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TUK-TUK Travel Tales-It's THAILAND a trip report

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TUK-TUK Travel Tales-It's THAILAND a trip report

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Old Sep 21st, 2007, 05:38 PM
  #141  
 
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fantastic pics.....and finally some more story....

i'll take both along....do we have to have seperate bedrooms??
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Old Sep 22nd, 2007, 03:59 AM
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Amazing scenary. They alone are worth going there for. The rock outcrop looks like it has bonsais on it. James Bond...? I think it was the <i>Man with the Golden Gun</i> island hideout locale but not sure.
 
Old Sep 23rd, 2007, 03:41 PM
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Ok....(((tapping my foot impatiently, arms crossed)))
We're waiting!
You've had all weekend!
More please!
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Old Sep 23rd, 2007, 03:44 PM
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i think she is out on a date with the guide or driver (&quot;bad boy&quot from the boat trip....she may never be heard from again....
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Old Sep 23rd, 2007, 03:55 PM
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LOL @ Bob

I am also continuing to enjoy your report-- I loved the photos in the last installment!
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Old Sep 24th, 2007, 05:08 PM
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Out on a date --- I wish. Catching up on work. rkk- I'm sure you can all share a room as long as your wife doesn't mind. Thanks Tim/Liz, Kris and Comfy.

After kayaking we had about 1/2 hour to lounge on the beach. Problem was we were the only 4 idiots who didn't bring towels. Result, sand in every crack and crevice. I hate that. Anyway, started talking to the Italian woman who was in our transfer van that a.m. Turns out she is actually Canadian but has lived in Rome for 15 years, husbands Italian. They had been on Samui for 10 days and were staying in Lamai. She told me about this Irish bar called the Samui Shamrock. Said they had the greatest cover band EVER! Played songs from 80s,90s, and today and sounded just like the bands they were covering. Wow, that sounds like fun. She said they go on every night between 9-9:30. and also recommended a great restaurant who's name I never was able to remember, so we didn't eat there. But the band sounded like a plan.

The hour ride back to Bophut was great, so relaxing, we got back around 4:30. We docked at Fishermans Village which is not where we took off from. As we pull up I hear Robin yell, Hey Popeye! LOl it was Asian Popeye and his posse having a bash on his boat that was blaring Kanye from his pimped out sound system. Quite the sight. He said, Hey, how was your day. He was holding a plate of chicken satay and from the dock was tossing them to his guys. They missed the first 4 times. I think they were all shitfaced.

AS we got off the boat we thanked Art and I handed him a tip to split w/ the other guys, they earned it, were great guides. Right off the boat was a table that was set up with these small plates. Each plate had one of our pictures on it. HORRIBLE, AWFUL PICTURES! And they were on saucers. Mugs, keychains, but coffee saucers? Weird. Needless to say there were no takers. We had a transfer back to our jeep included in our tour but we opted to tool around Fishermans Village instead.

Fishermans village is cute. Tiny compared to Chaweng but full of atmosphere. Some really cool boutiques and restaurants and bars. I swear after 15 minutes, T was already ancy and complaining. We just ignored it. I finally got some sunglasses, we grabbed some coffee and then went to find a taxi. We could have sworn there were a bunch when we first got there, but none now. We start walking the road that leads out. We pass a few massage places(NOT the happy ending kind) and take note a 2 hr. thai massage for 450 Baht ( 13 $) that's ridiculous. If they were that much at home I'd have one every other day. We finally find a taxi and 400 Baht later we pick up the jeep to head home.

In the taxi back I mention to the girls about the Irish bar and the band. T and H say Oh, that sounds great, let's do that. We are all agreed. T also asks me for some tylenol which was odd because during the first 2 days of the trip, she gave me about 6 because I didn't have any. I said I didn't but that Robin had Motrin.

We are home maybe an hour, Robin and I had been out on the deck nad T and H had been downstairs. Then they come up completely showered and ready to go out. Robin says &quot;Oh, you guys are ready already?&quot; Before H could reply T bolts out to the car leaving H in the lurch. H says, &quot; Um, yeah, we decided we just want a quiet dinner, we're tired , we're going to go back to Bophut and come home early&quot;. Robin says &quot; I thought we were all going to dinner and the Irish bar, but that's fine, have fun. H leaves and me and Robin just look at each other and again WTF. Didn't they just say not even an hour ago they wanted to all go. Before we could even talk about what just happened H comes back ( w/ T waiting in the car) and says, I'm sorry, did you guys want to come with. We were still in our clothes from Anthong, we said no that's ok. So they never had any intention of going, why say yes and then make it seem like a sudden change of plans. Crazy. And what was even weirder is the whole time in Bophut T was bored and wanting to leave.

