What about the excursions, or other activities that you can take part in while vacationing? Here seems to be the common ground, regardless of travel style. Most people, at least, like to try new things and be more adventurous...the degree of adventure varies from person to person though.
For me, I made a promise to myself that I would push my own comfort boundaries...that included taking part in one of the longest and highest zip lines in the world....Miss Sky Canopy Tour in Nosara, Costa Rica.
This is something that truly scared the wits out of me, just thinking about it!! I have always been deathly afraid of heights ... Nothing like starting at the top! Go big or go home I say!!
Our day started with gearing up and an orientation at the base of the mountain, where Miss Sky's office is. We would be accompanied by our handsome, energetic, fearless guides. When they had us all in our harnesses and helmets and had briefed us on what would be happening for the next few hours, we all piled into the back of a pick up truck and made our way up the long road to the top.
I was sitting across from my young daughters, who were getting increasingly nervous, not knowing what to expect....I had to present a brave, optimistic face to reassure them...even though inside, I was completely freaking out. Seriously. Freaking. Out.
We finally reach the top...breathtaking views of the Pacific and the valleys .... I perhaps would have enjoyed it more if I wasn't preparing for what i was sure was going to be the most terrifying experience of my life.
We lined up at our first zip line of the day...the longest and highest of them all...over 750 meters long and several hundred feet high...no big deal, right? Piece of cake, right?
I had decided that I would be the first of my family to go across...rip off that band aid nice and fast...I was trying to remain outwardly calm, but inside, I was preparing for at the worst, certain death, at the best, certain humiliation of some sort...cuz that's just how I roll.
"Mamacita!! You ready??" Oh Lord, he's talking to me..."haha...I guess!"...*click!* *snap!* "Ok!! Want a big push or a little one??" ... "None thanks..." (This is actually happening...I am clipped to a cable strung between two mountain tops in the Costa Rican jungle...if I don't fall, I'm sure my heart will stop before I make it to the other side...)
...and away I went...
First thought...'holy cow this goes way faster than I thought'....second thought...'I haven't fallen'...third thought...'I am actually doing this!! I am flying across the jungle!!'....promptly followed by tears and laughter...seriously..there I was, zooming across this zip line, crying and laughing because I had stepped out of my comfort zone - AND LIVED TO TELL ABOUT IT!!!
As I was the first of my family across, and the one holding the camera, I have no photos of me actually on the zip line...but I have witnesses!! I was able to take some photos of my daughters coming across...they, by the way, LOVED it and had a blast!
My youngest daughter often had her own escort across to help her stop and give her some more weight to get across the large spans...all of the Miss Sky guides are amazing. They love their job, are reassuring, fun, crazy, great with kids, and very knowledgable about the area.
Just before our last run we were taken down a jungle path and to a swimming hole in a river in the middle of the jungle. Wait a minute...you are taking us swimming in a river in the jungle??? Every single creepy jungle river creature that I have ever seen on the Discovery Channel came into my mind...I had already conquered one major fear and stepped wayyy out of my comfort zone...now you want me to do what?!?!? *sigh* Alright. It's 1000 degrees Celsius in the sun, it was a good hike down here, and boy oh boy does that water look refreshing....yep, I did it!! It was so liberating! We all laughed and splashed while the Howler monkeys watched from the canopy overhead. Our guides scaled the shear rock faces across the river in their bare feet as though it was nothing and did flips into the water. It was the perfect end to the perfect adventure.
We completed our final zip line of the day, drove back down the mountain, exhausted, exhilarated, and talking about our morning together. I have to say, by the end of our tour, our guides had me going tandem with them - backwards, upside down, no hands!! It was fantastic and a true testament to how great they all are.
We all said our thank yous and good byes and my family jumped on our quads and headed back to our "home".
My life was completely changed. I knew from that day on that I would make a point of stepping outside of my comfort zone whenever I had the opportunity.
I'd love to hear about YOUR adventures in travel!! What did you do to push your own limits? Leave your stories in the comments below!!
If you'd like more information about the canopy tour, or to book your own Costa Rican adventure, please message me... jodi@somebeach.ca
