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Published: January 8th 2010
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Ever since my brief visit to New Zealand over 2 years ago, on the way back from Australia, I have had one activity I wanted to do more than anything. It is certainly not everyone’s cup of tea but personally I couldn’t think of anything better than flinging myself out of a cable car suspended 134metres over a canyon with merely a rubber cord attached to me. Queenstown was the destination and the time had finally come for me to ‘live the dream’.
Following a very relaxed week over Christmas it was time to turn up the dial to 11 and Queenstown was the place to do it. Initially we were unsure we would be able to stay there over the New Year period due to its huge popularity, however, after phoning 12 different hostels to no avail, we went anyway, and eventually found a campsite to stay at for 4 nights. It had the basic kitchen/bathroom facilities and a communal lounge area, so when not in the tent there were places to go in case of rain. However, whilst there we were very lucky in that it was particularly warm and sunny for the duration of our stay. Prior
to Queenstown I had not been out to bars /clubs since the end of October, and for those of you who know me, this is highly unusual. The fact of the matter is that there was no time, or places to do it whilst I have been trekking through the bush and up mountains. Needless to say I was ready for a big night out, which ended up turning into a solid 4 nights in a row. I had managed to secure us a hostel for the very first night we had in Queenstown before we had to move to the campsite, and on arrival I instantly began to chat to anyone and everyone in desperation of getting a group together to go out and have a few drinks. Luckily there were some fellow Englishmen who were willing to stick to what we do best…..binge. The best bar of the night was without doubt World Bar, which very stereotypically made us feel at home with teapots, although it wasn’t tea. It was in fact cocktails, ridiculously strong cocktails, and at half price in happy hour, the contents of many teapots was drained from the spout directly into our eagerly anticipating
mouths. The night was very enjoyable and after promising myself I would ease myself back in, naturally this did not happen.
It was the next day and the time had come to step up to the ultimate challenge to be found in Queenstown.; The Nevis bungy jump. The Canadians and myself had booked in for an afternoon in order to let the hangover die down, a definite wise choice. We arrived at the headquarters in the centre of town to be greeted with walls covered in plasma television screens playing videos of all the terrified people jumping out of the gondola we would soon be in. This did not help the nerves and knots were beginning to form in my stomach. We were soon ushered on to a bus to be carted off to the bungy site located just outside of town. On arrival we were put in our full body harness and weighed for a second time to ensure the rope would be set to the right tension. We were given 5 minutes to look around the hut that was located on the top of a very steep hill (which incidentally was a very hairy bus ride up
an extremely steep single dirt road) and to venture outside and peer over the edge of the canyon we were soon to be plummeting in; the knot tightened further still. Being a man however, poses were made for photos showing only bravery and no fear, just excitement at the prospect of throwing myself out of a perfectly good gondola. The time came for us to be chaperoned across to the large gondola in a small very dodgy looking one, so trusting in its ability to carry us the guide clipped us in from our harnesses….because you never know right?
On stepping into the main gondola we looked down to see the glass panels in the floor helping to reinforce the sheer height we were currently at, a very nice touch. We had discussed the plan of videoing and taking photos of each other prior to the event so we all knew what we were doing for each others jumps, and due to my weight being the least the two Canadians jumped before me. Nobody was hesitating when stood on the small protruding plank, and seemed to be jumping quite happily when the bungy technician’s countdown reached 1. I was
hoping for at least one to cause some sort of a fuss, which would mean I would either look good for jumping straight away, or make everyone more understanding if I hesitated. This was not the case however, so as I sat in the seat getting the bungy cord attached and getting informed I had to pull a small rope after the second bounce in order to turn myself the right way up to then be pulled back up to the gondola, I thought f*ck, f*ck, f*ck. Before I knew it I was being ushered to the edge of the plank, fully aware of the camera on me and trying to look like I was excited about the idea of hurling myself towards the ground and experiencing the ‘holy grail’ that is 8.5 seconds of freefall. 3.…..2.……1.…….My only defence is that although yes indeed I did scream, it was a manly deep scream not unlike a roar. This did soon turn to sheer delight as I embraced the air rushing past me, the ground racing towards me and the sheer excitement of feeling so free. It wasn’t long before the bungy cord was cutting in and I was getting an
almighty head-rush as I began to stop falling and bounce back up. I genuinely think the bounce took me higher than the first bungy jump I ever did in Australia. At this stage however I was desperately trying to remember the basic instruction of pulling something to turn me the right way up. I waited patiently to hit the peak of my second bounce and gave the rope a good tug, the first try didn’t work but the second one swung my feet back below my head. With a sigh of relief I sat back, and as I dangled mid air slowly rising away from the ground and back to the gondola, I took in the beauty of my surroundings, grateful I was still alive. What an experience, two years of anticipation and I was not disappointed in the slightest.
New Years eve began at 3pm at a friends hostel. I took my beers to their communal area and on arrival the drinking games began with about 15 people made up of various nationalities. At about 7pm, or so I’ve been told, we left the hostel to hit the town to meet up with a few others. It was
packed and the atmosphere was incredible. Midnight was spent down at the waterfront to the lake, where fireworks were set off, and everyone ran half naked into the lake. There were two stages set up on the greens, with people packed shoulder to shoulder dancing there way into 2010. It was truly an absolutely incredible night, and I don’t think I have ever had such a crazy new years eve. I wish I could tell you more detail but alas my memory is a little hazy for some reason.
After 5 days of hot sunshine, cold beer, and good people I was sad to leave, but it would stay with me for 3 days at least in the form of the mother of all hangovers. Although who am I kidding, if I could do it all again you better be damn sure I would!
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Dad
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I suggest you try sky diving next!!. But first learn how to parachute. Enjoy next hike and hope the boots are well worn in!! When this bloody snow stops will get to Nationwide.