Well Robin and I got all dolled up for our night out on the town. Problem was we couldn't find the town. Remember the &quot; I'm just gonna turn around up here&quot; Well, about 7 of those and an hour later we stumble onto Lamai. So I know there is debate Lamai/ Chaweng, which ones better. Different. Didn't care all that much for Lamai. Found it way seedier than Chaweng. Chaweng may be overbuilt and touristy but Lamai is dense w/ girlie bars and gross old drunk guys, and I'm just saying this is what we saw.

We find Samui Shamrock and circle the block a few times before we find a side street where to park. Across the street was a restaurant called Seafood something. Anyhoo the chef was standing in the opening and how can you say no to the chef. We order a couple of beers, some green curry w/ chicken and a sweet and sour prawn dish, which btw came with their heads still on, not a fan of the head and eyeball thing.. Dinner was actually delicious and cheap, I think 390 Baht inc. tip. What sucked were the awful sounds coming from the shamrock across the way.

This couldn't possibly be the band the CanadianItalian was talking about? Or could it! They were awful! William Hung from American Idol sounded better. How could she possilble mistake them for anything but awful. We laughed about this all thru dinner as one bad song after another blared from across the way. The only logical explanation was that the Canatalian was tone deaf. She had to be. Well there was no way we were going to torture our ears with th Samui Shamrock's Sounds of Summer. We decide to go to Chaweng and see what's happening there. What was happening there was absolutely NOTHING!

It was around 11 pm. and noone on the street, not more than 3 people in a bar or restaurant, where is everyone? Were they all too tired from the beach, it's 11pm on a Thursday night. Major bummer especially because my outfit was really cute. lol We gave up and headed home.

As we pull up to the house I hear Robin gasp! What? I say. She says ,they are not home yet! OK, so they left an hour and a half before us , were tired, wanted a quiet dinner and home early and we got back first? We laughed so hard I snorted. Robin said maybe they got drunk and had to take a taxi. No, they weren't back.

We lock up, go upstairs and into our pj's. The whole time laughing at the fact we were the ones who wanted to go out and we are the ones who are home. I said I bet they met cute Aussie guys. Robin says No, well maybe. Then she says, you don't think they'de bring strange guys back to the house do you? I reply, I don't know, I don't think so , not w/ out texting first at least. Just then, we hear a noise a thump. We jump. OMG is it them. Did they hear us? Were we so busted? I felt like I was back in high school.LOL
I tell Robin to go check. She says you have to come with, we hear it again. Did we lock them out? I think we did. But they could get into their room, just not the main level.

We run to the upstairs balcony look down and there they are H and T, drunk.
We ask if they were knocking they said yes. They had just gone to dinner. A 5 hour dinner. Uh. Huh. We go downstairs and only H comes up. She actually would come and chat each night asking how our night was what we did blah, blah. T never did. She said they went to Happy elephant which btw is supposed to be excellent and then just came home.

I slept until 10:30 the next day. The only real full nights sleep I'd have on the entire trip. Downstairs T and H are sitting on the deck and I see a note from Robin she went to get Starbucks, couldn't figure out the coffee machine. Apparently either could H or T. I however could. So I ask if they want coffee. As I'm making the coffee H comes in and I say here's a cup and T yells I'd like one too, if you don't mind. I reply that I already made her a cup. Oh thanks. And then she says, Andrea, do you have any Tylenol? I just thought of the movie Groundhog Day, did I not have this conversation w/ her yesterday, and why didn't she just get some. I'll tell you why, because she's petty and wanted me to get it because I had used hers.. I should have charged her for the wire transfer fee for the house at that point but didn't. I said, um. no, do you want me to pick some up today? Would you? That would be great.

Robin back from Starbucks, and I offer to cook breakfast. T already ate so I make eggs for Robin and H and hole in the middles for myself.Over breakfast they start talking about the bar they went to and the live music they saw. Both Robin and I were thinking the same thing, didn't they say they only went to dinner, that they didn't want to go out? Liars! We finally got the message.

We would spend most of the day by the pool. Well Robin and I would. After a few hours H and T disappear to the depths of their room and emerge w/ backpacks. We're going to the west side, we scheduled massages at a spa and then going to dinner and see the sunset. We said, See ya! We were so over it.

