AJ Hackett Nevis Bungy Jump

Orginally Remy and I were only to do the Nevis Arc Swing, nevertheless, we both decided to to the Bungy Jumping. (Don't know what possessed us to do it!). It's not Queenstown unless you get to do bungy (or equivalent). It's not for the faint hearted, and even the last time I went to Queenstown with Lani and Neil, there was no way to do it. 1. It was winter wonderland in Queenstown = FREEZING 2. Were on a schedule to just snowboard and 3. Didn't in a million years think of doing it.

Now that million years have come....I have decided in my crazy mind to "DO IT!" Nike style. So Friday 7th of May we went to the Bungy Shop to book for our jump on Saturday 8th of May. Lucky we didn't pay full price as it was 20% off if you've done a jump/swing with A.J.Hackett...once paid...no turning back. Yikes!

The eve of the jump, Remy and I were at the Altitude Bar @ the Base Queenstown Backpackers and I get a missed call from my brother Ray. I call back......
{viv} "Hey Ray, What's up?"
{ray}"Are you in hospital?"
{viv}"What? Errr..I'm in a club" (doof doof noise in the background)
{ray} " Oh, cause there was a news in Yahoo about an Australian falling from bungy"
{viv} "Huh? Nope. (Ray reads the article to me).
{viv} "No because I'm in Queenstown, not in Christchurch"
{ray} "Oh that's good, because we were worried."
{viv} "Remy and I are all good; we are bungy jumping tomorrow"
{ray}"Okay....(and can't remember what else we talked but then say bye).

*Sigh*
The night before, we went on a Pub Crawl. The Pub Crawl was good, however after the 5th pub we lost the group so Remy and I ended up at the World Bar for a while before heading back to our room to sleep..ready for the next day ahead.

8th of May we will never forget. Read on the site about the accident that happened to an Australian lady and who was in the Christchurch Hospital recovering from her bungy fall. There are risk taking these activities, however I was rather annoyed by the news..honestly (and quietly) it made me nervous because it could happen to anyone who does it. About 130pm was our jump; again the bus with other 'jumpers' to the Nevis Bungy place.

Drove past the Kawana Bridge Bungy, which is the very first commerical bungy jump - 43m and then 15mins was our destination. Firstly checked in and weighed again with the harness and then followed one of the staff member to the platform; gawking at the place where people were jumping off; a cable wired platform..the only way to get there was a cable transporter thingy....4 of us got onto the cable transport thingy, Remy, 2 Swedish girls and me. Got to the platform and I was extremely nervous and shaky. My hands were tremoring while I hear scream after scream of the people jumping off and then seeing them through the glass view on the floor.

A very long way to the bottom..how about 143m??? Remy and I made our own bet to see, who out of us to was to jump first. Paper, scissors and Rock game out of 3. I lost so I was planning on jumping first. Unfortunately they went by weight so I had to be the last..and him the first again.
Lots of picture taking *click click*. I stand at the viewing area, cheering on Remy (Cheering?). The staff member asked Remy "Are you ready?" Remy: "Non"...counting down 3,2,1..JUMP..nope. The he jumped. I just heard a faint "arghhhhhhhhhh!"....after 2 jumps from other people, I was the lucky last. Can't describe how I felt sitting on the dentist-seque chair having my legs bounded together. Guess pissed off, excited and nervousness.

Shuffling like a Geisha to that 'plank' I look down thinking "I cannot believe I'm doing this!" My stomach had butterflies....oh my gosh, oh my gosh...! Waved and posed for photos then the guy counted down...3,2,1..JUMP...then all over. Whoosh! Such a breathtaking view of the lake and mountains...8.5seconds its over. Between those second yes I screamed my head of, I think I may have shut my eyes for a split second.

Wow! What a jump. Sense of accomplishment that I can tick it off my list to 'things to do when travelling'

Afterwards back onto the Cable Transporter back to the base, brought the dvd and photo and then headed back to Queenstown centre back to our place and saying to each other "OMG; can't believe what we just did!"

Would I do it again? Yes...scare myself all over again.

Until then...

Adios

Vxx