OH Mystic Mountain!
Photos & Article by This Jamaica Staff
Mystic Mountain is certainly not for the faint-hearted. If you're really very scared of heights, it's better not to go there. But, if you're slightly afraid, you'll get over it thanks to your day.
We signed up for a full Mystic Mountain package, which includes the Sky Lift, Bobsled and Zip Line. The Sky Lift is a seemingly relaxed air-carriage up the mountainside overlooking the city of Ocho Rios and the seaside. But, our Sky Lift wasn't too relaxing. My companion's sweaty palms and strong grip on our seat was a signal to me that this was dangerous stuff. Pretty soon I too was weighing the possibilities of becoming mince meat if we were ever to be released from the contraption. But, after what seemed like half of a lifetime, we placed our feet on the welcoming platform and giggled with the glee of having the ground beneath us again.
Lunch was next. Who would have ever thought that Mystic Mountain also was quite the romantic and scenic destination for lunch or dinner? The afternoon was chilly, maybe because the attraction is located so far up the hillside, so we wrapped ourselves up, lounged for a bit and devoured our tasty Jamaican meals. Life was once again a breeze.
Destination Three… The Bobsled. From our dining table we had watched as bobsled after bobsled leisurely passed our window at a slow and steady pace. "What a breeze", I thought, "the Bobsled must just be a sightseeing ride." So, I hopped into the Bobsled's driver seat with my very fickle companion behind me. As we began to slide on through, I wondered how long the boring and uneventful ride would take… That's until a sudden turn and dip hit me like a ton of bricks! Suddenly, we were zipping through the mountains, bouncing about… and I was wondering if my heart was going to come through my mouth. "Pull the brakes!" screamed the fickle one. I pulled the brakes and calmed my heart for maybe a minute, and then I was right back at it again. Shaking and terrified, I laughed the entire way. The terror was a joyous one.
Then there was the dreaded Zip Line. I can't recall how many zip lines we actually sailed across, but I do know that there were many points I just wanted to be over with it all. Each line seemed to get longer and more terrifying, and our guides were keen on trying to make all of us wee our pants. I survived wee-free. By the end of it I was drained, but maybe a little stronger for having taken my nerves to their wits ends and still pushed on through.
Final Destination… Back on the Sky Lift. I figure that because I had stressed myself so thoroughly, the Sky Lift now really was actually semi-relaxing. When my feet hit the ground at the end of our day at Mystic Mountain, I was relieved and tickled. It was the first, and maybe last, time I may ever say that I had a relaxingly, excitingly, joyfully stressful day!
