Bungy Jump in New Zealand!!!

Holy cow! I just bungy jumped off the Kawarau Bridge in Queenstown! That was way more scary then skydiving...holy doodle! I was so scared! Our bus stopped there this afternoon on our way into Queenstown. They showed us a short video of how AJ Hackett started the trend and how safe it is and all that...yeah...safer than skydiving if you can believe it. I am officially crazy! I never thought in a millions years I'd ever do it but standing there watching everyone jump...wow. I just couldn't leave that bridge until I jumped. I watched the 1st girl go and she wasn't scared at all. After seeing her pictures and talking to her I decided to just watch a few more people jump. Well actually a lot more than a few. After about 40mins I decided to find our bus driver and ask her if I had time to jump. She was getting ready to leave but we talked to the lady at the desk and she said they would get me on a shuttle into town after my jump. Cool. Ok. Let's do it!

The bridge stands 42m or 140ft from the water. wow. Yeah, it's high,but what's crazy is that a bunch of people from the bus are actually going to jump 134m or 439ft at a different site. Now that is crazy! Actually it's insane!

Once I was on the bridge there was a line up of about 10 people in front of me. As each person jumped I got more and more nervous but tried to keep calm. Finally... it was my turn. I sat down and the guy wrapped a towel and straps around my ankles. Wow. Ok, I'm fully into this now. Inch by inch I edged closer until my toes were over the edge of the board. A wave to the camera, another wave to the crowd (after he peeled my hand off the bar I was gripping)...and 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! All the way down. I'm pretty sure I closed my eyes for the first couple seconds. I kept waiting for it to jerk me back up and also for the water that I was suppose to hit...waiting, and waiting...whoa! Finally I get pulled back up and see the bridge again...then the water! Wow...that was crazy! The boat pulls in underneath me and hands me a pole to grab on to while I get lowered down. The ankle straps come off and the harness comes off after. It's all over...one last wave to the camera as I try to catch my breath.

Bungy jumping might not be for everyone but considering that the oldest person was 94yrs old, I think you should at least think about doing it. If the person who is scared of heights the most can do it...you can do it too!

Milford Sound tomrrow...can't wait!

Until next time...

New Zealand - Sweet as bro

Kia Ora from New Zealand!It's so beautiful here...no, wait. That doesn't do it justice. It's amazing! It's so lush and green and the people are so friendly. So many rolling hills, bright green trees, sheep, cows, horses...more sheep, more cows. ha ha...yeah, lots of farm land. So much to see! I'm in the south island now and even though it's been raining most of the time it's still breathtaking everywhere you look.

I left Auckland on the 5th of February and have been traveling with The Kiwi Experience since. I have to admit I was a little weary about being stuck on the "PARTY BUS" but it's been awesome. We've had a few crazy nights but everyone has been so great. I've had fun getting to know everyone on my bus over the last 10day but tomorrow I'll have to say goodbye as they are all staying another night here in Franz Josef and I'm heading down to Wanaka, Queenstown, Milford Sound, and Christchurch. Our bus driver Rich, could very well be the highlight on most of the days. His knowledge and sense of humour is awesome. He always has us laughing...well, mostly AT him and sometimes with him. :)

It's hard to believe my time is coming to an end. 10 more sleeps and I'll be home. CRAZY. Really missing my family, friends and work. I've got such mixed feelings right now. Trying to take it all in every day. Even thinking about skydiving again. LOL!

Until next time...

New Zealand bound...after 3 months in Australia

Tomorrow I fly to Auckland, New Zealand. Hard to believe I've been here for 3 months already! I just got back from doing a road trip down the southern coast of Australia. It was amazing! 6days, 3 Canadians, and a camper van named Thor. What a trip! I can't believe I'll be home at the end of this month...it's really amazing how fast the time has gone. Most everyone said I wouldn't come back but I'm actually really looking forward to it. I miss my family, friends and work. I'm so thankful for the friends I had before I came and the new ones I've met along the way. It's been a life changing experience and I'm truely greatful for the opportunity. Starting tomorrow, I'll be on a whirl wind bus tour of New Zealand with the Kiwi Experience. I will spend 15 days on the road, and 2 days with my dear friend Rob who has property there. On Feb.22nd I fly back to Sydney then home to Vancouver on Feb.25th. WOW. Not sure if I'm ready for reality...and the cold, cold snowy weather. Can someone do something about that for me...call it an early birthday present. :)

Until next time...