November 24, 2014
Playa Dominical, waiting for our bus to Palmar Norte and then on to Sierpe, Costa Rica
Anner and I are definitely the adventurous types – we wouldn’t be on this trip if we weren’t, but I don’t think of us as “thrill seekers”. We’ll happily say yes to trying new things, doing new hikes, etc., but bungee jumping doesn’t really make our list of “Oooh, Oooh, can we do that?” Perhaps that statement might surprise you if you’d seen us ziplining through the trees face down two days ago!
Yep, that’s right, Anner and I went ziplining in the cloud forest! Not only that, we did the Superman section where they strap you under the cable in a face down, arms behind your back, just trust to the gods as the wind rushes by and you stare at almost a mile of forest going by a hundred meters or more below you pose! It was incredible!!! Let me take a step back, though.
Suited up and ready to go!
Costa Rica is known for a couple of things in particular: ecotourism and the adventures that are somewhat sustainable going along with that (boat trips, bird watching, scuba diving, zip lines, Tarzan swings, canyoning, hiking, rafting, etc). Selvatura Park in Monteverde is one of the MANY places allowing you to experience quite a few of these in one spot. We did a package through our hostel that included an amazing 1.9 mile walk on the sky bridges (which could be a post on their own), a visit to the hummingbird garden (another post) and the ziplining. Let me just say, this is NOT the trip for those with a fear of heights (sorry, pa!) – not even remotely!
A bridge over the Cloud Forest – Beautiful!
Anyway, we loved doing the sky walk first, though we wish we’d taken more time on it. Then we watched the hummingbirds for 15 minutes or so before having to get to ziplining before light ran out for the day. Selvatura has one of the longest series’ of platforms and cables in Costa Rica. Go big or go home, right? Well, there was definitely some trepidation as they attached all these harnesses and things to us and then, after a quick how-to, we were whisked up to the first platform. Zoooooooooooom. Apparently the first 3 lines or so are for the guides to judge our abilities as then they decided a few folks would be better off going tandem with the guides themselves. Anner was one of those folks, as was the 77 year old gentleman who was with us. Anner was paired with the lead guide, Andre, who would yell, “Where’s my taxi!” and then Anner would run to the front of the line, gasping, his men would hook her to the line and the two of them would be off. Before you go feeling bad for her, it meant she then didn’t have to do anything and could just enjoying zipping along above the trees! Andre would nudge her and she’d stretch her arms out and howl, “I’m flyyyyying!” Me, I probably would have done better in tandem, too. For some reason I kept finding myself spinning and ended up heading into most of the platforms backwards! The guides tried to help, but apparently I’m beyond they’re abilities… Perhaps next time.
About to launch!
After 10 or so zips, it was time to really face our fears for the final line – The Superman! This line is loooong and entirely above the trees (other lines went both above and through them). We were a little hesitant to do the Superman and Anner tried to give her SM Gear away, but no one would take it and a couple of scout leaders from California urged us on. You basically get harnessed into this gurney and then they have you lie down so they can clip you to the cable. As Anner dangled on the line I couldn’t help saying, “I love you, honey.” Anner said she loved me too…everyone gagged and just before she took flight Anner yells to our entire group, “I love all of yooooooooou!!!!!!!!: They give her a push and she was at the whims of the cable! I was next. No break, no control, no nothing – just this unreal sense of flying with, surprisingly, no fear at all. It was utterly beautiful, floating above the tree-tops. There is nothing like it. I can’t describe it well enough, but it was worth the whole experience just for that one zip! If you EVER have a chance, face your fears and don’t skip the Superman!!!
Rigged for Superman Flight – are we really going to do this????
How wonderful to have those experiences!! I did it while in Guatemala. in 2011.
Loved flying over the trees. Your experience was more aggressive then mine. Glad that you are having such a wonderful time. Look forward to your continuing experiences.
Henrietta
That’s great you’ve experienced flying over the forest – pretty incredible indeed! Off to snorkel off Isla de Cano tomorrow and then we can’t wait to see what’s ahead!