Mexico Day 4: Zip Lines, Roller Coaster, Ribs, and "The Best Day of My Life" (Kate)

The next morning was adventure day.  Kristen and Cory researched some activities and booked a Vallarta Adventures zipline tour.  Getting there required a boat and military-style truck and I was apprehensive about my tummy for both (especially after vomiting in a trash can after an uber drive just weeks ago).  Happily, half a dramamine, plenty of adrenaline, and a full belly had me feeling perfect.  The weather was gorgeous as we crossed the water.

If these places have hot water for showers, I'm in for next time.

My stomach gets me the front seat, every time.  The driver was willing to talk but "not much English."  

I read very little about this activity other than quickly glancing at the description (which must be infuriating to C&K), so everything was a surprise. 

A mule ride kicked it off, and it was absolutely the best part.  We had exactly 90 seconds of instruction for how to mount, ride, steer and slow the mule and we were sent on our way.  This was the first sign that Mexico's safety standards are not the same as the United States.  Our mules took off, competed with each other, nudged each other, and pooped on each other.  It was overall the funniest moment of the vacation and 100 times more fun than either of the 2 total horse rides I've experienced in my life.

My biggest worry was Owen but he had his own guide.

Brady couldn't find the right reins--he missed that 3 second segment in the intro.

Brett and Shireen were the only ones in our group that knew horses and we looked pretty silly next to them.

Blake's mule started to gallop, and Blake yelled and pointed to Brett, "I'm coming for you!"

Kate hated this part so much.  She was terrified and sobbing.  She wishes she could go back and try again now.

Zipline 1:

I did a zipline tour in Kaua'i and thought the first ride was fun, and then it felt like a monotonous to-do list.  This tour, on the other hand, screamed variety.  We never did the same thing twice.

Repelling down a waterfall:

Owen was mostly pulled down the waterfall.  All the activities seemed to old for him but he handled it with swagger.

This is the point where I will mention that we were not allowed to take phones or cameras, and then paid $140 for their photos of our tour.  So, I'm getting my $140 worth with this post.

Partner waterfall time!  Brady and Owen:

I love these photos for the startled faces/eyes.

Zac and Blake:

Elise and Kate:

Kristen and Sariah:

Cory and Walker:

Me and Sam, my very favorite moment of the day:

Brett and Shireen:

We spent the entire trip avoiding fresh fruits and vegetables and drinking only bottled water.  If accidentally drinking water from the slide made us nervous, the sudden drop off the "roller coaster" zip line was terrifying.

When they sent us off, they said to "hold the ropes" and "keep your face away from the metal."  It was a wild ride and I'm relieved we all have our teeth.  Brady's comment after this, "There is no place in the US you could ever pull this off."

It was nerve-wracking to have no idea what was ahead but send my 8-year-old.  

Brady went in nearly head first.

I couldn't figure out why I was backwards.

Holding my nose was a bad idea.  I was bruised up the next day.

The last few involved flying upside down and riding tandem surf style.

For the grand finale, they sent us down a steep waterslide.  Based on everything we had done to this point, we knew that if Mexico was making us wear cage helmets and elbow pads, there had been a few mishaps.  

Our mishap involved Cory, who broke a rib and bruised several others.  Here he is pictured pain-free for the last time until at least March.  Kate declared it was the "best day of my life," but I'm not sure Cory agrees.  She was ready to spend all her money to do the tour from start to finish again, hoping for a chance to redeem herself from her mule fears and relive the highs.

We changed, ate our PB&J and quesadillas, and reluctantly bought all the photos shown above.  I fell sound asleep on the concrete in a dramamine haze before getting our ride back.

I loved looking into homes and yards and observing the lifestyle.  I wanted to take photos but feared it would be insensitive and understood as me judging the local culture.  

We made our way back and rushed to make our dinner reservation in Punta Mita.

We spotted a giant iguana in this tree--our first sighting of the trip:

The lighting, ambience, service and temperature of this meal were on point.  The food was less stellar but we are good at enjoying ourselves anyway.

It was a sunset that would not quit.

The hilarious conclusion to the night: when the band came and played our group "Despacito" after Zac joking suggested the song under his breath.  They came back and sang "Remember Me" in Spanish to Kate, who was a little confused because it was Sariah who suggested that song.  The whole experience was lovely.

We had to get creative with a few things in our Air B&B, and one of them was the dryer.  Cory created a way to keep the door closed.  We also worked our way around the lack of hot water with rapid showers, lathering without water, etc., and also dealt with a garbage disposal that did not dispose.  Not a biggie, but it's always funny working our issues in lodging.

The group continued our Mexican Movie Marathon and watched Nacho Libre, but I gave up 20 minutes in and went straight to bed.