Adrenaline City

Having accomplished my mission in Wanaka, I can now die a happy man. Or not. Fortunately, the 'to do before I die' list is still long. Both for life and for this trip I'll happily continue ticking stuff off the list. Now that I arrived in Queenstown, there's one obvious challenge on the list to tackle: 3, 2, 1, BUNGY!

Queenstown advertises itself as the adventure capital of the world, and that might actually be true. Paragliding, bungy jumping, skydiving, jetboat racing, canyon swings: every and any sport involving heights, rubber cords, parachutes, speed, fear and/or a gigantic dose of adrenalin, Queenstown has it. If you got the dollars, they've got the thrills. I couldn't return home from New Zealand without having done a bungy jump, so I decided to do one here.

Queenstown has three bungy's, the Kawarau Bridge which is the first commercial bungy ever, the Ledge above Queenstown and the Nevis, a whopping 134 meters high. I chose to do the Ledge as you're attached to the bungy cord with a harnass and it's easy accessible from town. So I got up there, payed up, put on the harnass, thought 'Nic, what are you doing?' and threw myself of the platform. Strangest. Feeling. Ever.

The first couple of meters of your fall are alright, nothing special. Compare them to jumping off the highest divingboard at your local pool. You get a small rush but you're not worried, as you know you'll hit the water in a second or two. But then you keep on falling, and falling. The rush you get is sweet, because it's so unnatural.

The cord extends and catapults you back in the air, you see the trees rushing past and after those seconds of fear you can now fully enjoy your bungy. The crazy feeling is not only created by hanging there, but also by the realization that you did something a lot of other people would never consider doing. You conquered your fears, took on the challenge, and just did it.

Things to do before I die: bungy jump: check

After my adrenalin rush, it was time to do that other thing Queenstown does: partying. Teaming up with Cory, we had a couple of beers in the hostelbar, then went over to the World Bar for a cup of tea. That's where I met Xiaopei, a 22 year old law school graduate. Watch your steps Nic! ;) We had a lot of fun, partying the night away. The rest of my time in Queenstown I mostly spent with Xiaopei and her friends, luging, beaching, Fergburgering, and also 'doing' Milford Sound. Milford was stunning, but sadly also a bit cloudy. Still worth it though!

My time in Queenstown was really nice. Great parties, great company, great activities, great scenery, great everything. I'm now on to Christchurch again, then it's time to conquer the north island. G'day!

[I uploaded the pilot video in the previous entry. Check it out! More to come as well]