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Caribbean: St. Lucia, Dennery Tropical Ziplining.
 There
I was standing at least 40 feet above the ground, about to fly through the air.
I kept asking myself, what am I doing? I hate heights. Before I had an answer I
heard someone say, ready? Okay go! I was soaring through the air on a zipline.
My panic subsided. I forgot about how I don’t like heights. It really felt like
I was flying. I landed at the second platform knowing that I wanted to continue
along the zipline. It was amazing.
I went ziplining on
spring break, it was simply awesome. Actually it was not my idea, the ziplining
part. I imagined staying at the resort (Coconut
Bay Resort and Spa) and just chilling out. My plan was to sleep late; get some
sun; go to the spa. My mom had other plans and ziplining through the rainforest
was at the top of the list.
Plans were
made for our adventure away from the resort. I wasn’t really sure how we were
going to do this but the idea seemed kind of neat. The only thing that scared me
was the heights involved. I hate heights. I was not alone. About half of the
group felt panic about doing the adventure. At the suggestion of our guide one
person decided to go tandem (with a guide) in order to feel more secure. It is an
option for parents with smaller children or wimps of any age. I don’t get the
point but at least they still get to fly through the trees and have a not-to-
be-believed thrill.
St.
Lucia Palm Services is the company which leads the Rainforest Canopy
Adventures. Before the actual adventure begins there
is some preparation needed. When we arrived I noticed that everybody was wearing
hairnets as well as helmets. Everyone looked like they were about to go rock
climbing. I asked what the hairnet was for because I didn’t want to wear it.
Sani, one of the guides, told me it was so my hair wouldn’t get caught on the
line and be ripped off my head. I decided to wear the net. In about a minute I
looked just like everybody else. My uniform complete, I followed the others to
the first station.
Our treetop guides, Danley, Sani, Lawson, Jean-Luc, and Vernette made sure every
person felt comfortable and knew what to do next. The walk was short and once we
got there I found myself at the front of the group. Then I realized that people
assumed that I would be going first. I wanted to seem brave so I did. I hate
heights. I have to admit that I was scared and quietly freaked out on the way to
the first platform. I kept asking myself what if the line breaks? I calmed down
once my first platform station transition was complete. The zipline connects
platforms at various locations throughout the rainforest. The course is set so
that the space between platforms keeps getting longer and longer. There are nine
platforms and six different ziplines that weave through the rainforest. The
sixth one was definitely the best because it was the longest and I went the
fastest.
Not only was the ziplining fun but it was a beautiful day and the rainforest was
extremely pretty. I have never seen so many shades of green. Flying through the
canopy over a mountain stream is really awesome. I saw orchids, colorful birds
and fluorescent-winged butterflies and lots of bamboo. The best part is the
sensation of moving effortlessly through the treetops. There is really nothing
to panic about. I hate heights and I loved it.
Ziplining
through the rainforest and visiting the volcano made my stay in St. Lucia the
best that it could possibly be. I had so much fun, I would go back there right
now if I could. And the next time I go, it will be much harder to bring me back.
In the meantime I have an answer to the question what did you do on spring
break? I went ziplining on St. Lucia. I hate heights but it was a blast.
Details
Caribbean: St.
Lucia Palm Services.
In addition to Rainforest Canopy Adventures (ziplining), this company also has
bike tours, and kayaking on the north side of the island. The cost of the Rainforest Canopy
Adventures cost is $65 per person. The best way to arrange an adventure is to
contact hotel services. For information and reservations (758) 458-0908,
fax is (758) 452-8163,
mtnbikeslu@candw.lc
or
www.cyclestlucia.com
About the
author.
Jaime Kamps-Duac, a teen with travel savvy, is a frequent contributor to
FamilyTravelFiles.com and loves sports and spas.
More
Caribbean Ideas
Caribbean: St. Lucia, Coconut Bay Resort and Spa.
Experience the authentic (yet-to-be-discovered)
side of St. Lucia.
Nestled amid
swaying palms along Savannes Bay on the island’s
undiscovered south coast, with friendly people, beautiful vistas and Caribbean
“quiet” days, The Bay is offers families an all-inclusive
beachfront vacation option. Walk along the white soft-sand beach, wiggle your
toes in the water, watch local fishermen, count sea gulls, snorkel in the bay.
This is the good stuff.
More
Books for the
Trip
Ibis Stew? Oh,No! The latest title by Trinidadian writer and television
producer Joanne Johnson, tells of the transformation of Captain Bad and his
bumbling crew. Once a poacher of the endangered national bird of Trinidad, the
scarlet ibis, Captain Bad becomes, in the end, their protector. The book aims
to encourage awareness and activism in children, not only regarding Trinidad's
national bird, but endangered species everywhere. Books may be purchased and
Joanne's work viewed at
www.caribbeanchildren.com
The Scottish
-Island Girl.
An exchange of cultures and a visit to see the protected giant leather back
turtles helps Lizzy to love her new island home. Available with read-along CD
(wholesale and retail) exclusively through
caribbeanchildren.com. Kids turn the page at the roll of the steel pan -
when PANMAN© rolls his tenor! Publisher: Macmillan Caribbean ISBN 0-333-92091-0
(5-8 years)
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