Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah, Zip-A-Dee-A

Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah
Zip-A-Dee-A
Wonderful feeling
Wonderful Day

James Basket

What a wonderful day! On Wednesday, I went on The Original Canopy Tour. This was the first canopy tour offered anywhere around the world and was started back in 1994. I was able to view the canopy level of the rain forest in an amazing manner. - via zip lines. This adventure included zip lines, rappelling, the Tarzan swing, and a hollow tree climb. 

I couldn’t find anyone else from CPI to go with me, so I decided to go alone. Knowing my husband would worry if he knew I was going on this tour, I didn’t tell him. He will learn about my adventure as he reads this! At least I opted for the tour that was not as extreme as several others. This was a great place to START zip lining. 

I wasn’t sure we were going to be able to go on the tour as it began raining just as I arrived and they were worried about lightning in the area. Obviously, if there is lightning, they cannot run the excursion. They were watching the radar to see if the lightning was moving our way. After a short wait, it was a go. For most of the afternoon, the rain was a light mist which felt pretty good and didn’t interfere with the excursion. However, there was a low cloud hanging over the area so it wasn’t as clear as I would have liked. I was joined on the tour by Lisa and Jens from Germany. It was great that someone else was along who hadn’t done any zip lining before either. 

First, we started with a 10-minute hike and arrived at the first of 15 cables for the zip lines. The zip lines ranged in length from 60 to 800 meters long. We started off with a few of the shorter lines. I was able to figure out how to balance to stay facing forward, how to brake, and how to fly. I can tell you, I am officially hooked! Mauricio and Sergio were our guides. One would be at the beginning of the zip line and the other at the end to help us out. They were great and made it really fun. 

On the longest line, a torrential downpour started. As I flew along the line, I literally couldn’t see a thing. It was as if someone was spraying a fire hose directly in my face. I couldn’t keep my eyes open and it actually stung a bit. I was told I had to watch for Mauricio’s hand signals when to start slowing down. With the rain, no wind, and me not being able to see, I slowed down a bit too early and stopped about 15-20 feet from the end. I turned my body backward and started pulling myself slowly hand over hand like a monkey toward the platform. Mauricio got on the line, quickly slid down toward me, wrapped his legs around my body, and towed me up extremely fast in the same hand over hand fashion. He made it seem like I had no weight at all. Obviously, he had done that a time or two before. He was amazing.

We also did the Tarzan swing. I was the first one to go on this part. This was the scariest thing for me to do - at least that first step off the platform. I hesitated before stepping off and my stomach lurched as I first dropped, but once I began swinging, it was great. I love swinging and it was just a really big swing in the rain forest. 

Years ago, I had rappelled once so at least I knew what was to be expected. Mauricio asked if I wanted to go slow, medium, or fast. I selected medium which was just right. The drop was straight down from the branch of a hollow ficus tree. Once down, we were hooked onto another line and began climbing up inside the tree. Steps had been created from climbing ropes tied into special knots. Climbing inside the tree was really cool. I wish I would have had my phone along so I could have taken pictures. Once out of the hollow section, we climbed a wobbly hanging ladder. I didn’t look down when climbing that. I wasn’t scared but very cautious. Even though I was attached, I didn’t want to fall. 

If you are ever in Monteverde, I would highly recommend this adventure. You can also check out their website. 

theoriginalcanopy.com