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Vietnam: Ha Long Bay Images

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Ha Long Bay Golden Junks

Golden Junks at Ha long Bay

Bay of the Descending Dragons is such a dramatic phrase. It’s like going into a mythical world where magic and mythical creatures still exist. Quite unlikely in this day and age, but Ha Long Bay, which literally means the same phrase can be a good setting for a fantasy movie. This karst filled bay found in Quảng Ninh province in Vietnam, 170km east of Hanoi, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Let us go on a photographic journey in this natural wonder.

Ha Long Bay Junk Approaches

Junk Approaches

Junk Approaches. Inspired by the old and sturdy Chinese ships. This new ones are modifeed for live-aboard accommodations for tourist. For Handspan, we got the Aloha Junk Cruise which is around 112 USD per pax. It’s such a sweet deal since it covers everything from food, ship lodging, transpo to-and-fro Hanoi-Ha Long, sumptuous on board meals and entrance park tickets matched by quality service. Thumbs up.

Ha Long Bay Karst and Junks

Into the Karst Kingdom

Into the Karst Kingdom. From the port of Ha Long, it’s just a few minutes sail into the bay. There are several junks along for the sail but the bay is wide enough to accommodate most of them.

Ha Long Bay Karst Gates

The Gate Way

The Gate Way. A lone junk is dwarfed as it passes through a couple of towering lime stones. Just an indication of the varying sizes of the karst dotting the Bay.

Ha Long Bay Karst Horizon

As far as the eyes can see

As far as the eyes can see. It’s hard not to compare this place to our very own Palawan. Indeed Coron and El Nido boast of numerous karst as well, but I guess around 2000 karst here clearly outnumbers both. Even if we’re cruising for more than a couple of hours there are still karst skyline fading into the horizon.

Ha Long Bay Fishermen

Ha Long Bay Fishermen

Ha Long Bay Fishermen. Of course the local colors in Ha Long Bay is hard to ignore. Much like our coastal livelihood, fishing is the main source.

Ha Long Bay Mono Karst and Man Stand

It stands, I stood

It stands, I stood. It’s an amusing scene of a lone karst standing at the bay and a lone fisherman standing face to face with this karst. An image converted to monochrome to lessen the distraction of colors from the construction vessel at the background.

Ha Long Bay Karst Hole view

Not so whole hole

Not so whole hole. It’s quite amusing sometimes that a natural hole in nature can be treated as a grand attraction. It’s like the finger of God just punches through a wall and it ends up as nature’s art. This hole isn’t a complete big hole yet curious eyes are still caught by it.

Ha Long Bay Boat Vendors

Buy from me Sir?

Buy from me sir? A common phrase you’ll hear if you are a noticeable tourist in a foreign land. The bay is not an escape as locals bring their wares on a boat and repeat those phrases to you. It’s an amusing scene though very risky for these vendors as well. Like David and Goliath, these small vendor boats have to run away from the trail of larger junks. I guess their used to it, but still a dangerous job for them.

Ha Long Bay Lush Green karst

Seeing Green

Seeing Green. The tall lime stones in Ha Long Bay have a lush vegetation. The scene of this towering greens amidst the emerald sea is a soothing sight for the weary eyed.

Ha Long Bay Karst Profle

A look at the side

A look on the side. Karst formations come in different forms and sizes. This is a photo converted to monochrome to highlight the contrast of this karst formation that resembles a profile of a man. An evident outline of a man that seems to look at the sea.

Ha Long Bay Tito P Beach

Where Tito P has landed?

Where Tito P has landed? A Karst beach island named after a cosmonaut, Tito P. The beach here is just ok, nothing to be raved about. If Ha Long Bay beats us through sheer numbers, our Palawan hands down has the most number of pristine beaches and crystal clear blue waters.

Ha Long Bay Karsts Sunset

Nebulous Sunset

Nebulous Sunset. At Tito P Island, you can climb at the peak of its karst and have a 360 degree view of the bay. Frankly, it reminded me somehow of the climb at Mt. Tapyas in Coron. It has an amazing view of the islands and the bay. We waited for a while there for the sun to set but it was obscured by a set of low clouds. Nothing grand but the gradation of karst in the horizon shaded by the fading light is also a sight to see.

The post Vietnam: Ha Long Bay Images appeared first on Ironwulf.net: En Route - The Philippines Travel, Photography and Adventure Blog.


Vietnam: Exploring Sung Sôt Cave

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Sung Sôt Stalagmite Tower and Light Chamber

Sung Sôt Stalagmite Tower and Light Chamber

Aside from cruising the numerous karst islands of Ha Long Bay, another activity along this UNESCO World Heritage Site is spelunking. There are a number of cave systems on some of the thousands of islands dotting the bay. On our first day of exploration, we were able to visit one of the popular caves at the center island of the bay called Sung Sôt Cave. Found on Bo Hòn Island, the cave has also been known as the Amazing Cave or Cave of Surprises.

Sung Sôt Bay and Junks

Sung Sôt Bay and Junks

From our Aloha Junk, we rode a smaller boat to reach the Bo Hon Island wharf near the Jump-off point to the cave. There’s a separate entrance fee here which I didn’t get to see how much because it was already paid by Handspan for us. There’s a short steep climb of stairs to reach the cave mouth. On a resting platform, you could view the bay on which the junks are docked. The place really reminds me of the entrance bay at Kayangan Lake, Coron.

Sung Sôt First Chamber

Sung Sôt First Chamber

When we got to the top, we entered the first chamber. It’s fairly a small chamber but have a ceiling area. Pretty cool temperature inside. But being quite a popular cave in Ha Long Bay, there were lots of visitors as well. It irks me a bit to find so many people in this small chamber already taking posterity shots at an elephant stalagmite formation on the lit wall.

Sung Sôt Neon Lighted Ceiling

Sung Sôt Neon Lighted Ceiling

We moved on to the second chamber after going through a short narrow passage. The second chamber is a little bigger and has more light in. It highlights the impressive ceiling texture of the cave. Pretty impressive since it’s the first time I’ve seen such formation. I noticed Vietnamese are like Chinese when it comes to cave attractions. They like to lit them up with varying colors. So this this ceiling looked more like an alien goo falling or a melting chocolate mint ice cream dripping.

Sung Sôt Spreading Light Big Chamber

Sung Sôt Spreading Light Big Chamber

Going through another smaller passage, we reached the last chamber. It was the biggest and most spacious chamber of the cave. A light was leaking through the cave mouth, offering a dramatic illumination of the rock formations.

Sung Sôt Big Chamber Trail

Sung Sôt Big Chamber Trail

The cave had been clearly developed to make it more manageable for tourist visitors. Cemented paths and side lights are installed. It’s also good that they cordoned off areas where where sophisticated formations are found.

