During the summer of 2019, pre-Covid time, I undertook my first ever cruise. It was a week-long Alaska cruise. And during this trip I also enjoyed an adrenal-pumping adventure on the world’s largest zipline – the Icy Strait Zipline Adventure.
Background to My Cruise & Zipline Adventure
As mentioned, I have never been on a cruise. I had in fact avoided them, primarily for two reasons: one, I like to travel to places but staying put mostly in sea is something I am not fond of and, two, I had always thought cruises as something for people attired in formal dresses living formal lives.
But I knew that at some point, I will have to experience the adventure of a cruise, even if it is just for a few days. And I also knew that cruise life was changing, and it was not anymore just formal living.
And then in the summer of 2019 I got the chance to be part of a cruise tour.
The cruise left Vancouver and the first stop was Icy Strait Point. The Icy Strait Point is known for, among other interesting sights and sounds, whale watching, kayaking and nature tours.
But the Icy Strait Point is also famous for its zipline. It is considered the ‘largest’ zipline in the world, with the status coming from the fact it is the only one with six seats in its single row.
Of course, I wanted to enjoy a ride on that Zipline.
The Ride to the Mountain
After dropping off my backpack in the locker at the office, we boarded a bus that took about 40 minutes to take us just over 1500 feet above sea level. From there, it was about a ten-minute walk and then there it was.
Every few minutes the zipline would leave from its base like a bullet leaving the barrel and whiz through the harness with a squeashing sound.
Then I sat. While safely and comfortable seated, I held my cellphone camera set up on a mini-tripod.
The Ride on the World’s Largest Zipline
And then the gates were open and I sped through. It was scary as the zipliner sped through at about 100 km/h, roughly 100 metres above the rainforest. The worst thing was when the heavy wind turned me sideways and it appeared that I was stalling.
I still held to my camera but did not forget the enjoy the scary thrill. Around me, some of the fellow passengers had a blast, screaming with happiness.
The whole ride lasted about a minute and I was down on the ground, ready to tell the story of my adventure on the world’s largest zipline to all those who will listen.