By Catarina Redisch at Tarcoles River, Costa Rica
When we were in Costa Rica, mum wanted to visit a coffee plantation. My sister and I would rather zip line. We were going to fly between 9 platforms.
We took a bus to Tarcoles River. As we got out of the bus, we walked a little ways, maybe 20 minutes, through the rain forest until we arrived at an open space where we were shown the basics: how to hold on, how to sit, how to brake and also pull ourselves forward in case we were stuck on the wire halfway between two trees.
Me, paying close attention
When we had been fitted with harness, we entered a platform about 3 metres above ground. I was the smallest one there, and got really good momentum when I was pushed off the platform. It felt like I was flying. At the second platform there was a man who caught me since I’m so light. My sister came right behind me at full speed.
I had to queue a little on this platform, which was a little scary since it was about 13 metres above ground and quite narrow. Now I had to attach a hook from my harness to a wire around the tree, so I wouldn’t fall. When it was my turn I was pushed off the platform. I was flying above a small river and many sharp stones. I think I must have been about 20 metres above ground.
Next section was the highest, about 50 metres above ground. Part of the path went through a Y-shaped tree and the wire went straight between the lines of the Y. The most fun were the monkeys in the Y-tree. As I swooshed past, I was very close to them.
As I neared the next platform, I had such high speed, I crashed into the man who was there to catch me. He didn’t mind and just sent me flying to the next tree. The wire was now at a downward angle and I was soon on the ground. I was offered a bottle of water while I waited for my sister to finish.
An adventurous kid. Bravo !
Great post Catarina! I love that you’re so adventurous and overcoming fear
Natasha von Geldern recently posted..Trekking in Bali: Munduk waterfalls
Very well written and definitely an enticing adventure!
Sonja recently posted..Reunion Party
Zip lining is SO much fun! Great to get out and explore like that…!
Red Hunt recently posted..10 Surprisingly Tasty Animals
Wow, Catarina, I loved reading about your zipline adventure – it looks so exciting! You are very brave to have tried something that’s a bit scary – I’m pretty sure that I would have stayed safely on the ground with your mum!
Lisa from Gone With The Family recently posted..Happy Holidays 2012
A great post Catarina. I would not have been as brave as you – if I was swinging above something I know I would have shut my eyes and just screamed. Great job!
Jackie Smith recently posted..Travel Tuesday: Waikiki (Sticker) Shock Waves
Sounds exciting. But if I were your mum, I wouldn’t want to hear about it until afterwards:)
ItalianNotes recently posted..Perugia guide to the best photo ops
I think I had as much fun as you did ziplining in Costa Rica. Lucky you with a mom that takes you on adventures like this.
Leigh recently posted..Banff Adventure: The Johnston Canyon Ice Walk
Catarina, I’ve never zip-lined before (and I’m much, much older than you), but…. I’ll be doing that in Mexico this coming weekend. Thanks for getting me more excited to try it.
Cathy Sweeney recently posted..Surfing in Munich
I love zip-lining, glad to see that you enjoyed it as well. Costa Rica is a beautiful place to do it.
Laurel recently posted..My Favorite Travel Adventures of 2012
You’re a very brave person! The smile on your face tells how much you enjoyed this adventure
Now that you have a taste for “adventure”, I’m sure you’ll be doing many more 
Debbie Beardsley @ European Travelista recently posted..European Dreaming in 2013
Good for you Catarina! I went zip lining not long ago and you are right…it is heaps of fun!
D.J. – The World of Deej recently posted..Gone Shrimpin’ Aboard The Lady Jane
Way to go, Catarina! I still haven’t tried zip lining.
InsideJourneys recently posted..Looking Back at the 2009 Inauguration
Great job on the writing and for trying out zip lining on one of the most beautiful jungles, Catarina. Glad to hear you had a lot of fun. We tried out zip lining for the first time last year and my kids loved it too. I hope you get to go again soon.
Mary @ The World Is A Book recently posted..Memorable Sights of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
It looks like you had a great time. Thanks for sharing your experience with us. I love all the details you included, and I finished the post trying to decide what the monkeys must think of all these people flying past them at high speed.
Steve recently posted..Behind the Scenes on a Tour of Safeco Field
Very cool:)! I went zip-lining too for the first time recently and had heaps of fun – but we didn’t see any monkeys… Also, you look much better with your helmet than I did;)!!
Vera recently posted..The end, the beginning, and a list
Super – fun! I’ve only been once but I’m hooked!
Andrea recently posted..London’s Unusual Bars and Restaurants
I did ziplining for the first time in Costa Rica too. So much fun!
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Photos from Central and South America: the best of the best and a few more that make me smile
Good on ya, Catarina! I love your sense of adventure. I have to say, when you said you were 50m above the ground I thought about my last ziplining adventure in Franconia, Germany – I was 16m up and literally hugging the tree, that’s how scared I was!
Sounds like you had a brilliant time!
Christina recently posted..Things to do in Christchurch after the earthquake
Greetings from the wintery lake of Constance, Germany.
I like your posts. Zip lining is a funny thing, espacialy in Costa Rica.
Udo Weisner aka Jo Igele recently posted..Oudtshoorn – Federpaläste und Staubwedel
What a brave young girl.. And she’s loving it..