Sung Sôt Big Chamer Exit Trails

Sung Sôt Big Chamer Exit Trails

Towards the exit, I thought the large towering stalagmite near the exit area was very scenic with the natural light flooding in. I really like the cave and thought that the stalactite and stalagmite formations were really impressive. I just didn’t like it that there were already a lot of people in the area.

Sung Sôt Wharf

Sung Sôt Wharf

We exited through another cave opening which has another set of stairs leading down to the wharf where our boat was docked. It was a fun exploration, pretty easy to walk through, a bit commercialized though.

The post Vietnam: Exploring Sung Sôt Cave appeared first on Ironwulf.net: En Route - The Philippines Travel, Photography and Adventure Blog.

Vietnam: Ha Long Bay’s Hidden Lagoon

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Ha Long Bay Conical Hat Wanderer

Ha Long Bay Conical Hat Wanderer

Early morning the next day after spending a night at Ha Long Bay, our next activity after having a hearty breakfast was to explore a Hidden Lagoon. Not too far from where we were anchored that night we took a small boat, which can cross through a low passage under a lime stone karst. This would be our last attraction to visit, after this we would be going back to the port of Ha Long and drive back to Hanoi.

Emerging from the Lagoon Passage

Emerging from the Lagoon Passage

The said Hidden Lagoon is only accessible in the morning when the tide is low since the passage is submerged during high tide. It was only a short ride from our boat and the passage is not that deep.

Ha Long Lagoon Passage

Ha Long Lagoon Passage

We found ourselves soon in an enclosed lime stone which they called a hidden lagoon. The lime stone walls there looks impressive but that’s most of it. Our boat only just went around the place which isn’t actually very big and there’s no land there to dock or step on. Honestly I found it not that impressive as our Kayangan or Barracuda Lake.

Ha Long Bay Lagoon Explorers

Ha Long Bay Lagoon Explorers

When we got back at our Junk, we were given a couple of hours to prepare our bags and check out from our room as we head back to land. We still had our lunch at the boat and got to know more about our junk mates. It was a merry mix of nationalities there. From Vietnamese who grew up in USA, John and his Korean girlfriend, JJ, their Taiwanese friend joining along, Jessie. Taiwanese businessman Jim and German student Felix.

vietnam - all aboard the aloha junk

vietnam – all aboard the aloha junk. standing from l-r – ferdz aka ironwulf, jessie (taiwan), jj (korea), mark (vietnam), felix (germany), jim (taiwan); kneeling: oggie aka lagal[og], and our guide, phu

This trip at Ha Long Bay was a delightful feast on the visual perception, but it was made more fun being with the company of this small group of young and vibrant travelers. As with any travel companions on the road, there is a time when we must part ways. We may or may not cross paths again on the road in the future but they’ve been a part of this memorable experience already so it would be delightful too see again someday.

The post Vietnam: Ha Long Bay’s Hidden Lagoon appeared first on Ironwulf.net: En Route - The Philippines Travel, Photography and Adventure Blog.

Vietnam: Cha Ca La Vong

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Cha Ca (Grilled Fish)

Cha Ca (Grilled Fish) at Vietnam’s oldest restaurant, Cha Ca La Vong

We arrived late in the afternoon in Hanoi, coming back from Ha Long Bay. We stayed for a while at the Handspan office to rest and confirm our train tickets for the night. We are set to take the night train to Sapa that evening as well. Since we had some time to kill, we decided to do a brief walk around the Old Quarters. Pretty busy street, mostly of low rise houses with old French facades. Would have been great to take a lot of photos but it was sun down already and the way the things those motos drive by, it’s kinda hard to take out your cameras in the streets. For dinner that night we decided to eat at Vietnam’s oldest restaurant which opened in 1871, Cha Ca La Vong Restaurant.

Cha Ca Cooking on table top Clay Brazier

Cha Ca Cooking on table top Clay Brazier

Cha Ca La Vong Restaurant can be found at No 14 at the street in the Old Quarters, Hanoi named after its famous dish, Cha Ca, which is grilled fish. It’s a small two story narrow building and the restaurant is at the second floor. The stairs where creaking and narrow, our bags almost didn’t make it through. The floor was rickety. At any moment I thought it would just give in and would find ourselves on the ground floor. Thank god it didn’t. The place has an antique atmosphere, which is expected since the establishment has been there for 200 years. As soon as we got our table, we were shown a menu card stating “We only serve one dish – Grilled Fish. 90,000 VND”. It’s a bit pricey but that’s expected since this is already an institution.

Cha Ca La Vong Restaurant

Cha Ca La Vong Restaurant

Soon, ingredients were brought to our table, from a small clay brazier with a frying pan. On it, the fish was already grilling. Parsley, vegetables, rice noodles, peanuts and sauces followed. We were the ones to cook and grill on our table. We had to ask how this is eaten. The staff demonstrated putting the vegetables, parsley on the grilling pan, cook it for a while until the fish is golden brown. Put in some rice noodles in your bowl, top in the grilled ingredients, add in the peanuts and the sauces and then you have your Cha Ca Dish. Pretty easy.

It’s pretty brave for a restaurant to continually serve one dish for more than a hundred years. Having one dish could easily make people tire out on its taste but not on this case. I can say that the dish is pretty good and worth the money you spend. The antiquated ambiance also adds to this dining experience. The place can get pretty crowded with patrons in different generations. We were just lucky we got there before the crowd arrives.

If you find yourself in Hanoi, try to drop by Cha Ca La Vong Restaurant. Patricia Shultz highly regarded this place that she added it on her list of 1000 Places to See before you Die. Though I wouldn’t say that this dish is to die for, but it is worth experiencing when you are in the area.

The post Vietnam: Cha Ca La Vong appeared first on Ironwulf.net: En Route - The Philippines Travel, Photography and Adventure Blog.

Transit: Journey to Sapa, Vietnam

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Hanoi Railway Station

Hanoi Railway Station

I enjoy taking train rides. I think because it’s one of those means of transportation that’s not really prevalent in use here in the Philippines. Well, there’s the PNR (Philippine National Railways) alright which I have yet to try but I think it there are still a lot of work to be done there. Maybe one of these days I would try that. I was looking forward to our 9-hour train ride to Lao Cai that night since we’ll be sleeping in a soft-berth room. And from Lao Cai we’ll be heading of to Sapa.

