I woke up early not quite sure if I was ready for what lay ahead. There was a group of 12 of us in the end in my group but there were maybe 5 other groups also doing canyoning at the same time. After being given harnesses, helmets and life jackets we were brown straight in having to almost slide down a hill into a canyon before stopping for our first demonstration. The Vietnamese guides were so funny and such great value - they made the day all that much more entertaining and they made you feel safe.

After practising abseiling for the first time ever thought - holy s*** what have I signed myself up to, walking backwards and jumping at a 90 degree angle to this cliff. And this was just the practice! The collection of waterfalls within this canyon here is Da Lat are astonishing and what better way to experience the surroundings than literally repelling yourself down them!!!!

The first task we had was sliding down a "natural water slide". So basically lying on your back HEAD FIRST and sliding down the waterfall into the river below. Waterfalls are so powerful I really did go flying down it was so much fun. Then we approached our first abseil which was off a dry cliff at a height of 14 metres. It's so weird falling backwards off the edge off the cliff so your feet are flat on the rocks and you are essentially facing the sky. It feels SO unnatural and to be completely honest it was terrifying at first but once I started going down - and you take a look at where you actually are - the fear disappears and the excitement to finish it kicks in. Half way down they tell you to stop and pose for photos; the guides were absolutely hysterical. After that you jump the rest of the way!!!

We then hiked our way to the first big waterfall which was absolutely beautiful, doing another natural water slide down a smaller waterfall on the way (this time feet first). At a height of 25 metres I stood in front of it thinking how on earth am I going to manage this one. We all took off our shoes to have better grip on the slippery rocks with only socks and I watched as one by one people backed themselves off the edge. Petrified I went for my turn and it was so exhilarating. The water was so strong so it took some strength to keep your feet on the rocks. The funniest part about this abseil was that they then told us that there wasn't enough rope to take us to the bottom so with around 5 metres still below you they tell you to literally jump off the rocks - letting go of the rope and plummeting backwards into the water. I felt SO proud of myself for not only getting down without injury but not skipping and successfully free falling the final 5 metres.

We all sat on the rocks and had some lunch, and I bumped into Rachel and Maartje who I had done castaway with in Hanoi by this waterfall! I was excited to find out they are also planning to go to Saigon in the morning so we will do it together. After lunch we went to do cliff jumping. I basically threw myself off a cliff 7 m in height to land in the moving stream below, which was so fun and so freeing. The weather was also beautiful which just added to the greatness of the day in general.

After floating down the river hand in hand we hiked up the mountain for our final waterfall abseil - known as "The Washing Machine". I almost chickened out of doing this one but I knew I would regret it if I didn't do it ! You start by walking down slowing leaning right back and after a while the waterfall curves back in on itself so you have to release your legs and hang holding onto the rope! Once hanging you let the rope slide through and fall with the waterfall to the stream at the bottom. Again the rope ran out just before you hit the water - so scary but so much fun at the same time. After feeling like you've been in a washing machine you bob up to the surface and seeing people's faces as they came out the other side was priceless. I can't imagine what mine must have looked like! After hiking all the way back up the canyon to hop in the minibus back to the hostel, my thighs had definitely had enough for one day and although I spent most of the morning terrified I am SO glad I did it all. It was incredible and I would recommend it 100%.

I went out for a snack with the lovely Canadian people who had been in my canyoning group and got some fresh spring rolls which id been craving for ages, and relaxed for the afternoon (my legs needed a rest!). I then joined in for the wonderful family dinner the hostel provide again, which was absolutely delicious. One of my favourite days so far.