Dangerous! (Waterfall extravaganza grand finale)
4th November 2010
Waterfall #8 – Tad Fane
Dangerous! Read the sign posted at the end of the viewing platform which provided a vista of the highest waterfall yet, Tad Fane. The platform was part of a developed resort, which overlooked the unbelievably massive twin falls from across a valley. The falls where so high that the water appeared to be pouring into a bottomless pit.
This morning Aaron and I had come a short drive from Sihom Sabaidy guesthouse, then strolled out onto the easy access viewing platform. Somehow this didn't seem enough of a challenge to warrant such a rewarding view. Danger being my middle name (or so Aaron teases me!) we set off on the trail that lead steeply down into the woods behind the sign that read “Dangerous!” We hoped to get a closer view from the foot of the falls, but the track descended away into the valley, getting further from the falls and eventually the trail was consumed by the undergrowth.
Back at the resort Aaron and I found a notice offering daily guided trips to the top of the waterfall. Not defeated yet, we took the challenge of finding the trial ourselves. We descended down the hill on the other side of the resort. Crossed the stream of the first waterfall, then scrambled up through the woods. The path was steep and I clung to the dense trees to haul myself up the slippery sections. I ducked under branches and clambered over roots. Finally we found the top of the second bigger waterfall. It was possible to creep to the edge and look over the dizzying cliff.
After a rest and a chilly swim for Aaron we took another path back. This trail was easier going and lead through a coffee plantation. When we got back to the road, we realised we were a lot further from our motorbike than we expected. On our hike back down the road we found a cafe and ordered a late lunch. I was rather disappointed with my noodles and “mixed vegetables” which turned out to be boiled cabbage and Aaron was even more disgusted by his order of “bbq chicken” which resulted in a small plate of shriveled, chewy, chicken jerky sticks. Eventually we made it back to the resort. Exhausted we hopped on the bike, but couldn't bear to miss the last waterfall of the tour.
Waterfall #9 – Tad Champan
A huge pool of water fed by a graceful waterfall curving along the back of it. An ideal spot for swimming or lazing on a tube. However when when Aaron and I visited it was late in the day and too chilly to even peal off our jackets. The place was empty other than a couple of local boys splashing around in the river. We only stopped briefly to count our ninth and final waterfall of the tour. We then scootered back to Pakse before it got dark, the last 40km of our 750km trip.
Waterfall #8 – Tad Fane
Dangerous! Read the sign posted at the end of the viewing platform which provided a vista of the highest waterfall yet, Tad Fane. The platform was part of a developed resort, which overlooked the unbelievably massive twin falls from across a valley. The falls where so high that the water appeared to be pouring into a bottomless pit.
This morning Aaron and I had come a short drive from Sihom Sabaidy guesthouse, then strolled out onto the easy access viewing platform. Somehow this didn't seem enough of a challenge to warrant such a rewarding view. Danger being my middle name (or so Aaron teases me!) we set off on the trail that lead steeply down into the woods behind the sign that read “Dangerous!” We hoped to get a closer view from the foot of the falls, but the track descended away into the valley, getting further from the falls and eventually the trail was consumed by the undergrowth.
Back at the resort Aaron and I found a notice offering daily guided trips to the top of the waterfall. Not defeated yet, we took the challenge of finding the trial ourselves. We descended down the hill on the other side of the resort. Crossed the stream of the first waterfall, then scrambled up through the woods. The path was steep and I clung to the dense trees to haul myself up the slippery sections. I ducked under branches and clambered over roots. Finally we found the top of the second bigger waterfall. It was possible to creep to the edge and look over the dizzying cliff.
After a rest and a chilly swim for Aaron we took another path back. This trail was easier going and lead through a coffee plantation. When we got back to the road, we realised we were a lot further from our motorbike than we expected. On our hike back down the road we found a cafe and ordered a late lunch. I was rather disappointed with my noodles and “mixed vegetables” which turned out to be boiled cabbage and Aaron was even more disgusted by his order of “bbq chicken” which resulted in a small plate of shriveled, chewy, chicken jerky sticks. Eventually we made it back to the resort. Exhausted we hopped on the bike, but couldn't bear to miss the last waterfall of the tour.
Waterfall #9 – Tad Champan
A huge pool of water fed by a graceful waterfall curving along the back of it. An ideal spot for swimming or lazing on a tube. However when when Aaron and I visited it was late in the day and too chilly to even peal off our jackets. The place was empty other than a couple of local boys splashing around in the river. We only stopped briefly to count our ninth and final waterfall of the tour. We then scootered back to Pakse before it got dark, the last 40km of our 750km trip.
By Jean
Comments
I was also amazed how different the waterfalls were. I was only going to write something short, but then I decided I had to write about all of them!