, decorated with Chinese inspired architecture with 4 sacred animals.
Tu Linh Lake with the Four sacred animals
Locals love to go here during the weekend to unwind and to be more away in the noisy hustle and bustle urban life. They like to have picnics here and have a refreshing bath in the cold water from the falls up to the lake.
Thon Tha Village, with a tiny population of about 550 people composed of Tay minorities and living in a primitive way of life, this village has been peaceful but open for tourists and opportunities.
The entrance gate to the village
Upon visiting this place, you’ll see how the Tay people live and struggle to live. The village is surrounded by traditional stilt houses and houses made of wood with palm-thatched roofs.
The map of the entire village
Waterfall near Ha Giang proper, going to this mysterious waterfall, I lost my way many times. It seems this waterfall is only for the locals but I found my way to get there.
With the help of my local friend, I, together with some friends, we were able to reach this secret waterfall (not secret nor hidden anymore).
We tried climbing the rocks to uncover the beauty of this waterfall and TADAAAA!!!
Just be careful if you want to jump over the water, some parts are shallow and full of rocks beneath the water.
What else you can ask for? Quite, peaceful and no other tourists or locals, only US! It is worth crossing the strong current river.
So these are YET my only reasons why I keep on going back in Ha Giang Province. The peaceful life, simplicity of lifestyle and the people.
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