Queenstown (Contiki Day 10)

So there are a couple of reasons why I've always wanted to come to New Zealand. One of the main reasons is to scare the crap out of myself. I'm a pretty big wimp when it comes to heights. Everytime I stand near the edge of something high, my legs turn to jello. I hate the feeling, but I also love it. Its just so awesome when you conquer one of your fears.

So, I've already done skydiving 3 times, so I figured I'd go bungy jumping. There are a bunch of different jumps in Queenstown. I asked my Contiki Driver Nico, which was the scariest, and he said to do the Nevis (he used to work there too).

The Nevis is the highest bungy jump in New Zealand at 134 meters. Most of the bungy jumps are only around 40-50 meters. So needless to say, the Nevis is a bungy jump on steroids. It is situated overtop of a river. The jump platform is actually a gondola which is suspended between two mountain tops. You have to take a little cable car over to the gondola, which is scary enough. It is about the 3rd or 4th highest bungy jump in the world.

(Looking out from the viewing deck to the Gondola in the middle of the valley. Are you scared yet?)

I was so scared the night before, I could barely sleep. I couldn't stomach any food when I woke up, and could hardly stop moving. I just wanted to get it going. The drive out to the Nevis (about 45 minutes) was really quiet. The group was about 17 people (4 of us were Contiki). No one said anything, as we were all scared for our lives. Once at the site, everyone couldn't believe how intense it looked. No turning back now, as everyone put their harnesses on, and made sure the jump masters put them on right.

To get out to the gondola, you have to take a little cable car. Once in the gondola, they had some awesome pump up tunes blarring which got me more stoked and ready to huck it.

(Hanging out in the Gondola getting ready to huck it)

The order of jumping is heaviest to lightest, so I was the 6th to go. I can not reiterate enough how scary it was. Way more scary then skydiving or anything else I've ever done.

They strap you in on your legs and harness while you sit in a chair, and then you have to ackwardly hobble to the edge. Since I didn't want to look down, the jump master kept saying, "a little more, a little more". You don't want to go any more.

(Getting tied in)

(All Ready to go... putting on a fake smile)

(Waiting on the edge... just look at the horizon and don't look down)

They drop the bungy cord in front of you while you're standing on the edge, and the heavy cord gives a little tug on you foward. Then the jump masters count down.... "3... 2... 1.... GO!!!!". Because the cord and height is so big, you have to do a giant swan dive off the platform. No tip-toeing off with a little baby jump. You have to fully commit to a huge dive.

As you're sitting on the edge, the secret is not to look down. You just look out at the horizon. The moment on the edge is so intense. Everyone is cheering you on. Once you've jumped, and your body figures out whats going on, its the most amazing ride as you freefall for about 7 seconds (thats how high it is!).

(Right after the leap... looking down!)

(Going down. You can see how long the bungy cord is, revealing how high the jump really is.)

Once down at the bottom, you bounce up and down a couple of times, before you pull a cord on your leg, which releases your feet, and you spin so you're the right way up (this way the trip back up to the gondola isn't upside down). As you're getting lifted back to the top, its the most peaceful moment ever. You can't really hear any noise and everything just seems perfect. Its hard to describe, I think you just have to experience it.

Once back on the platform, I was so pumped up, and tried to help the remaining people conquer their fears by giving motivation about how awesome it.

I bought the DVD, so everyone can watch it.

That afternoon I joined Shane and our freeless Contiki Driver Nico for some downhill mountain biking. I have never rode a dual suspension mountain bike, so it took some time getting used to it. I think dual is too easy, as all the little mistakes you make get eaten up by the big front and back suspension.

(Me, Nico, Shane... hanging out at the end of the trail)

We had an awesome afternoon of ripping around, and then getting driven back up to the top of the mountain in a car. We also biked down the most dangeous road in New Zealand, which is one lane, and is on the side of cliff. One little wash-out would result in a couple hundred feet fall straight down into the Shotover river. It was probably the coolest place I have ever ridden.

(Shane starting the track)

(End of the death road)

Overall today was an amazing day...

Daily Activities:
- Nevis Bungy Jumping: hucking yourself off a 134 meter gondola, with only a rubber cord attached.
- Downhill mountain biking: ripping down a mountain at top speed while riding a monster downhill bike.