This was the day to test our comfort with heights, dangling from cables and dealing with creatures in the forest. We went on the Zipline tour of the forest canopy. As usual, we joined 50 other people on the bus to share our shore tour. The trip was only 30 minutes through the town of Playa del Coco (a former fishing village that is now becoming a “resort.”) past teak trees and a range of other vegetation to another small village surrounding the Congo Canopy facilities (“congo” is another name for the Howler monkeys we were to encounter). We were told that the cables and platforms were initially installed for researchers to learn more about the dry forest vegetation and then were more full developed and used for tourists who want the thrill of swinging with monkeys in the top of trees.
It was suggested that we visit the bathrooms before we got into our harnesses as there is only restroom along the way during our 11 “rides.” And it is not easy to go to the bathroom with all the gear on us (akin to a modern chastity belt). Then we were “dressed” with our equipment, harness, belts, gloves and hat. Finally we received the instructions to assure our safety: how to handle the cables; how to hold one’s head and position legs. At each point, we were cinched to the cable and shoved off to flow to the next landing in the trees. Some of the platforms were at least 50 or 60 feet up in the trees; others were closer to ground. It was quite a thrill~ and we did hear the monkeys howling and later saw them on the next tree in the neighborhood. Other than one participant finding a scorpion on his glove, no one encountered any other creatures in the forest.
After our flights, we drove back to the village, wondered around the shops, had a coffee at a local café and waited on the beach for the tender to retrieve us. We headed back to the boat, relaxed, had lunch
Once back, we relaxed, had lunch and joined the qualifying rounds of an important tournament. I decided to represent our team in attempting to qualify-had 3 opportunities and made it. In the fourth round someone knocked me out of the top 7 so I had to take the last opportunity to qualify and I did! In fact I was the second highest quaiifyer. So I got to play in the finals of the black jack tournament!!
The tournament had 7 hands and the winner would take home the pot.,.over $500. Each player was given $1000 worth of chips. I made it to the “final four.” (all of whom were women, interestingly enough). The last two women were tied! So another 3 hands were played and the tie was broken. It was fun, albeit disappointing~ We hung out on the stern deck this afternoon, read our books and enjoyed the balmy weather. Tomorrow takes us hiking in the South of Costa Rica, More later~
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