But like so many things in life, it is the stuff I didn’t want to do, plan to do, or expect to do, that turns out to be utterly fabulous. When Randy (from the Tourism Board) and I arrived at the site, I was informed that it wasn’t just a zipline…it was NINE ziplines. OMG.

I asked if perhaps there might be a shorter, less-encompassing package? The answer?  Five. I could walk off after five. I said that’s just groovin’. I’ll be finished at five.

But the thing is? After I’d finished the fifth crossing, which also happened to be the highest and longest, I was in thrill-mode and wanted it all. 

So…nine ziplines later, a straight drop-descent at the end and I walk off, drenched in sweat from the humidity and adrenaline and loving that I can get thrown into experiences that I could never have dreamed up on my own. 

Antigua Rain Forest Company has a great focus on safety, employs a minimum of 20, and up to 34, smiling and exceedingly competent local young adults to run their show.  Talking to the other guests, we all agreed we all felt extremely safe with the company’s Rangers.

My only criticism? Lose the plastic cups.  Do we really need to have two different watering stations and all those plastic cups for an  hour of freaking out in the forest? Well…there was a lot of panting, so maybe… 

I talked to the owner. He was great and he assured me all the cups and bottles are recycled.

But I’m thinking he might want to emphasize the Reduce part of the three ‘R’s. I’m hoping he switches to refillable souvenir bottles.

Funky personal water bottles with their own little carbinger would be a wonderful take-away rememberance of what it’s like to fly….while screaming your best Tarzan call.  

When you go to Antigua and Barbuda, I suggest you head out to the jungle, strap on a harness and let ‘er rip. You won’t be sorry.