Chris and Andrea's Travel Blog: Adrenaline

Extreme sports and New Zealand seem to go hand in hand, and almost from the moment you land in this crazy country, you are reminded that Kiwis rule the extreme and invented bungee jumping after spotting a local tribe that climbed to the top of a high tower with a rope made from a sinewy tree tied to their legs and seeing them jump towards the Earth, which supposedly brought good harvests if your head nearly touched the ground.

So, naturally, I decided to somewhat conquer my fear of heights by bungee jumping at the original site started by AJ Hackett in Queenstown, followed up by a sky dive from 15,000ft (16,400 ft above sea level). I'm not quite sure when it became possible for me to see myself doing these things, but I guess I've killed enough of the right kind of neurons. The day I told Andrea I booked the bungee jump and sky dive was probably one of the most uncomfortable of her life, as she had to stew in apprehension at the thought of my repeatedly plunging toward the ground and doing so willingly. As we got the to bungee bridge, I still wasn't that nervous, as there were a few people lined up ahead of me to go. Sure enough, one by one they were strapped in and jumped and screamed as the bounced around on the cord. I still wasn't worried, but then it was my turn to go. Andrea, I learned later, was becoming increasingly worried about my safety and the tension was starting to get unbearable. As they strapped me into the harness they asked me the typical questions: Where are you from? First time bungeeing? When I answered, “Yes, this is my first time jumping,” the bungee master shook his head and said, “You crazy bastard.”

So the hooked up the cord and told me to jump like I was falling into bed after a long days work. Now the fear was starting to creep up. “Come to the edge and put your toes over,” the bungee master said. It really felt like I was going to walk the plank. I looked over the edge. Okay, scary times. This was the split second in which I thought, “I gotta get outta here,” and, “I think I've made big mistake!” But it's also way too late to turn back now, so it's time to soldier up, big boy! Gotta pump myself up! But before I had time to truly think over how stupid I am, I was told to smile for the camera. Hey, I can do that. Then I was told to wave to Andrea. I did. Hey, Andrea, how's your day going? Then, “Okay, jump on three. One, two, three!” and without really thinking I just jumped like a madman and I was looking straight at the ground, right into the raging river. “AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!” I screamed, though later I was told it was a very manly scream, one that would scare one's enemies, frighten off bears, save villages, et cetera. I'll tell ya what, that ground comes up at you fast, but before you know it you are saved by the harness and you are very, very thankful. Then up into the air, then down, then up, as you bounce around on the cord. They had to hoist me back up to the bridge by hand because of the river was too fast below. Andrea was sure they would drop me, but as soon as I got back to the platform I had my death grip on that bar and I wasn't falling back down there for anything. I was unhooked and released and found Andrea, who joined me on the bridge, in excited and scared tears, and she told me she never wanted to see me do that again. See me. It's fine if I do it, but seeing it is too much. I can imagine. It really is super safe and it's over too fast. The fall was 43m, and they do offer the highest bungee in Australasia at 134m, which is something like 440ft...but maybe I'll do that next time I'm down in New Zealand and feeling crazy...Next up, skydiving!