Waterfall Rappel
After burning a total of about 80 calories yesterday, we feel some need to get away from the hotel today. This area is surrounded by places all offering zip-lining, ATV tours and horseback riding. We’re not too excited about the latter two, and to be honest, we’ve zip-lined enough places that we probably wouldn’t go too far out of our way to do that either. What does catch our attention though is the couple of locations also offering the chance to rappel down a waterfall. That’s something we’ve never done before and it’s no secret I like a good waterfall so the pieces are falling into place.
First off though is breakfast. It’s a resort, so the typical buffet with a quiet table next to the pool. We had the same spot yesterday and while we were eating, a lizard wandered up, and stared at us for a while like it was looking for handouts. We’re not particularly good prospects (I’m not sure what resort lizards eat and don’t feed wild animals anyway) and after a while our visitor moves on, presumably to a more promising table. However, not before registering its displeasure by relieving itself and taking a dump by our feet. That time it was kind of funny. Second time around, not so much. If it happens again tomorrow, one of the boys is getting a lizard skin wallet as a souvenir.
Orchard Ranch is about a 20 minute drive from our hotel and when we arrive, the place looks deserted. Nothing has been busy here (the hotel is mostly empty as well) so we’re not completely surprised. In fact, we’re hopeful it means shorter lines and less waiting which turns out to be the case. After just a few minutes, we’re off to the first of the zip lines.
Our cameras a pretty safely tucked away so no pictures/video, but it’s pretty much like any other zip-lining we’ve done. The lines are a little longer maybe (one goes for a kilometer and a half), but once you’ve done a few it starts to feel a little repetitive.
After a short break, we’re back into the jungle for a short trek to the waterfall. Along the way we see a few different colonies of ants. The leaf-cutter ants were our favorites, all marching in a column several hundred feet long with pieces of leaves they were harvesting from one of trees along the trail.
Our guide also points out a stream of ants he calls butcher ants. I tried to find out more about them using Google but came up empty, so it’s possible they are also called something else. Apparently, they are nomadic, wandering around constantly looking for meat. If the story is true, locals will sometimes try and attract them through their homes as a way to control pests as once they are done, whatever rats, mice, bugs, etc. you may have had are cleaned right out.
From the top of the waterfall, it sure looks like a long way down. It is only about 100 feet, broken into two sections with a shelf in between, but it feels like a lot more.
Give it up for G.I. Jane…
It’s a lot of fun and a refreshing break on a hot, humid day. We’re happy it was out last event of the day though as everything we have on is completely soaked. I can’t even guess how long it will take boots to dry in this climate.
On the way back to the hotel, we make a couple of stops, first to pick up a bag of rambutans from a lady selling them on the side of the road, and then at a fried chicken shack next to a car wash. We’re getting a little desperate to add some variety to the food choices here and this seemed like a good way to mix it up a little.
Tomorrow, sadly, is a work day, so I expect much of it will be spent in front of a computer.