Flying through the Panama mountainside

Yes, I am afraid of heights. Not deathly afraid, just moderately so. So the thought of flying through the tree tops in Panama excited me, accompanied by just a touch of nerves.
We met our guides in a shopping center on Boquete’s main street at 7:45 a.m. and they loaded us up in an old truck whose bed had been converted into a canopy-covered people mover. It looked comfortable enough with its cushioned bench seats, and it was while we were on the town’s paved roads. However, once we turned onto the rock-filled trail that led up the mountainside, I knew either a massage therapist or a chiropractor would be needed to help reset my neck and back again. In fact, I think my kidneys might still be on that Panama road.
At the top of the three-mile rock road stands the Boquete Tree Trek headquarters where someday guests will be able to stay in cute cottages. Our guides strapped us into our gear, gave a quick safety demonstration, and we were all loaded back into the truck.
This time the road literally went straight up leaving us to hold on to every available bar. I still don’t know how we made it to the top without flipping over.
We made our way down on foot to the first tree stand with 13-year-old Julio Jr. eager to go first. None of us adults put up a fight.
As Julio flew across to the second tree stand, we all just watched in horror and amazement secretly wondering if we were insane. When my turn arrived, I knew I was shaky but I put on a brave face. The first cable went past in a blur as I kept my eyes focused on the second tree stand just hoping that the cable held.

There were 13 cables in all, the longest being 400-plus km long. By that time I was used to flying through the trees, and wanting that long one to last, I tried to slow myself down halfway through to have a look around. Volcan Baru was in the distance and it was gorgeous.
We made it back down to the main cabin, stripped off our gear, and enjoyed a margarita from the bar. Since it is difficult to be Tarzan and snap photos at the same time, Boquete Tree Trek sends a photographer on each tour and you can buy a CD of the photos for $10. Pretty good for memories that will last forever!