Sunday, June 16, 2013

Day 5--Canopy Safari Tours!!!

So, day 5 (according to our children) is officially the greatest single day of their lives!!  They both actually agreed on this fact.  It's gonna be a big one to top, that's for sure.  Lots of fun photos from this day, so hold on.  You're in for some fun!
 
Our adventure with Canopy Safari Tours began with a bus ride through a palm plantation.  Our guide referred to it as our Costa Rican Massage. . . it was a little bumpy. . .

 
This is just one of the several very scary bridges we crossed. . . Yep, the bus is goin' over. . .
 
The palm is harvested by hand and hauled out on oxen-drawn carts. . .



This is one of the bundles of harvested palm fruit. . .

 
This was the view of the bridge while we were crossing.  That's right, you can't see it. . . very freaky!


And then we found out they were rebuilding one of the bridges. . . so we went through the water. . .


Wow!  In TX when the water gets this high, they caution drivers about entering with a vehicle. . .

 
 
Whew!  Safely across. . .

 
First stop:  The butterfly farm and serpentarium. . .
 

This is Andres, one of our guides.  Really funny guy, but I wonder how many family photos he is in all over the world?

 
The butterflies absolutely LOVED Dave's shoes!  Must be the bright colors?
 

This is a real picture!  I know, it totally looks fake and photo shopped, but I promise it's the real deal!

 
The kids were so excited that they were able to hold these beautiful creatures. . .







 
And then there were the snakes. . . in cages, thankfully!

 
This is a butterfly larvae, or caterpillar. . .



 
EEEEEKKKKKK!!!!!  VIPER!!!!

 
Time to harness up. . .
 

 
So impressed with this organization.  Very safety conscious. . .






 
Kaylee's a little nervous, but she's a real team player. . .


 
 
 
Of course, Trevor wanted to go first. . .



 
This was just the short, initial zip to get us to the hiking trail that would take us to the top of the canopy. . .
 
 
 
 
She's so tiny!  All the guides were able to just hoist her up with one arm!
 
 
Laa Dee Dah. . . just another day hanging from a harness. . .
 
 
Okay, maybe not. . .


 



 
The trail to the top. . .
 
 
The top. . .
 
 
The first of 2 repels of the day. . .  



 
Kaylee was belayed nice and slowly by the guides. . .




 
I did not get so lucky!  I had burned my hands the last time we did this, so I asked the guide to do the belay for me. . .
 
BIG MISTAKE!!!
 
He dropped me like a rock!!


So Dave decided to do the job himself. 
 
Smart guy!  I knew I married him for a reason. . .



 
Group photo!!


Group photo for perspective. . .

 
The guides all got a kick out of Trevor's "Don't be such a big chicken" shirt. . .



 
And then they let him swing back and forth like a monkey, instead of like Tarzan. . .






 
So proud of my Kaylee for conquering her fears. . .










 
Of course, Trevor had to go upside down. . .
 
TWICE!!!!








 
Not to be outdone by his son, Dave had to do it upside down too!!



 
Then on the bus ride back, this nice man from North Carolina made this Origami grasshopper out of a leaf and gave it to the kids.  Really cool. 
 
 

We finished our Canopy Safari just as the rain started to fall.  Within several hours it was a torrential rain!  Our day was not over, though.  We decided to brave the weather, and head out to a restaurant.  I am so glad that we did, because it became the single best dining experience of our lives!  You can read all about that adventure here--if you haven't already read it!
 
It's gonna be hard to top this day, but stay tuned, 'cuz I still have lots of pictures. . .
 
 
 
 
 
 

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