After sunning all day with SPF 30 of course, we decide to go back to the massage place we'de seen by Fishermans Village for 2 hour massages. It was a cute massage place and we decide to do 90 min. at 350 Baht each. That's about 11 dollars. I had gotten very sunburned even w/ sun protection so I made sure to let the woman know . They gave us each a pair of fishermans pants to change into. There was the cutest 3 year old belonging to the reception girl. She kept taking Robin's iced tea bottle and drinking from it. Changed and lying faced down on the massage matress, my first Thai massage.

For those of you that have never had a Thai massage it's a cross between, massage, accupressure and involuntary yoga. Painful at times but overall felt awesome. I was a bit jumpy. Each time my girl karate chopped me I'd jump or flinch. She found this amusing and would lift her hand and then psych- lol. They sit on you and bend your limbs into weird positions and hit you in the head. Robin started laughing at one point because she was so much bigger than her massage person that the woman couldn't throw her around. LOl. Mine however treated me as her personal gumby doll. we were totally dazed when they were done.

Walking back to the car, my sunburn had been getting redder and redder with each minute that passed. I stop in a store to get some aloe and some Tylenol, Thai Tylenol, because the next time she asked I'd be prepared.


Next- another night at Chaweng and Canopy adventures.
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Old Sep 24th, 2007, 05:25 PM
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come on you know that on day two you slugged her but have not told us the truth....

this is a fun report...

happy elephant is a good place to eat and have a few drinks...
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Old Sep 25th, 2007, 02:51 AM
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Hilarious. Keep it coming!
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Old Sep 25th, 2007, 03:22 AM
  #149  
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Funny report although I am wondering if the massage was really a torture session with karate chops mixed in!

Good work, laartista.
 
Old Sep 25th, 2007, 06:17 AM
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laartista, Samui looks so lovely in your photos. My son and daughter spent a couple of weeks there taking diving lessons but had their camera stolen on their last night and couldn't do anything about it because they had to leave early the next morning. They were sure it was employees of the resort they stayed at.

I meant to ask earlier when you said you were a horse whether you are a fiery horse like my daughter and her friends? Fiery horses come around every 60 years and the birth rate went way down in asia last time. Nobody wanted a fiery horse daughter because fiery horse women are not considered suitable for marriage! http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Japan/GA05Dh02.html
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Old Sep 25th, 2007, 07:21 AM
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LMAO- Moolyn, OMG were feiry horses born in 66? Did I read that right? No wonder I'm still not married! Is all hope gone? My mother will not be pleased at this new developement. A fiery horse- OH NO!

Comfy- hope you are having fun in Beantown. Yes, hand chops, maybe not actually karate but yeas chops. And at points slightly torturous. Felt great the next day.

Gpanda- thanks and

rkk- You are absolutely correct, wanted to slug her, but didn't, afterall I AM a lady. ( curtsy)

Going to a taping and audition for who wants to be a millionaire today so will continue this later. Have to be there by 2pm. Wish me luck.
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Old Sep 25th, 2007, 10:07 AM
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Go get 'em at WWTBAM. If you need references, I'm sure H and T would be willing to provide.

In that regard, if H and T are reading this, they should chime in with their own take on events. We voyeurs would like nothing better than a forum free-for-all. We are pathetic.
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Old Sep 25th, 2007, 01:13 PM
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<i><b>if H and T are reading this, they should chime in with their own take on events.</b></i>

We wouldn't dream of such a thing. Besides, we're late for Happy Hour.

Hugs,
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Old Sep 25th, 2007, 01:43 PM
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laartista, yes indeed, 1966 was the year of the fiery horse. But all hope is not lost. It's the very same characteristics that make fiery horse women undesirable marriage material in Asia that make them dynamic and interesting elsewhere. My fiery horse daughter is now happily married with three children. And know you know that I'm old enough to be your mother!
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Old Sep 25th, 2007, 02:09 PM
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HandT - LOL!
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Old Sep 25th, 2007, 04:34 PM
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Moolyn- Well you certaintly don't look old enough to be my mom. Glad to hear there is hope on the marriage front. My mother nearly had a heart attack when I told her. &quot; Why do you say such stupid things!&quot; was her response. LOL

Well sat thru 2 tapings of Millionaire. Meredith Viera is tiny, looks older in person but still very pretty. And soooooo nice! We are BIG losers. Didn't even pass the written test.There were a few really hard questions. Even so, Don't know how the person who had to ask the audience which ocean the Galapagos is in got on. Oh Well, I guess my dad was the only one destined to make game show fame with his appearance on Match Game 78. He lost.

