Ayla’s Voyage Blog

Publish Date: Sunday, March 6, 2011
I’m wearing adventurous gear, a hard helmet strapped to my head and hiking shoes gripping the edge of a wooden platform. My gloved hands clutch the rope, dangling me from the treetops above, preparing to send me whizzing through a canopy of greenery, off on a daring adventure. Suddenly, four villainous rogues appear behind me, ancient Taino swords grasped in their hands. They’re after the archaeological secrets Indiana Jones and I found, dating back to the ancient cultures of Puerto Rico. I leap from the platform, flying across the rainforest, clutching the cracked stone tablet under one arm and firing bows and arrows in another…

And then suddenly, the scene changes:  I’m on a Quidditch pitch with Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy. My robes streaming behind me, I straddle my broomstick, soaring through the chilly Scottish air. There’s the Quaffle! It rushes towards me, I grab it from mid air, dodge a Bludger, and zoom towards the other end of the pitch, tossing it cleanly through the goalposts. The crowd roars their approval as I take a victory lap high above Hogwarts castle…

I flash through dozens of scenes: an airborne lightsaber battle with Darth Vader, an exquisite trip over Neverland with Peter Pan, an ancient game of tag with Taino children, and even a daring escape by a rebellious princess. Flying through the treetops, sunlight streaming in, and wind rushing past my face, I can be anyone or anything. Anywhere at anytime. I can let my imagination run wild.

I switch to another scene, although this time it’s real. This one, perhaps, is more spectacular than any imagined world or fictional times. I really am wearing a harness, gloves, and a helmet, hiking up a gorgeous mountain in the El Yunque rainforest, preparing to begin a truly exhilarating adventure. I’m about to go Zip Lining.

Our tour started at a wooden house, perched on a grassy field overlooking a forested area and a sloping canyon. Along with another family, Mom, Dad, Bobby-O, and I arrived at the house, greeted by smiling, adventurous guides named Rogie and Jaime. After a safety talk (that was great—both the guides made us all feel safe, relaxed, and confident), we harnessed up, donned helmets and gloves, and began a one mile walk to the first platform. Maybe more fun than the actual zips (which were AWESOME, as I’ll describe below) were the facts, trivia, lessons, and information which Rogie and Jaime shared along the way. Both of them are experts in Puerto Rican flora and fauna, and they also have encyclopedic knowledge of the ancient cultures that resided in El Yunque. As we hiked up a beautiful sunlit trail, they stop every once and a while to discuss the unique rock formations, exotic trees, strange animals, and signs of a culture lost in the toll of time. By the time we had finished with the tour, I had a deeper understanding of Puerto Rican nature, and a greater connection with the remarkable history of this exquisite island.

Okay—that part was awesome, but that was only one component of a greater adventure. I’m sure if Mom was writing this blog, she’d enjoy giving you a brief history of every ruling family in Taino history, but that’s not exactly my thing. I’ll let her take care of the history lesson—let’s talk about zip lining!! We arrived at Platform #1 where Rogie secured us to two cables which spanned about 150 feet across the tree canopy. Dad went first, and then it was my turn. I must admit, despite the fact that Rogie and Jaime are both extraordinarily good teachers and enormously responsible and competent, I could’t help but feel a little nervous as I prepared to take a leap of faith. Peering over the edge of the rickety platform, I surveyed my landing platform, shifted my footing, and—at Jaime’s bird call signal—pushed off. I was airborne.

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The moment one falls from the platform and begins the ride across the forest, doubts and apprehension all go to the wind. In that moment I felt myself whiz past trees, surrounded by sunlight, leaves, and the calls of the Coqui frog. I flew, weightless and free, soaring through an endless realm of adventure and imagination. I let myself relax into the harness—I knew what it was like to be a bird! I was unconstrained and free to expand my wings and fly. It was magical—a feeling that was enormously exhilarating and carefree.

And then, all at once, the feeling stops when you realize you have to land. As crashing into the wooden platform and breaking several bones would be a rather unfortunate conclusion to a brilliant ride, I realized after moments of pure energy that it was up to me—assisted by Jaime—to stick a landing. Yikes. I must admit that first platform, preparing to set your feet down, halt momentum, and climb up the steps so I could be unclipped, was a little unnerving, but it happens so fast that one really doesn’t have time to think. You just have to do. My feet landed on the wood, my line began to tug me backwards, Jaime (with perfect aim EVERY TIME) clipped a safety rope to me, and moments later I was standing perfectly still and in one piece, watching what I had just done with an astonished gaze. And there were six more to do?? FANTASTIC!!!

Another great part of the adventure came after the actual zips—repelling! Instead of a bird, while I repelled I was a gecko, scrambling up and down the trunks, skittering in and out of the branches and surveying the scene below from an exciting, mid-air angle. From the treetops, Jaime once again secured me to a rope, instructed me to stand on my tippy toes with straight knees, and lean back with the pull of the rope. I did, and seconds later my feet made contact with the tree as I began bouncing from ledge to ledge, giggling with wary elation as I swung gently back and forth. Beautiful birds, colorful butterflies, and camouflaged lizards sped by me. I landed on the ground, feet planted firmly, and unlocked my caribeaner, waving to Jaime to let him know that I was down.

And that was all in the first 30 minutes of the day! Needless to say, it only got better and better. With each zip, I became more confident, and everyone became temporary members of the forest as we raced birds and strolled with iguanas. It was…magical. On the final zip, the longest at 800 feet, I flew threw the canopies, and all at once, burst into a scene of unparalleled magnificence. Flying high in the air, I looked down at miles and miles and miles of sloping, gorgeous valley carpeted with gentle green trees. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky as wind swirled around me, and…yes…I felt like I never, ever wanted to leave. Ever.

Was this zip line tour one of the most exiting, incredible, brilliant, magical, beautiful, and special adventures I’ve ever had? Without doubt. If any of you come to Puerto Rico, definitely check out Yunke Zip Line Adventures, and say high to the wonderful Rogie and Jaime for us. A big shout-out to them, who made this adventure TOTALLY worthwhile. Until next time! ¡Hasta Luego, mi amigos!