More in the full post, including pictures
What says "New Zealand" more than bungy jumping? Maybe Lord of the Rings, but bungy jumping is up there. This country is the home of commercial bungy jumping (although its roots can be traced to coming-of-age rituals in Vanuatu), with native son AJ Hackett considered the bungy pioneer. Before we arrived in Queenstown, the adrenaline capital of the world, we both decided we'd try one of the many available "extreme" activities, and I found myself being drawn more and more towards the bungy brochures. The idea of jumping has piqued my interest before, and if I'm going to jump sometime, it would be better to do it from an historic bridge over radiantly blue water in New Zealand than in some parking lot in Pigeon Forge or Panama City Beach, right?
There are three major sites in Queenstown: Nevis, The Ledge and Kawarau Bridge. At 134m (8.5 second free fall), Nevis is the highest bungy in Australasia. I wanted to try it, but it requires a four hour round trip on backroads, which is time we didn't have today. Additionally, because the company has to drive you out there on ATVs, they charge people to get to the site even if they don't jump. I wanted Magge to hold me in my last breaths if anything bad happened, so this proposition didn't work for me. It was therefore between The Ledge, a 47m jump overlooking Queenstown, or Kawarau Bridge, the world's first commercially operated bungy jump and 43m high. I chose history and the scenic gorge over the extra four meters, and it was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life. Because my form was so impeccable, I got a 20% discount (or maybe every jumper gets it, I don't remember) to any of the worldwide AJ Hackett Bungy locations. There is one in France, so this may not be the last time I do this, unless my mom and Magge drag me home instead.
Hi mom, I'm ok
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Where was Magge while you were jumping off the bridge head first with only the feet tied up?! I had a knot in my stomach watching the video. It looks like a big soft rag doll jumping off the bridge and going straight down the water below. Then I checked every one of those pictures to confirm the person jumping in the video was indeed you! Glad you had fun experiencing this type of adrenaline-loaded activity but please do not attempt it again. Now that I know you have the guts to do it I don't want to be fretting about the possibility of a second jump somewhere else.
ReplyDeleteI need to go lie down now to recover from Jeffrey's heart-thumping jump. xo
I'm telling and I'm showing your kids one day!
ReplyDeleteBut...those are really great pics.
I was the one taking the video footage. My heart was pounding the entire time. I'm fairly certain I was much more scared than Jeff.
ReplyDeleteI had to pretend it was not Jeff while Lee and I watched the video. Oh my gracious, I will just be grateful you are safe and in one piece.......
ReplyDeleteJeff, I think I found Mom's heart. Bronte was playing with it, what else is new? I've always wanted to bungee jump, it looks like so much fun! Magge captured the moment very well. ♥ Love you!
ReplyDeleteSo I really think the pictures of Jeff are cool - I might have to do it just to get some cool pictures of me as well.
ReplyDeleteKiersten, please don't give your mom any more heart palpitations. No bungy jumping for you!
Is Jeffrey the first one to bunjee-jump in the family? It seems so fun!(Yes mom I do want to try it.)Why does every lake,river,ocean, and pond you visit ALWAYS have to be blue!Why is't it like that in Sandestin?Is that a lake your bunjee-jumping to?
ReplyDeleteLove you,
Liam
Liam, I'm pretty sure I am the first one in the family to bungee jump. I was jumping over the Kawarau river.
ReplyDelete