Hanoi Railway Station

Hanoi Railway Station

Most trains going to Lao Cai leave at 9:15pm and would arrive the next day in Lao Cai around 5:30 am. Good thing we managed to reserve our train tickets the day before at Handspan Adventure since it’s hard to reserve train tickets here. And being a Saturday, train ticket office are closed. We got a soft-berth sleeper for 32 USD each. We killed time on another resto, Huo Guom Café near Hoan Kiem Lake after our hearty dinner at Cha Ca La Vong. Then we took a taxi going to the Train Station. A Word of Caution. Beware of unscrupulous Taxis in Hanoi, they have tampered meters which just unrealistically add its toll like very minute the meter ticks. The overpriced taxi charged us 115,000 dong. The price which is outrageous since we took another taxi from the Train Station which cost us only half of that. I’m not really sure which taxis are safe but try to flag the white cabs on the move instead of those which are just on the standby on the side streets which are blue and green cabs. We experienced a couple of these taxis with tampered meters so be very careful.

Sapa Train Soft Berth

Sapa Train Soft Berth

It was easy to find our section cart at the train station and pretty soon found our room. The room has 4 berths so we were riding with a couple of strangers. One seems to be a local Vietnamese already comfortably sleeping on his berth below while another seems to be an old European (judging by his accent) standing by the door. I was really curious at first why he was standing by the door at the narrow hallway. It turns out he was waiting for the comfort rooms to open. It seems that the comfort rooms seems to be open only when the train moves. You wanna know why? Well I noticed that the toilet hole goes straight down the rails. I don’t want to imagine how the train tracks looks like with all those human waste scattered about.

Sapa Hot Choco at Little Gecko

Sapa Hot Choco at Little Gecko

The soft-berth sleeper was pretty cool and comfortable throughout the ride since it has air conditioning and soft cushions. Of course you just have to get used to the bumpy ride once in a while as the train ride on its tracks on varying terrain. We arrived in Lao Cai Station by 5:30am. I wanted to get train tickets back first but it seems the ticket office opens at 8am and they only sell departure tickets on the same day. Fortunately we met Hie of the nearby Pho Cafe who helped us reserve the tickets going back to Hanoi the next day. We only paid him half and the rest would be paid once we get the tickets. There are buses going to Sapa for 30,000 VND there but we managed to get a van all for ourselves for 50,000 VND for an hour of misty drive up the mountains. Since Sapa has an elevation of 1600m, the temperature there was nice and cool. We are now in Sapa, drinking a nice cup of warm of hot choco and coffee while having breakfast at a small resto, the Little Geco,

The post Transit: Journey to Sapa, Vietnam appeared first on Ironwulf.net: En Route - The Philippines Travel, Photography and Adventure Blog.

Vietnam: Sapa Village and its colorful Ethnic Minorities

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Sapa Valley Plaza Fountain

Sapa Valley Plaza Fountain

After a long 9 hour overnight train ride from Hanoi to Lao Cai and another hour van ride up the mountains from Lao Cai, we found ourselves at the elevation of 1650m above sea level at mountainous village of Sapa, Vietnam. We were having breakfast at the Little Gecko, a pleasant small restaurant at the side street near the plaza. It was just opening that morning that chairs and tables were still being arranged by the lone staff. It’s funny how she just left us all alone the restaurant to buy/get the needed ingredients for our 30,000 VND breakfast meal.

Sapa Church and Open Field

Sapa Church and Open Field

Sapa Village is located North West of Hanoi, close to the border of China. It is said to be a charming mountain village and I was expecting something like our very own Sagada. Honestly, when we came into the village, despite the gloomy gray clouds which is usually associated on the highlands, I was a bit surprised how sophisticated it already is. Well paved roads, lots of 5-10 story rise french-inspired buildings, ATM machines and restaurants. It looked more like our earlier Baguio but cleaner.

Sapa Hmong Sibling Walk

Sapa Hmong Siblings Walk at teh Plaza

It’s not to tell that I was disappointed with the fact that it has been overrun by development. I guess with the influx of backpacker tourists in the area, it became a money-making venture to put up as much as many accommodations to cater for more visitors. The thought led me to worry about our very own Sagada which I haven’t visited for a couple of years now. Am I looking into what could be the future of Sagada if we let in development take in like what happened here?

Sapa Red Dao Vendors

Sapa Red Dao Vendors

It’s not hard to compare this with Sagada since the layout is somewhat similar, with the Sapa Church and the big open field beside it. The tourist center and the various exit points to different sites around the village. I guess the big difference here is the large presence of Ethnic Minorities in the village which truly adds color with their intricate garbs and wares.

Sapa Mother and Child

Sapa Mother and Child

Of the Ethnic Minorities in Sapa, there are two dominant ethnic groups that also have their own branch minorities. These two are the Hmongs and the Daos. I guess the more charming elements I consider in this village are the presence of these minorities which are thankfully still wearing their traditional garbs. Whether they are peddling their trinkets, textiles or wares or may they be kids going to schools.

Sapa Old Hmong Tailor

Sapa Old Black Hmong Weaver

The Hmong are Sino-Tibetan descent. They are known for their embroidery and batiks. There are a number of branches of Hmongs settled in different villages like the Flower Hmong, White Hmong, Red Hmong and the more popular Black Hmongs. The Black Hmongs are easy to recognize with their black indigo shirt and skirt, black pillbox on their head and black leg warmers. They are scattered around Sapa Village and easy to spot due to their group numbers. Sometimes, they could be very persistent when they are selling their trinklets and wares. Still they are freindly folks who just want to earn a living.

Sapa Black Hmong Textile Vendor

Sapa Black Hmong Batik Vendor

The Dao (pronounced as Zao) is another popular minority found within Sapa. They are Chinese Ethnic tribe which migrated to Vietnam as early as the 13th century. Like the Hmongs they have several branches as well, but the more popular Red Daos are easy to find in the village. Their striking red turban decorated with tassels and bells will easily catch your eye. They also wear black trousers highlighted by their rich patterned red embroideries. They also sell their wares along the streets. Some Daos shave their heads and eyebrows since they believe it to be a sign of beauty.

Misty Sapa Afternoon

Misty Sapa Afternoon

The clothing as you’ll notice are usually layered and long since it is usually cold in these mountain villages that at winter, temperature drops below zero. Occasional fogs blankets the area as well reducing visibility. Just a note when buying something at stalls or any stores. HAGGLE! Some people can be really exploitative on their prices. Like the first map we bought at a low price of 25,000 VND, when we want to buy another and asked from a different stall they charged us 75,000 VND which is outrageously triple the price! We eventually got it for the price we got for the first map. But if people don’t really know the real prices here, it can be real eay to get duped.

The post Vietnam: Sapa Village and its colorful Ethnic Minorities appeared first on Ironwulf.net: En Route - The Philippines Travel, Photography and Adventure Blog.

Vietnam: Sapa Rice Terraces

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Sapa Valley River Flow

Sapa Valley Mountains and River Flow

Just like the Ifugao Region in our country, Sapa, Vietnam also boasts of scenic mountain views and rice terraces. Though it’s a wide spread practice among our Asian neighbors, this rice irrigation system that turns mountain slopes into scenic stairways to the sky have unique beauty in each country.

