People say coming to the Central Highlands city of Bao Loc at this time of the year must be depressing with the constant drizzle and chilly weather making people feel sad and down.

However, I think that is an easy excuse to make and last weekend we went for a romantic picnic at Ta Ngao Waterfall and I can assure you we had the most amazing experience as we conquered and explored what nature has to offer.

To reach this glorious location you have to travel about 20 kilometers from the center of Bao Loc City, make a right to Dai Binh T Junction and go straight ahead to Ta Ngao Commune, Loc Thanh District.

The first thing you notice is the pristine beauty of the waterfall. It is almost untouched as it is not a popular site, so the area still retains its primitive charm and gives travelers a feeling that they are pioneers discovering a lost city.

After passing through the pine forest, tourists will face a tough journey to conquer the small winding road through the bamboo forest.

The tourist site is separate from residential areas, but the deserted and shaded road is normally studded with farmers going to and from the coffee plantations, so travelers should not hesitate to ask them how to reach the waterfall in the fastest and safest way.

After passing through the bamboo forest for about a kilometer, tourists will see a small wooden bridge where they will hear the bluster of the falls and murmurs of streams call out to you to catch them.

From the bridge, you have two options, go left to admire the four storeys of the falls, while on the right there is a three-storey falls.

If you choose left, you must be patient to walk on water and step on rocks along the pristine stream to reach the falls. However, you will be rewarded by stunning landscapes with pure streams under the shade of ancient giant trees, and you will feel as if you are lost in a picture depicted in realism. After 500 meters of walking, tourists start to reach the first storey of the falls.

If you choose right, there is brisk seven minutes walk on the tiny trails along the stream before you reach the first storey of the fall. Remember to cling onto the bamboo strings to stay safe.

Each storey stands dozens of meters high and is separated by the lake under the fall. At each storey are giant rocks where tourists can take a seat and admire the beauty of nature. However, one more thing, as the lakes under the falls are deep and the water is swift flowing, you should not swim there. But tourists don’t need to worry as there are many sections on the stream for them to swim and play among the spumes.

If you have any longing for adventure in your bones and are keen to discover new sites, you should pack a back and make a plan with your friends or loved ones to visit the waterfall. The journey should be prepared with snacks, food, water and solid shoes as there are no tourist services. You can buy some goods on the way to the falls at Loc Thanh Market. In recent times HCMC based-Hong Bang University has stared to develop the tourist site.

SGT