Costa T+11 Wednesday
Wednesday, a few of us decided to do a zip-line tour after class. The shuttle came to pick us up around 12:20p, though we were told it would be there are :05. There were 4 of us going to the same place. Two 20-something British girls, a Canadian woman and myself.
The girls had already done an extreme zip line the day before so they elected the skywalk, frog and insect tours. The Canadian and I did the zip and skywalk. Next time, I’d pay for a guide on the skywalk or not bother, but I’ve already hiked for hours in the forest, so this walk on semi-paved walkways and across steel suspension bridges wasn’t very interesting. Without a guide, you don’t know what you are seeing other than lots of trees, plants, mosses, vines, a few flowers, birds, and if you are lucky, a few monkeys way off in the distance.
On the skywalk, the most interesting part was seeing monkeys about 30 meters away in the treetops swinging and jumping from tree to tree.
OTOH, the zip-line was really fun. Obviously, the first zip was just a tiny bit scary, but it is really fun, so the next is more about practicing all the techniques for slowing down, seeing more of the sights in the 20 seconds between bases and enjoying it a little more. By the 3rd line, you’re trying to get as much speed as possible, yet still be able to stop at the platform. I had a little too much speed for a few stops so special safety stoppers had to be used by the catcher. In total, there were 19 zips and 1 step-off-the-stand and Tarzan back and forth until they can stop you from swinging. I accidentally pumped like on a swing set and kept going for a long time. Sadly, I have very few photos since I didn’t want to drop the camera and the gloves were very thick and had an extra leather insert to aid with breaking.
3 of the zips were long and high between two hillsides. They lasted about 40 seconds with fantastic views. I have now idea how high we were, but 300 meters seems about right. Highly recommended. Oh, listen carefully to the 5 minute zip technique and safety training. If you are really light or don’t want to go alone, they will taxi you with a guide controlling everything. I’d do it again in a second, regardless of the price.
BTW, it hasn’t rained here in Monteverde except that drizzle the first evening. The dry season here really appears to be dry. The dirt roads are very dusty.
Today is my last full day and night. I leave for San Joaquin tomorrow after school. I am looking forward to normal food, a hot long shower, and washing/drying my clothes. Clothes hung out to dry don’t get the fabric sheet treatment, so they aren’t as soft. Sorry for the lack of food photos. I’ve not been eating much lunch or the food wasn’t particularly good this week. For example, I had and apple and banana for lunch on Wednesday. For dinner, my tico family had modified spaghetti with chunks of beef and a very thin sauce.
Time to study for class.