Sapa Valley Terraces

Sapa Valley Terraces

Sapa’s Rice Terraces is not a UNESCO listed site like our clusters in Banaue, Batad and Bangaan. But I must admit, it somehow looked more preserved than ours, especially in contrast to Banaue. Our Rice Terraces, more so are scattered in key parts of the Ifugao mountain range while Sapa has a very expansive and wide coverage in an open valley cut by a majestic river.

Sapa Valley Mountain Range

Sapa Valley Mountain Range

The mountain ranges which is close to the border of China in the North West of Vietnam is known as the “Tonkinese Alps“. Most of the time the mountains are enshrouded by mists. One of the popular activities here is trekking. If you have more time, endurance and if the season is right, you could hire a guide to climb Mt. Fansipan, the highest mountain in Vietnam at the elevation of 3143m above sea level. From Sapa Village it’s only 9km and the climb would take 3 days back and forth.

Sapa Mountains and Rice Terraces

Sapa Mountains and Rice Terraces

Aside from mountain climbing, a visit to the hill side tribe villages in the valley is another worthy activity. For those taking their time, a map (usually costs around 25,000 VND) and a walking stick would suffice to go around the villages. For us though, we only a limited time of stay, so we hired a couple of motor bikes to take us around the villages.

The Sapa Terraces

The Sapa Terraces

At Sapa Village there are already a number of motos for hire to take you to these villages. You just have to make clear on the price and on what your itinerary is. On the next post We’ll look into a couple of villages we were able to explore in Sapa Valley.

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Vietnam: Hopping through Cat Cat and Ta Van villages

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Hmong traversing the Terraces

Hmong traversing the Terraces

Driving around the Sapa Valley slopes at the back of a motorcycle is exhilarating as we cut through the cool mountain air. Aside from that, the view of the cloud shrouded mountains and the impressive terraces of the valley is astounding. We were headed to one of the first ethnic hill side villages in the valley, the Cat Cat Village.

Cat Cat Village tattered roof and flag

Cat Cat Village tattered roof and flag

While I found the main town of Sapa a bit sophisticated, it is venturing beyond its borders that would yield rewards. One major activity here is visiting several villages. One might do a trek by foot if they have a luxury of time or hire several motos in town. Just make sure you are clear on the rates on where you are going. If it’s only on the nearby villages rates could go as 5 USD for a village visit and may go up to 9 USD for two villages with one more distant.

Lagalog Into Cat Cat Village

Lagalog Into Cat Cat Village

Aside from the moto fees you hire to drive you to the village there are also fees when entering villages. In Cat Cat, there’s a 10,000 VND entrance fee and later on we visited Ta Van with an entrance fee of 15,000 VND. There are check points along the road to check for your tickets.

Sapa Descending Buffalo

Sapa Descending Buffalo

Just 2km from the Sapa town is Cat Cat Village. This age old Hmong village is easy to reach and is more popular to visitors. There’s a nice paved trail going through the village. There were interesting tattered roof houses there. Not much local villagers there at that time aside from a few vendors and kids playing.

Cat Cat Village Falls

Cat Cat Village Falls

We continued on toward a descending paved path. As we go in deeper into the woods, we could hear the rush of water going stronger. Soon we reached the Cat Cat Falls. There’s a view deck there just across the bridge where a river with a very strong current flows. The falls looks nice but the lighting conditions at that time wasn’t ideal.

Cat Cat Village Vendor

Cat Cat Village Vendor

Before we headed back I had a few snacks from a vendor there. I ate some roasted corn, some barbecue and bamboo cooked rice. Heading back means climbing the stairs we went down passing by silk and trinket shops sold by the local Hmongs. Once we got up we rode to the next farther village of Ta Van.

Ta Van Rice Terraces

Ta Van Rice Terraces

Ta Van is another village 5 hours away by hike from Sapa Town but can also be reached by motorcycle. Here, we got a closer inspection of the rice terraces. There are also home stay houses there which you could sleep overnight for 8-10 USD. If you are looking for a basic back to basics, village life experience, this would be an interesting accommodation option.

Ta Van Duck Eggs and Spinach Soup

Ta Van Duck Eggs and Spinach Soup

Before we headed back again, pangs of hunger suddenly stroked so we sampled their local dish there of Duckling Egg and Spinach soup to relieve our stomachs. Very good, it taste different but good nonetheless. Before the last stretch of the afternoon ended, we were back in Sapa Town.

The post Vietnam: Hopping through Cat Cat and Ta Van villages appeared first on Ironwulf.net: En Route - The Philippines Travel, Photography and Adventure Blog.


Vietnam: Capping off at Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi

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The Huc Bridge

The Huc Bridge or Rising Sun Bridge in Hoan Kiem Hanoi

After an afternoon spent hopping through the villages of Sapa, we went back to town and had a wonderful food find. Just at the back of the public market is a new bali inspired restaurant and lodging where we tried an ala mode carrot and banana cake with home made ice cream. Their carrot cake was one of the best we tasted. Went back to our lodging for a short rest for dinner. Tomorrow we’ll head back to Lao Cai in the afternoon and the next day would be our last day in Vietnam.

Hoan Kiem Masks

Hoan Kiem Masks

Even if Sapa is a bit sophisticated, their food choices has redeeming qualities. Looking for a place to dine for the night, Sapa’s Gecko at the town center lured us with with its 10 USD full course meal posted at their menu outside. It was one of the best restaurants we tasted if not the best that was never topped during our stay in Vietnam. Will write full details on the Gecko real soon. We got out of the restaurant late past 10pm that night finding the town already sleeping. When we got to our lodging, the doors were already locked. We were locked out that we had to ask help from an establishment across to call up the hotel. Good thing they woke and we got in. I guess just like our provinces, people here rarely stay up so late,

Hoan Kiem Staring at the lake

Staring at Hoan Kiem Lake

It was rainy that morning that we decided to forgo the plan of visiting other attractions. Instead we stayed for breakfast at Ban Mai Inn just across the bus station. They have really good food and their native mountain mushrooms were the best we had tasted. We befriended the owner and bought a kilo of those mushrooms home. Close to lunch we took a few shots of the misty covered plaza just in front of the church.

Hoan Kiem Turtle

Hoan Kiem Lake’s Magical Tortoise

By afternoon we checked out Pinnochio Hotel and took their van service heading to Lao Cai. They had to fill up the Van first which took rather an inconvenient amount of time. We descend the village and humidity started rolling in at the lower planes of Lao Cai in an hour. Checked with Pho Café on our reservations and finally got our train tickets. It was a good decision on our part since all train tickets were sold out by that time. Had dinner at the cafe and went to the station when it’s close to departure time. There were a couple of foreigners there asking about their tickets. They were really relieved that they found out that we can speak English. They had trouble about their reservations but we couldn’t help more.

