We just returned from our February 7th Western Caribbean curies and I wanted to share our wonderful experience on the four elements excursion. The tour starts with a short 30 minute ferry ride across the bay to the mainland where we where met by our tour guide ketzal ( sorry, not sure of the spelling). From the docks we where split into groups of 8-10 and walked up the hill to the parking lot where we boarded vans to take us to adventure park. After about 30 minutes we turned of the highway onto a dirt road. At first impression, I though what have I gotten my self into. The road was in the middle of no where and there certainly could not be anything very impressive at the end of the road, boy was I wrong! The adventure park is set in the middle of a Mayan village nestled in the lush tropical rain forest. It was good that they split us up into small group as each group started at a different activity and we did not have to wait for everyone to participate. Our group consisted of my self, wife and two children ages 10 and 12 and another family with two children and there dad.
We started of on the zip lines, after donning out harnesses and giving our break stick we where given a short instruction and lead to the firs line. I was not sure what to think as I had never done this before. Our guide suggested that we don’t apply the break until about half way across. For those of you who have not done this before the break is a hooked stick that you drag against the cable to slow you down. I was third in line after the two young children from the other family. They had done this before an made it look very easy. The first line is the shortest but is also the fastest. I did as the guide suggested and did not brake until half way. I was going quite fast and pulled down with all my strength to slow down, with the wood of my stick smokeing I did not think I would come to a stop. Not to worry, they have everything figured out and stopping was no issue, it did give me a start as I cam zipping in to the landing. Next followed my to children followed by my wife and the other dad. Lastly our guide came across, he made it look so easy softly gliding to a gentle stop. I guess the way to do it is to keep your feet up and let the padding at the landing stop you. Don’t make the mistake I made and put your feet down until you have stopped. Next we where off to the medium zip line a short distance walk. Through our tour a photographer followed us taking pictures. You can put your camera in your pocket and take your own pictures, however theses are much better. I will talk more about that later. For the last zip-line you climb a tower and are suspended about 150 feet in the air. My wife who is afraid of heights had no problem with this as she was so distracted by the beautiful soundings and focused on the challenge of the zip-line. This line is the slowest and the longest, I suggest that you sit back and enjoy the ride.
Before heading of for our next adventure we where offered a drink of fresh cool water. I was a little concerned about drinking local water, they assured us it was safe to drink. I had no problems with my stomach afterwards so assume it is. Don’t be so quick on taking of your helmets if you next activity is biking you will need them. For those of you who might want to sit out an activity, all start and finish from the central compound, although I would recommend that you take them all in. The bike ride was fairly easy with only a slight incline at the beginning. We where taken out about a mile to a local subsistence farm and told about what types of crops where grown and there method of growing. We saw a few birds on the way but not much other wildlife.
Finally we began the part of the tour I was most looking forward to swimming in the Cenotes. The Maya consider the Cenotes secrete so be fore swimming in them we each had to take a shower and lockers where provided to store our belongings. Our first stop was to an underground Cenote where we experienced a Mayan purification ritual. At the end of the ritual the shaman purified each of us before we could swim in the Cenote. I was very moved by what the guide said about the ritual, " you are now purified, it is up to you what you do with it". The first stop was a deep water Cenote where we where given the opportunity to snorkel. Our guide suggested that we jump in however the pool did not look deep enough. I was surprised once entering the water how deceptively deep the water really was. There is a large rock to one side that is perfect for jumping off. We where never rushed on our tour and once everyone had sufficient time to swim we moved on to our next Cenote. This was a much shallower pool where we where given inner tubes to float around on. This was very relaxing and I was even able to coax my wife into to the water. Once everyone had there fill of tubing we headed back to the central compound.
We where given a chance to view the picture the local Mayan photographers took. It was explained that taking the pictures was a way for the local community to learn a skill and make a living from there talent. You could order individual prints or for a very reasonable rate purchase all the pictures on a cd. We opted for the CD and I am please with the results. Next we had a traditional Yucatan lunch prepared and served by the local women from the community. It was tasty and even my children who are picky eaters had a second helping.
Over all I was very impressed by tour and would defiantly recommend it to everyone. Even though it is rated as strenuous I think any active person could participate in this tour.
We started of on the zip lines, after donning out harnesses and giving our break stick we where given a short instruction and lead to the firs line. I was not sure what to think as I had never done this before. Our guide suggested that we don’t apply the break until about half way across. For those of you who have not done this before the break is a hooked stick that you drag against the cable to slow you down. I was third in line after the two young children from the other family. They had done this before an made it look very easy. The first line is the shortest but is also the fastest. I did as the guide suggested and did not brake until half way. I was going quite fast and pulled down with all my strength to slow down, with the wood of my stick smokeing I did not think I would come to a stop. Not to worry, they have everything figured out and stopping was no issue, it did give me a start as I cam zipping in to the landing. Next followed my to children followed by my wife and the other dad. Lastly our guide came across, he made it look so easy softly gliding to a gentle stop. I guess the way to do it is to keep your feet up and let the padding at the landing stop you. Don’t make the mistake I made and put your feet down until you have stopped. Next we where off to the medium zip line a short distance walk. Through our tour a photographer followed us taking pictures. You can put your camera in your pocket and take your own pictures, however theses are much better. I will talk more about that later. For the last zip-line you climb a tower and are suspended about 150 feet in the air. My wife who is afraid of heights had no problem with this as she was so distracted by the beautiful soundings and focused on the challenge of the zip-line. This line is the slowest and the longest, I suggest that you sit back and enjoy the ride.
Before heading of for our next adventure we where offered a drink of fresh cool water. I was a little concerned about drinking local water, they assured us it was safe to drink. I had no problems with my stomach afterwards so assume it is. Don’t be so quick on taking of your helmets if you next activity is biking you will need them. For those of you who might want to sit out an activity, all start and finish from the central compound, although I would recommend that you take them all in. The bike ride was fairly easy with only a slight incline at the beginning. We where taken out about a mile to a local subsistence farm and told about what types of crops where grown and there method of growing. We saw a few birds on the way but not much other wildlife.
Finally we began the part of the tour I was most looking forward to swimming in the Cenotes. The Maya consider the Cenotes secrete so be fore swimming in them we each had to take a shower and lockers where provided to store our belongings. Our first stop was to an underground Cenote where we experienced a Mayan purification ritual. At the end of the ritual the shaman purified each of us before we could swim in the Cenote. I was very moved by what the guide said about the ritual, " you are now purified, it is up to you what you do with it". The first stop was a deep water Cenote where we where given the opportunity to snorkel. Our guide suggested that we jump in however the pool did not look deep enough. I was surprised once entering the water how deceptively deep the water really was. There is a large rock to one side that is perfect for jumping off. We where never rushed on our tour and once everyone had sufficient time to swim we moved on to our next Cenote. This was a much shallower pool where we where given inner tubes to float around on. This was very relaxing and I was even able to coax my wife into to the water. Once everyone had there fill of tubing we headed back to the central compound.
We where given a chance to view the picture the local Mayan photographers took. It was explained that taking the pictures was a way for the local community to learn a skill and make a living from there talent. You could order individual prints or for a very reasonable rate purchase all the pictures on a cd. We opted for the CD and I am please with the results. Next we had a traditional Yucatan lunch prepared and served by the local women from the community. It was tasty and even my children who are picky eaters had a second helping.
Over all I was very impressed by tour and would defiantly recommend it to everyone. Even though it is rated as strenuous I think any active person could participate in this tour.
