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Published: December 9th 2006
Becky and Mike temorarily lose their minds in Queenstown.
They decide to hurl themselves out of a plane at 12,000ft! Madness. Sheer madness.(Before you start reading the blog, Mike has managed to attach two maps of all the destinations that we have been to so far. The first map is from the UK, through South America and into Auckland and the second is of New Zealand. Enjoy the blog)
First of all, let us just say that we are both still alive and well. Yes the photos that you are about to see are of Mike throwing himself of a canyon ledge 150m high and both Becky and Mike being thrown out of a plane 12,000ft up!!!!!!
Ok, the day started with us being picked up in Queenstown and taken 20 mins outside the town to the largest canyon swing in the world. Mike was about to throw himself off the canyon ledge and free fall 60m, only for the rope swing to catch him and then swing him for 200m at 150kph. And boy did he enjoy it. He enjoyed it so much that he decided to do it again. Except this time he was to do the 'Elvis cuttaway' drop. He was harnessed into a sitting position, lay back and put his legs around the rope. He was to
Canyon Swing 1
Mike threw himself of the ledge, 150m high!!!!! Madness!!!! be dropped backwards/upside down (arms and head first). He asked for a countdown. The instructors started counting down from 5 except they thought it would be hilarious to drop him on 3, much to Mike's surprise. Becky (and everyone else watching found it very funny). Once Mike stopped swinging he also saw the funny side.
After the morning's madness, we thought we would have a relaxing afternoon exploring Queenstown. That was until Hannah (one of our travel buddies) ran up to us and told us that they had two spaces on the afternoons skydiving, and that if we wanted to do it we would have to decide/go now!!!!!! So we had a quick think and made up our minds.
We quickly paid up, had a quick briefing and headed out to the airfield, about 20 mins away. It was during this 20min that we both wondered what we had just signed ourselves up for. Throwing ourselves out of a plane at 12,000ft, to freefall 30-45 sec while plumiting towards earth at 200kph!!!!! Ok then!!!!!!!
We arrived at the airfield but had to wait for about 45min until our time was up. While we were waiting we watched
Canyon Swing 2
This is the 'Elvis cuttaway' drop more and more people go up in the plane and then parachute down with a massive grin on their faces. 'It can't be that bad' we thought. We eventually got kitted up, given a very short briefing as to what to do (a bit too short we thought considering what we were about to do) basically, legs tucked back, head back, body in a banana shape - that's it!!! and headed for the plane.
The plane journey up was only about 10min, but it felt like the longest 10min either of us had ever known. Eventually the green light in the cabin came on and the door slid open. It was time!!!!!!! We slid our way across the plane to the door. Mike went first and just disappeared into the sky. Becky soon followed (only after the plane had to circle round again to avoid the clouds).
Its very hard to describe the feeling while plumiting towards Earth. Its very surreal, almost like an outer body experience. You know what your doing, but your mind doesn't quite believe it. However the freefall was just amazing as were the views.
We both loved it and would definetly do
it again. Hope you enjoy the photos - let us know what you all think!!!!
We look forward to reading your messages and comments.
Lots of love to all,
Mike and Becky xxx
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anonymous
non-member comment
cant believe u actually did that bex, nice one! ill be emailing u back today/tomorrow had a stupidly hectic week at school! glad ur having such an ace time and more than making the most of it, miss u and love u loads xxx