Waterfalls at the border of Vietnam and China

by Ty Kolb (United States of America)

I didn't expect to find USA

I was visiting one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Southeast Asia, just traveling with one friend of mine. We were immersed into the magnificent scenery of the countryside in Vietnam. Little did we know what we were about to find. After arriving to the park, we were stunned that there were hardly any visitors to the largest tiered waterfalls we ever have seen and we have traveled a lot waterfall chasing together. As I was near the base of the most common view, I thought about going on an adventure and doing something outside of my comfort zone. So I did just that.. I started hiking into the thick Vietnamese jungle in which my friend was completely apprehensive at first for considerable and rational reasons. Let's just say, I felt daring that day and surveyed the area for safety. He decided to come with me. The locals had a few wild dogs that were running around the property and one of them, in particular, I will never forget his sweet face and eyes full of wisdom. He seemed totally in love with the view of the hike we were on. It appeared to be blocked off and forbidden so I can't imagine how long it must have been that he's seen the trail himself. However, never doubt a dog's memory or ability to figure out the path. We came to a steep cliff edge and felt that there was no other way but to turn back. Suddenly, as the dog was running around sniffing out the premises, he ran up to me for a head scratch gave me a bark, and ran a different way that we had not seen yet. He turned around to wait for my presence to near. Just as I was at the peak of the direction the little guy had guided me, hiking through thick, overgrown forest, and a bit off the original trail, I saw what I had been looking for. I called my friend to follow quick and we saw ahead of us these stone steps to guide us to our dream destination. I had no idea what to expect but by the end of the trail, we found it. We were standing on a little cliffside, enclosed by the top tier of the waterfall with beautiful streams and waterfalls all around the semicircle pouring into the top level. Completely surrounded by what I believe I counted to be 10 waterfalls. Beside us, we could see the cascades flowing down to the next tiers, to their finality in the huge lake below. The view that everyone could see if they go there. Our view before our eyes was something special, something unique in its own right and, not to mention, the path less traveled. We were lucky and fortunate that we remained safe despite the slippery, forbidden path we had taken to get there. Also, we never faced any issues with authorities on the property so no trouble in another country that we were not native to. Everything pieced together perfectly, as if this magical moment was destined to happen. I will never forget the way the calming sounds of the rushing water allowed for me to drift off into the deepest meditation and immerse myself into the beauty around me. Not a word was said between my friend and I but the smiles and tears on our face showed a genuine expression of the deep feelings evoked on this shortlived journey. We were grateful to be alive in that very moment. We were so lucky the dog was near to help guide us towards our most memorable experience of a lifetime. This moment I will carry with me forever..this moment is embedded in the depths of my mind, eternally.