Hoan Kiem Huc Bridge Sunset

Hoan Kiem Lake’s Rising Sun Bridge Sunset

Our berths were slight smaller than the last one we had but this is much cooler and comfortable. The train ride went smooth. Soon we found ourselves in Hanoi pass 4am. Since it was early morning and our flight is late at night, we decided to find a lodging where we could rest. We found Lotus Hotel at the Old Quarters with reasonably priced rooms. Traveling all the time can be exhausting that’s why on this last day we tried to catch up on rest.

Afternoon Chess at Hoan Kiem

Afternoon Chess at Hoan Kiem

At the old quarters, we had lunch at Little Hanoi, sampling their food fares and found their desserts really good. Got convinced by a few locals to buy some shirts and salakots. After much haggling they gave in on a very good price. After lunch we stayed the whole afternoon around Hoan Kiem lake. Named after the most popular district in Hanoi, Hoan Kiem.

Hanoi Conical Hat Vendor

Hanoi Conical Hat Vendor

Legend says that way back in the 15th century a magical tortoise gave Emperor Le Thai To a magical sword that helped him repel the Chinese invaders that time. After the liberation of Vietnam, the tortoise snatched the sword back and disappeared into the lake. Hence the name Ho Hoan Kiem which means Lake of the returned sword. Until this day, people still believe the tortoise still resides within the lake and there were so called reported sighting of this magical creature.

Afternoon by Hoan Kiem Lake

Afternoon by Hoan Kiem Lake

Hoan Kiem Lake is full of life from afternoon to night. From families having picnics, people practicing tai chi or simply hanging out enjoying the relaxing ambiance. There are eateries nearby. For our last dinner before we left Hanoi, we tried Huo Guom Café where we ordered their pastas and pizza pretty good while dining al fresco. Soon we took a cab back to out hotel since we’ll be leaving for the airport in an hour.

Evening Reverie at Hoan Kiem Lake

Evening Reverie at Hoan Kiem Lake with the lit Ngoc Son Temple across

By 8 in the evening we were off to the airport with a taxi hired from our hotel. It was a fast drive to the airport and soon found ourselves in Noi Bai Airport short 30 minutes later. Bought some pasalubongs from the aiport’s duty free and waited for our 1am flight back to Manila. This caps off our Northern Vietnam Adventure.

The post Vietnam: Capping off at Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi appeared first on Ironwulf.net: En Route - The Philippines Travel, Photography and Adventure Blog.

Backpacking Northern Vietnam Chronicles Summary

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Vietnam guides, maps and memorabilias

Vietnam guides, maps and memorabilia

Here’s another summary from this year’s major travels, Backpacking Northern Vietnam. Northern Vietnam offers variety of scenic areas from the UNESCO heritage site of Ha Long Bay to the Old Charm of Hanoi’s Old Quarters and the wondrous treks in the highlands of Sapa Valley. Here’s our basic summary and some tips from this backpack travel.

Northern Vietnam Trail

Northern Vietnam Trail

The Northern Vietnam trip was last June 13-17, 2008. It was for 5 days with the last day, being an early morning flight to Manila. On the Google Map was our trail numbered chronologically from the places we visited. (1) Hanoi (2) Ha Long Bay (3) Lao Cai (4) Sapa Valley

Noi Bai Airport Vietnam

Noi Bai Airport Vietnam

Day 1: Manila to Hanoi to Ha Long Bay

Day 2: Ha Long Bay to Hanoi to Lao Cai to Sapa Valley

Day 3: Sapa Valley to Lao Cai

Day 4: Lao Cai to Hanoi

Day 5: Hanoi to Manila

Budget: I find Northern Vietnam a bit expensive a place to visit, more than Cambodia or even more than my recent China. Probably because it’s gaining a lot of popularity as an Asian destination that prices are being exploited. Our Total expense reached Php 25000++ per pax inclusive of airfares from Manila to Hanoi, Transportation, Park Fees, Food and Accommodations.

Just some important points on the expenses:

Airfare: Round trip Manila to Hanoi via Cebu Pacific = 7,911.00 PHP

Park Fees:
Ha Long Bay Tour via Handspan – Aloha Junk overnight Tour 117 USD (although I checked recently that their tour went up to 139 USD. Still I highly recommend their service if you plan to visit Ha Long Bay)

Accommodations:

  • Backpacker’s Inn Hanoi – USD 8 / dorm bed per night (a bit expensive for backpacker’s Inn in my opinion)
  • Hotel Pinnochio in Sapa – USD 8/ night for a twin bed room (not recommended though. I would recommend BAn Mai hotel just across the Bus Station with rooms ranging 8-15 USD)
  • Wild Lotus Hanoi – USD 8/ night Double/twin bed


Transportation:
Train to Lao Cai from Hanoi and back is 32 USD, for a soft berth in an air conditioned cabin good for four.

Tips:
Be careful of Taxis. Choose the ones on the move, more on the white ones instead of those on stand by like the green and blue ones. There are unscrupulous taxis whose meters are tampered.

Haggle when you buy on stalls or street vendors. Preferably half the price of what they claim their items to be.

If you can book in advance, do so. Trains don’t allow reservations, better ask a reputable travel agent to book for you in advance if you need to.

My next set of travels would be set by the end of next month and end of the year so I may not be able to write new chronicles by then, unless there are unplanned personal trips in between. For the meantime, I’ll be digging through my archives on what to write.

The post Backpacking Northern Vietnam Chronicles Summary appeared first on Ironwulf.net: En Route - The Philippines Travel, Photography and Adventure Blog.

Ironwulf’s Best Travel Destinations for 2008

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Tawi-Tawi Sunrise at the Capitol

Tawi-Tawi Sunrise at the Capitol

2008 has been blessed with so many travels. I actually had a very very hard time deciding the best-of-the best on all the destinations visited on 2008. While each destination offers something unique on its own, each decision is based on my deep experience which characteristics resonates most on the place. So this ‘best-of’ is based on my personal opinion but feel free to share what you think. So here goes….

Ati-atihan Festival in Boracay Island

Ati-atihan Festival in Boracay Island

Best Fun/Party Destination – Boracay Island, Aklan
While I may not fully agree with the overblown development happening on the island of Boracay I can’t deny that Boracay is an ideal place if you are looking more into parties or fun with barkada (friends) on a beautiful white beach setting. There’s a bunch of activities here to keep you occupied and the wide array of food choices for the voracious eater. While you can visit Boracay anytime of the year It’s best to go during the first quarter of the year where there’s a lof of happening on the island.

