Yesterday’s weather was great, a more enjoyable temp(low 80’s) and finished with a great dinner. But about 8pm I felt my throat getting sore, just the way it does when one starts getting a cold. But I slept well otherwise and we got up and out for breakfast buffet this morning about 9. It was still a nice cool, low 80’s with low humidity.
After breakfast we went to make transport reservation from the resort to the airport for our Tuesday departure. A one way trip(90 min) is $140. Ouch. But that will be reimbursed by my boss. The resort has a real lock on transportation. Then we got ready for our 1030 pickup to go ziplining.
The van that came was a Toyota Hiace with extra seating. Maybe 9 total. A younger driver asked for my receipt and said he needed my credit card. A house porter standing next to him started laughing so I knew it was a joke, and I told him “HA, uhh, no” and laughed with them(after we got back I tipped him $5 cash and said “no credit card” again – he laughed). There were four of us, another couple and us. It was a slow jolting ride into the town of Tamarindo and then a little ways beyond to the Hilltop Adventure park. There were another 6 people already there so 10 total in our little canopy tour group. Probably couldn’t be any more than that as the tree stands don’t have much room to begin with. We all got strapped up with safety harness and then back in the van for a short drive up a hill to the tower where the first ride started.
The first was the longest ride. I held my gopro in my left hand and also to the strap holding me on the cable, and my right hand was gloved to hold the cable for slowing if necessary. But it wasn’t really necessary. They were able to slow us down with a round wood block on the wire just before hitting the platforms. What a ride. 7 lines total. Halfway thru we had to do some rock style climbing straight up a tree from a lower platform to a higher one. I figured about 25 feet. They connected ropes to us and pulled as we climbed so if we let go there was no going back down. They had pulleys to assist and could even pull people up like an elevator for those that didn’t have the strength or endurance. I went first and was able to get up to the last couple feet on my own but I couldn’t find good hand straps at that point. They kept telling us to take our time, no rush. But I made it and I was definitely winded after that. It took me a few minutes to catch my breath. A 9 yr old boy came next and he was scared but made it most of the way before getting real help. Then came Wendy who gave it a good try, but after she got to the halfway point, she just plain ran out of steam, arms started shaking she said. Everybody taking a turn climbing took the longest and there was no rush and everybody went slow. Gave me a chance to catch my breath. Would have been better if it was a ladder climb but it was a good experience.
On the second to last ride, we had to ascend some stairs to a higher platform and they were steep. As I was climbing those steps I was holding my gopro in my left hand and it was apparently too high in my hand, as I accidentally bumped the clip release, and the camera just dropped down the side of the tree to the ground. Maybe 100 feet. Most of the ground was open, not too much ground cover, and after we got nearly to the end, one of the guys had gone down to look for it, and amazingly had found it, albeit broken, but still working. I they told them I couldn’t care less about the camera itself, it was cheap, but I really wanted the memory card with ALL the video’s I had taken up to this point. So I was very thankful. On the second to last ride, they started to mix things up. One couple came down together, she in his lap but riding backwards, he forwards. That was fun for both of them. Then the last guy rode on his stomach like superman with arms out in front, but legs held in place behind by the last tech or assistant.
On the last ride, they told us NOT to hold the cable with our gloved hand, it was short and not needed. But then they started yanking on the cable to make us bounce in the air as we zipped downline, and THAT was scary fun. My helmet would hit the cable as I bounced which scared me at first, but pretty soon it was all over. After everyone was back down, they helped us get out of all our gear and gave us bottles of cold water which was really needed. I was so thirsty. We had joked half way thru that they should build larger platforms in the trees with a bar service to enjoy along the way. Even though it was $160 for the two of us, we still tipped them $10 for the great schooling, safety, and “service’. They were extremely friendly and loved to laugh, both at us and with us. Wonderful guys.
YouTube video- Zipline(28 min. – kinda jerky sometimes but that’s hand holding a gopro)
From there is was a 45 minute van ride back to the resort, got in about 2pm. On the way back to our room, we stopped to get milkshakes in the ice cream shop, as we weren’t hungry but it seemed an appropriate treat.
My throat continued to get sore, so while I relaxed in the room, Wendy went for a swim in the pool. It was colder than she expected but not tool cold and she enjoyed it.
At 6 we had reservations for dinner in the Asian themed restaurant Tamarine. $128 and 90 minutes later I walked out satisfied more than from last nights Octopus. I had sushi, thai chicken soup, and Kung pow chicken(which if any complaint at all had a little too much sauce). All were very good. After dinner it was time to prepare a little organizing & packing for tomorrows travels home.