Monday in Chiang Mai - ZIP-LINING!!!

Monday started off early. The zip-lining company confirmed that they were, in fact, coming to pick us up. This was done a week or so in advance. Anywho, they came and picked us up at 6:45am. Yes, indeed an early start, but we were so stoked to have this opportunity! After they picked us up, we stopped at 2 other places to pick up 3 more people: a couple from Canada and a girl from Denmark. We introduced ourselves and made ourselves comfy for the hour or so ride to the jungle. Once there, I once again felt a bit queasy(I get carsick REALLY easily). After a few minutes of the fresh air, I felt better. We filled out a few forms, all used the restroom, and were finally on our way! We followed our leader to a place where we could put all of our backpacks and purses and such while we were gone. All we needed were our cameras to document this stupendous occasion! Next, they fitted all of us with harnesses. Let's just say that I was excited, thus my face in these pictures......And for all who don't already know, harnesses are the new fad.

After getting harnessed and helmeted up, we

 hopped into another van for a quick ride. We

 hopped out and surprisingly, our destination was not far off from the road. We walked down a pathway a short distance, and we could hear the whoops and hollers of people! It only took a few moments to reach the first platform. There was a group in front of us, and we got to see the last of them step off the first platform and experience their first zip-lining!!! Once the first group was done, our guide(one of two) decided to wait for a little bit so we wouldn't have to wait at every platform. After 10 minutes or so, it was our turn! Mike was first out of our group to experience it, and I can't be sure, but I think I was second. Can't remember.....haha. Once he turned to me, it took me a second to realize what I was doing! I was about to step off of the steady and reliable platform to "fly" through the

 jungle! I giggled, took a moment, and 

hopped off. I let out an excited "hahahahooooooooaaaahahhhhhhahaha!" and when I got to the next platform our other guide asked me, "Are you OK?" You see, Thais don't really let their emotions out. They don't show when they're excited or mad. So I guess I surprised him. Let's just say that by the end, he was more than used to outburts of excitement. The

 third line was the longest of all 17. I really enjoyed this one. It gave you the chance to look down and all around at the beauty surrounding you. The air was clean and I hadn't seen that much green since I left the States. This line was also the first one we used our 'brakes' on. Our 'brakes' were bamboo pieces in the shape of a wishbone. You simply place the cable you're sliding down right in between the two pieces that make up the wishbone shape. Amazingly, this slows you down immensely. So, when the guide yells,"BRAKE!", you brake. They told us if we didn't brake, then our faces would then come face to face with the tree. Haha - this was incentive 

enough. It wasn't hard at all really once you get the hang of it. 

After the first few cables, we got to be pros at it! The only surprise after this were the drop-offs. There were some platforms that you had to be lowered down off of to get to the next one. This was by far the most exciting for me. You simply step of the platform, hang in mid-air for a moment, and they then lower you down. Except our guides were rather humorous, so they teased us. They'd let you down slowly, then drop you really fast, then let you down slow again, then drop you fast, then you'd stop really close to the ground, but not close enough to touch. They were serious pranksters! But that's what made it so fun! Stephanie, unfortunately, didn't like this on

e too much. This obviously fueled Sam's teasing and pranking. Sam was quite young(around our age) and had too much fun teasing the girls. He'd walk up behind them on the platform, grab their leg, and yell. Erin, Leah, and Stephanie would scream EVERY time. 

Once we reached the last few cables, we caught up with the group that was in front of us. They seemed to be moving at a much slower rate. We had to wait for a time, but it was okay. We realized that our time in this beautiful jungle was ending, and therefore, were patient. Near the end though, we realized that we were quite high up. You see, on the previous cables, there was so much vegetation below us, that it didn't really hit us HOW high 

we were. At the very last one, I got a picture of the last platform 

and the tree it was in. You can see just how high up we were. It was so fun! I'm so glad we got to experience this AWESOME

 adventure. I'm thankful to Stephanie who found this place on the internet, e-mailed them, and got confirmation. Without you, Stephanie, that adventure wouldn't have been possible. Well, now that I sound like I've accepted an Oscar, I'll end this little note.....