Camiguin's White island

Camiguin’s White island

Best Beach – White Island, Camiguin
If you want an unadulterated beach, pure white beach, free of vegetation and annoying establishments, this is the perfect place. An island sandbar, wide and desolate. One of a kind island in the Philippines.

A place to take a rest

A place to take a rest at Nagarao Island

Best Beach Island Resort – Nagarao Island, Guimaras
This island really placed an enchantment on me. It’s a wonderful little island off the south coast of Guimaras. What charmed me most here is the vegetation, landscaping and the quaint accommodations they have. The beach have a variety of ruggedness and fine ones too. This windswept island is perfect place if you want to just have a quiet getaway closer to nature and away from the crowd.

Camiguin's Tuasan Falls

Camiguin’s Tuasan Falls

Best Waterfalls – Tuasan Falls, Camiguin
I realized I have visited only a few waterfalls this year but the best one I have seen is deep inside the Volcano Island of Camiguin which is the Tuasan Falls. It’s almost an hour hike through the forest, boulders and some river crossings but seeing this layered falls sure is worth it. It doesn’t have the height of the nearby Katibawasan but its layers of pools is much more majestic.

Bud Bongao

Arching clouds at the peak of Bud Bongao

Best Mountain Climbs – Bud Bongao, Tawi-Tawi and Emeishan, China
I only had very little climbs in 2008 but the ones I like locally and internationally are both sacred mountains. in China I was able to climb one of the Four Sacred Buddhist mountains – Emeishan. This 3,099m mountain boast stunning above the cloud views, temples and of course a bit of snow. In the Philippines the petite mountain of Bud Bongao in Tawi-tawi was another uniquely fond experience. Bud Bongao stands only about 390m and is a very sacred Muslim Mountain. The experience of climbing with numerous Macaque monkey companions along the trail and leaving knots of wishes was really memorable. Muslims in Tawi-tawi said that you haven’t been to Tawi-tawi if you haven’t climbed Bud Bongao.

Halong Bay Karsts and Junks

Halong Bay Karsts and Junks

Best Natural Wonders – Coron, Palawan and Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
Two countries and two destinations that have a big similarity came into this one. The thousands of karst wonders of Ha Long bay Vietnam is a truly wondrous sight. But not left behind despite its smaller numbers, the Karst wonders of Coron Palawan and its crystal clear lakes is more scenic than the former.

Leshan Giant Buddha Profile

Leshan Giant Buddha Profile

Best Architectural Wonder – Leshan Giant Buddha and Miagao Church
Two religious structures from two countries were my favorite architectural wonders. The Giant Buddha of Lehsan which is the tallest Buddha structure in the world shows how belief and fate can change the currents of flow of a river. While the beautiful fortress church of Miagao displays how religious inspiration produced the elegant base reliefs on its church facade.

On the road to Chavayan

On the road to Chavayan, Batanes

Best Scenic Destination – Batanes
This northern province never sieze to amaze. No doubt one of the most scenic places in our country. Landscape photographers will find this as heaven. Romantics and poets will find this a paradise. Not to mention the honest and kind people of Batanes makes this place almost a utopia. I was fortunate to visit this place last 2008 but am planning to get back here for a longer stay to re-visit and explore the distant island of Itbayat.

tianmenshan up the stairs

Heaven’s gate at Tianmenshan

Best Adventure Travel – China South West and Central
With more than 2000 miles within China, 5 provinces, 4 UNESCO sites, 11 days and a budget of less than Php 30,000 which includes all airfares from Manila, transfers within China, park fees, food and accommodations this was my most ambitious trip last year. It was quite an experience that I’m hoping to top this year.

Panda Fun Snack

Panda Fun Snack in Chengdu, Sichuan

Best International Destination – Sichuan, China
Going deep into Mainland China in Sichuan province is another unforgettable travel in 2008. Climbing the sacred mountain of Emei, looking up from the foot of a Giant Buddha, getting up close to the gentle Pandas, tasting the fiery dishes and experiencing its culture will surely make its mark in memory for quite some time. While the province suffered a major earthquake, it is fast in picking up the pieces.

Bongao Tawi-tawi Morning Mist

Bongao Tawi-tawi Morning Mist

Best Philippines Travel Destination – Bongao, Tawi-Tawi
Of all the travels within the Philippines, Tawi-tawi is the destination that suprised me most. So many myths and misconception (mostly brought about by Bad Media Coverage) about this place has been broken when I visited here. It’s a melting pot of culture and the most ideal co-existence of religions I’ve seen in a place. More that I really miss is the warm and kind people we met, and the cultural experience here that go along with the place. It’s a destination I’m definitely sure to come back to.

A Glimpse of 2009

In terms of the blog post, expect to see entries more on Camiguin and Tawi-Tawi. For travel I already have another 2 weeks major travel this first quarter and am just finalizing logistics and more local destinations. If you have any ideas in mind or suggested destinations drop a comment here. You might get yourself some goodies.

Thank you very much for the great 2008. It’s YOU readers who keep me inspired sharing more travel adventures and photography in this blog. More blessings and travels this 2009!

The post Ironwulf’s Best Travel Destinations for 2008 appeared first on Ironwulf.net: En Route - The Philippines Travel, Photography and Adventure Blog.

Nikon Shot | The Multi-Colored Heavenly Palace Cave

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The Heavenly Palace Cave in Halong Bay
The Heavenly Palace Cave in Halong Bay

“A clever man can see the world from a cave much better than a stupid man can from the top of a mountain!”

~ Mehmet Murat Ildan

I thought this shot has nothing spectacular in terms of composition, nor am I a fan of the multi-colored lights this Heavenly Palace Cave or locally known as Thien Cung Cave of Halong Bay has. The cave itself though, a huge chamber, with winding pathways really has impressive stalactites and stalagmites. What made me choose this photo of the Heavenly Palace Cave has more to do with Nikon D7100’s high ISO capabilities. I wasn’t able to bring my tripod inside the cave and had to rely on the camera’s high ISO to get steady shots. This photo I took hand-held is already at ISO 8063 (and extended ISO mode) and it still has very impressive detail.

EXIF Info

[exif id=”9547″]

For more info about the Nikon D7100 and its availability in the Philippines. Visit Nikon.ph

Halong Bay is 3-4 hours away from Hanoi. Cebu Pacific Air flies to Hanoi from Manila every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 10:20pm.

The post Nikon Shot | The Multi-Colored Heavenly Palace Cave appeared first on Ironwulf En Route.

