Canyoning outside Dalat.

The second of two natural waterslides. There was a "soft" track in the rock leading down into a pool. This one we went leg first. The other one was head first-somewhat "lovely scary".

Dalat in highland Vietnam is a good place for cycling, motorbiking-or for canyoning. Having never tried the latter before, that was what I went for. It became a day with lot of fun-abseiling, jumping, natural waterslides. Drifting with the stream and unavoidable walking in the river and across it. Luckily it is a warm winter in these parts, because this was no dry experience.

We were a group of ten from all over the world. Most staying at the same hostel. None had much idea about how to do-so we started with some dry practicing according to instructions from some very good and enthusiastic young guides. Before walking down to a wall beside a waterfall for the first of four abseiling during the day. And the only one in dry conditions-even though we landed softly in a strong current pool.

At the top of a waterfall. Mission-getting down in controlled forms-not falling. I was VERY carefull: the rock was slippery. The current strong. And further down we got the river right in our faces.

Sorry to say: The rope is 5 meters short. You gotta let go-or climb up again!

A group photo. Behind is the jump. One can jump from a shelf 7 meters above the surface-or run and jump from 11 meters into the deep pool. 7 meters was enough for me.

A great lunch on the riverside. One thing is certain-this game is appetite inducing!

The last abseiling-into the so called washing machine.

Called the washing machine because here you sink right into a strong current which twists and beats you. At the bottom where you let go of the rope, you will be pressed under water into a trench, and then spitted out in a pool. Cool!