Andy Chatman’s Thailand Adventure

I’ve been looking forward to this day for months! I wasn’t let down at all.

Flight of the Gibbon Tours picked me up at the hotel at 8:15am after I had just finished breakfast trying to get rid of a red wine hangover. We made two more stops, first picking up Annika and her daughter Petra, Swedish but living in Thailand for 3 years while Annika’s husband works for the Swedish Embassy, and next Stacy and Paul from Manchester, England who are on vacation. 50 minutes later after a very bumpy ride (not good for the hangover) we arrived at the facility in the middle of the jungle. Driving through the jungle is quite an experience, narrow and very curvy roads, huts all over the place, and animals crossing the road wherever they want.

Flight of the Gibbon is a very safe operation. The harnesses we used were checked and double checked, helmets were fitted, and we were on our way. There are 18 platforms at varying levels built into the trees, and lines strung between. There were a couple of bridges, and 3 straight down drops to platforms underneath. Safety on the platforms was always the first thought, and there was never a moment that both my main clip and backup clip weren’t connected to something. The highest platform was 120 meters from the jungle floor, and the longest zip line was 100 meters long.

We had 2 guides: Serious Sam and North. One would zip to the next platform to catch us, and the other would stay and send us off. They were also happy to take photos of us mid flight. These are very funny guys, they kept us laughing while never sacrificing safety.

A few of the zips required us to use a bamboo v-shaped brake to slow our approach to the next platform. We were encouraged to fly free form, arms spread. They had me take the final descent straight down head first — that was a trip.

We heard gibbons and a lot of birds, but didn’t see any. The jungle is an incredible environment, and photos cannot do justice to the depth. Under the tree canopy the temperature was very comfortable. It was definitely a good idea to wear jeans and to spray my arms to keep the mosquitos away.

After the zip lines, we had lunch and then were taken for a short hike up a waterfall. Good exercise and very beautiful there.

At the last minute I decided not to take my regular camera, instead taking my digital elph. That turned out to be a good idea, I don’t know that I would have been able to manage with the larger one. The tradeoff is photo quality, but that’s ok.

I’m back at the hotel, and although I had to check out earlier I’m hanging out in the lobby for a few hours until I leave for the airport. Back to Bangkok tonight, then on to the next adventure tomorrow!!

VIDEO — Zip lining at 120 meters!

Racing North -- I have good position

11 year old Petra, a real cutie

Stacy and Paul

I found this photo of Sam on my camera. This is a Seinfeld moment -- it's what happened to George Costanza at the photo store.

This gives you some idea of height, but doesn't do it justice

Front: Sam, Petra, North. Back: Stacy, Paul, Annika, Me