When was the last time you did something for the first time?
Well, this past week I went to Costa Rica for the very first time at the gracious invitation of a good buddy and business partner, Mike McNulty. He goes by the nickname “Nults.” Nults recently built two gorgeous 4- and 5-bedroom homes on the grounds adjacent to the Four Seasons on the Papagayo Peninsula that he plans to begin renting this Christmas season for big bucks.
In addition to Tim Chambers – my partner at Quaker Media – there were three other members included in this road trip who were partners in Nults’ Costa Rica adventure. I had never met Riz, Bob, and Tom before, but it’s hard not to like guys who love a good time and allow you to crash in their mansion for free!
Speaking of good time, what goes on in Costa Rica, stays in Costa Rica! But I can share with you that the Arnold Palmer-designed golf course has Pacific Ocean views that are breathtaking. Howling monkeys scamper through the trees. Giant lizard-looking reptiles mosey across the cart paths. And service carts cater to your thirst-quenching needs every three holes. Oh, and before I forget, my amazing 12-foot putt in a tie-breaking overtime 19th hole made the match even more memorable! Too bad Tim.
Golf was fun, but zip lining was great! You probably already know that I enjoy adrenaline-induced activities – bungee jumping, rappelling, helicopter flying, motorcycling – so just imagine how excited I was to go zip lining through the jungles of Costa Rica.
While Nults and Riz remained back at the McMansion doing business, Tim, Tom, Bob, and I traveled to a place called Monkey Point where Bob had zip lined in the past. I had no idea what to expect. I thought you held onto a trapeze bar in some primitive sling and swung through the trees. No way.
First, you climb high up onto a platform where two guides fit you snugly into a strong, canvass sling-like apparatus - similar to telephone pole climbers. Then a stocking net is placed over your head and a helmet fitted for your noggin. Tim required one the size of a watermelon! Next, you’re provided with a pair of work gloves that have a special leather insert sewed into the palm to be used for braking. Finally, you’re instructed on a sample zip line on the do’s and don’ts. It’s vital to know how to support yourself so you don’t spin like a helicopter blade while flying 50 MPH through the trees; and how to effectively brake so you don’t end up as a tree tattoo.
One of the guides takes off on the zip line to the other side – which could be anywhere from 50 yards away to damn far away! This course had 11 zip lines – each of different lengths and different degrees of slope. I loved the steep ones! The guide would then wait at his end of the line to provide braking instructions or catch us if we hadn’t decelerated in time. The guide on our end would hook you onto the line and say “adios.”
I was amazed to discover the focus on safety precautions. I thought a jungle ride would be more primitive. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m glad it wasn’t. One of the two guides always hooked your security line to something when you weren’t zip lining – which was cool by me since we had to climb makeshift ladders, cross swaying bridges, hike up mountain trails, and balance on treetop platforms over waterfalls and jungle life as we progressed from one zip line to the next. By the way, Tim didn’t enjoy my little nudge while he was peering over a 100-foot drop. I think I smelled something after that. Haha.
The entire zip line course took about 75 minutes. We suffered no casualties. And we got the heart pumping and looked like sweaty pigs when we were finished. I hope the next time I do something for the first time it’s just as much fun.
Look out! Here I come!
Tim, Bob, Tom and me before we take the plunge.
You would have a better view of the waterfall behind us if Tim’s watermelon head wasn’t in the way!
This entry was posted
on Saturday, September 20th, 2008 at 8:51 am by Pat Croce
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September 20th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Pat, your “go for it” life style amazes me. It makes me realize how much, in life, I still have to do! As far as doing something for the first time, I will be performing at a big tailgate party at the Eagles’ game tomorrow! I have know idea what to expect. Surley it is not as crazy as being in the jungle of Costa Rica, but then again, how different can that be from a Philly tailgate party?
September 21st, 2008 at 7:41 am
Haha…that’s a jungle of a different sort! Good luck!