If you have ever had a window open while driving down a highway, you
already have some idea of how the resistance is going to feel against your
face. The view is jaw-dropping, to say the least, but it is best to keep that
mouth locked up to avoid stray bugs and unwanted drooling.
Time even seems to slow down as you get used to the feel of travelling
at such a break-neck speed. You can swing slightly side-to-side to get an
even better view as you 'fly' over the winding roads of Jebel Jais. Before
you know it, you are already reaching the landing platform, the one-stop
between the launching and exiting platform.
Here, your traffic-cone-coloured hammock will be repacked and you will
move on to a shorter zip line, one which you tackle in a seated position.
The latter features a more constricted view as the view is largely marred
by your hands gripping the harness hook, used to 'steer' to stop yourself
from uncontrollably flailing around.
After landing, it is time to hop back on the shuttle and head back to the
Welcome Centre to drop off your suit and grab your footage and items.
The team snaps a nice image of you in front of their world record and
hands you your very own flight patch too. The entire experience costs
Dh650 which jumps up to close to Dh800 if you rent the GoPro.
Typically, it is best to be wearing athletic clothing for the activity but
any comfy clothes should do the trick as I was just decked out in skinny
jeans, flannel and a pair of converse.
Is the experience worth the exuberant fee though? If my diligent research
taught me anything, it is that there are definitely better options out there
when it comes to zip lining for the view, but for a first-timer, what better
way to check off a bucket list item than trying a record-setter?
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