I don't think I'd actually mind hearing H and T's take. Plus it would give me free reign to be way less diplomatic. Let's not forget I'm a fiery horse woman!
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Old Sep 25th, 2007, 05:18 PM
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Andrea,

I can't begin to express how happy that I came across your trip report. The hubby and I will be in BKK Oct 15 for 2 full days and know I am relooking at my itinerary because of your travels. One day is for the temples and the second one I am now looking at the river, elephant, Kwai tour. Would you recommend that tour for someone who only has two days to see the area?

High regards,

Gwen
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Old Sep 25th, 2007, 05:35 PM
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Hi ges, Thanks so much. You know even though I didn't fall head over heels for BKK I think with only 2 days I'd spend it in the city. There is alot to see, I'd for sure go to Jim Thompson House and if your there on a weekend day the Chatachuk market. I'm no expert by any means being this was my first time there. I'm sure those that are would say take the full 2 days in BKK. Maybe someone else will pipe in.
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Old Sep 25th, 2007, 06:32 PM
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only bkk....
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Old Sep 26th, 2007, 08:09 AM
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After our massages we were originally going back to the villa to clean up to go out. From Fishermans village we pass the turn off for Chaweng and it was about 7 pm, we hadn't eaten since breakfast so decided to just go have dinner then. Sunburned, unshowered in shorts and tanktops we would just fit in with all the other tourists walking around down there. We decide to park further down the strip since we had only walked around the first 1/3 of Chaweng days before.

While looking for somewhere to eat we of course did some shopping and then spotted a place that had a pretty good crowd going. The Mambo Grill. Good music, good food and cheap, a perfect fit. We order a couple of Mojitos. They were made w/ brown suger so the color was kind of funky but one of the best mojitos I have ever had. We also order a curry dish and a noodle dish. The food was delicious. But the best thing about the Mambo Grill was the staff. Friendly and funny especially this one waitress.

When she first came over and started talking I found myself trying to read her lips because I had no idea what she was saying. First, she spoke so fast that I only caught every other word. But what was really weird is she sounded like Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady before Rex Reed got a hold of her. Cockney with a Thai accent on top of that. I finally asked her where she was from. She said some city, I can't remember, it was in Thailand. I told her she had some sort of British accent going on. She said thank ya doll! She was a tiny little thing, a real spitfire and was the Mayor of Mambo Grill. We watched in amazement as she worked that room like Karl Rove at an Evangelical convention. Couldn't figure out whether the cockney was an act but whatever it was she had it down and from table to table made her rounds entertaining diners.

We came to find out she had lived in London for a while and now back in Thailand. She said, I got me husband in London , and a baby and now we live in Samui. After our meal she asked what we were doing that night. We said we didn't know, where's good to go. And then she said, &quot; Well dolls, go back to your hotel, wash your hair, put on some make-up, get sexy and go dancing next door&quot;. And she was serious. OMG, did she just tell us we basically looked like crap? She did. It was hysterical. Robin, who almost always never goes anywhere without completely being coifed couldn't believe it. The one night she slums and a waitress is telling her to clean up. For me who is usually in paint covered scrubs, bare faced and a ponytail, I WAS kind of dressed up. LOL

We leave Mambo and start to walk back to where we parked. As we approach a side street we hear &quot; Ain't no mountain high enough&quot; blaring. Sounded like a party. There on the corner is this guy in angel wings with flowers in his hair. There was a ladyboy show going on in a bar. Free with a 1 drink minimum. We figure why not.

The place was packed with groups of guys and girls, couples ,all sorts. We get a couple of beers and watch the show. They were great! No lip-synching like Calypso Cabaret, these guys were singing. From Diana Ross to Cher. At one point they take about 7 guys from the audience backstage only to bring them out and parade them in drag. Hysterical! Show lasted about an hour. We walk over to Tropical Murpheys, another bar, neat atmosphere. but that night it was particularly hot and humid and with my sunburn, the thought of sitting in an unairconditioned bar was not appealing. Robin and I had the same thought. Villa-airconditioned. We head home.

Back at the house T and H were there. Told us about their day. T said she had a headache, oooh I have Tylenol and a plopped it on the table. Don't think she was expecting that. I got an Oh, thanks.

