– OCTOBER 30, 2015
After an evening flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Lat, we retired for the evening to the Alan Hostel in town. The staff at the Alan Hostel jumped to meet us at the taxi and take our bags into the building. A sister duo runs this hostel and they are the most energetic people we have met on this entire trip. They even had a home-style dinner of pork cutlets, mashed potatoes, salad and green beans waiting for us. They offer free breakfast (omelet or pancakes) and free home-style dinner every night! A great deal at only $10 USA funds a night for a private room. Fantastic!
On October 30th we met the Canyoning drivers at the hostel at 9:30am and departed for the 30 minute drive to the start of the canyon adventure. Once we arrived at the spot, we received our gear and everyone got together for a debriefing.
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
After a short walk through the woods, we arrived at a clearing with a fairly decent slope where we practised walking backward while on the ropes and harnessed in.
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Now we started a 30 minute hike through the woods with a few steep sections, but nothing like the walks we did in New Zealand.
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Our first stop was a natural waterslide.
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
The next stop on the list was an abseil at a 25 meter waterfall. At the bottom we needed to push off and fall backwards into the water below.
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
The next stop is a 14 meter high jump off the rocks into the water pool below.
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
The last abseil is a more difficult rappel 16 meters into the waterfall below that pulls you into the water below. This stop is affectionately known as the “Washing Machine“. You rappel backwards down the black mat, then you quickly lower yourself down into the waterfall splash until you run out of rope.
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
Da Lat Canyoning/Water Abseiling
We had to hike back up the side to reach the parking lot above. This was more difficult than the canyoning adventure we had in Switzerland about 10 years ago, but not nearly as difficult as the canyoning adventures we had in New Zealand.
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For more photos of our adventure go to our flickr account here.
A Leaf on the Wind 