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Published: March 27th 2009
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19th March 2009 - NEVIS BUNGY JUMP........NEVER FELT BETTER!!
I woke up at a round 8.30am...slept well for once! I was really excited about doing the Nevis Bungy jump and hoped that it wouldn't be fully booked and I would be able to jump today. Nat was still undecided as to whether to do a smaller bridge bungy jump at 43m high. Being scared of heights it wasn't an easy decision for her and she kept changing her mind throughout the morning. I told her to go for it as the one I did in Taupo was awesome and I thought she would love it too!!
We spent most of the morning at the hostel relaxing and enjoying not having anywhere to be. We also did some hand washing of our clothes...it's not all fun and games this travelling you know! We also spent and hour speaking to a friend from home on the phone. Really cool to catch up and an hour just flew by. Nice to speak with people from home.
Once off the phone, it was around midday and I headed straight into town to book my bungy jump. I was told that the only available
space was at 1pm and I had to be at the shop at 12.30pm to weigh in and get ready. I booked it.....arrghh...what had I done?!! I asked the guy behind the counter if it was as scary as it looked to which he replied “yes!” He could have lied and made me feel better! I didn't have long and so I pretty much ran back to the hostel, grabbed some fruit for lunch and my trainers before heading back to the shop. Nat was in the shop when I got there still debating. She decided to go for it in the end but her jump wasn't until 3pm. I wished her luck as she did me and then checked in for my jump!
There were 20 of us in my group and I was the only girl. That was good for me as I felt like the pressure to jump was off. Some characters on the bus especially 3 Aussie guys. 2 of them were just coming to watch as they had done it yesterday. Their friend on the other hand who was scared of heights was the one jumping....and he was going to do it naked!! Think
he must have lost a bet because despite the bravado he really didn't look happy about it! The bus journey was fun in itself and lasted for 45 minutes. Everyone was bantering and chatting as well as taking in some good scenery. The drive even included a 4WD through a high country sheep farm on a private access road to the mountain. We were right on the edge at times and looking out of the window and seeing the drop was a bit of an adrenalin rush in itself!
Once at the bungy centre we were put in our harnesses and told that we would be going out to the jump pod in ten minutes or so. That was it...no safety talk or anything! We were given a number and were to jump in weight order...heaviest first. I was to jump second to lat. Not ideal as I would have preferred to have got it over and done with before nerves took hold. Once all harnessed up we were taken across to the jump pod in a cable car in groups of 6. The cable car ride made me realise just how high we were as the bottom had
holes in like a grate. No getting away from looking down! I was in the 3rd group to go across and a couple of guys from my group had already jumped by the time I got there...they were buzzing and had loved it!!
The jump pod was cool. Had music going, parts of the floor were glass so you could watch fellow jumpers and there was about 20 of us in there so the atmosphere was good. The pod shook in the wind too which all added to the excitement! I watched a fair few jump and they all seemed to love it. It was so methodical the way we were all pushed through that you didn't really have time to think about it and no one really hesitated all that much. It was funny to see the difference between those who had jumped and those who were still yet to go....nervousness versus ecstasy!! The naked guy was next up. His eyes were wide and I have never seen anyone look so petrified. Didn't seem to mind that he wasn't wearing any clothes though! He refused to go and his mates had to sit with him and talk him
around. He eventually jumped and everyone chanted “bullet” as he did (his nickname). So funny but not the nicest sight to see dangling for a rope.
More people jumped and it soon got around to my turn! I sat in what looked like a dentists chair whilst my feet were strapped in. I was also shown a cord by my left knee to release my feet that I had to pull once I had bounced a couple of times so that i would turn the right way around. Ok - I was ready!! I got out of the chair and shuffled towards the edge of the jump pod. 134m high. I think “shit” slipped out of my mouth as I neared the edge. I kept looking straight ahead. 3......2.......1....I jumped! 8 seconds free falling towards Nevis river before the rope finally caught me and I was hurtled back upwards. Not to sound dramatic but I felt invincible! I can't explain it....the rush was awesome! I have sky dived, done a smaller bungy and the swing but nothing compared. Absolutely amazing....I was on such a high!!
I reached out for the cord on my left knee as I bounced
upwards for the second time. I yanked and pulled but it wouldn't come so I gave up and decided to stay upside down as the pulley came down and hoisted me back up to the jump pod. I didn't care about being upside down - I was still on a high and had the urge to jump again. 134m high and one of the biggest in the world......I want to find the biggest! Amazing!
Back in the pod I got a few high 5s before heading back across in the cable car. Once there I de-harnessed and checked my photos and DVD out. I had to buy them to re-live the moment! I wanted the hoody too but at $100 I couldn't afford it. Money sucks! Or lack of it does anyway! Once we all had photos we got back on the bus and headed back to town. Some good banter along the way! I really enjoyed the whole Nevis experience....what a day!!
Back in Queens I met Nat who had done her bungy too. She hated it and said it was the worst thing she had done since travelling and would never do it again…ever! I was
the total opposite. Funny what different people enjoy! Back at the hostel we had tea and nipped to the supermarket to but some alcohol for later. I ended up arguing with the cashier who demanded to see my passport as my driving license “looked fake.” It was ri-god-damn-diculous as I am only about 16 on my passport and you can hardly tell it’s me. I handed it over anyway and she eventually agreed to let me purchase the alcohol! We then went and spent an hour on the net before heading back to the hostel to get ready and drink before hitting the town at around 11pm.
We went to a cheap place first and 2 guys from my bungy were there and we got lumbered with them for a while before we 'accidentally' lost them by crouching down and running towards the door. My flipflop also broke and so I pretty much spent the whole night walking around with a bobble holding it on my foot. Worked well though and a good little tip for all you ladies out there if ever your shoe breaks! We went to a few bars, danced a lot, drank way too much
and strolled back to the hostel at around 3.30pm. So cold on the way home I was glad to get tucked up in bed and get cosy. Alcohol always helps me sleep too and I just prayed I wouldn't feel too hungover the following day!
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