The carabineer is clipped to my harness as I stand at the edge of a wooden platform. Our guide triple checks my straps, giving them a solid tug to make sure my harness is secure.
Ready?
Umm, not really, but for some reason I silently nod yes.
Ok. One. Two. Three…
I am flying feet first high above the forest floor, through the lush canopy of leaves and branches that a family of gibbons calls home. Or so I’m told. Honestly, my eyes were pretty much closed on that first zip line. Have I mentioned that I have a serious fear of heights?
After a few more runs across the zip lines, I was getting the hang of it and slowly but surely loosened my death-grip on the harness and began having fun. A lot of fun. I happily zipped along bouncy lines, crossed suspension bridges and abseiled down between platforms. I even dove off a platform head first with nothing but a short bungee cord connected between the back of my harness and the zip line as I flew across the tree canopy like a less than graceful superwoman into a cargo net.
Never in a million years would I have ever imagined not only zip lining through a forest canopy, but also really enjoying it. As we’ve mentioned before, much of the purpose of this trip is to push ourselves beyond our comfort zones and try new things. With Flight of the Gibbon, I was able to face my fear of heights and have a blast in the treetops. Who knows, maybe next I’ll try canyon swinging in New Zealand…
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
It was so much fun sharing this adventure with you and Keith. Enjoy your travels – - I’m enjoying your blog, etc.
Linda (and Jeff) Grossman
w00t! Good on you AJ!
But you didn’t tell the other half of the story: how many times did you have to put up with Keith going: “Do it again! I want to do it again!”
I imagine forest zip-lining for Keith = kid + candy store + passed out candy store proprietor not paying attention.
Great update. sounds like great fun.
Keith and Amy:
Still enjoying all the blogs and updates. Great pictures.
Awesome! Did you see any gibbons?
Unfortunately no gibbons were sighted, even by those who kept their eyes open.
Awesome! We really thought about doing this one but decided to splurge on the elephant farm instead. Yes – go canyon swinging — you’ll love it!