Flight of the Gibbons

Monday we didn't really have anything scheduled except some sort of a massage. (We are all very task and goal oriented. You have to admire our persistant dedication to worthy causes.) One of the folks at Church on Sunday recommended we do "Flight of the Gibbons".

If involves going on zip lines through the jungle/forest canopy. The woman who recommended it had never done it herself, but with our "what the hec" mantra, that was recommendation enough.

We were picked up by a luxury Toyota van. I am not being sarcastic. It was big and had all leather interior. It had a pretty good A/C system once they turned it on after one of us said "I can't breathe."

We went with a couple from Canada, Tara and ? who are living in Korea teaching English (who knew Canadians could teach English?). And one other couple. Ali, was from Iran and and I cannot remember where Mira (I think I got that totally wrong) was from, but it is a country close to Italy. I am sure you can figure out which one. Mira is a photo journalist and has spent a lot of time in Afganistan. He was looking into getting into a culinary school. Part of the schooling would take place in Bangkok.

They were a fun group for the adventure. Now about the adventure, Gibbons are a monkey. At least this is what they tell us. We don't know what color their fur is or if they like bananas or if any of them have ever hung out with Cheeta on a Tarzan set. See, we didn't see any Gibbons, not even a Gibbon, not even Gibbon poop.

The guide told us that they are there in the morning and they are sleeping in the afternoon. They probably tell the morning group the Gibbons sleep late and come out for a late lunch. I was okay with it. I had visions of us zipping through their jungle and them throwing rotten bananas at us while we dangle from a thin wire. Monkeys run in a wild gang and I wasn't sure if we were wearing the right colors for their hood, so it is probably just as well.

All that being said about no monkeys, except for Tammy of course, it was a great time. There were about 15 different platforms that we zipped across going from tree to tree. Some of the lines were at a steep enough pitch that we needed to use a "brake". See how I put brake with the little quotes, now I am being sarcastic.

The "brake" was not a sophisticated piece of climbing equipment involving a lot of 2nd and 3rd fail safe mechanisms. The brake was a piece of bamboo a "V" shape to be exact "^" but if I just put that you would think I was cussing.

At each station they would tell us whether we would need to use the brake or not. ... Seems to me like I would be a better judge of whether I need to use a brake or not... Tammy and Suzi just told me I am lying. (They don't know anything.)

They also told us they would tell us when to put on the brake. Again, I am sorry, but I have seen the way the Thai drive and "braking" is not their strong suit, so I was dubious that they be the folks controling when and how we stopped as we go careening through the tree tops. Plus you just never knew when a Gibbon might pop out to use us as target practice.

I kept a very brave face because I didn't want to scare Tammy or Suzi. Those who know them, know how timid and what scardied-cats they are. Alright, I lied. These two make me look like a nervous Nelly. On the repel lines Tammy always wanted to go head first. I don't know why, maybe she thought her face would do a better job at breaking her fall and Suzi was all "I don't need no stinkin' brake!".. Very Thai like...

It was a ton of fun. But the best part was the forest and the trees. They were... magnificent. And the pictures just won't do them justice.

After we got back to Chaing Mai... we... okay say it with us... had a massage.