Kaiden Flies thru the Sky on a Zip Line

The Gnobe protests did affect our lives but mostly in small ways except for ruining our plans to go to Bocas Del Toro. I had been so looking forward to this trip to introduce Kaiden to dolphins and snorkeling.
We had planned on getting up very early catching the bus to David then the bus to Bocas but the day before we started hearing of road blockades on the Bocas highway.  You have to remember that Panama does not have that many roads and that when you block one that may very well be the only way in and out of a community and that is the way it is to Bocas. 
We delayed getting up early to try and get any news we could - one person would say we could get there then next that we couldnt so at about 9 we decided to try the trip.  We quickly through our stuff in a suitcase and grabbed the bus to David. So far so good we did make it there - but only to find out that no buses were running to Bocas.  Since we had our backpacks we decided that stay in David would be too much of an inconvenience so we hopped back on the bus to Boquete and headed home.  We had been wondering about the gas and diesel situation and learned first hand some of what was going on as our bus pulled into a gas station and the driver got out and seemed to be negotiating with the man there.  They finally agreed and started pumping the diesel only to have them stop at $30- at over $4 a gallon that is not very much for a bus to run on - I guess his hopes was to make it to Boquete and back again and find another station to get more fuel.
We were all tired and disappointed so ended up not doing anything the rest of the day.
I felt bad for Kaiden so decided to book him on the zip line experience for Sunday, and was I ever glad I did.  We had to be up early again and at the pick up spot by 8.  With the blockades it ended up being only us and one other couple making the trip up the mountain. 
When I booked the adventure I made sure they understood that I had already checked  this off my bucket list and I was NOT going to be going with him and they assured me that was no problem that the guides would take him and he would "piggy back" with one of them on the lines.  Kaiden was all eyes as we took the rough ride in the back of an open truck up into the rainforest. 

We arrived at the top and they got him suited up in his harness and hardhat and he was all smiles.  They loaded back into the truck and went the final distance and I stayed at the lodge.  It was one of the most beautiful mornings we have had and I walked the some of the paths and even worked up the guts to cross the new bridge ( my fear of heights makes me NOT fond of bridges of any type) .  They had told me that it would only take about an hour since there was just the 3 people zipping and it was not long before I spotted them on one of the platforms that I could see.  Kaiden seemed to be all smiles and waved at me.  Then it was wait the final minutes until they were on the 3 lines that I was in full view up.  It is a little strange and stomach turning to watch your grandson fly thru the air but the smile on his face said it all.

He had no more than "landed" when he said 'Grandma can I go again- they said the next time I can do it by myself"  and being the mean grandma I am I said No - once is enough this trip. 

The guides were all joking around with him and calling him Chief.  He received his certificate to prove he had completed the zip line and then of course in true Kaiden fashion asked if he could eat.  We ordered a sandwich and fries to share - but there was not much sharing as he inhaled the cheeseburger in record time.  They showed the video of the zipline and with there being only 3 people it was pretty much a personalized version and he was all smiles watching it.
Then it was back into the back of the truck and down the mountain.  He chattered on and on about how much fun it was and that he was going to come back and do it again. Me I will keep my feet on the ground and take the pictures - much safer in my opinions.