This is what I woke up to the next day. Let me preface it by saying I AM NOT A MORNING PERSON. At home I go to bed at 2 or 3 wake up at 10, start work around noon. Need at least 2 cups of coffee to function properly. Often forget to turn off the sink in the bathroom and have on many occassions put the phone or something else that didn't belong in the fridge. So this is what I woke up to.

I wake up at around 8 am Sat. morning and can hear everyone downstairs. I come down say hi H and Robin say good morning. T has a habit of completely ignoring people. Many times you'de ask her something, not just me, and she would start talking about something else as if she never heard you. I grab a coffee and ask if they had all been up a while. About an hour. Everyone is already dressed to go to the canopy adventure. H had gone dowstairs. I ask if they wre waiting on me. It was only 8 am. T snaps Um, Yeah! I say why didn't you just wake me. Robin says not a big deal, it's early. Then T gets up turns around and in the bitchiest tone says to me, &quot; Um, we've been up an hour already and if you're going to be long I don't feel like waiting around for you H and I will just go get breakfast somewhere&quot;. And walks out. I could see Robin laughing in the corner. I look at her and say Whah? What was that! I should have told her to just freakin leave but instead I jump in the shower, get dressed and in 15 minutes am ready to go. Here's the clincher. Robin and I would wait another 45 minutes until THEY were ready to go. Typical.

We take 2 cars because they had plans to do I don't know what afterwards, but we all plan on being home by 2pm. The day before I had asked Baung what time checkout was on Sunday. She said noone was checking in to Rice house so we could leave whenever our flight was. Our flight was at 5 pm. She said no problem. They did have people checking in to Pineapple next door. But on Sat. morning while waiting for T and H , Baung came by to say she had made a mistake. That Rice house was rented and Pineapple was not. We could move to Pineapple Sunday morning and spend the day there. Really nice, considering we had only paid for 4 days. I asked her if it would be easier if we moved this afternoon to Pine and spent the night there so they could prep and clean Rice House. She said if we didn't mind that would be better. Robin and I didn't mind, they were being so nice to let us stay all day Sunday. So that's why we were to meet back at 2, to move our stuff. Well T nearly had a fit, Why?, Ugh, making it seem like it was soooo inconvenient. Literally a few steps away. Really not a big deal. Otherwise we would have to be out by 10 am with nowhere to shower and change for our flight.

Anyway we follow them to Canopy adventure located beyond Bophut. A good portion of the ride was off road. We get to a point that says no cars beyond this point. The reason the hill was almost vertical. Just then a transfer truck shows up. There is a Russian couple and 2 British guys, one originally from Thailand. We hop in the back with them. Up the steep hill to a clearing with a hut and a bunch of hammocks, in the &quot;jungle&quot; it was beautiful.

1400 Baht pp got us a few hours of fun, fun, fun. One by one they harness us up, give us gloves and when we are all ready we follow the guide on a 15 min. hike to the first platform. OMG I thought I was going to pass out. That hike was so strenuous. I was in front and along with my own I could hear everyone panting behind me. The footing was precarious, the trail steep. At one point H says, But the brochure said the hike was so easy an 80 year old grandmother could do it. What? An 80 year old ? I don't think so. I don't care if you are Jack Lalane, the 30 and 40's could barely make it up there. Finally at the platform for a 20 minute rest. And we needed it except for the Russian guy who immediatly lit up a ciggy. We all just looked at him like how are you smoking after that. We were all still panting.

So basically the Canopy Adventure is a zip line ride from Platform to Platfor, built high in the trees. I had never done it or had H andT. Robin did it in Chile and said it was great. I have to admit I was a bit nervous. H who has a fear of heights was really nervous. Kudos to her she handled it like a trooper. We are first given a lesson on a mock line. We all laugh at each other as each takes a turn. The 2 British guys wwere the Kami Kazis of the group.

The first time right before i step off I could feel my heart beating and legs shaking. They clip you to the line, tell you to put your favored hand way behind you on the line, it acts as a brake. Press down to brake or slow up. Your other hand holds onto the harness. I am last from the first platform, I ask him is this safe, anyone ever get hurt, it became a joke because I would ask the same questions each time before stepping off til finally he would say it's safe before I even asked. Finally I take the leap and glide across the line over the tree tops, it was AWESOME!

http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slidesho...wf9wp&amp;Ux=1


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npeZfk-qtA0


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSPo2THUx_g
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