Hanoi | In and Around the Old Quarter : The Familiar Old Town

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A cyclo speeds through the Old Quarter of Hanoi
A cyclo speeds through the Old Quarter of Hanoi

I can’t help but feel nostalgic. Six years is quite a long time to return to a place. Hanoi was such a favorite destination of mine back then. Yes I’ve treaded the streets of the Old Quarter before, went to an overnight cruise at Ha Long Bay and even enjoyed the misty coolness of Sapa Valley during my first visit in Northern Vietnam. But I don’t mind going back to see what has changed that’s why I didn’t think twice when an invite for a familiarization tour of Hanoi, organized by Cebu Pacific Air and Stratworks came in the email. There’s the certain comfort of stepping back into the familiar and also a certain anxiety to see how things have transitioned from now to then.

A girl among Hanoi theatre mask
A girl among Hanoi theatre mask

Familiar Hanoi

Xin Chao! Welcome to Hanoi” greeted our English speaking guide, Duc, who has a distinct British-twang in his accent. Red-eye flights means we land in Hanoi in the dark so I had to keep my excitement until the morning to see the city in good light. But I did notice the numerous sky scrapers, probably condo developments near the vicinity of the airport which I didn’t notice before.

At the One Pillar Pagoda
At the One Pillar Pagoda

More than the One Pillar Pagoda

As with any familiarization tours, I just go with the flow, relax and let the organizers guide us through. Our first stop was to pay homage to the most famous man in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh. At Ba Dinh Square, crowd of fellow tourist flock to get a sight of his granite mausoleum housing Ho Chi Minh’s embalmed remains. Just at the back of the mausoleum is one of the most iconic temples in Vietnam – the One Pillar Pagoda. This petite Buddhist temple was constructed by Emperor Ly Thai Tong as a form of gratitude to the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara after he dreamt of being handed a baby. Shortly afterwards, he got married to a peasant girl who bore him a son. The place is enclosed in a small garden currently being manicured at that time. I did love the detail of the gate doors to the temple. The small shrine also is also interesting as there’s a panel where small thumb portraits of the dead can be seen.

Crowded entrance to the Temple of Literature
Crowded entrance to the Temple of Literature

Temple of Literature

I never knew until this visit that November is the graduation season in Vietnam. A visit to the Temple of Literature found us going with the flow of newly graduate students taking posterity shot of this momentous moment within the 5 gated courtyard of Vietnam’s first national university built in 1070. It was hard to really appreciate the place but still it was amusing to see these young Vietnamese serious about getting their portraits right. From balloon props, to ornate dresses, to wacky poses up to what may seem like a pre-nuptial shoot already. I still got to see the Turtle Steles, the pavillions and the altars of Confucius and his disciples.

Two way. Cyclo in the Old Quarter
Two way. Cyclo in the Old Quarter

Cyclo Into the Old Quarter

An hour in the afternoon was spent riding a cyclo around the Old Quarter of Hanoi. The pace was too slow for me I almost dozed off but got excited when I saw familiar streets, coffee shops I had drank before, or that souvenir shop I brought from last time. Aside from the numerous wedding and pre-nuptial photo sessions in almost every corner of Hanoi and the Old Quarter, I’m glad that the old world charm that I used to know and experienced is still there. Yes there are more shops with outdoor brands too but hey it’s a way people earn for a living. And I can’t blame those couples doing their photoshoot here as the colors, the architecture and the busy streets is somewhat admirable and photogenic. I know a lot of street photographers would revel here (hence the black and white photos). At first I was afraid those commercial developments like the high rise condos I saw coming here would have invaded the Old Quarter. It’s a good sign I didn’t notice them here. I guess those high rise were deliberately only allowed outside of this heritage city. If I had my time, I would walk these streets again at my own pace and try to discover more charming hidden cafes, shops or what ever’s there.

Flow of people at the Temple of Literature
Flow of people at the Temple of Literature
A guard and a devotee burning incense at the Temple of Literature
A guard and a devotee burning incense at the Temple of Literature
At the gates of the One Pillar Pagoda
At the gates of the One Pillar Pagoda
Remembering the dead at the One Pillar Pagoda Shrine
Remembering the dead at the One Pillar Pagoda Shrine
New graduates having their photo session at the temple
New graduates having their photo session at the temple
More scene at the Temple of Literature
More scene at the Temple of Literature
A shoe shop at the Old Quarter
A shoe shop at the Old Quarter
Streetside eats in Hanoi
Streetside eats in Hanoi
The Pinay Solo Backpacker on a tourist cyclo
The Pinay Solo Backpacker on a tourist cyclo
Hanoi is so laid back people like to hang out at the streets
Hanoi is so laid back people like to hang out at the streets
On the Huc bridge at Hoam Kiem Lake
On the Huc bridge at Hoan Kiem Lake
Taking time to sit down at Hoan Kiem Lake
Taking time to sit down at Hoan Kiem Lake
The constellation of literature pavillion
The constellation of literature pavillion
Through the temple doors
Through the temple doors
Discover charming cafe through narrow alleys in the Old Quarter
Discover charming cafe through narrow alleys in the Old Quarter

 

Our familiarization trip to Hanoi was sponsored by Cebu Pacific Air. Cebu Pacific Air flies from Manila to Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam thrice weekly every Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturday, leaving Manila at 10:20PM and arriving in Hanoi at 12:30am. Return flights will leave Hanoi for Manila at 1am every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, and arrive in Manila at 5:15am.

For bookings and inquiries, guests can go to www.cebupacificair.com, or call the reservation hotlines (02) 7020–888 or (032) 230–8888. The latest seat sales and promos can also be found on CEB’s official Twitter and Facebook pages.

All photos from this post were taken with a Nikon D7100. Visit Nikon.ph.

The post Hanoi | In and Around the Old Quarter : The Familiar Old Town appeared first on Ironwulf En Route.

Ha Long Bay Stay | Halong Plaza Hotel: Magnificent Karst View on the Horizon

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Superior Twin room
Superior Twin room

How about a panoramic view of one of Vietnam’s top attraction, the Ha Long Bay, either from the room window or a few steps away from its lobby doors? Halong Plaza Hotel, our home in Halong, Vietnam during our Cebu Pacific Air familiarization tour, has just that. This 4-star hotel is located at Bai Chay, Ha Long City near the Bai Chay bridge and fronting it is a small promenade where guest can have an unobstructed view of Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The hotel lobby
The hotel lobby

The Superior Twin Room

We arrived in the Halong Plaza Hotel after a 3–4 hour coaster ride from Hanoi. We had a welcome drink of cold ice tea. A live local music playing filled the spacious and elegant lobby of the hotel. We looked around only to find a lone female playing a traditional musical instrument. I thought that was a nice welcome. We were given our room keys (I was hoping for two) for our Superior Twin Room.

Our room was on the 22nd floor. The whole floor was carpeted as well as our room. The design is a bit old-fashioned but looking good still. Well-spaced, extra cushioned chairs and really comfy beds. I like that there’s a bedside panel that controls most of the room lights, aircondition temperature and even some good instrumental music all the way to the bathroom. Water pressure is strong and the bathroom is well-lit. It’s also a plus that most of the hotel area has WiFi access for free. From our room, to the corridors and the lobby.

