Flight of the Gibbon
Swaying over the treetops
CHING MAI PROVINE. Despite the name, visitors do not exactly brachiate down 2-km long zip lines hanging some 30-m over the canopy of a tropical forest must produce a similar feeling to that enjoyed by a swinging primate.
The trip
begins with a 50-minute ride from Chiang Mai, with the last leg up the
serpentine road of the Mae Kampong hills. There is a choice between going early
in the morning, at noon, or during the late afternoon. The whole excursion takes
about three hours. The temperature suddenly drops on entering the densely
vegetated area, and the fun begins there.
After gearing
up with straps and helmet, visitors are taken to the first of 15
stations—wooden platforms built on the tree top, and briefed on safety
procedures. A sample first flight follows, on a short zip line, to acquaint
customers with the equipment and motion. Of course, an adrenaline surge is the
main aim of zip-lining, but equally wonderful is the sight of the diverse
shades of green and mountain-lined horizon seen while waiting to whizz from
station to station. The deeper one goes inside the forest, the more impressive
the size and formation of the trees. The flight concludes with a drop from a
gigantic tree, in which one can choose to fall head or feet first.
Fun with
Benefits
What is
greatly appreciated about this adventure is how the company is conscious about
community and environmental issues. Before signing the disclaimer form, the
staff make sure that visitors go through the recommendations. In the area
around the office, signs give information about the vital roles of the tropical
rainforest ecosystem. The company also claims that 10% of its profits go to
conservation projects.
Before being
driven back to the city, visitors are served lunch, with a stroll at the Mae
Kampong Waterfall as dessert. The Waterfall is it takes about 15 minute to
climb to the top. At the entrance to the waterfall, a number of trees with
saffron-coloured strips of cloth tied around the trunks may be seen. These
trees are ‘ordained’ and become sacred, so that no poacher would have the heart
or dare to cut them down- a perfect example of utilizing folk wisdom as a
conservation strategy.
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