Canyoning

We got picked up to go canyoning at 9:30am by our guides Marvin and Freddie. Before we could head to the Desafio ('challenge') base, we had to pick up the rest of our group from various other hotels. All in all there were 23 of us.

En route Marvin explained that we were going to do 4 rappels as part of the tour (i.e. abseiling down 4 waterfalls!): two around 25 feet, one around 140 and one at 225 feet. So far so good. Luckily I'm rubbish at visualising distances, otherwise the fear might have got the better of me.

After a very bumpy ride in the back of a truck, we arrived at the base and got our gear on. Let me say now that abseiling harnesses do not leave certain parts of the me anatomy a lot of 'breathing room'. I was walking around like a cowboy for a lot of the safety demo.

Safety prep complete, we set off to find the first rappel...

Three intense, heart bursting, adrenaline-filled, life-affirming hours later we all emerged with huge grins on our faces. Tired, hungry and buzzing from a combination of fear, awe and relief.

I can honestly say that if you ever get the chance to do a canyon rappeling trip you shouldn't think about it, you should just do it (there is a time and place for Nike slogans and this is definitely one of them).

We were both pretty terrified once we got to the top of the second drop. A free-fall. But the amazing thing was that for all my shaking knees and trepidation, once I was actually on the way down it was like being on some crazy roller coaster, except that I could decide how fast I wanted to go (pretty damn fast in my case after such a big breakfast this morning!). Amber was also taking to it as if she'd been abseiling all her life. The guides were impressed!

As well as the abseiling we did some fun jumps into pools and got soaked under various waterfalls, so there was plenty to do in between psyching yourself up for the inevitable rappels.

We had to buy the CD of photos. Otherwise we won't believe we were crazy enough to leap backwards down a 225 foot waterfall.

And how does one end such an epic day?

The hot springs, of course.


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