Gym and pool area
Gym and pool area

Facilities

I woke up early to try to catch the sunrise but only caught a gloomy sky that morning with barely a shadow of the Ha Long Bay karst formations in the horizon. I did catch a few locals doing calisthenics by the small park in front of the hotel until the drizzle became stronger.

I opted to use the gym instead that morning. The gym is located in the 4th floor right beside the pool. I thought the equipment were in very good condition. From the weights, machines and treadmills. No one was manning the gym but I had no problems with that.

The Four Seasons Restaurant have a good selection of food for their breakfast buffet. Their breads were quite tasty too and coffee as strong as I want from a Vietnamese kind. I was also amused with their chafing dish as it was automated. First time I’ve seen something like that.

Comfy beds and handy bedside control panel for lights, temperature and music
Comfy beds and handy bedside control panel for lights, temperature and music

Halong Plaza Hotel

The location in terms of views is good but quite a distance from eateries outside the hotel. The hotel though is a 15-minute drive to the port jump off for the Ha Long Bay cruises. We only had a short stay in Ha Long Plaza Hotel but it was a real pleasant one.

Stairway leading to the hotel entrance
Stairway leading to the hotel entrance

Halong Plaza Hotel
8 Halong Road, Bai Chay, Ha Long City
Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam
Contact: +8433.3.845810

Check Rates and Book Online

Breakfast buffet at the Four Seasons Restaurant
Breakfast buffet at the Four Seasons Restaurant
The bathroom with tub
The bathroom with tub
Another view of our Superior Twin room
Another view of our Superior Twin room
View of Bai Chay Bridge and locals doing early morning calisthenics in front of the hotel
View of Bai Chay Bridge and locals doing early morning calisthenics in front of the hotel

 

Our familiarization trip to Hanoi was sponsored by Cebu Pacific Air. Cebu Pacific Air flies from Manila to Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam thrice weekly every Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturday, leaving Manila at 10:20PM and arriving in Hanoi at 12:30am. Return flights will leave Hanoi for Manila at 1am every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, and arrive in Manila at 5:15am.

For bookings and inquiries, guests can go to www.cebupacificair.com, or call the reservation hotlines (02) 7020–888 or (032) 230–8888. The latest seat sales and promos can also be found on CEB’s official Twitter and Facebook pages.

The post Ha Long Bay Stay | Halong Plaza Hotel: Magnificent Karst View on the Horizon appeared first on Ironwulf En Route.

Vietnam | A Ha Long Bay Day Cruise

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Cruising through Ha Long Bay
Cruising through Ha Long Bay

“Please don’t call it a junk! It doesn’t sound good. We call it a cruise ship!” our Vietnamese guide with a British accent, Duc, politely corrected me as I got accustomed to call those large wooden ships cruising Ha Long Bay as “junks” similar to what they call it in Hong Kong. From Halong Plaza Hotel, we were headed to the port for a Ha Long Bay day in this UNESCO Heritage site in the province of Quang Ninh, Vietnam. It is popularly known for its thousands limestone karst picturesquely dispersed on a bay off Ha Long City.

A boat vendor selling fruits
A boat vendor selling fruits

A Ha Long Bay Day Cruise

It is actually my second time in Ha Long Bay. While I would recommend an overnight cruise of Ha Long Bay to get the most of the experience of sleeping on a modern cruise ship and seeing the sunset in the midst of these multitude rock formations, it is still possible to do a Ha Long Bay day cruise for those who have limited time. For this familiarization tour with Cebu Pacific Air and Red Tours, we were only doing a Ha Long Bay day cruise, whichI thought was good so I would know the difference with an overnight tour. By 9am we were already boarded on our cruise ship and headed to Ha Long Bay. Our cruise ship is designed for a day cruise only but has dining facilities and sun deck.

More ships and karst formations at the bay
More ships and karst formations at the bay
Docking on Driftwood Island for Thien Cung Cave
Docking on Driftwood Island for Thien Cung Cave

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Vinh Phuc Stay | Flamingo Dai Lai Resort: A Cool and Classy Escape near Hanoi

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Our villa at the the Hill Top
Our villa at the the Hill Top

While I enjoy Hanoi’s old world architecture and bustling city streets. Sometimes the crowd and constant noise of speeding cyclos can get tiring especially when one has to deal with the daily routines of urban life and work. A change of pace and a new environment is a welcome change to recharge and find solace in a hectic environment. Just an hour away from Hanoi is the province Vinh Phuc where the Flamingo Dai Lai Resort is located. I may not live in Hanoi, but as a tourist, I found this immense resort with well-maintained gardens, established pathways, scenic lakes, elegant villas and top-notch staff and ideal peaceful getaway near the city.

Bar by the beach
Bar by the beach

Flamingo Dai Lai Resort

Only 40km away from Hanoi and 16km near the airport, Flamingo Dai Lai Resort is accessible from the city or upon flying in. With a surcharge, the resort can arrange pick-up guest at the airport. As for our group, we drove in from Hanoi which took only an hour following road signs leading to the resort. When we got out our coaster, cool gust of air under gloomy skies welcomed us along with the staff. We were led to the reception to meet the key people of the resort and soon we rode the golf carts to our cottages.

The cart ride to our rooms and and a short tour of the resort showed us how impressive the place is. A huge 1.2 million square meter land, 4 peninsulas, 2 lakes, 10 forest and 5 hills with cottages. There are also residential areas being developed. I like how the place is so verdant yet fitted with stylish modern facilities.

Our Hill Top Villa tucked in a forest
Our Hill Top Villa tucked in a forest

Hill Top Villa

I love being surrounded by trees and to find our villa amidst the forest got me excited. Our Hill Top Villa has beautiful log walls. There’s a couple of mountain bikes outside guest can freely use. Once I opened the villa, I was filled awe. It’s the kind of elegance I was leaning into, very much country in feel. Almost half of area is occupied by the huge bed where the sliding doors open to our private villa pool. Despite being out in the open, the place feels private. It was a bummer we had limited time of stay here. I made sure I enjoy as much as I can.

The bathroom is also huge and I made sure that I try that marble bath tub. I would have used the outdoor shower but it was already cold outside. I did try our pool for a few minutes and ran back in the hot shower to get ready for our massage. It was also worth to note despite the proximity between villas and the vastness of the place, the whole area is well connected to the internet.

The bedroom at the villa
The bedroom at the villa
The bathroom with a marble tub and outdoor shower
The bathroom with a marble tub and outdoor shower
View from the bed
View from the bed
View of the pool
View of the pool
Mountain bikes free to use by guest
Mountain bikes free to use by guest
Enjoying a little pool time
Enjoying a little pool time
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