Trip Recap Continued: Day 4

Posted on July 31, 2007 by Ching under Travel.

Day four started out pretty roughly. Brian and I had arranged to do the Chukka canopy zip-line tour on Tuesday morning through the resort tour desk. The tour rep told us that our pick up time would be 7:55 AM. The night before Brian and I requested breakfast in our room between 7:00 AM and 7:30 AM. I put a note on the tag to bring it closer to 7:00 AM since we have an early pick up at the lobby.

By 7:30 AM our breakfast still hadn’t arrived so I called the front desk to let them know that it was late. She said that breakfasts are on their way. I told her to cancel ours as we have to be at the lobby in a few minutes. Brian and I waited another 10 minutes before heading out. When we got to the lobby, I told them that our breakfast never did get delivered. Brian went to the patio to pick up some toast. I elected to remain at the lobby to wait for our ride.

A bus came but it was the golfing bus. By 8:00 AM I asked one of the bell hops what was up. We were told that we were on Jamaican time and not to worry that our pick up would arrive soon. I was getting pretty cranky so we asked the front desk to track down our breakfast and deliver it to the lobby so that I could have something to eat while I waited.

By 8:15 AM the horseback riding bus arrived and left. We were still waiting. At this point the bell hop asked me for our tour voucher. He said they should have been here by now. He asked one of the guest services representatives to give them a call. We were told that our pick up was on its way.

My breakfast arrived (delivered by the night manager who offered to check on our tour pick up for us) and not one to miss the most important meal of the day, I set my breakfast tray on the table next to guest services and started munchin. I offered Brian some but he was too upset to eat. Being Mr. Punctual, the late pick up was really ticked him off. Around the time our pick up arrived, the night manager came back and advised there was no answer. I didn’t get to finish my breakfast but we were anxious to get going so I just left the rest of my food there.

It was about almost 9:00 AM by the time our pick up arrived. The passengers in the jeep were on their way to Dunns. The driver explained that he was told to pick us up because our bus broke down. He said that he’d be dropping Brian and I off in town to transfer to a cab. Brian was pretty nervous about the whole deal because we were the only couple picked up at our resort. There is comfort in numbers and right then the odds were against us. We really didn’t want to be stranded anywhere. Next time we do an optional excursion, we’re going to try to talk at least two other couples into going with us.

Anyway, we ride for a little bit and then we stop on the side of the road. A couple gets out of the taxi cab and gets on the jeep we were just in. The cab driver and the jeep driver talk among themselves. I supposed the jeep driver explained to the cab driver what tour we were doing. We take the other couple’s place in the cab. The driver identified himself and told us that we needed to stop at Shaw Park (another resort nearby) to pick up another couple. After picking up the other couple we were on our way.

Our cab driver delivered us to main Chukka Adventures place. It’s like the hub of all of the different tours they offer. Brian gave the cab driver some money. I asked him why he gave him money now when we usually don’t tip our drivers until we are back at the resort. “Are you trying to make sure he comes back for us?” I said half joking and half serious. The cab driver told us that he will be there when our excursion is over. He will take us back to our resort.

There were several busses there going to different tours. Ours tour consisted of two bus loads of people from various resorts. The bus took us up a narrow path on the side of the mountain. The road was wide enough for only one vehicle. We stopped at a point where there was a gap in the trees so you could see straight down. The tour guide invited everyone to take a look and take pictures but joked that not everyone should move to the right side of the bus at the same time otherwise we will topple over the side of the mountain. Ha-ha, very funny.

Anyway, we got to the starting point. There are several guides for this tour and this is where they introduced themselves. Everyone got their helmets and harnesses. Then they do a brief demo before they send you on your way to the first platform. There are several platforms and a couple of “surprises” as they called them. Zipping through the canopy was a lot of fun and definitely the highlight of this trip. Even though it did start out a little roughly with the late pick up and all. Brian and I had a blast.

Once you reach the final platform, there is a longish trek to the bottom. It doesn’t seem as long because of the lush jungle foilage. It is beautiful. Brian and I got a workout without even realizing it. Our legs both ached the next day. It was well worth it, though. We didn’t realize that they were going to give us free water at the bottom, we ended up buying sodas from a tour rep during the midpoint of our hike back down. When you get to the bottom they have a tip box for those who’d like to show their appreciation. This makes the whole tipping thing much simpler since there are several guides on this tour.

The bus took us back to the tour starting point where our cab driver was waiting. After buying a picture CD, we were on our way. We dropped the other couple at Shaw Park first. We got back to the resort before the lunch buffet closed. Grabbed a bite and then spent the rest of the afternoon on Tower Island. Dinner was at Le Gourmet, possibly the best restaurant at COR. Despite the day starting out roughly, we had a wonderful time.