Zipping out West - JAMAICAOBSERVER.COM

Saturday, November 07, 2009 12:49 PM

Teenage

Zipping out West

BY Kiwayne Jacobs & Rusheda Seymor

Observer TEENage writers UWI & Holy Childhood High School

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Another zipping adventure. It seems that we really love the higher-up thrills at TEENage, (we have done most of the land-bound ones, and look out for our artsy adventure next month), but we had to try the Zipline Adventure tours, or should we say experience.

TEENage had the opportunity to live out this experience and we must say that this adventure package lived up to its motto.
Located in Lethe, Hanover, approximately 20 minutes from Montego Bay, Zipline gave us a taste of excitement, entertainment, adventure, and history all in one basket. TEENs, if you are nature lovers and in need of an adrenaline rush, then this is the place for you.

The 250-foot Jungle Bridge.

After being safely geared for the journey, we started the tour, which featured a display of the lush delights of the plantation such as banana trees, pineapple shrubs, among others, and a safari ride through the mountains in an army vehicle used during World War II.

This six-wheel-drive machine can combat any terrain as we climbed a hill with an angle of 60º, and the mini butt massage made the ride even more fun. This ride took us to the safety briefing location where we were informed and reassured about the Zipline experience. Safety is first priority for Zipline Adventure Tours and our tour guides, Belly, Biggs, Ifara, also known as the local mp3 player and Harry, were with us every step of the way.

The excitement continued as we were introduced to the first of five zips at 250 feet. This was just an appetiser for what was to come and for first-time zippers to get an idea of what to expect. The second zip extended at 850 feet and the third at 900 feet. Prior to the fourth zip, which had a length of 750 feet, we walked through the botanical garden which showcased crops such as sugar cane, banana, coconuts, coffee, ginger, palms, and more.

Garfene is always on his BlackBerry, even hanging from a wire hundreds of feet in the air.

Visiters to the island had the opportunity to learn about Jamaican lifestyle and even if you were Jamaican, you would be surprised as to how much you could learn.

Zipline also offers pineapple, coconut water and sugar cane sampling and a true Jamaican demonstration to tourists on how to chop sugar cane.

Now it was back to zipping.

TEENage crew chill out after the thrills.

Even if you have a fear of heights, after conquering zips one to four, your confidence level would be at its peak waiting for zip five also known as "Big Timba", extending at a mighty length of 1,600 feet.

This is the longest single zip in the Caribbean and the highlight of the tour for most. There is also a 250-foot Jungle Bridge, which takes you to Big Timba adding its own spice to the tour as it gently trembled and slightly swayed.

What added to the fun and excitement of this attraction was the interactive, down-to-earth nature of the tour guides, who are characters in their own right.

Tourists have the opportunity to interact with authentic Jamaicans, who exercise our Jamaican dialect in a way comprehensible to them. Tourists and locals alike also have the chance to learn new dance moves as the tour guides go all out to ensure that Zipline remains the number one tour in Jamaica.

To maximise on your experience you can also try out the other tours available on the property. These include river tubing, kayaking, and rafting down the Great River, banana plantation tour, and the Hiking tour.

Now you see why Zipline Adventure Tours is one of the must-see destinations for adventure in Jamaica.

Remember it's not just a tour, it's an experience.

Contact to Zipline Tours can be made at (876) 940-7394 and email at Zipline-tours.com.

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