Hello everyone, how was your weekend?
I went on a camping trip with my best friend who has helped me a lot in life. Hai Van Pass is the place where we met for the first time, 4 years ago. The trip that we first met was in 2017 and I had a previous post about it and the Hai Van Pass, where the clouds and mountains blend, surrounded by the bay of the sea of Danang. I and my friend have the same hobby of taking pictures and trekking. His name is Nhan, born in Ho Chi Minh but living and working in Da Nang. I was lucky to have him as a friend and I have learned a lot from him. We happened to meet each other at the top of the mountain yesterday without an advanced appointment. We connected and got along well during the trip that day, had some fun to celebrate our 4-year friendship.
We started from the center of Da Nang city to reach the top of Hai Van mountain, about 40 minutes (a distance of 30km) by motorbike. The road on Hai Van Pass is well-known to be the most beautiful road that everyone wants to experience when arriving in Da Nang as one side is the mountain and the other is the sea. To trek to the top of the mountain, we parked our bikes at the local house on the main road. The walking path to the top is next to the Hai Van Quan relic, formerly this place was allowed to ride a motorbike to the top, but there were some accidents before due to the steep slope and narrow road. To ensure the safety of tourists, motorbikes are not allowed to enter the area. Because these days there are often sudden night rains, we bring many tools just in case. On the way to the top, we will pass through a beautiful pine forest and there is a spot to overlook Hue City and Danang Bay.
When we reached the camping site, the sky had already begun to get dark. We set up a tent and went to find firewood. There was another group of 5 people camping here as well. We started to have a conversation with them and asked to join the camping together. It was interesting that we were all born in different places but same age. We prepared grilled fish, snacks, and drank wine and talked all night warmed up our night firewood, and the nice conversation. That day was the day with the biggest and brightest moonlight, but due to the fog on the top of the mountain, it was covered. There was heavy rain during the night when we were sleeping and our tent was soaked with water. It was cold and we couldn't sleep well. It was almost 3 am, and my friend stored some dry wood and burned it to keep warm.
The sky after the rain is very clear and the moonlight illuminates the hills and mountains, I took some night photos that can clearly see the city of Da Nang from afar. We talked together until morning and watched the sunrise together. The whole area of Hai Van Pass was dyed yellow by the sun. When the sun was gradually rising, it was also when the light is spreading everywhere, waking up the grass and trees with dewdrops. A few boats far away in the middle of the sea came back from fishing last night. The scenery was stunning and signaling a new day had begun. After watching the sunrise and having breakfast, we packed our stuff and returned to the city at 8 o'clock.
After each trip, editing the photos bring me joy and a great memory. Trekking and photography seem to be two activities that are always a nice combo. Discovering new lands and taking photographs is the best way to preserve that beauty forever in my heart. Not only that, after done editing the photos I can show off to relatives and friends and tell them: "The world outside has a lot to see". I also hope that I'll have a chance to meet some hiver friends in the future if you plan to visit Da Nang- Viet Nam. We'll get to know each other and have great picnics together.
Thank you for reading my journey. See you in the next post
The pictures taken by Nikon d750 (lens Nikon 70-200) and Flycam Mavic SE. I hope you enjoy my pictures.