I'm no extreme sports activist. I can't even ride a bike and I'm terrified of heights, however after spending a few days absorbing the fresh air in and around Lake Bled I was easily persuaded to take part in some Canyoning.
For those who, like me, are somewhat physically challenged canyoning is when you make your way from the top of a mountain to the bottom of it by sliding down waterfalls. Extreme!
In my head I saw myself as a nymph like creature bathing in crystal clear waters, occassionally shooting myself down a perfectly formed water hole similarly to those seen in the pirate caverns of The Goonies, after which I would again brush my hair with a comb made of snail shell. It didn't quite work out like that.
Canyoning Bob, a strapping gentleman who I fancied as my slovenian lover for about 25 minutes picked us up from the camp site and took us up the mountain with another couple and a stag party - joy! He assured us that this was an easy route as there had not been enough rainfall for the more dangerous waterfalls to flourish. We were all happy about this.
It started off well. As we bobbed down the streams we lay on our backs looking up at the cavern walls cutting in above us showing where the water in all its power had cut through the rock face over the centuries. We marvelled at how clean the water was, if not freezing cold and splashed joyfully as the currents pulled us through smaller crevices. After the stag party had been reprimanded for somersaulting into shallow waters it soon became more strenuous. Before long we were climbing up rocky crevices to jump into giant pools, clinging to rock edges to avoid being dragged into whirlpools and generally spluttering for air as we were sucked along slippery slopes before being spat out into calming waters. It tested all of us, from the easily scared to the adrenalin junkies. For most, and even for those who weren't strong swimmers, it was a highlight of the holiday. Needless to say, Spora needed a large brandy once we were done!
SURVIVAL TIP
Do things you'd normally be too scared to. Ok so I had the support of a large group of friends, but even Spora who isn't a strong swimmer found this to be one of the most rewarding experiences of the trip.
For those who, like me, are somewhat physically challenged canyoning is when you make your way from the top of a mountain to the bottom of it by sliding down waterfalls. Extreme!
In my head I saw myself as a nymph like creature bathing in crystal clear waters, occassionally shooting myself down a perfectly formed water hole similarly to those seen in the pirate caverns of The Goonies, after which I would again brush my hair with a comb made of snail shell. It didn't quite work out like that.
Canyoning Bob, a strapping gentleman who I fancied as my slovenian lover for about 25 minutes picked us up from the camp site and took us up the mountain with another couple and a stag party - joy! He assured us that this was an easy route as there had not been enough rainfall for the more dangerous waterfalls to flourish. We were all happy about this.
It started off well. As we bobbed down the streams we lay on our backs looking up at the cavern walls cutting in above us showing where the water in all its power had cut through the rock face over the centuries. We marvelled at how clean the water was, if not freezing cold and splashed joyfully as the currents pulled us through smaller crevices. After the stag party had been reprimanded for somersaulting into shallow waters it soon became more strenuous. Before long we were climbing up rocky crevices to jump into giant pools, clinging to rock edges to avoid being dragged into whirlpools and generally spluttering for air as we were sucked along slippery slopes before being spat out into calming waters. It tested all of us, from the easily scared to the adrenalin junkies. For most, and even for those who weren't strong swimmers, it was a highlight of the holiday. Needless to say, Spora needed a large brandy once we were done!
SURVIVAL TIP
Do things you'd normally be too scared to. Ok so I had the support of a large group of friends, but even Spora who isn't a strong swimmer found this to be one of the most rewarding experiences of the trip.
RSS Feed