Forest Adventure Park

Just Zippin' Along, Having a Blast!
November 22, 2008

Today we went to Forest Adventure Park- WHAT A BLAST!!

For those of you locally who have not yet tired Forest Adventure- YOU HAVE TO GO!! We had soooo much fun...even me, who is NOT thrilled about jumping off of things.

So, those of you who aren't on Okinawa, are asking yourself, "What is Forest Adventure Land"?

Well, it is pretty much just what it says...an Adventure (with a capital "A"), in a forest. This Adventure involves an outdoor park full of zip lines, rope bridges, a Tarzan swing, hiking paths...all kinds of fun stuff! It is located only about 20-25 minutes from our house, near Maeda Point (where we did our qualifying dives).

You check in at a small office right across the street from the beach at Maeda Port. This is where you pay and sign all the waivers- and your last chance at an "American" restroom. From there they load you up in their shuttle vans and drive you up to the actual park.

Now, I must say, this was the first adventure! After turning off the main road, we went off through the sugar cane fields....and these drivers were flying along these narrow twisty roads like you could not believe! With the 7 foot high sugar cane along the roads and hairpin turns, you could not see anything. I think the drivers know where the other drivers were so they could fly up with no regard for oncoming traffic. Didn't really feel unsafe... but visions of "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride" come to mind... Drivers were very nice- we where running back to our van to grab a few things, and the van chased us down to drive us there and back. Very sweet...and after realizing how far away the lot where Mike had to park, I was glad for the ride!


We were dropped off (pretty much in the middle of a field of sugar cane and pineapple plants in the middle of no where) and followed the signs to "Wipe Out Lodge". They were already getting in the Holiday Spirit and a employee full of smiles was handing out candy canes.The employees then harnessed us up. They make sure those things are on nice and SNUG! The smaller ladies would actually brace themselves and pull for all they were worth. Still, they were not uncomfortable...although I was glad for the relatively cool weather today. I think the gals had it easier then the guys...the guys really had things squeezed and pushed with those harnesses.

After everyone was harnessed up, we were led down to a "mini course" for a safety/How-to brief. We were shown how to clip on, climb the ladders, walk across a line and try small zip line. Our Tour Guide here was showing us how the safety clip is used.


Mike clipping on both clips. The first one to go on is the larger blue one. This is the one which actually slides along the cable. The second, red one, is the safety line. It is clipped on to something at all times- even while climbing the ladders or nets. The clips go on in opposite direction- just in case you grab them, you would only open one clip, not them both (but you are never supposed to touch the clips once they are on, or cables- for obvious reasons.
Here I go- I always knew I could walk a "fine line"!


Let's see...which clip comes off first?? Oh yeah, the red safety clip! Safety First...

As soon as the guide saw we know how to do everything, we were free to go! The first zip line is a nice long one- right over a forest ravine! Matt was the first to go through his safety check so he was off and Zipping first.



This one on the left was a LONG zip line- one of my favorites. I am standing at the end here- you can see the group of people WAAAYYY on the other side waiting to come across. Best advice I can give you- go before you think too much about it! The other zip line was towards the end...and you picked up some serious speed on this one.



These net bridges were fun- and very bouncy!

































Here goes David- right through the tree tops!
Amazing feeling to be gliding (zipping) over the tress across the jungle. That amazing feeling lasts until you get about 2/3's of the way across and you start worrying about landing...













Getting to the start of the zip lines there are wooden ladders, cargo nets, or peg ladders to climb.

















Some of the zip lines were right next to one another- others were a bit of a hike. Here Mike is hoofing it to catch up to the rest of the group. It was quite an uphill jaunt between these zip lines...fortunately this was about the half way point and there was a cooler with ice cold sodas- orange, grape or tea (one per person, please!) What a nice touch. Very relaxing to sit at a picnic table in the middle of the jungle and enjoy an icy drink.At the end of the course is a huge assortment of obstacles. To the left, front, is the landing net from the Tarzan swing, to the right of that is a swinging bridge over to a ladder. Up the ladder to the rope bridge. From the Rope bridge you can either take the rings across (Matt is in the red going across), or the wooden platform bridge. Then up another ladder to the platform for the last zip line.

The start of it is the "Tarzan Swing"...this was the one I was dreading! You climb a couple ladders to get to the top of a very tall platform. After clipping in and grabbing hold...you launch yourself off the platform, free fall until the line catches and swings you into a huge cargo net. I am NOT a fan of jumping off of things...or even climbing down. I will go up anything...it's the coming Down that always gets me! So here I am standing at the top of a VERY tall tower on a small platform...nowhere to go but down. Hummm...the thought of climbing back down the ladder crossed my mind...but with a herd of Boy Scouts cheering me on I said a quick prayer and stepped off. I'm not sure if I was screaming out loud, but I was certainly screaming on the inside! It is over amazingly quickly- and is incredibly fun! The first second of free fall is terrifying- but it is over so quickly you ALMOST forget about it. Although I loved it, I'm not sure it will be any easier to do again!














Here is Tarzan Mike...
Mike, David and I all actually bounced off the net when we hit. Mike was able to keep his feet hooked. David and I had to swing back into the net.




Here is Matt hanging out- watching and laughing at us during the Tarzan Swing. I have few pictures of him since I went off with the rest of the scouts and we didn't see much of him. Only zip line we were able to watch him do was the very first one.



The rings were tough too- took a lot of control so the rings didn't flip all over.

This bridge was harder than it looked. Each time you stepped, the step swung forward, making for a long reach. Not too bad after you get the hang of it.












Here is David contemplating his pending departure on the zip line.







This is the last zip line on the course. I took this photo as I was zipping down- Mike is standing on the platform watching and waiting for his turn.The view from the last zip line tower is amazing. You can see across the turquoise shallows and brillent blue waters to the Zampa Lighthouse and north across the fields and hills.