Trekking waterfall for adventure
08/09/08 (GMT+7)
Since I had arrived late in Dalat City I checked myself into a small hotel near Hoa Binh market, which is in the heart of the central highland city of Lam Dong Province, ate diner and then booked myself onto a canyoning trip for the next day. Canyoning is basically abseiling down a waterfall, sliding on your back through white water rapids and jumping off huge ledges into the river below.
My trip was to Hang Cop fall (Tiger Cave), so called by local residents because many years ago a ferocious was trapped in there by skillful hunters. The cave is at the base of a waterfall less visited by Vietnamese travelers than Prenn, Cam Ly or Datania falls in Dalat City. Thus, it promises to be interesting for those who are drawn to more unusual places.
Tiger Cave waterfall is in White Valley in Tay Son Commune, Xuan Tho District, about 15 kilometers north-east of Dalat City. I rented a motorcycle for VND70,000 a day and rode along Hung Vuong Street through Xuan Tho Village until I spotted the sign for Tiger Cave on the left.
I traveled one kilometer on a rough and muddy road with big potholes before reaching the falls. "Be careful" I whispered as I tried to control the motorcycle, but I was rewarded when heard my partner exclaim that it was not "a waste of our efforts" as we caught sight of a huge pine tree forest. From above it appeared that a huge tiger was strolling in a flower garden, which was in fact a huge ceramic statue of the Tiger associated with the falls.
On a small hill nearby is another statue of a brave looking young minority hunter. We stepped down a long set of stairs to reach the natural cave, which is believed to have been the home of the 'king of the jungle,' and continued on down a pretty 150 step stone path, winding through a primeval forest.
The water falls abundantly and violently, breaking off into small streams which pass over huge rocks and continue falling. It was a scene of the most attractive and majestic wild landscape. As we waved farewell to Tiger Cave falls another challenge faced us; the climb back up pine hill. "Thus, our trip turned into an interesting and unforgettable memory," my partner concluded, as he made plans to approach Prenn and Datania falls the next day.
(Source: SGT, URL:http://english.vietnamnet.vn/travel/2008/09/802215/)
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